Slot Upgrade: Liverpool Want to Hire ‘World-Class’ Premier League Manager
Arne Slot looks on during Liverpool’s defeat to PSV Eindhoven Image Credit: Givemesport
Liverpool are considering Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner as a potential replacement for Arne Slot amid their disappointing start to the season, Laurynas Puikys reports for Givemesport.
The reigning Premier League champions have won only two of their last 10 league games and were denied victory at Leeds United on Saturday when Ao Tanaka’s late goal made it 3-3.
The draw means Liverpool have taken just eight points from the last possible 30 and missed the chance to narrow the gap on leaders Arsenal, who also dropped points against Aston Villa.
Liverpool’s draw was overshadowed by Mohamed Salah’s post-match rant, during which the forward accused the club of ‘throwing him under the bus’ after he was benched for a third league game in a row.
According to reports, Liverpool are closely monitoring Glasner’s situation at Selhurst Park, with the Austrian’s contract due to expire at the end of the season.
Glasner is highly rated by Anfield chiefs, with Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards viewing the 51-year-old as a serious candidate to replace the under-pressure Slot.
Slot is facing growing scrutiny despite guiding Liverpool to just their second Premier League title six months ago.
The Reds have won only seven of their 15 league games this season and currently trail Arsenal by 10 points.
If results do not improve quickly, Liverpool could move to make an early decision on Slot’s future, with Glasner seen as the preferred candidate to take over.
Slot, who succeeded Jurgen Klopp in summer 2024, is under contract until the end of the 2026/27 campaign.
Glasner took charge of Palace in February 2024 and has delivered remarkable success, winning both the FA Cup and Community Shield this year.
Under the ‘world-class’ Austrian, Palace have continued their strong form this season and sit sixth in the Premier League ahead of Sunday’s trip to Fulham.
Glasner’s work is even more admirable considering he continues to deliver positive results despite losing two of his best players in successive summers, Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze.
Liverpool ’emergency meeting’ today as interim manager ‘ready to step in’ to replace Arne Slot
There will reportedly be an ’emergency meeting’ at Liverpool today as they discuss Arne Slot’s future following the 3-3 draw against Leeds United, Lewis Oldham reports for Football 363.
Slotis under severe pressure as Liverpool. They have only won four of their last 15 matches in all competitions and have suffered nine defeats.
The Redsreached a new low last week as they deservedly lost 4-1 to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League group stages. Since then, they have only picked up five points from games against West Ham, Sunderland and Leeds United.
The manner of Liverpool’s performances in these games have been equally concerning, with Slot’s side giving up the lead twice to draw at Elland Road on Saturday evening.
Slot recently made the big and justified call to drop Mohamed Salah from his starting XI, and he has been an unused substitute in two of Liverpool’s previous three matches.
Salah said: “I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season. Now I’m sitting on the bench and I don’t know why.
“It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.
“I got a lot of promises in the summer and so far I am on the bench for three games, so I can’t say they kept the promise.
“I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager, and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship. I don’t know why, but it seems to me that someone doesn’t want me at the club.”
They also claimed that Salah has ‘not’ asked to leave, while club legend Steven Gerrard is ‘ready to step in’ as interim manager.
They said on X: Exclusive: @MoSalah has not asked to leave. Emergency meeting tomorrow. @LFC could make statement after tonight’s events.
‘Slot not involved in Salah saga. Edwards & Hughes want to maximize the sale of Salah. Gerrard ready to step in as temporary manager.’
They added: ‘John Heitinga is also on the shortlist alongside Steven Gerrard to become interim manager of @LFC if Arne Slot is sacked.’
Interestingly, Liverpool reporter James Wathland has indicated that captain Virgil van Dijk and other players have sided with Salah regarding Slot.
He revealed on X: ‘EXCLUSIVE: #LFC. The captain Virgil van Dijk and other key figures in the dressing room are on Mo Salah’s side. They want Arne Slot sacked.’
Oba Femi defeats Ricky Saints to win the NXT Championship
The Ruler is back on top as Oba Femi conquered Ricky Saints to regain the NXT Championship in statement fashion.
The champion was confident early on, mocking the challenger with his own signature strut, but it wasn’t long before The Ruler imposed his will.
Femi battered and bruised Saints by tossing him around the ring, but Saints fired back and even managed to hit a huge Spear and Stunner on his hulking opponent.
The Ruler continued his assault on the challenger, but Saints once again rallied and hit a pair of Tornado DDTs, one of which happened on the steel steps.
The champion went for a Roshambo, but was countered with a Fall From Grace. Femi pounced on the opportunity as he hit a second Fall From Grace, this time a sit-out version, and won the title.
Kendal Grey wins the 2025 Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge
Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey stunned everyone by winning the 2025 Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge.
Grey kicked things off with Kelani Jordan, and after an onslaught from Jordan, Grey hit a huge slam for the first fall, but Jordan left the penalty box and rolled up Grey to even the score.
Jordynne Grace entered at No. 3 and hit Grey with a huge lariat as the latter exited the penalty box, but Lola Vice entered at No. 4 and immediately scored a fall thanks to a Spinning Backfist.
Grey exited the box on fire, hitting everyone in the match before rolling up Grace for her second pinfall.
Grace’s first fall was met with Sol Ruca’s entry into the match, but Jordan refused to go to the penalty box and attacked Ruca’s already injured knee, taking her out of the match.
A massive Spanish Fly to the outside by Jordan saw Ruca return to the fray as the former Women’s North American Champion hit two Sol Snatchers to score consecutive falls.
Grey nailed Shades of Grey on Grace, but Jordan broke up the fall with a huge diving splash, pinning Grace herself to tie Grey and Ruca at two.
Grace and Vice both scored a fall to make it a five-way tie with just minutes remaining, but it was Grey who capitalized on the chaos as she hit a flying Shades of Grey to win the match and become the 2025 Women’s Iron Survivor.
NXT North American Champion Ethan Page defeats Mr. Iguana
The NXT North American Championship remains with Ethan Page despite a battle with AAA’s Mr. Iguana.
Iguana toyed with the champion as he played dead before springing back to life and taunting Page with the NXT Universe serenading the challenger.
Page refused to play Iguana’s games and immediately attacked him, sending him into the steel steps and quieting the raucous San Antonio, Texas, crowd.
Iguana tried to use La Yesca to confuse Page, but it only angered the champion as he unleashed another assault onto the challenger before spitting on La Yesca.
The challenger tried to rally, but one Twisted Grin from Page delivered him the win.
Izzi Dame defeats Tatum Paxley
Izzi Dame silenced her critics and took down former NXT Women’s Champion Tatum Paxley.
An emotional Paxley seemed to want to make amends with her former friends, but the vindictive Dame refused and slammed her into the steel steps.
Dame continued her barrage, even trapping Paxley in the ropes and cracking her with a huge Big Boot before locking in a Boston Crab.
The two battled on the outside, and Paxley suckered Dame in and hit a huge Cemetery Drive, but Shawn Spears distracted her by ripping her favorite doll apart.
Paxley smacked Spears, but she turned right into another Big Boot and a Dame Over to give Izzi the win.
Je’Von Evans wins the 2025 Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge
The Young OG showed out at NXT Deadline and won the 2025 Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge.
Je’Von Evans kicked off the match with his friend, TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater, and it ended with Evans rolling up Slater to score the first fall of the match.
Myles Borne entered at No. 3 and Dion Lennox entered at No. 4, adding even more chaos to the already intense matchup.
Borne countered a top rope move from Slater, and it allowed Lennox to hit a Doomsday Device and pick up a key fall.
Joe Hendry entered the match last, completing the field and sending the match into another gear.
Hendry countered Borne Again and lifted Borne into a huge twisting Death Valley Driver-esque maneuver, tying the match at one apiece with Lennox and Evans.
Slater was next to score a point as Evans hit a coast-to-coast on Hendry, allowing Slater to do the same on Evans before hitting a Swanton 450 on Hendry.
Borne immediately struck back with a Borne Again on Lennox to even the bout at one, and Lennox assaulted Hendry in the penalty box before Hendry returned the favor.
The action broke down in a major way as every Superstar began flying in and out of the ring, but it was Borne that tried to pin Evans, only for The Young OG to roll him up and win the Iron Survivor Challenge with just seconds remaining.
After the match, NXT Champion Oba Femi appeared on the ramp, but the lights went out, and Tony D’Angelo was in the ring to attack Evans.
Dorada Upsets Castagnoli, Takeshita Beats Moxley, Perry Replaces Allin, More
It was another fantastic night of action at GalaxyCon in Columbus, Ohio! We were thrilled to be back in our normal Saturday home for Collision on TNT and HBO Max, full of championship matches and Blue League action in the Continental Classic!
In the main event, IWGP World Heavyweight Champion “The Alpha” Konosuke Takeshita of the Don Callis Family remained undefeated and moved into a tie for the top of the Blue League with a win over Jon Moxley of the Death Riders in a fantastic match. That makes Moxley 0-2 this week. Máscara Dorada scored a major upset when he defeated the previously perfect Claudio Castagnoli. And Orange Cassidy fought through a bad back to capture three points from Roderick Strong.
TBS Champion Mercedes Moné survived a spirited effort from Leila Grey but secured a successful defense with the Statement Maker. Plus, AEW National Champion Ricochet made his second title defense in as many nights in a spectacular match against Ace Austin, with the Demand playing an unfortunately meaningful role in Ricochet’s win, and much more!
Here’s everything that happened at AEW Collision for December 6, 2025, including your full results and match recaps.
We opened Collision with an interesting battle of associates, as it relates to The Conglomeration, with Orange Cassidy taking on Roderick Strong. Before the match began, Renee Paquette reported that Cassidy admitted he’s dealing with a back injury. Strong took Cassidy down to the mat and eventually worked him into the ropes, where he showed no qualms about the chops Cassidy asked him to refrain from on Dynamite. Cassidy turned it around and controlled Strong with a headlock. Strong tried to fight through with a backbreaker, but Cassidy was able to regain his control almost immediately.
Finally, Strong leveled Cassidy with a chop so hard that it knocked him from the ring. Strong followed him out and laid in a few more chops that echoed throughout GalaxyCon. Strong continued the relentless attack with a backbreaker on the railing! He remained on the hunt with another chop as they returned to the ring, where Strong caught Cassidy with a brutal backbreaker across his knee. Strong continued to work over Cassidy’s back with nine backbreakers! Cassidy found a glimmer of hope with a DDT out of nowhere.
Cassidy locked his hands in his pockets to help avoid the Stronghold and launch Strong to the outside with his feet! Cassidy followed with a dive that connected with Strong. Cassidy ran Strong into three turnbuckles from the apron but was caught from the top rope when Strong hit a powerslam. Strong blocked a Stundog Millionaire, so Cassidy got a crucifix for a two-count. Cassidy nailed a springboard tornado DDT from the apron and went to the top. Still, Strong met him there, and the two jockeyed for position until Cassidy back-elbowed Strong into a precarious position straddling the middle rope the hard way.
Cassidy came off the top with an elbow, and Strong found a way to kick out at two. Strong avoided an Orange Punch and nailed End of Heartache! He stacked up Cassidy, who escaped in the nick of time to keep the match alive. Strong held onto Cassidy’s legs, but Cassidy turned it into a nearfall! Cassidy came back with a Stundog Millionaire, but Strong was ready for the Orange Punch again by lifting Cassidy onto his shoulders. However, Cassidy escaped on the way down and crossed Strong’s legs to trap him in a pin that earned him the three count and his first three points! What a finish!
Jack Perry to Replace the Injured Darby Allin in the Continental Classic
Tony Schiavone provided a significant update on the Continental Classic with the news that Darby Allin has not been cleared to continue in the tournament and will be replaced in the Gold League by “Jungle” Jack Perry. After the announcement, Allin addressed the situation and admitted the Death Riders might be winning the war because they are out there every week, and he’s out. He said he was scared in the ring for the first time in his life last week against Kevin Knight because his legs gave out and he was rushed to the hospital. He knows why he wasn’t medically cleared, but has never seen eye-to-eye with Perry, although if it’s Perry taking his spot, “Go on and win the whole f****** thing! I hope you do! As for Darby…I don’t…know.”
Bang Bang Gang wants FTR for the AEW Tag Team Titles in the UK!
“Tonight is the greatest night of my life! Why? Because FTR are the AEW World Tag Team Champions!”
That familiar refrain from Stokely was shouted down by Columbus with some language that isn’t suitable for the holiday season.
Stokely said there was no more fun and games because FTR wanted Austin Gunn and Juice Robinson in the ring right now! Bang Bang Gang wasted no time marching to the ring with Columbus serenading them with “GUNS UP!” chants.
Wheeler cut that off and admitted that Gunn and Robinson were the last team to beat them, but that will be the last time that happens. He said their most significant achievements are being “Billy’s son” and “Mr. Toni Storm.” Harwood took over and said FTR being in the ring with them makes them relevant. However, he was embarrassed that Gunn touched his belt last week, and the only reason they haven’t fought was that he knows FTR would beat them. So he’ll do them a favor and let them touch the belt this week – only to fake out Gunn with a “too slow”!
Gunn said he’s the son of a Hall of Famer, and Juice is the son of a carpenter; meanwhile, Cash is the son of his first cousin, and Dax is just a son of a bitch! Gunn said they were just avoiding putting the titles on the line against the last team to beat them. Robinson followed up by reminding everyone that they had recently won $200K and could buy all the belts they wanted, but he had one of those, and it holds up his pants. He wants those titles. They aren’t out here to touch those titles, because the next time they touch those titles, it will be when the referee hands them over after they beat their ass in the United Kingdom.
“And if you’re not down with that, we got two words for ya…AND NEW!”
The Death Riders Have Plenty to Say to TNT Champion Mark Briscoe
Marina Shafir, Wheeler Yuta, and Daniel Garcia were somewhere in the building and had plenty to say to TNT Champion Mark Briscoe. Shafir asked if he had anyone by his side, like the Death Riders. Yuta took the typical shots at Briscoe’s appearance, but it was Garcia who called Briscoe stupid for making the challenge to Garcia. Garcia said he’s bringing the TNT Title to the Death Riders.
The leader of the Blue League marched to the ring as we saw a package recapping one of the most newsworthy matches of the Continental Classic, as it was Castagnoli besting Jon Moxley on Dynamite to move to six points and win the battle of the Death Riders.
Castagnoli controlled early by grinding Dorada to the mat with his superior power while avoiding Dorada’s attempts to attack with his speed. A spectacular armdrag sent Castagnoli to the outside, but when Dorada tried to follow, he ran into a rising uppercut! Castagnoli gorilla-pressed Dorada onto the guardrail twice and rolled in the ring to admire his work. Dorada beat the referee’s count, only for Castagnoli to attack once again.
Castagnoli didn’t feel that beating down Dorada was enough, so he started pulling at the mask, but that angered Dorada, who hit some chops and kicks until Castagnoli cut him off with an abbreviated swing. Castagnoli hit a running uppercut in the corner, but couldn’t connect on a second, and Dorada dropped him with a thrust kick. Castagnoli booted Dorada to the mat, but when he tried to grab Dorada, it was reversed with Dorada springing to his feet and then onto Castagnoli’s shoulders! He hopped to the top rope and came back with an amazing armdrag. Dorada picked up the pace with a hurricanrana that sent Castagnoli to the outside, and when he followed with a dive, Castagnoli blocked it and celebrated. Dorada took that chance to return to the ring and hit another dive that turned into an armdrag on the floor. The two traded shots into the steel steps until Dorada sprang to the second rope and swung down for a wristlock takeover to the floor!
Back in the ring, Dorada tried to get a pin, but Castagnoli powered out. Dorada went to the top only to be caught on the way down by Castagnoli, who turned the momentum into a tilt-a-whirl slam for a two count. Dorada ate a huge uppercut but managed to kick out as we heard the 10-minute warning. Dorada nailed a thrust kick, so Castagnoli came back with a massive lariat. Dorada had enough to kick out at two, although both men were showing signs of wear.
Castagnoli punished Dorada in the corner with short uppercuts until he ran into two boots. However, Castagnoli grabbed Dorada on his back and scaled the ropes, but Dorada escaped and stood on the top rope to hit a leaping hurricanrana! Dorada went back to the same corner, and Castagnoli ran to meet on the top rope with an uppercut! Dorada avoided a superplex to send Castagnoli to the mat. He followed with a shooting star press to get the pinfall and earn a huge upset! Dorada is on the board with three points, and Castagnoli suffers his first loss of the Continental Classic!
Tony Schiavone Sits Down with Timeless Love Bombs and the Babes of Wrath
As Tony Schiavone made the introductions of the two teams that will vie to become the first AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions in the tournament final this Wednesday at Winter is Coming, Mina Shirakawa made sure all four women had glasses of champagne. Schiavone said that when these two teams meet on Wednesday, hearts will be divided, including his.
“Then we should raise a glass! To four bitches with the itches who fight for all the riches!”
“Timeless” Toni Storm explained how her team is more than just a team in the ring. They’ve been through a lot and aren’t just thrown together for this tournament. Willow Nightingale said she supports whatever happens in their personal lives, but that shouldn’t matter when it comes to the ring. She shared the history between her and Harley Cameron, including a match they had on AEW Dark three years ago. They went their own ways after that, and while things haven’t always been perfect, they both operated the same way by smiling and doing what they love. Storm reminded Nightingale and Cameron that she’s beaten them both, and they have never beaten her. Cameron said these babes have wrath, and she’s done more in her first and only three years than Storm or Shirakawa did. Shirakawa jumped in before an argument broke out and said they are here to give everyone a fight to remember.
Schiavone summed it up perfectly, “Well s***, I’ll drink to that!” And everyone raised their glasses to toast!
Swerve Strickland Challenged by Josh Alexander, Attacked by Katsuyori Shibata
Tony Schiavone introduced Swerve Strickland and Prince Nana for their returns to Collision after a three-month absence! Swerve detailed his time away with surgery, rehab, and preparing to come back.
“Three months of turning myself into the biggest, baddest, most dangerous version of Swerve Strickland you’ve ever seen!”
And he’s doing it all for the AEW World Championship. And he knows what it’s like to hold that title because business was straightforward with him.
“I said it. I meant it. And I backed it the hell up.”
He acknowledged that the AEW World Championship sat on the shoulder of Samoa Joe, but every time he tries to come after him, Joe goes running. Swerve wondered if that was because it was Swerve who beat Joe for the AEW World Title the last time Joe had it. And now he has to go through Opps Dojo members to get to Katsuyori Shibata, Powerhouse Hobbs, and even HOOK to get back to his World Championship.
“Joe, you will fall once again to the franchise of AEW, Swerve Strickland. Whose House?”
Swerve said he needed to talk about one more person, “Hangman” Adam Page. He said they may never see eye-to-eye, but no one can doubt that Hangman vs. Swerve is the greatest rivalry in AEW history. And he heard Hangman was looking for someone to battle with him against the Opps.
“So what do you say? How ‘bout Swerve is the one backing you up at Winter is Coming? For one night, and one night only. After that, me and you, Hangman, we’re gonna have to sit down again and have a very, very, very serious conversation.”
All of a sudden, Josh Alexander’s voice was heard yelling, “Enough!”
He said Swerve was just saying lies and half-truths, and he’s certainly not the franchise. And this isn’t Swerve’s house, it’s Don Callis’ House now!
Alexander asked why Swerve was talking about the AEW World Championship and not revenge. It was another Don Callis member, Kazuchika Okada, who injured Swerve’s knee. But he gets that Swerve isn’t coming for revenge since this is Don Callis’ house now. Alexander said Swerve shouldn’t be able to come back in and get a title shot after being away for three months. Alexander ran down everything he’s done and who he’s taken out since Swerve has been gone, including winning $1 million for the Don Callis Family. If anyone deserves a title shot, it’s Alexander! He asked the crowd if it should be him or Swerve. They obviously chanted for Swerve.
Alexander acknowledged they both wanted to fight, but he didn’t think Columbus deserved it. Swerve said they can do it next week in Cardiff at AEW Collision, Winter is Coming. He invited Alexander to come in and fight, but was chopped in the knee by Shibata, who hit the ring out of nowhere with a sneak attack! Swerve was slow to his feet, as Shibata calmly left up the aisle. Alexander said he’d see Swerve next week.
Is Mercedes Moné Starting to Crack?
Lexy Nair was backstage with TBS Champion Mercedes Moné and tried to get the former ROH Women’s World TV Champion to comment on losing that title to Red Velvet last night at ROH Final Battle. Moné was clearly flustered and angered, so she asked for a better question. Nair asked if her recent losses were weighing on her. Moné was still angry and reminded everyone that she’s a global star and still 12 Belts Moné. Leila Grey tried to kick her when she was down last night, and Moné promised to make her pay.
Moné attacked before the bell, immediately sending Grey to the floor. She followed with a sliding dropkick and ran down the apron to hit a meteora, but Grey ducked, so Christopher Daniels ate the pair of knees from Moné instead! Grey nailed Moné with a forearm and then put her down with a short dropkick to get a two count. She followed with a neckbreaker for another nearfall. Moné blocked an attack in the corner and slammed Grey into the turnbuckle with a head scissors. Grey missed a bulldog out of the corner, which allowed Moné to hit a Meteora for a two count.
Moné stayed in control until she missed a charge in the corner. Grey fought back with a series of clotheslines and a slingblade. She hit a rising knee on Moné in the corner, but appeared to be showing damage from the match so far. Grey recovered to hit a bulldog, but Moné snatched her in the Moné Maker to get the submission victory. She held on after the bell rang, so Daniels came in to stop it, and she let go. Moné kicked Daniels low and then went to the announce table to steal Tony Schiavone’s headset and proclaim herself the greatest TBS Champion.
Eddie Kingston’s Final Words Ahead of Winter is Coming
Kingston said he’s been dreaming of being a world champion since he was nine years old. Samoa Joe can’t get into Kingston’s head, because Kingston is already in his own head. He yells and screams because he cares. He cares about people going down a path he doesn’t respect. AEW was supposed to be different. You would be rewarded for being the best. And now he’s seeing how Samoa Joe is doing it, and he needs to win the AEW World Championship to show the young guys how it’s supposed to be. The focus on Kingston’s face has never been more apparent.
Triangle of Madness Attack with a Message
We were taken to outside the women’s locker room, where Thekla, Julia Hart and Skye Blue left a pile of bodies with a statement attack. Hart and Blue said, “Sisters of Sin come for the win.” Thekla left with these ominous words, “See you in Cardiff, bitches!”
AEW National Championship: Ricochet (c) defeats Ace Austin
Austin immediately saw the issues he had on the outside with Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona but managed to focus up and knock Ricochet to the outside with a dropkick pretty quickly. A frustrated Ricochet grabbed the bell hammer and brought it into the ring, which allowed Liona to trip Austin. Ricochet clobbered Austin from behind and sent him to the outside so he could hit a massive dive in a clearly premeditated attack.
After Ricochet had his way with Austin for the next few minutes, Austin got back into the match by avoiding a dropkick in the corner. Ricochet landed on his head, so Austin found a second wind and focused his efforts on Ricochet’s neck and head. Repeated blows followed a knee lift/Russian leg sweep combo in the corner. Austin avoided Liona on the outside by showing exceptional balance on the ring apron while still hitting a springboard crossbody onto Ricochet. He followed with a Dr. Bomb for a two-count, as Columbus came alive for Austin. Ricochet reversed Austin’s offense into a pin attempt but did some real damage with a shotgun dropgun to the corner. Austin avoided a Spirit Gun and the two traded reversals until they wound up on the top rope, where Austin hit a superplex on Ricochet! Austin slammed Ricochet’s head to the mat with his calves, which nearly won the match in the closest nearfall of the match.
Austin went for The Fold, so Ricochet moved the referee in the way and tried to hit a low blow, but it was blocked. Austin flipped Ricochet head over heels, but Ricochet landed on his feet and nailed Austin with a Spirit Gun, followed by Vertigo to get the pinfall victory and successful defense of the AEW National Championship.
After the match, FTR hit the ring to attack Austin until Juice Robinson and Austin Gunn hit the ring to save their fellow Bang Bang Gang member. Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood tried to attack with the AEW World Tag Team Championships, but Robinson and Gunn avoided it and lit them up with punches! The belts were left in the ring, so Bang Bang Gang threw them out, much to the chagrin of FTR.
Continental Classic Blue League: IWGP World Heavyweight Champion “The Alpha” Konosuke Takeshita (6 points) defeats Jon Moxley (3 points) via pinfall
This main event had the entire crowd on their feet, chanting “HOLY S***!” at the bell!
With so much on the line, there was an expected feeling-out process between the two until a clean break turned into a shoving match. They traded shoulder blocks until Takeshita hit a big boot and a leaping clothesline to take Moxley down. Moxley avoided a suplex, but seemed to come down awkwardly on the ankle that Kyle O’Reilly previously injured. While the referee tried to check on Moxley, Takeshita slid to the outside and started slamming the ankle into the ring post. He sat Mox in a chair and slammed the ankle into the guardrail! Moxley tried to walk it off, but collapsed into the ring steps. Takeshita threw Moxley back in the ring, where Moxley fell yet again. Takeshita got Mox back to his feet, twisted his ankle, and sent Moxley down in significant pain.
The ankle remained the point of emphasis for Takeshita for the next few minutes, including a simple kick in the corner that cut off a brief moment of comeback for Moxley. Takeshita trapped Moxley’s ankle in the ropes, but Moxley escaped and nailed a charging Takeshita with a forearm. The two fought on the apron, where Moxley kicked Takeshita in the ankle and followed with a stomp off the corner of the ring to Takeshita’s head!
Back in the ring, Moxley hit a side suplex, so Takeshita came back with a German suplex! Both men got back up and met clotheslines that sent them crashing back to the mat. After getting to their feet at the 10-minute warning, they traded blows until they held each other up. Moxley took the advantage back with a lariat that turned Takeshita inside out!
The two traded reversals until Moxley turned a cross armbar into an ankle lock on Takeshita! The IWGP World Heavyweight Champions made it to the ropes to break the hold, so Moxley stomped on the ankle. On the apron, Takeshita reversed a piledriver into a back body drop, sending Moxley crashing onto the most challenging part of the ring!
When Takeshita tried to get back in the ring, he collapsed from his own ankle pain. Moxley got back in only to be met by a forearm from Takeshita! Takeshita shook off the pain and flipped over the top onto Moxley on the floor! Takeshita wrecked the announce table and then put Moxley through the standing edge with a blue thunder bomb! Takeshita got in the ring looking for the count-out, but Moxley made it back in at 9.9! Takeshita was already coming off the top with a splash that landed, but Mox kicked out!
Takeshita tried to charge Mox, but Moxley just collapsed to the mat, only to snatch Takeshita in a pinning predicament that almost won the match! Moxley hit a cutter with five minutes to go and struggled to his feet with the injured ankle. Takeshita dropped his weight onto Moxley’s ankle and then ran right into a big forearm from Moxley. Moxley nailed the Paradigm Shift! 1-2-TAKESHITA GOT HIS FOOT ON THE ROPE! What a match!
Moxley put Takeshita down with everything he had until Takeshita found his fighting spirit and got back up. When Moxley tried to rebound off the ropes, his ankle gave out, so Takeshita floored him with a knee, but Moxley somehow kicked out! Takeshita lowered his kneepad to hit a Powerdrive Knee right to Moxley’s face! He picked Moxley back up and dropped him with Raging Fire to get the pinfall victory! He moves to six points and a tie with Castagnoli on top of the Blue League!
Continental Classic in Action, Moné Defends TBS Title, AEW National Title Open Challenge, More
Image Credit: AEW
AEW Collision is back on Saturday night, and it’s time to fight! We’re at GalaxyCon in Columbus, Ohio, LIVE at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on TNT and streaming on HBO Max!
The 2025 Continental Classic heats up with the entire Blue League in action. Claudio Castagnoli leads the way with six points and will try to stay perfect when he takes on Máscara Dorada, who’s still looking for his first points of the tournament. The man who Castagnoli defeated on AEW Dynamite in a battle of the Death Riders, Jon Moxley, will try to get back on track when he faces IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita, with each man sitting at three points. And in a Conglomeration-adjacent explosion, Orange Cassidy battles Roderick Strong, with each man trying to get on the scoreboard.
Plus, the AEW National Championship will be on the line tonight on Collision. Ricochet promised both to be a fighting champion and to make it a weekend in Columbus, so after defeating Dalton Castle in his first AEW National Title defense last night at ROH Final Battle, he will put the title on the line once again tonight on Collision.
All that and much more is coming your way from GalaxyCon! Here’s your complete AEW Collision preview for December 6, 2025.
AEW Collision Matches, Preview for December 6
Continental Classic Blue League: IWGP World Heavyweight Champion “The Alpha” Konosuke Takeshita (3 points) vs. Jon Moxley (3 points)
This match is what the Continental Classic is all about! Jon Moxley won’t have much time to lick his wounds after losing the all-Death Riders matchup to Claudio Castagnoli just days ago on Dynamite, because he’ll be in the ring tonight against the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Konosuke Takeshita, in Blue League action.
Takeshita represented the Don Callis Family well when he won his first Continental Classic match last week against Roderick Strong on Collision. Tonight, Takeshita faces a man he has never defeated before, as Moxley is a perfect 3-0 against Takeshita. Does Takeshita’s tournament dominance continue, or can Moxley avoid a scoreless week?
Continental Classic Blue League: Claudio Castagnoli (6 points) vs. Máscara Dorada (0 points)
The man with the most Continental Classic experience, Claudio Castagnoli, leads the way in the Blue League with six points. He tries to move even further ahead of the field tonight against Máscara Dorada, who is looking for his first points of the tournament. Dorada lost his first match to Jon Moxley two weeks ago on Dynamite, while Castagnoli has victories over both Moxley and Orange Cassidy so far in C2 action. Will Castagnoli remain undefeated, or is Dorada due for his first points in the Blue League?
Continental Classic Blue League: Orange Cassidy (0 points) vs. Roderick Strong (0 points)
As TNT Champion Mark Briscoe astutely pointed out, somebody’s gotta win when the Conglomeration’s Orange Cassidy takes on Conglomeration-adjacent Roderick Strong with both looking for their first points of the Continental Classic. On this week’s Dynamite, Strong insisted that he’s not part of the Conglomeration and wouldn’t satisfy Cassidy‘s request of no chops, as he seems much more focused on winning the match and the tournament as a whole. So who will earn retribution in the Continental Classic and get on the board tonight?
TBS Championship Match: Mercedes Moné (c) vs. SkyFlight’s Leila Grey
After Leila Grey tried to console Mercedes Moné following her loss of the ROH Women’s World TV Championship to Red Velvet at Final Battle, The Baddie laid out a challenge to The CEO. The TBS Title is on the line tonight on Collision!
images All Elite Wrestling/voltaxMediaLibrary mmsport wrestling on fannation
AEW National Champion Ricochet’s Open Challenge
The AEW National Title will be on the line for the second time in two nights! Last night at ROH Final Battle, in his first-ever defense of the AEW National Championship, Ricochet defeated Dalton Castle. Earlier at Final Battle Zero Hour, Ace Austin beat Lee Johnson, so both men are coming off impressive victories. Can Ricochet make it two for two in Columbus? Or will Ace Austin win his first AEW gold?
Tony Schiavone Sit-down Interview with Timeless Love Bombs and Babes of Wrath
Before they fight for the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Title in the final of the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship Tournament, “Timeless” Toni Storm, Mina Shirakawa, Harley Cameron and Willow Nightingale will sit down with Tony Schiavone on Collision.
We’ll Hear From AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR!
Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler weren’t happy to be confronted by Bang Bang Gang’s Austin Gunn and Juice Robinson last week on Collision, so they promised to be in Columbus tonight and dared Gunn and Robinson to mess with them again. We’ll see what happens when we hear from FTR and Stokely tonight!
Swerve Strickland Will Be Live On Collision!
The last time we saw Swerve, he was standing side-by-side with “Hangman” Adam Page against The Opps. We’ll hear from Swerve live from Columbus tonight on Collision.
Watch as the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, is joined by legends of the game to unveil the new FIFA World Cup 2026™ match schedule. The unveiling took place in Washington DC, USA, and commences at 12:00 local time (17:00 UTC) on Saturday 6 December 2025.
Check out the match schedule for the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the USA with each of the 104 fixtures from the 48-team event.
The biggest-ever edition of the global showpiece will see 104 games featuring 48 teams played across 16 host cities in three countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Mexico v South Africa – Group A – Mexico City Stadium Korea Republic v Czechia/Denmark/North Macedonia/Republic of Ireland – Group A – Estadio Guadalajara
Friday, 12 June 2026
Canada v Bosnia and Herzegovina/Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales – Group B – Toronto Stadium USA v Paraguay – Group D – Los Angeles Stadium
Saturday, 13 June 2026
Haiti v Scotland – Group C – Boston Stadium Australia v Kosovo/Romania/Slovakia/Türkiye – Group D – BC Place Vancouver Brazil v Morocco – Group C – New York New Jersey Stadium Qatar v Switzerland – Group B – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
Sunday, 14 June 2026
Côte d’Ivoire v Ecuador – Group E – Philadelphia Stadium Germany v Curaçao – Group E – Houston Stadium Netherlands v Japan – Group F – Dallas Stadium Albania/Poland/Sweden/Ukraine v Tunisia – Group F – Estadio Monterrey
Monday, 15 June 2026
Saudi Arabia v Uruguay – Group H – Miami Stadium Spain v Cabo Verde – Group H – Atlanta Stadium IR Iran v New Zealand – Group G – Los Angeles Stadium Belgium v Egypt – Group G – Seattle Stadium
Tuesday, 16 June 2026
France v Senegal – Group I – New York New Jersey Stadium Bolivia/Iraq/Suriname v Norway – Group I – Boston Stadium Argentina v Algeria – Group J – Kansas City Stadium Austria v Jordan – Group J – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Ghana v Panama – Group L – Toronto Stadium England v Croatia – Group L – Dallas Stadium Portugal v Congo DR/Jamaica/New Caledonia – Group K – Houston Stadium Uzbekistan v Colombia – Group K – Mexico City Stadium
FIFA World Cup 26™ Host Cities
Check out the 16 cities that will play host to FIFA World Cup 26™.
Thursday, 18 June 2026
Czechia/Denmark/North Macedonia/Republic of Ireland v South Africa – Group A – Atlanta Stadium Switzerland v Bosnia and Herzegovina/Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales – Group B – Los Angeles Stadium Canada v Qatar – Group B – BC Place Vancouver Mexico v Korea Republic – Group A – Estadio Guadalajara
Friday, 19 June 2026
Brazil v Haiti – Group C – Philadelphia Stadium Scotland v Morocco – Group C – Boston Stadium Kosovo/Romania/Slovakia/Türkiye v Paraguay – Group D – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium USA v Australia – Group D – Seattle Stadium
Saturday, 20 June 2026
Germany v Côte d’Ivoire – Group E – Toronto Stadium Ecuador v Curaçao – Group E – Kansas City Stadium Netherlands v Albania/Poland/Sweden/Ukraine – Group F – Houston Stadium Tunisia v Japan – Group F – Estadio Monterrey
Sunday, 21 June 2026
Uruguay v Cabo Verde – Group H – Miami Stadium Spain v Saudi Arabia – Group H – Atlanta Stadium Belgium v IR Iran – Group G – Los Angeles Stadium New Zealand v Egypt – Group G – BC Place Vancouver
Monday, 22 June 2026
Norway v Senegal – Group I – New York New Jersey Stadium France v Bolivia/Iraq/Suriname – Group I – Philadelphia Stadium Argentina v Austria – Group J – Dallas Stadium Jordan v Algeria – Group J – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
Tuesday, 23 June 2026
England v Ghana – Group L – Boston Stadium Panama v Croatia – Group L – Toronto Stadium Portugal v Uzbekistan – Group K – Houston Stadium Colombia v Congo DR/Jamaica/New Caledonia – Group K – Estadio Guadalajara
Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Scotland v Brazil – Group C – Miami Stadium Morocco v Haiti – Group C – Atlanta Stadium Switzerland v Canada – Group B – BC Place Vancouver Bosnia and Herzegovina/Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales v Qatar – Group B – Seattle Stadium Czechia/Denmark/North Macedonia/Republic of Ireland v Mexico – Group A – Mexico City Stadium South Africa v Korea Republic – Group A – Estadio Monterrey
Thursday, 25 June 2026
Curaçao v Côte d’Ivoire – Group E – Philadelphia Stadium Ecuador v Germany – Group E – New York New Jersey Stadium Japan v Albania/Poland/Sweden/Ukraine – Group F – Dallas Stadium Tunisia v Netherlands – Group F – Kansas City Stadium Kosovo/Romania/Slovakia/Türkiye v USA – Group D – Los Angeles Stadium Paraguay v Australia – Group D – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
Friday, 26 June 2026
Norway v France – Group I – Boston Stadium Senegal v Bolivia/Iraq/Suriname – Group I – Toronto Stadium Egypt v IR Iran – Group G – Seattle Stadium New Zealand v Belgium – Group G – BC Place Vancouver Cabo Verde v Saudi Arabia – Group H – Houston Stadium Uruguay v Spain – Group H – Estadio Guadalajara
Saturday, 27 June 2026
Panama v England – Group L – New York New Jersey Stadium Croatia v Ghana – Group L – Philadelphia Stadium Algeria v Austria – Group J – Kansas City Stadium Jordan v Argentina – Group J – Dallas Stadium Colombia v Portugal – Group K – Miami Stadium Congo DR/Jamaica/New Caledonia v Uzbekistan – Group K – Atlanta Stadium
Match 73 – Group A runners-up v Group B runners-up – Los Angeles Stadium
Monday, 29 June 2026
Match 74 – Group E winners v Group A/B/C/D/F third place – Boston Stadium Match 75 – Group F winners v Group C runners-up – Estadio Monterrey Match 76 – Group C winners v Group F runners-up – Houston Stadium
Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Match 77 – Group I winners v Group C/D/F/G/H third place – New York New Jersey Stadium Match 78 – Group E runners up v Group I runners-up – Dallas Stadium Match 79 – Group A winners v Group C/E/F/H/I third place – Mexico City Stadium
Wednesday, 1 July 2026
Match 80 – Group L winners v Group E/H/I/J/K third place – Atlanta Stadium Match 81 – Group D winners v Group B/E/F/I/J third place – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium Match 82 – Group G winners v Group A/E/H/I/J third place – Seattle Stadium
Thursday, 2 July 2026
Match 83 – Group K runners-up v Group L runners-up – Toronto Stadium Match 84 – Group H winners v Group J runners-up – Los Angeles Stadium Match 85 – Group B winners v Group E/F/G/I/J third place – BC Place Vancouver
Friday, 3 July 2026
Match 86 – Group J winners v Group H runners-up – Miami Stadium Match 87 – Group K winners v Group D/E/I/J/L third place – Kansas City Stadium Match 88 – Group D runners-up v Group G runners-up – Dallas Stadium
FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 fixtures
Saturday, 4 July 2026
Match 89 – Winner match 74 v Winner match 77 – Philadelphia Stadium Match 90 – Winner match 73 v Winner match 75 – Houston Stadium
Sunday, 5 July 2026
Match 91 – Winner match 76 v Winner match 78 – New York New Jersey Stadium Match 92 – Winner match 79 v Winner match 80 – Mexico City Stadium
Monday, 6 July 2026
Match 93 – Winner match 83 v Winner match 84 – Dallas Stadium Match 94 – Winner match 81 v Winner match 82 – Seattle Stadium
Tuesday, 7 July 2026
Match 95 – Winner match 86 v Winner match 88 – Atlanta Stadium Match 96 – Winner match 85 v Winner match 87 – BC Place Vancouver
FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final fixtures
Thursday, 9 July 2026
Match 97 – Winner match 89 v Winner match 90 – Boston Stadium
Friday, 10 July 2026
Match 98 – Winner match 93 v Winner match 94 – Los Angeles Stadium
Saturday, 11 July 2026
Match 99 – Winner match 91 v Winner match 92 – Miami Stadium Match 100 – Winner match 95 v Winner match 96 – Kansas City Stadium
FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final fixtures
Tuesday, 14 July 2026
Match 101 – Winner match 97 v Winner match 98 – Dallas Stadium
Wednesday, 15 July 2026
Match 102 – Winner match 99 v Winner match 100 – Atlanta Stadium
FIFA World Cup 2026 bronze final
Saturday, 18 July 2026
Match 103 – Loser match 101 v Loser match 102 – Miami Stadium
FIFA World Cup 2026 Final
Sunday, 19 July 2026
Match 104 – Winner match 101 v Winner match 102 – New York New Jersey Stadium
Moné Loses TV Title, Athena and Bandido Retain World Titles, More
Ring of Honor Final Battle was LIVE from Columbus, Ohio’s GalaxyCon on Friday night, and once again, ROH delivered with one of the best wrestling shows of the year!
On a night where three new champions crowned were crowned, both ROH World Champions – Athena and Bandido – retained their titles. Meanwhile, Mercedes Moné is no longer 13 Belts Moné, as Red Velvet defeated her in an ROH Women’s World TV Title rematch to reclaim gold! Plus, Nigel McGuinness and Lee Moriarty put on an absolute clinic in a 30-minute Iron Man Match, and much more!
Here’s everything that happened at ROH Final Battle on December 5, 2025, including your full results and match recaps.
The Outrunners (Truth Magnum and Turbo Floyd) defeat Premier Athletes (Tony Nese and Ariya Daivari) w/ Stori Denali by pinfall
SkyFlight’s Leila Grey defeats Zayda Steel via pinfall
Bang Bang Gang’s Ace Austin def. The Swirl’s “Big Shotty” Lee Johnson via pinfall
Death Riders’ Wheeler Yuta & Daniel Garcia def. Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson and James Drake) by pinfall with Jon Moxley on commentary
ROH Women’s Pure Championship Tournament Final: “The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzo defeats Billie Starkz via submission
Jon Moxley stuck around at the announce desk for the Final Battle main card after coming out for commentary during the Death Riders’ Zero Hour match.
With the ROH Women’s Pure Championship belt on display at the top of the ramp, Starkz was out first, followed by The Virtuosa.
Handshake by both competitors before the bell, before Starkz went for a quick strike, only for Purrazzo to counter and force Starkz to use her first of three rope breaks in the opening moments! Purrazzo backed Starkz into the corner, only for the younger wrestler to spit right at Purrazzo’s feet.
The Virtuosa didn’t take kindly to that, as she locked Starkz into a chinlock with her arm wrenched behind her back. Purrazzo then locked in an arm bar, before tossing Starkz to the outside after she fought off the submission. Starkz ducked a baseball slide from Purrazzo and ran her into the ring steps, then pressed her foot to the back of The Virtuosa’s head and forced her face-first into the steps!
Back in the ring, Starkz maintained control, getting a two count on Purrazzo before beating her down with stiff forearms in the corner. She followed that up with a whip into the other corner, a clothesline, and a rolling DDT for another two count. Both women spilled to the outside, where Starkz rammed Purrazzo into the ring post, only for Purrazzo to return the favor! Purrazzo broke the ref’s count by briefly rolling into the ring, then went and slammed Starkz’s back into the announce table with a reverse leg sweep!
Both women made their way back inside the ropes, where Purrazzo locked in a submission, but Starkz escaped, then kicked Deonna down, as both women were floored! Both climbed to their knees, where they exchanged stiff forearms, slaps, and punches. They then got to their feet and continued to bash each other, with Purrazzo hitting a lifting knee and a Russian leg sweep that she followed up with another arm bar, forcing Starkz to use her second rope break!
Starkz fought out of the corner, fending off Purrazzo before hitting a nasty backbreaker for a two count. Both women went to the apron, where Starkz reversed a Gotch piledriver attempt, dropping The Virtuosa on the apron, before crashing onto her from the apron to the floor! Starkz hit a swanton off of the top rope onto Purrazzo in the middle of the ring, but only for a two count! Starkz followed with a choke on Purrazzo, forcing The Virtuosa to use her first rope break – the first time she’s ever used one in a Women’s Pure match!
Purrazzo fought out of an electric chair from Starkz and leveled her with a Gotch-style piledriver, but Starkz kicked out at two! Purrazzo was in disbelief, but she followed up with a submission, forcing Starkz to use her third and final rope break! Purrazzo had Starkz tied up in the ropes with no rope-break to be had, but Starkz fought her off, slamming The Virtuosa in the middle of the ring! Starkz climbed the ropes for another senton, but Purrazzo rolled through for a two count. Quick as can be, Purrazzo locked in the Venus de Milo, and Starkz submitted! Deonna Purrazzo is your inaugural ROH Women’s Pure Champion!
As she celebrated up the ramp, Purrazzo was greeted by Queen Aminata, whose injury gave The Virtuosa a bye in the tournament. It seems the Queen has her eyes on the title already!
30-Minute Iron Man Match: ROH Pure Champion Lee Moriarty of STP defeats Nigel McGuinness 5 falls to 4
McGuinness was out first, wearing one of his old ROH Pure titles as a reminder that he was one of the longest-reigning ROH Pure Champions of all time – bested by only Moriarty himself, in fact!
Handshake out of respect from both men to start, and the bell has rung! Quick tie-up to start, with both men showing off their counter and chain-wrestling chops, just as we expected! Nigel even showed off a bit in the ropes, putting a wry grin on Moriarty’s face. McGuinness was the first man to claim an advantage, taking Moriarty to the ground with wrist control, before Moriarty reversed and locked in a cravat that McGuinness broke by backing Moriarty into the ropes. The two exchanged two counts before Moriarty transitioned into a crossface, as McGuiness tapped out to avoid further damage! Remember, this is an Iron Man Match, so Moriarty took a 1-0 lead early.
Moriarty and McGuinness circled each other, with the former trying to snatch the latter’s ankle, but McGuinness was too smart for that! He put Moriarty in a chinlock while wrenching his arm, only for Moriarty to reverse, as the two continued to lock in submissions and counter them in equal measure. McGuinness put a temporary pause on the back-and-forth by stomping on Moriarty’s hand, with the STP member clearly worse for wear as he tried to protect his injured appendage, before McGuinness dropped him with a big European uppercut.
Moriarty spun out of wrist control to put McGuinness in an abdominal stretch, but Nigel pulled off a standing switch for an abdominal stretch of his own, as Moriarty had to break the hold with the ropes. Moriarty kicked McGuinness in the ropes and tried to climb the top rope, but McGuinness was quick to counter, as Moriarty ducked to the outside. Moriarty took his time, so McGuinness went and tapped him on the shoulder, flooring Moriarty with a big chop when he turned around, then following that up with a European uppercut against the rail, then another! Both men made their way back into the ring, and just when it looked as if McGuinness had the upper-hand, Moriarty rolled him up for a three count and another fall! Moriarty was now up 2-0!
That seemed to kick McGuiness into another gear, as he realized his back was against the wall, planting Moriarty with a hammer-lock DDT. McGuiness tried to put Moriarty in an arm bar, but the Pure Champion fought it off, knowing how much trouble he’d be in if he couldn’t. Moriarty reversed into a wrenching leg submission that he added a toe-hold to, twisting McGuinness’ right foot in every direction, until McGuiness was able to fight him off with a kick to the face!
Frustration seemed apparent on McGuinness’ face, as he went to work on Moriarty’s left arm. He then poked Moriarty in the eye and locked the Pure Champion into a unique submission, sitting on one arm while wrenching the other behind his back. Moriarty escaped, but the damage had clearly been done. Still, Moriarty fought back, coming off the top rope with a big crossbody for a two count, only for McGuinness to evade an elbow drop to lock in the London Dungeon! Yet Moriarty refused to give in, getting to the ropes for another break!
McGuinness ducked under a springboard attempt from Moriarty, driving him into the corner and laying in a massive chop, which Moriarty answered in kind. The two exchanged a series of chops from there, only for McGuinness to once again poke Moriarty in the eye! Another European uppercut from McGuinness in the corner, who then ducked out of the way of Moriarty when the latter countered, sending him face-first into the turnbuckle! That set McGuinness up to lock in the London Dungeon, forcing Moriarty to tap! The score was now 2-1! McGuinness went for another London Dungeon after the break, but Moriarty reversed for a roll-up, holding McGuinness down for the three count! Moriarty was now up 3-1, with less than 10 minutes remaining!
McGuinness turned up the intensity, but Moriarty taunted him by kicking out at one. McGuinness was unperturbed, continuing to go after Moriarty’s left arm. Yet he was unable to score another fall before the two both got to their feet, throwing uppercut after uppercut at each other’s chins, until Moriarty gained the momentum and fired multiple blows on McGuinness in the corner. With just over six minutes remaining, McGuinness put Moriarty into the London Dungeon again. Moriarty wouldn’t tap, though, even when McGuinness bridged back on a modification on the Dungeon. The Pure Champion countered, but McGuinness reversed that into a triangle choke. Moriarty fought that off, but McGuinness merely transitioned into a crossface. Just when it looked like Moriarty might tap, he got his toe on the rope! Five minutes remaining!
Moriarty knew he had a two-fall lead, so with four minutes remaining, the Pure Champion went to the mat, keeping on guard on his back, meaning McGuiness had to force the issue. It looked as if McGuinness might get a fall back after a HUGE lariat on Moriarty, but the Pure Champion kicked out again! Moriarty then went to the outside with just three minutes remaining, where Shane Taylor was there to offer words of encouragement. McGuinness let himself get distracted by Taylor, giving Moriarty a chance to lock in a choke on the outside of the ring. Once he felt McGuinness was out, Moriarty left him on the outside, but McGuinness zoomed back into the ring, knowing time was of the essence! Moriarty put McGuinness into a crossface, but McGuinness rolled through and got a three count! The score was now 3-2 with just 90 seconds remaining!
With sixty seconds left, Moriarty and McGuinness crashed headfirst into each other, with both going to the mat. Moriarty looked to put McGuinness away, but the latter countered into a split-legged pin for another three count! We were tied at 3-3! And McGuinness followed that up with another rollup, holding the tights, as McGuinness took a 4-3 lead! It looked like that would be all she wrote, but Shane Taylor decked McGuinness with the ref’s back turned and rolled him back into the ring as Moriarty pinned him with 3 seconds remaining! As the clock ran out, we got a 4-4 tie!
It was announced that the ref’s official decision was a draw. Yet as McGuinness walked back up the ramp, helped by the referee, Moriarty asked for a microphone. He reminded McGuinness that he issued this challenge to Moriarty to see which one is the better wrestler, and since they’re tied at 1-1 already, a draw isn’t good enough. So he told McGuinness to get his ass back in the ring, and McGuinness agreed! It was time for Sudden Death!
The bell rang to restart this match, and both men scored a quick two count. They continued to exchange pinning situations, from sunset flips to crucifix pins, but neither was able to hold the other down for three. McGuinness scored another two count with a Superman pin, before Moriarty locked in a sleeper, which McGuiness rolled through for another two count! But quick as a lick, Moriarty folded McGuinness over for another pin attempt, bridging backward to get his shoulders off the mat at the last second and hold McGuiness down for three! Lee Moriarty is your winner!
After the match, McGuinness grabbed the belt he had worn to the ring, telling the crowd there was a time that belt meant more to him than anything in the world. And with that, McGuinness put his old title on Moriarty’s shoulder, as the two exchanged the utmost respect – somewhat to the chagrin of Shane Taylor.
Jon Moxley Calls Out Konosuke Takeshita!
The leader of the Death Riders apparently decided he’d had enough of hanging out on commentary, so Moxley grabbed a microphone to address the crowd in his home state of Ohio, telling them that he has no time for the Don Callis Family and all their extravagance and the way they’re sipping from the “well of entitlement.” Mox was raised on Ohio tap water, after all. He was fortified by it. And if Konosuke Takeshita wants to make his mark on the Continental Classic, he’ll have to face Mox tomorrow at AEW Collision in the Blue League!
ROH Women’s World TV Championship Match: Red Velvet defeats “The CEO” Mercedes Moné (c) via pinfall – AND NEW!
The challenger was out first, brimming with confidence ahead of this championship rematch against Ultimo Moné. Speaking of the champ, she had her belt boys bearing 11 of her belts, while Mercedes herself carried the ROH Women’s World TV Championship high, with the TBS Championship around her waist.
Velvet attacked the champ right off the opening bell, leading to the two women getting tangled in a series of roll-ups for two count after two count. Mercedes tried to hit Velvet with the belt, but the referee intervened. While he returned the belt to the timekeeper’s area, Velvet rolled up Moné for what looked like a three count, but the ref didn’t see it! Velvet missed a standing moonsault, which Moné followed with a modified codebreaker, then a back suplex and a snap suplex for a two count. Moné then backed Velvet into the corner, shoving her foot into her face before bringing her out with a snap mare.
Mercedes then hit Three Amigos on Velvet, but the challenger fought off any further suplexes, so Moné tossed her to the mat by her hair then went to the top rope. But Velvet was ready, getting her knees up on the champ’s splash! But the momentum shifted only momentarily, as the champ remained in control, taunting her opponent until Velvet fired back, landing chops and punches up and down Mercedes’ body! She followed that up with a double knee strike to a downed Moné leaning against the ropes. Velvet went for the pin and the champ kicked out at two.
Velvet then punished Moné in the corner, only for Mercedes to counter with a lungblower after ducking out of the way out of the charging challenger, sending Velvet to the outside. Velvet dodged a baseball slide, capturing the champ in the ring apron! But Moné was only vulnerable for a few moments, as she hit a meteora from the ring steps to Velvet on the outside!
Back on the inside, Moné hit another lungblower, then smashed Velvet in the ropes with a double knee strike. The two women went to war in the corner, with Moné setting the challenger up for an apparent Super Moné Maker on the top rope. But Velvet fought out and hit an absolutely incredible Code Red off of the turnbuckle! What a moment! Moné was out in the middle of the ring!
Image Credit: Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online
Velvet slammed the champ to the mat, then cracked her with The Mix, but Moné kicked out at two! Moné recovered and lifted Velvet up into a Tombstone position, but she tossed the challenger into the air and brought her crashing down rib-first across both knees! The champ was in control!
The two women once again went to the top rope, with Moné setting Velvet up in a Tombstone position once again on the top rope, but Velvet countered and tossed Moné from the sky to the mat, following up with The Slice! But once again the champ kicked out! Velvet might have been a little overconfident at that point, as she taunted Moné, giving the champ a chance to grab her opponent by the waistband and send her face first into the ropes! Velvet recovered for another two count before the two exchanged quick roll ups, capped by a swift kick to the head by Velvet on Moné. Moné recovered to lock in the Statement Maker, but Velvet countered and pinned Moné for a three count! Red Velvet is your winner and your NEW ROH Women’s World TV Champion! Mercedes was beside herself in the middle of the ring! 13 Belts Moné is now back to being 12 Belts Moné!
Ring of Honor World Tag Team Championship Match: LFI’s Sammy Guevara & The Beast Mortos defeat “Dynamite Kid” Tommy Billington & Adam Priest via pinfall – AND NEW!
LFI were out first for this one, followed by Billington and Priest. The Beast Mortos and Sammy Guevara tried to play to the crowd a bit, but the fans booed every time they were presented with Guevara and cheered Mortos.
That was enough for LFI, as the bell rang, and Guevara and Billington were in the ring first. Billington took control against Guevara, chopping him down then wrenching his arm back, but Guevara responded with a poke to the eye and climbed the turnbuckle to mock the crowd as Billington tried to recover. Guevara tagged in The Beast Mortos, who mounted Billington for punches in the corner, while Guevara made his way to the announce desk and put on a headset, talking trash and telling the world how great he and Mortos are.
Guevara returned to the apron as Billington and Priest double-teamed Mortos, who kicked out of a pin at two. Mortos whipped Priest toward Guevara, who was waiting to kick Priest in the back, giving Mortos a clear advantage against his smaller opponent. The two LFI members kept Priest in their corner as Mortos made the tag to Guevara, who nearly let Priest make a tag while he taunted the crowd once more.
Guevara cut Priest off, however, then went to the top rope, once again taking his time and interacting with the crowd. Guevara hopped off the turnbuckle in front of Priest, planting him with a kick on the jaw before tagging Mortos back in, who hammered Priest with a huge blow that sent the latter to the outside. Mortos and Guevara continued to go to work on Priest, who kicked out at two after Guevara came crashing down onto him from the top turnbuckle while he was draped across the knees of Mortos.
The LFI teammates continued to put on a tag team clinic, making tag after tag as they kept Priest in their corner, even after Priest bit Mortos’ finger in a desperate attempt to get to his teammate. Eventually, Priest was able to plant Mortos with a DDT, allowing Priest to make the tag to Billington, who came in like a house of fire and took out both Guevara and Mortos!
Billington tagged Priest back in, who leveled both members of LFI with a missile dropkick of his own, following up on one from Billington! Both Guevara and Mortos rolled to the outside, so Billington and Priest climbed opposite turnbuckles and wiped out LFI on the floor! Priest tagged Billington back in and wrapped up Mortos, allowing Billington to run off of the ropes back-and-forth for a clothesline on Mortos as Priest hit him with a German suplex! Billington and Priest put Mortos on the top rope for a double superplex, but Mortos fought back, only for Priest to take Mortos off the top with a hurricanrana!
Suddenly, Hechicero appeared, hitting Priest, who was perched on the top rope, as Guevara nailed Billington with a low blow! That distraction gave Mortos the opportunity to take out Billington, who was the legal man, with a lariat, setting him up for a corkscrew moonsault and the pin! LFI are your winners and the ROH World Tag Team Champions, thanks in part to a member of … the Don Callis Family?
Eddie Kingston defeats Josh Woods by pinfall
Before this match, we were treated to a video package recapping how we got to the AEW World Championship match between Kingston and champ Samoa Joe at Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite: Winter is Coming!
Show of respect from both men before the match, with Eddie taking Woods to the mat early. The Mad King backed his opponent into the corner and laid in a couple of chops, but Woods fired back, only for Kingston to floor Woods with another massive chop. Eddie whipped Woods into the corner, but he ducked a charging Kingston and hit him with a springboard knee before trying to go for an armbar, but Kingston fought it off!
Eddie seemed as if he were going for a neckbreaker, but instead, he planted Woods with an overhand strike. The two men battled to see who would suplex the other, but with neither able to get the other off his feet, they instead went back to exchanging chops right in the middle of the ring, leading to The Mad King’s signature machine-gun chops. But Woods maintained wrist control and whipped Kingston into the corner, as Eddie collapsed to the mat, where Woods continued to take the fight to his foe.
Woods ran knee-first into Eddie in the corner, then threw him out of the corner with a suplex. Kingston fought back with a German suplex of his own, then unleashed more machine-gun chops on Woods in the corner. Kingston set up Woods for a suplex, but Woods countered, throwing Eddie to the mat and locking in an armbar, yet Kingston was able to fight back for the rope break. Kingston reversed a whip by Woods into the corner, as both men showed the signs of the violence they’d absorbed so far.
Kingston placed Woods on the top turnbuckle and climbed to meet him, tossing him to the mat and getting a two count, but Woods kicked out! As the two continued to slug it out, Woods hit a rolling German suplex and bridged for a two count, but Kingston kicked out! These men were beating the hell out of each other!
Woods went for a springboard-assisted blow on Kingston, but Eddie caught him and put him down with an exploder suplex, then brought down the straps! A stiff DDT by Kingston was all it took at that point, as he pinned Woods for the victory! Eddie Kingston is your winner! After the match, the two shook hands in honor of a hard-fought battle!
Ring of Honor World Six-Man Tag Team Match: Shane Taylor Promotions (c) (Shane Taylor, Shawn Dean and Carlie Bravo) defeat SkyFlight (Scorpio Sky, Dante Martin and Darius Martin) by pinfall
SkyFlight were out first, accompanied by Christopher Daniels and Leila Grey, who was victorious in her Zero Hour match earlier in the night. Then it was time for the champs to make their entrance, as Taylor, Dean and Bravo were accompanied by Trisha Adora and Anthony Ogogo.
All six men were in the ring brawling to start this one, leading to Darius Martin and Shawn Dean squaring off one-on-one. Martin gained the early advantage, taking Dean to his team’s corner and tagging in Scorpio Sky. But STP countered with a tag of their own, as Shane Taylor came in and pounded Sky into the corner. Taylor tagged Dean back in, who went for a Bronco buster on Sky in the corner, but Scorpio escaped to tag Darius back in, as he cleared the ring of both Bravo and Taylor, planted Dean in the middle of the ring, then took out Taylor on the outside! But as Darius celebrated, Bravo came flying through the ropes for a tornado DDT!
Taylor tagged back in and hit Darius with a chop that resounded throughout GalaxyCon, then beat down the SkyFlight member in the neutral corner. Taylor lifted Darius by his hair and backed him back toward STP’s corner, with Darius desperately trying to fight back, but Taylor punished him with a big splash before tagging Dean back in, as he leveled Darius and got a two count. Bravo came back into the ring alongside his fellow Infantry member, hitting Darius with a DDT for another two count, as Christopher Daniels encouraged Darius from the outside.
All the encouragement in the world couldn’t save Darius from a train of splashes and blows from STP on him in the corner – and for good measure, Dean went flying over the ropes in the opposite corner to take out Dante on the outside! But STP overextended themselves, as finally, Darius was able to make the tag to his brother, who had recovered to make his way back onto the apron!
Dante came in ready for vengeance, as he flew across every inch of the ring – and the outside – taking out all three of his opponents, leaving him one-on-one with Bravo inside the ropes. Unfortunately for Dante, Adora was on the outside, and she tripped him when he ran the ropes, only for Grey to return the favor on Bravo! That brought both women into the middle of the ring to brawl, as Grey took off her heels and earrings!
Ogogo tried to take advantage of the distraction, but Daniels was there to even the odds, as he hit Ogogo with the Angel’s Wings! Darius and Dante double-teamed Bravo, who was hit with a springboard cutter, but he kicked out at two! Darius took out Taylor with a tornado DDT when he came into the ring, but Bravo was able to lay out Scorpio Sky! The action reached a fever pitch as Dante met Dean with a knee to the jaw. But when Dante went to bounce off the ropes, Taylor was waiting on the outside to deck him across the jaw, giving Dean the chance to roll him up for the three count! STP are your winners and still Six-Man Tag Team Champions!
AEW National Championship: Ricochet (c) defeats Dalton Castle via pinfall
Castle was out first, with The Outrunners accompanying him to the top of the ramp and The Boys coming to the ring with Castle, eating out of the palm of his hand. Ricochet made his entrance solo, with GOA nowhere to be seen.
Castle extended his hand for the customary handshake at the opening bell. Ricochet initially demurred, but eventually gave in for the quickest, lightest-touch handshake you’ll ever see. After an initial exchange between the two, Castle went to the outside, where he led his Boys in a conga line around the outside of the ring! But eventually, he had to get back into the ring, where he claimed an early advantage on Ricochet, mounting him on the mat, then lifting Ricochet up to flip him back and forth on his feet!
All the shenanigans must have gotten to Ricochet, as he went to the corner on the outside and took out one of the Boys! That didn’t sit well with Castle, but when he tried to avenge his fallen Boy, Ricochet was waiting for him, taking him out with a knee to the jaw and a dive to the outside.
Back in the ring, Ricochet continued to take the fight to Castle, taking him to the mat with a series of stiff punches and kicks, before Ricochet got a two count on a pin attempt. Castle fought back when he got to his feet, chopping Ricochet into the corner then pummeling him with forearms and knees. Castle whipped Ricochet into the opposite corner, but the champ showed the full gamut of his athleticism, swiftly flying over the ropes, kicking Castle in the face and tripping him up. When Ricochet climbed to the top rope, Castle rolled all the way across the ring to the outside, so Ricochet gave chase and tossed him back in the ring.
Ricochet climbed to the top rope once again, and once again, Castle rolled to the outside on the other side of the ring. Ricochet tried to chase him, which gave Castle a chance to regain his breath and slide into the ring, where he was waiting for Ricochet, eventually planting him with a German suplex after catching Ricochet right out of midair! Castle followed up with a suplex out of the corner, then caught a kick from Ricochet and hit him with another suplex! Castle charged into the corner with a rising knee on the champion, then hit him with a twisting bulldog for a two count!
Castle lifted Ricochet to his feet and kneed him on the jaw, but Ricochet fought back, countering Castle into an enzuigiri, followed by a springboard moonsault for a two count, then a standing shooting star press for another two count. Ricochet went for the Spirit Gun, but Castle ducked and went for a Bang-a-Rang, but Ricochet countered with a knee and an Around the World for yet another two count! Ricochet lifted Castle to his knees and kicked him in the head then climbed to the top turnbuckle, but Castle knocked him off the top rope. Ricochet went to suplex Castle from the apron to the floor, but Castle countered, lifting Ricochet back into the ring, as the two men battled back and forth over the ropes. Ricochet kicked Castle on the apron, but Castle caught the champ for a suplex on the apron!
On the outside, Castle gave Ricochet a back body-drop on the floor, then got him back in the ring for another Bang-a-Rang attempt, but Ricochet rolled through for a two count. Finally, Castle hit the Bang-a-Rang and went for the pin, but Ricochet kicked out at two! The champ rolled to the outside to recover, just feet away from the Boys. Castle gave chase, as the Boys recoiled in fear after what Ricochet had done to their brethren earlier. And that fear was well-founded, as Ricochet sent one of the Boys into Castle and flew back into the ring. When Castle made his way back through the ropes, Ricochet was waiting with the Spirit Gun for the three count! Ricochet is your winner and STILL AEW National Champion!
Survival of the Fittest ROH World Championship Match: Bandido (c) def. Blake Christian, Sammy Guevara, Hechicero, Komander & The Beast Mortos
Hechicero was out first, followed by Guevara, Beast Mortos, Christian, Komander and, last but not least, the champion himself, Bandido!
The crowd serenaded all six men with chants of “Bandido!” on the opening bell, booing Guevara when he climbed the turnbuckles and tried to soak in the adoration from the crowd and cheering both Mortos and Hechicero when they did the same!
As the action kicked off, Christian walked up the ramp, being followed by Bandido and Komander, only for LFI and Hechicero to attack those two from behind on the outside! Mortos dragged Komander into the ring as Hechicero and Bandido brawled on the outside, with Christian remaining at the top of the ramp taking it all in. Guevara and Mortos then double-teamed Komander, ripping at his mask and smacking him around the ring. Christian made his way back down to the ringside area, applauding at the violence in the ring, as Hechicero joined with LFI.
When Christian climbed onto the apron, he tried to challenge Guevara one-on-one, asking Hechicero and Mortos to leave the ring. They seemed to oblige, but Christian knew that wouldn’t last for long, so he attacked both before turning his attention to Guevara, who sent Christian to the outside then mockingly impersonated Jay Lethal’s taunt in the ring. We then saw Lethal watching the match from the back, disbelieving in the disrespect.
Guevara, Hechicero and Mortos celebrated their early dominance, only for the LFI teammates to betray Hechicero as Guevara planted him with a thrust kick! Guevara and Mortos continued to double-team their brief “ally,” but Hechicero was able to fight back against both, setting them up to be taken out by Komander and Bandido, who spring-boarded into the ring then leveled Hechicero for good measure! Christian made his way back into the ring, where Bandido and Komander were waiting. Things evolved into a bit of a two-on-two for a while, as Bandido and Komander were on one side and Hechicero and Christian were on the other – with Komander even using Bandido’s shoulders to jump off the top rope and take out both foes!
Bandido and Komander kept up the teamwork, with Bandido lifting Komander onto his shoulders and tossing him over the top ropes onto the four opponents waiting on the outside! As the dust settled, Guevara was able to recover first, taking out both Bandido and Komander in the ring, until they bounced back to double-team Guevara, ending in a rope-walk moonsault from Komander for the three count! Guevara was the first man eliminated!
That left Mortos without a teammate, but it didn’t seem to bother him initially, as he took out Komander with a lifting Samoan drop then pummeled Christian with a backbreaker. Komander caught a charging Mortos with a kick to the head, then hit a springboard twisting poisonrana! Hechicero recovered in the corner and leveled Mortos for good measure, pinning the LFI member to eliminate him! We were down to Mortos, Christian, Komander and Bandido!
Hechicero kept up his momentum, leveling all three of his foes, with a seemingly particular focus on Komander. That backfired, though, when Komander took out Hechicero’s legs as the latter tried to climb the ropes, while Bandido sent Christian to the outside. Komander and Bandido went for a top-rope double-team maneuver, but Christian involved himself, hitting both with a poisonrana that sent his opponents flying! Christian then nailed Komander with the Lethal Injection, pinning him for the three count! Only Hechicero, Vanilla Baby and the champion, Bandido, were left.
A temporary alliance was formed once again between Hechicero and Christian, as they meticulously picked apart Bandido. Hechicero and the champion exchanged roll-ups, before the former got in a lick on Christian, apparently ending the alliance – especially when Christian hit Hechicero with a kick seemingly meant for Bandido! Christian charged Bandido on the apron, only for the champ to lift Christian up by the midsection and toss him onto Hechicero on the outside, crashing himself onto the Alchemist for good measure!
Bandido threw Christian back into the ring and climbed to the top rope, hitting an Eddie Guerrero-inspired frog splash for a two count on Vanilla Baby! Bandido went for a 21 Plex on Christian, but Vanilla Baby countered with a poisonrana and followed with a Lethal Injection, only for Bandido to kick out at two! Hechicero swiped at Christian from the outside, but he evaded, going for another Lethal Injection on Bandido, which the champion reversed into an X Knee! Hechicero got back into the ring and hit Christian with a hammerlock spinning backbreaker!
Hechicero grapevined the legs of Christian, but Vanilla Baby was able to escape, so Hechicero turned his attention to Bandido. As Christian tried to take advantage, Bandido rolled him up for the three count! Blake Christian was eliminated, but he would not leave quietly, as he snapped back Bandido’s left arm – the same arm/shoulder that Bandido recently dislocated! – before heading back up the ramp. We were down to just Hechicero and an even more banged-up Bandido, as the medical team checked on the champion.
Both men made their way back into the ring, where Hechicero went on the attack against the champ, who continued to hold his left arm close to protect the damaged shoulder. Hechicero planted Bandido with a big suplex on the apron, then grabbed the steel ring steps and set them up on their side right by the apron. Hechicero went to slam the champ onto the steps, but Bandido powered through to reverse – so Hechicero crumpled him with a massive knee strike, laying Bandido out atop the side of the steps. But when Hechicero tried to dive onto Bandido, the champ moved out of the way, then followed that up with a huge dive onto Hechicero on the floor!
Back in the ring, Bandido slapped the chest of Hechicero who was down on his knees, but the latter fired back up to lock Bandido into a crucifix, rolling his injured shoulder all around the mat before the champ kicked out of a pinfall at two. Hechicero lifted Bandido up onto his shoulders, but the champ countered into a poisonrana, then rolled up Hechicero for the three count! Bandido is your winner and STILL ROH World Champion! Brody King came out to celebrate with his tag team partner, alongside Komander, who was clearly proud of Bandido despite falling short himself in the Survival of the Fittest match.
After the match, we saw Mercedes Moné still trying to make peace with her loss to Red Velvet. Leila Grey came through to try to console Ultimo Moné, but the TBS Champion wasn’t having it. Just moments later, it was confirmed that Grey and Moné will square off tomorrow on AEW Collision live from GalaxyCon!
ROH Women’s World Championship: Athena (c) defeats Persephone via pinfall
Persephone was out first, followed by the champ bearing a glowing sword that would make any of the GalaxyCon attendees jealous!
Persephone tried to gain the early upper-hand, but Athena was more than ready, sending Persephone to the mat. When the challenger went for a test of strength, Athena danced and mocked her, so Persephone laid one in right across Athena’s jaw! That was enough for Athena to initiate her own test of strength, which Persephone initially won, but Athena managed to reverse after a backbreaker for a quick two count. The two then exchanged head-scissor takeovers, with Athena rolling to the outside for encouragement from her minion, Diamante.
Athena made her way back into the ring, but in short order, both women were back on the outside. When Diamante distracted Persephone, Athena seized the moment to come off the steel steps with a brutal meteora. Athena rolled Persephone into the ring, where she shoved her foot into her face in the corner, then sat on her just because she could! Athena sent Persephone spilling into the corner and crushed her with a hip attack, then suplexed the challenger into the middle of the ring for a two count.
Athena stayed on the prowl, coming crashing down on Persephone with a senton for another two count, then punching her opponent right in the temple and clubbing her across the back, before locking in a cravat across the middle rope. Athena threatened the official when he called for the break on the hold, and Diamante used the distraction to do even more damage to Persephone, as Athena kept her tied up in the ropes, smacking her across the back.
Athena whipped Persephone into the corner, but the challenger was able to evade a charge, creating enough space to attempt a springboard crossbody that Athena dodged. Athena tried her own springboard maneuver, but Persephone caught her, lifted her off the ground, and threw her around for a swinging backbreaker! The challenger then mounted the champion for a series of big punches to the skull!
Persephone followed that up with two big knees to the upper back of Athena before putting her in a single-stand surfboard, lifting her up and slamming her face-first into the mat. Persephone then talked trash with Diamante and only got a one count on the subsequent pin attempt. Persephone got to her feet first, grabbing Athena by the back of the head and slamming her face-first into the middle turnbuckle. Persephone went to whip Athena into the opposite corner, but the champ held onto the rope, only for Persephone to smash her to the mat with her foot on her back. Athena was able to recover enough to roll up Persephone when the latter came running at her, but Persephone put Athena right back down with a big shoulder, sending Athena to the outside.
Persephone followed, and the two women exchanged punches and elbows on the floor, only for Athena to send Persephone flying into the ring barricade. But when Athena tried to capitalize, Persephone dodged, sending the champ abdomen-first into the barricade! Persephone then lifted Athena up by her throat with both hands and slammed her back-first onto the announce desk! Persephone took her time throwing Athena back into the ring, kicking the champ down to her back. Athena tried to fire back with a clothesline off the ropes that Persephone ducked, with both women rebounding off the ropes and crashing into each other! Both women were down!
They both rose to their feet and decided it was time to stand in the middle of the ring and throw fists, followed by elbows, followed by forearms, followed by kicks. The violence had reached another level! Persephone tried to suplex Athena, but the champion flipped over, only to be leveled by the challenger! Persephone went for the pin, but Athena kicked out at two again! Both women got to their feet once more, with Persephone continuing the punishment in the corner on the Forever Champion!
Athena tried to fight back, but Persephone delivered an onslaught of chops and punches in the corner, draping the champion across the middle turnbuckle and ropes. Persephone looked to come crashing down on Athena after lifting herself in a handstand on the top rope, but Athena was able to counter and kick Persephone’s base out from under her, sending her crashing to the outside! Athena side-stepped through the ropes for a unique dive that took out the challenger! Persephone tried to grab Athena when she climbed onto the apron, but the champ fought her off. But when Athena went for another dive, Persephone caught her and slammed her to the floor on the outside.
Persephone lifted Athena up for a crucifix powerbomb on the outside, but Diamante made the save, only for Persephone to take her out when she was aiming for Athena! Persephone tossed Athena back into the ring and hit a massive dropkick off the top rope, but that was only good for a two count! The challenger showed a bit of frustration but went right back to work, locking a modified Texas Cloverleaf in on Athena while planting her knee right in the back of the Forever Champion! But Athena got to the ropes to break the hold!
Persephone charged Athena, but the champ countered, lifting her challenger up and slamming her onto the ropes, then hitting a middle-rope springboard moonsault for a two count of her own! Athena tried to kip up, but the damage on her lower back was apparent, as she somewhat struggled to her feet. Both wrestlers exchanged counters and blocks until Persephone got Athena into position for another crucifix powerbomb, only for Athena to counter into a Koji Clutch! But Persephone powered through to lift Athena off the ground, with both women trading roll-ups and two counts! Athena locked the Koji Clutch back in, but Persephone made it to the ropes! What a battle!
With Persephone on her knees, Athena laid in a series of stiff kicks. But when the champ taunted the challenger, the latter snatched her for a series of three suplexes and kipped up herself for a monstrous spear on Athena! Rather than go for the pin, she set Athena up for the crucifix powerbomb once again, but Athena kicked out at two after the fall!
Persephone stomped across the chest of the fallen champion then climbed to the top turnbuckle. But Athena had recovered enough to scale the turnbuckle and throw Persephone off the ropes! Athena climbed to the top herself and hit the O-Face for the pin and the three count! Athena is your winner and STILL ROH Women’s World Champion!
LA Knight taps-out to Gunther defeat as ‘The Ring General’ earns John Cena’s final match
Gunther took down LA Knight in The Last Time is Now Tournament Final, earning his right to face John Cena in Cena’s final match. Plus, Ilja Dragunov retained his United States Title against Carmelo Hayes, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes demanded Drew McIntyre to be reinstated and much more!
SmackDown Results :Quick Hits
Cody Rhodes demanded Drew McIntyre be reinstated
United States Champion Ilja Dragunov defeats Carmelo Hayes
United States Champion Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes reignited their epic NXT rivalry, this time battling for The Mad Dragon’s U.S. Title.
Hayes hit a huge tilt-a-whirl facebuster as he started to roll, igniting the WWE Universe in Austin, Texas.
Dragunov turned it around, attempting a H-Bomb but Hayes got his knees up.
Just as Hayes was about to go for the First 48, Tommaso Ciampa interfered, providing Dragunov to chance to hit Torpedo Moscow to win the match and retain his title.
After Jade Cargill ruined new Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green’s fireworks celebration last week, the WWE Women’s Champion battled Green’s Secret Hervice agent Alba Fyre.
Just as the match started, former champion Giulia and Kiana James laid waste to Green, distracting Fyre in the ring.
Cargill dispatched Fyre with Jaded to win the match.
LA Knight and Gunther met in The Last Time is Now Tournament Final, with the winner getting the opportunity to face John Cena in his last match ever.
Knight tried to put Gunther away with the Burning Hammer but The Ring General kicked out.
Gunther nailed a dropkick before an attempted powerbomb, The Megastar countered however, leading to an epic elbow drop from the top-rope, but Gunther kept fighting.
The Ring General dropped Knight with a gruesome German Suplex, which seemed to have injured The Megastar’s neck.
Knight fought on, kicking out of two top-rope splashes and another gnarly powerbomb.
Knight connected with The BFT, but Gunther somehow put his foot on the bottom rope.
The Ring General wouldn’t let up on The Megastar, cinching in the Sleeper Hold.
Gunther locked in a modified STF, getting the win to become Cena’s final opponent.
LA Knight battles Gunther in the Last Time is Now Tournament Finals
LA Knight squares off against Gunther to determine John Cena’s final opponent at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Find out what’s next for Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes in the wake of Survivor Series: WarGames
After falling short of a team victory at Survivor Series: WarGames, find out what’s in store for Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.
Ilja Dragunov issues an United States Championship Open Challenge
Who will step into the spotlight and attempt to dethrone Ilja Dragunov? Don’t miss the United States Championship Open Challenge, tonight at 8 ET/7 CT on
WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill takes on Alba Fyre of the Secret Hervice
WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill will face off with Alba Fyre of Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green’s Secret Hervice.
Alexa Bliss looks to gain WWE Women’s Tag Team Title momentum against Kairi Sane
After being part of a chaotic WarGames Match at Survivor Series, Alexa Bliss will look to get herself and Charlotte Flair back in the title picture when she battles WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Kairi Sane one-on-one.
Solo Sikoa will respond to the shocking ending of last week’s SmackDown
Solo Sikoa is set to respond to the shocking ending of last week’s SmackDown.
An incredible view of the stadium in Vancouver. Photo: FIFA
By Football360.com.au
Summary
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is in Canada, Mexico and USA.
TOBY MARTIN looks at the key facts and figures for each venue as fans across the world wait to see where their team will be playing.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is taking place in June/July, in the USA, Canada and Mexico, with stadiums scattered around the three nations.
Intrigue around each city, and stadium, is about to explode as countries find out their locations for the tournament next year.
Here’s a head start!
USA
Atlanta Stadium
Where: Atlanta, Georgia
Capacity: 75,000
Opened in 2017
Club: Atlanta United (MLS) and NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.
Matches: Five group-stage matches, a Round of 32 tie, a Round of 16 clash and a semi-final
Fun fact: Considered the most sustainable stadium in the world, it also hosted Super Bowl LIII.
Atlanta Stadium. Photo: FIFAAtlanta. Photo: FIFA
Boston Stadium
Foxborough, Massachusetts
Capacity: 65,000
Opened in 2002
Club: New England Revolution (MLS), New England Patriots (NFL)
Matches: Five group-stage matches, a Round of 32 tie and a quarter-final
Fun Fact: Once renovations are complete, fans will enjoy the largest outdoor high-definition stadium video board in the country (measuring 22,000 square feet).
Boston Stadium. Photo: FIFA
Dallas Stadium
Arlington, Texas
Capacity: 94,000
Opened in 2009
Club: Dallas Cowboys (NFL)
Matches: Five group-stage matches, two Round of 32 ties, a Round of 16 contest and a semi-final
Fun Fact: There is 25,000 square feet of video displays inside.
Dallas Stadium. Photo: FIFA
Houston Stadium
Houston, Texas
Capacity: 72,000
Opened in 2002
Club: Houston Texans (NFL)
Matches: Five group-stage matches, a Round of 32 tie and a Round of 16 contest
Fun Fact: The stadium has a retractable roof, has hosted the MLS All-Star game and will see if it can replicate the atmosphere made at Houston Texans’ game where the ‘Bull Pen’ is renowned for the noise it makes.
Houston Stadium. Photo: FIFA
Kansas City Stadium
Kansas City, Missouri
Capacity: 73,000
Opened: 1972
Club: Kansas City Chiefs (NFL). The city is home to MLS team Sporting KC too, but they play home games elsewhere in the city, and also NWSL side KC Current.
Matches: Four group-stage matches, a Round of 32 tie and a quarter-final
Fun Fact: Although Kansas is a ‘soccer’ hotbed in the States, the stadium plays host to Kansas City Chiefs, who have won two of the last three Super Bowls and are of Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes fame. The arena is in the Guiness Book of World Records for being the loudest outdoor sports venue in the world, when clocked at 142.2 decibel level.
Kansas. Photo: FIFAKansas Stadium. Photo: FIFA
Los Angeles Stadium
Inglewood, California
Capacity: 70,000
Opened in 2020
Club: Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers (both NFL)
Matches: Five group-stage matches, two Round of 32 ties and a quarter-final
Fun Fact: Built in 2020, this is the newest World Cup stadium. Those attending can drive half hour away to Pasadena’s Rose Bowl Stadium – the 1994 World Cup final venue.
SoFi Stadium in LA. Photo: FIFA
Miami Stadium
Miami Gardens, Florida
Capacity: 65,000
Opened in 1987
Club: Miami Dolphins (NFL)
Matches: Four group-stage matches, a Round of 32 tie, a quarter-final fixture and the bronze final
Fun Fact: The stadium is nestled within the circuit used in the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix.
New York New Jersey Stadium
East Rutherford, New Jersey
Capacity: 82,500
Opened in 2010
Club: New York Giants, New York Jets (both NFL)
Matches: Five group-stage matches, a Round of 32 tie, a Round of 16 contest and the final
Fun Fact: The venue for the final is no stranger to headline acts, having hosted the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift. Chelsea were crowned inaugural FIFA Club World Cup champions there, while Lionel Messi will hope for better fortune if he returns for the final, because it is where Argentina were defeated by Chile in the Copa America in 2016.
The World Cup trophy in New York. Photo: FIFA
Philadelphia Stadium
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Capacity: 69,000
Opened in 2003
Club: Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Temporary home of Philadelphia Union (MLS) for the 2010 season
Matches: Five group-stage matches and a Round of 16 tie
Fun Fact: Philadelphia Stadium opened with a blockbuster friendly match between Manchester United against Barcelona in August 2003, with Ronaldinho setting up Patrick Kluivert to score the stadium’s first goal.
Philadelphia. Photo: FIFA
San Francisco Bay Arena Stadium
Santa Clara, California
Capacity: 71,000
Opened in 2014
Club: San Francisco 49ers (NFL)
Matches: Five group-stage matches and a Round of 32 tie
Fun Fact: The venue staged the first match of the Copa America Centenario in June 2016 as Colombia defeated USA, and has also hosted the 2015 NHL clash between the LA Kings and San Jose Sharks.
Matches: Four group-stage matches, a Round of 32 tie and a Round of 16 contest
Fun Fact: Previously held the Guinness World Record for loudest outdoor stadium
Seattle. Photo :FIFA
Canada
Toronto Stadium
Toronto, Ontario
Capacity: 45,000
Opened in 2007.
Club: Toronto FC
Matches: 5 group stage matches and a Round of 32 tie.
Fun Fact: Hosted the Under-20 World Cup final in 2007, which saw Sergio Aguero claim the golden boot and is where Canada ended their 36-year wait to return to the World Cup, ahead of Qatar.
Action at the Toronto Stadium. Photo: FIFA
BC Place Vancouver
Vancouver, British Columbia
Capacity: 54,000
Opened in 1983
Club: Vancouver Whitecaps FC, BC Lions
Matches: 5 group stage matches, a Round of 32 tie, and a Round of 16 contest
Fact: Hosted the Women’s World Cup final in 2015, when the USA beat defending champions Japan 5-2.
Mexico
Mexico City Stadium
Mexico City
Capacity: 83,000
Opened in 1966
Club: Cruz Azul, Club America
Matches: Three group-stage matches, a Round of 32 tie and a Round of 16 contest
Fact: Played host to Pele and Maradona in the World Cup finals of 1970 and 1986.
Estadio Guadalajara
Zapopan, Jalisco
Capacity: 48,000
Opened in 2010
Club: C.D. Guadalajara
Matches: Four group-stage matches
Fact: Estadio Guadalajara is built on raised ground and features a colosseum style design. It is a spectacular visual.
Guadalajara. Photo: FIFA
Estadio Monterrey
Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon
Capacity: 53,000
Opened in 2015
Club: Monterrey
Matches: Three group-stage matches and a Round of 32 tie
Fact: The ground was the first in the Americas to earn a silver certification from the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) following its unveiling in 2015.