AEW’s Women‘s Division finds itself in a really weird place right now. For the past year and a half or so it’s felt like an afterthought and sorely lacking any attention at all. Now AEW have set up a huge USA vs. Japan 16-women tournament thats got a lot of hype to it, but Shida has been featured on TV barely at all since Double or Nothing still. The talent has improved a lot and they got a great core now with some very good homegrown stars like Nyla Rose, Anna Jay, Abadon, Britt Baker, Leyla Hirsch, Tay Conti etc. So my mission is to take this potential and fully capitalise on it. First we start in present day, and as part of the prompt all disappointing events up until now stay the same. With all that out of the way, here is how I would try and revive the AEW Women’s Championship and Division.
AEW Women’s Eliminator:
Nyla Rose vs. Abadon (February 10th, Dynamite)
Veda Scott makes her return to commentary to team with Excalibur and Tony Schiavone for our women’s eliminator matches tonight, beginning with The Native Beast, Nyla Rose, taking on...as described by Veda, “what do you even call that...” Abadon comes out and haunts Vickie Guerrero but Nyla shows no fear. They both rush each other and it’s a brawl to begin. They soon spill outside where Rose tries to take the monster down using the guardrails, before Vickie exposes the turnbuckle and she slams Abadon into those. She goes for a finisher to end it early, but Abadon counters and the fight is back on. Abadon comes back with a Low Dropkick and Enziguri before clotheslining Nyla out. She throws her into the guardrails this time before setting Rose up on the apron, hanging over the ropes. She dives with a Leg Drop but Nyla moves and she lands flat on the mat. Nyla then hits a Guillotine Knee Drop but only gets a two count. She goes for an Avalanche Powerbomb to end it, but Abadon counters into a Super Rana and lifts both legs of Nyla up to pin her down, 1...2....3. Afterwards Nyla pushes Vickie off when she goes to speak with her.
Abadon defeats Nyla Rose (12:11)
Thunder Rosa vs. Britt Baker (February 10th, Dynamite)
A rematch between these two women here as we unfinished business solved. The match starts with a Big Boot from behind by Baker and from there it’s off to the races. Reba gets a cheap shot from outside after Britt Irish whips Rosa and she keeps going. A roll up is kicked out of but she then flattens Rosa once more. Britt takes it outside where she goes to introduce Rosa to the ring post, but Rosa counters and knocks Britt in instead. She now comes back and uses Reba as a weapon, ducking another shot from her so she hits Britt. Rosa takes a dive to the outside into both men and the fight continues. Britt comes back with some shots to the midsection before taking it outside again, hitting a Snap Suplex onto the floor. That is kicked out of as Rosa flips Britt two birds and throws her around. Baker connects an elbow shot to avoid another flying attack, and goes for a Superplex, but Rosa turns it into an Avalanche Fire Thunder Driver to win and advance. Afterwards she raises her hand and wipes her busted lip, looking deep into the hard cam as Baker is down and out.
Thunder Rosa defeats Britt Baker (10:59)
We see the first segment of Hikaru Shida on this episode, a four part series leading up to Revolution. She is in Japan currently so they are filmed from the Ice Ribbon Dojo. This particular one begins with Shida walking around watching the girls train, and coaching as she looks on. She says in English “they are talented. They will become superstar.” We then move over to a tatami (traditional Japanese room, small with wooden walls, a paper sliding door, no windows etc.) There she sits down and is interviewed about her career with the assist of subtitles. She speaks of her training and relates to the girls she just saw there. She explains how much Ice Ribbon means to her and she’s excited to see their representation in the tournament. It closes with her about her finals days in Japan. She starts to talk about AEW, but it fades out and ends with a “To be continued...”
Leyla Hirsch vs. Riho (February 17th, Dynamite)
Riho returns to AEW for the first time in nearly a full year and is excited to be back in action, but she’s got some steep competition in her corner. Legit Leyla Hirsch walks out ready to kick some ass and take names, throwing the towel on her shoulders into the crowd as she walks and laughing at Riho. “She’s like the size of Leyla’s leg.” Veda says. Tony jumps to Riho’s defence we’ve seen her topple bigger and badder in AEW before, but we’ll have to wait and see. Leyla starts off dominant as she keeps Riho down with her submissions and MMA holds. Riho on occasions looks to mount a comeback but she keeps being knocked back down. Despite this, she keeps getting back up. Out of nowhere she gets a roll up on Leyla to stun her, before a Dropkick knocks her outside. She then does a Flying Crossbody to the floor! The fight is on. Riho uses high speed to fight against the power of Leyla. Hirsch goes for a dangerous Lariat but Riho ducks and hits a Headscissors into an O’Connor Roll to pin and win.
Riho defeats Leyla Hirsch (12:45)
After the match, Tony Schiavone tries to grab an interview with Riho about her win and how it feels to be back. She goes to speak, WHEN SHE’S ATTACKED BY TWO WOMEN! Leyla Hirsch walks up and puts both arms over their shoulders, as commentary reveal it to be Killer Kelly and Lindsay Snow! Excalibur says these two women took part in the Bloodsport Women’s Tournament with Leyla Hirsch months ago, and now they’re here in AEW! Leyla hugs them both Andrew all stand over Riho and walk off.
We then see the next part of Hikaru Shida’s video series. This time begins with her training with some wrestlers, and giving feedback before we go back to the tatami. She says she thinks the girls can be big once more, and name drops a few in particular that she sees as the best. She’s then asked if they could ever expand out of Japan like herself. Shida then leads this off into saying it’s not an easy thing to do. The girls can do it but she did it herself and it’s tough. She then talks about moving to America about a year and a half ago and how she’s felt, how she’s adapted, and what AEW means to her. She details how much it means to her to be here in America and holding the most important title in the world to her. She set out to break boundaries and prove she is the best to the American audience, and she did, having held the title for 9 months. She’s now observing who’s going to stop her, but despite the immense talent - nobody is like her.
Anna Jay vs. Tay Conti (February 17th, Dynamite)
Two best friends clash, with Tay Conti and Anna Jay taking part to face in the next round. Tay offers a handshake but Anna looks away to ignore it. This leaves a bad taste in Tay’s mouth but she pushes on. They lock up and it’s intense, until Tay gains the upper hand. She uses her Judo background to dominate until she tries a Tayogoshi. Anna gets out and gets the cut off. She wrestles with a lot of aggression to the point commentary question that these two women are partners. Anna shows no mercy against Tay with some brutal offence. Conti eventually comes back and applies some vicious submission holds. Tay comes back with a Jumping Knee before a Bicycle Kick off the apron. Anna then hits her with a slam onto the apron and keeps the aggression going. In the climax of the match we saw Tay grab hold of Anna by the wrist and cling on, as they fall forward in exhaustion and rest over each other’s shoulders. Tay wraps an arm around and they hug, until Anna hugs back as she slowly lifts Tay up. They stare into each other’s eyes, continuing to breath heavy, ONLY FOR CONTI TO HIT A BRAZILIAN KICK!! PINS AND WINS!!
Tay Conti defeats Anna Jay (10:47)
Yuka Sakazaki vs. Mei Suruga (February 15th, Super 16)
Exclusively on AEW’s YouTube channel, “The Super 16” is presented live from the Ice Ribbon Dojo. Yuka Sakazaki is someone that AEW fans are familiar with from her various matches on PPV and Dynamite. Since her last AEW appearance she has added more muscle, she's expanded her moveset, and she lost TJPW's top title. Mei Suruga meanwhile is one the smallest and least experienced wrestler in the tournament, being one of Emi Sakura’s many students. She managed to get a clean one on one victory over Hikaru Shida right before Shida left Japan. She's a 21 year old prodigy who's status reaches beyond her experience level. She has Riho’s style mixed with Emi’s influence, for a brief summary. This is a high speed match up, a common style in Joshi, as the two women fly around each other with high risk offence. Yuka does a Springboard to the outside, over the guardrail to take Mei out for a good bit. She mounts a comeback and goes for a finisher to end it, but The Magical Girl reverses and pins to advance forward.
Yuka Sakazaki defeats Mei Suruga (08:46)
VENY vs. Emi Sakura (February 15th, Super 16)
VENY is someone some of you might know as Asuka. No not that Asuka, back in Japan WWE Asuka was known as Kana and the woman now called VENY is now known as Asuka. VENY is a favourite of mine. She can do damn near anything in the ring, she's extremely charismatic, and is in her prime as one of the top indie wrestlers in Japan."Veny" was supposed to debut in America during Wrestlemania weekend 2020, but the pandemic put a stop to that. This tournament is going to be her introduction to western fans. Meanwhile Emi Sakura is someone AEW fans probably know after her match with Riho at Full Gear. Since her last AEW appearance, she's been surviving the pandemic in her own little corner of the wrestling world by regularly producing Youtube wrestling shows(ChocoPro). In recent months, she's been slimming down to more of her natural weight which helps her with speed and her noted back problems. She’s now faster and better than when AEW fans last saw her. This is a technical match up with the two women indulging a game of wits, trading submissions and holds. She goes to use her new found quickness but VENY matches ever at that and puts her down to advance forward.
VENY defeats Emi Sakura (14:32)
Maki Itoh vs. Ryo Mizunami (February 15th, Super 16)
Maki Itoh is one of my favourite wrestlers right now and that’s not a joke. She’s the most popular wrestler in the field and someone that Joshi fans have been waiting to see crossover to the west more often for the last couple of years. She's insanely charismatic. She's a limited athlete, but she's an excellent storyteller and shines in singles matches. She’s only worked Mania weekend in the States so far but we’re hoping to see that change. Mizunami then has worked AEW before, but that was such a long time ago that AEW fans have probably forgotten her. She's a veteran with an extremely high level of charisma and she will chop the soul out of you. Primarily a brawler, but also has that charisma to work this kind of match. This is set to be our character matchup as Maki and Ryo square up, with Itoh crediting herself as “I AM DEITY OF SHIT”. She credits “Cornette-san” as her biggest fan. They then go at it. Ryo dominates Itoh until the comeback, when she catches Mizunami out of nowhere with a Flying Hurricanerana to win.
Maki Itoh defeats Ryo Mizunami (08:41)
Aja Kong vs. Rin Kadokura (February 15th, Super 16)
Main event of the evening and it’s looking like a doozy folks. First we have Aja Kong, easily the most legendary name in the tournament. She's 34 years into her career and still going. While we aren’t expecting to see the Kong that was battling Bull Nakano in the 90s, she is still a very smart veteran and she is still willing to taking some crazy bumps in the right occasion. She’s wrestled in both WWF (Survivor Series 1995) and AEW (Double or Nothing 2019) so she’s no stranger to the big stage. Rin meanwhile is most comparable to Shibata. She doesn't have a huge western fanbase, and she's not a big personality, but she's the Joshi version of "a wrestler's wrestler" and is capable of having the best match of the tournament. She comes Marvelous who are basically the Ring of Honor of Joshi. They are more physical and technically sound than TJPW or Ice Ribbon. Rin and Aja have a stiff and brutal matchup with terrifying strikes from the two women. Aja keeps kicking out of what’s thrown at her, not allowing to go down to a younger girl. Aja misses a Senton off the apron and hits the floor which allows Kadokura to win. Afterwards they hug as we fade to black.
Rin Kadokura defeats Aja Kong (15:22)
Quarter-Finals:
Riho vs. Tay Conti (February 24th, Dynamite)
Into the quarter finals we go as Revolution is fast approaching, and kicking it off is these two women. Both are top babyfaces, with Conti having just come out of her emotional war with Anna Jay and Riho suffering at the hands of Leyla Hirsch’s squad. They shake hands to begin and we’re set. Tay has expressed interest in wrestling in Japan before, so this is her forte into the Joshi world. Once everything’s back to normal I’d really like to see her hold the SWA World Championship in Stardom, and potentially face Riho again for it. Riho uses her speed to take Tay down, at one point dropkicking her off the apron and she falls into the guardrail, where Anna Jay sits. Anna looks at her coldly as Tay gets back up, ONLY TO BE HIT BY A BACKSTABBER BY RIHO! SHE COVERS AND WINS!! Riho advances forward to the semi-finals, while Conti stares back, equally as cold, at Anna Jay.
Riho defeats Tay Conti (07:01)
We see the third segment of Hikaru Shida in her tatami speaking of her story. She goes into detail about Corona hitting and being stuck in America, and how she felt about that. She says all that mattered then was the AEW Women’s World Championship. So much stuff was happening back home in Japan in the Joshi world (death of Hana Kimura), and she needed to topple The Beast, Nyla Rose. She describes the match, says it’s the most physical she’s ever been in, describing each painful bump and how after every move she was more worn down. But she refused to lose, and came out on top. Since then she’s carried this belt, and hadn’t dropped it. Despite the level of talent in the Super 16, no one has the talent to defeat her.
Abadon vs. Thunder Rosa (February 24th, Dynamite)
Last quarter final now, with the winner going on to face Riho in the semi’s. Thunder Rosa - having defeated Britt Baker, and Abadon - having defeated Nyla Rose. Abadon screams at Rosa to begin but she’s unphased, shouting back and the two meet forehead to forehead. They then start trading shots as the match begins. It spills outside where they continue to brawl messily. Abadon hits a Bloodline onto the floor followed by some biting. She goes for a Twist of Hate on the apron, but Rosa counters into a Cutter! They both sell before going back inside. Abadon runs for a Spear but when it’s leapfrogged, she hits a Headbutt and then runs the ropes again. She connects the Spead this time and covers, but it’s kicked out of. They go back outside where they fight up the ramp. Rosa dives with a Double Foot Stomp before they head up to the announce table. They fight there, and Rosa hits an Inverted DDT on it. Abadon rolls into the announcers chairs and lays there. Once back in, Rosa goes for a Snake Sleeper, but Abadon kicks her leg back and fights back. She throws Rosa into the ring post to bust her open. She calls for a Gravedigger, BUT ITS REVERSED INTO A FIRE THUNDER DRIVER!! ROSA PINS AND GOES TO SEMIS!!
Thunder Rosa defeats Abadon (16:11)
Maki Itoh vs. VENY (February 22nd, Super 16)
Heading into the Japan half of the quarter finals, we travel across the Pacific to the Ice Ribbon dojo once more. Itoh talks shit before the bell as VENY stands stone faced wondering what’s she did in a past life to be in the opposite corner of this. She goes to speak about Cornette-san once more but VENY cuts her off and the match has begun. She dominates the early stages until Maki out of nowhere counters a Suplex into a Falling DDT. She hits a Dropkick off the apron and VENY eats shit. Maki applies a Boston Crab, but VENY gets the ropes and flips Itoh out. She big boots her and is back on the offence. They take it to the apron where Itoh goes to pick VENY up, but VENY knocks her down and they roll back inside. Maki goes for a Ito Special but it’s reversed, and VENY goes for a Powerbomb. Itoh reverses that into a Itoh Royale, which is kicked out and they double down with stereo dropkicks. Maki climbs the top ropes for a Diving Headbutt, but VENY quickly runs up and hits a Superplex. She pins and wins to advance forward into the semis.
VENY defeats Maki Itoh (09:18)
Rin Kadokura vs. Yuka Sakazaki (February 22nd, Super 16)
Yuka runs around Rin to begin with, using her quickness to avoid being caught by any strikes or holds. This proves unsuccessful as after running the ropes for a Flying Shoulder Tackle, she’s hit with a stiff elbow in midair to knock Yuka down. This is the cut off as she dominates from this point forward. Rin goes for a Meteora from the middle ropes, BUT YUKA HITS A FRONT DROPKICK OUT OF MIDAIR!! She scales the top ropes and FLIES WITH A CROSSBODY!! KICK OUT! Yuka continues to run circles before taking Rin to the apron. She then jumps from inside, over the ropes, WITH A HURRICANERANA TO THE FLOOR!! The Magical Girl is back in action as she hits a Baseball Slide Dropkick into the railings. She rolls out to grab Kadokura but Rin throws her into the guardrails instead. She takes control back and does a Lala Histro Cradle into a Cross Armbreaker but Yuka gets a foot on the ropes. She manages to rally up for a huge flurry of offence to take Rin down and cover after a Magical Girl Splash, 1.......2......3! She’s going to the semi-finals where she will face VENY.
Yuka Sakazaki defeats Rin Kadokura (11:45)
We get a live performance from the Itoh Respect Army - Maki Itoh and Mizuki perform live in living colour a rock idol anthem. This gives Yuka a rest before the main event of the evening, the Semi-Finals match between Yuka Sakazaki and VENY. Itoh and Mizuki hype everyone up with the performance ahead of the big match, before the music stops and they leave. That’s when VENY walks out.
Semi-Finals:
VENY vs. Yuka Sakazaki (February 22nd, Super 16)
She walks down menacingly with pure seriousness on her face. There is no fucking around here. She’s winning this tournament. Yuka meanwhile is as happy as can be. Yuka high fives everyone and jumps down in joy. They shake hands, but immediately after the bell rings VENY immediately kicks Yuka down and dominates. Yuka is tired while VENY is relatively fresh having only wrestled the opener. She dominates until it heads to the outside. She goes to slam Yuka into the railings, but Sakazaki reverses and dumps her over. She then hits a Springboard Flying Seated Senton, over the railings, into VENY. She mounts her comeback and hits for the Magical Girl Splash, BUT ITS KICKED OUT OF! Yuka starts having to match VENY’s strikes, as once VENY starts laying them in, Yuka becomes impervious to pain and fights back with her own. It turns into a slugfest here, but after a Diving Double Foot Stomp from Yuka only gets two she’s out of options. VENY capitalises here and looks to finish with a Powerbomb, BUT ITS TURNED INTO A FRANKENSTEINER! MAGICAL GIRL SPLASH! YUKA IS GOING TO THE FINALS!!
Yuka Sakazaki defeats VENY (19:21)
On March 3rd, Dynamite, we see the final of Hikaru’s segment, starting with her rolling a suitcase while wearing a mask as she walks to her plane back to America. We go back to the tatami where she’s asked about Revolution, and what she thinks of Yuka Sakazaki. She speaks on her before being asked about Riho and Thunder Rosa. She speaks about Rosa and their feud, saying she’s beaten her before though at last years All Out. The interviewer asks about the All Out the year before that. Who did she face then. Did she win? Shida seems insulted by that but keeps going, saying Riho got the better of her. But while she’s spent the past year back home, she made a new home - AEW. And she is now the queen of that home, and no amount of Riho will stop.
Riho vs. Thunder Rosa (March 3rd, Dynamite)
We’ve reached our American semi-finals, and 5 days after Yuka Sakazaki’s defeat of VENY - Riho and Thuhder Rosa are set to main event Dynamite. On Saturday Night then, the day before Revolution, we will see the Super 16 Finals streamed on YouTube between Yuka Sakazaki and the winner of this match, with the winner going on to face Hikaru Shida at Revolution. The match starts physical and doesn’t slow down. They go to the mat straight away and trade submission attempts. Rosa then dominates until Riho counters out of a corner charge with a roll up only to get two. Rosa punishes Riho using the ring post. Riho fights back though as she flies off the apron and uses speed to keep Rosa down. She goes for a springboard but is caught midair. Rosa then starts to kick the shit out of Riho, striking her repeatedly. It spills to the floor where Riho mounts a comeback, utilising the ring post to her own advantage this time. With Rosa tied up in the post, Riho runs off the apron with a Double Foot Stomp to the back. It goes into back and forth inside the ring, before Riho flies out once more. Rosa is up first and sets up a table, before they go back inside. Commentary note the No DQ on the outside rule. RIHO HITS A DOUBLE FOOT STOMP TO ROSA OFF THE APRON THROUGH THE TABLE!! They’re both out now, but while down, OUT COMES BRITT BAKER!! SHE HITS ROSA WITH A CHAIR! Riho doesn’t notice as she takes her back inside and covers to win! Britt walks off with a smile on her face, and waves at a fuming Rosa.
Riho defeats Thunder Rosa (23:41)
Finals:
Riho vs. Yuka Sakazaki (March 6th, Super 16)
The Magical Girl comes down happy as ever, high fiving and hugging fans and running circles around the ring in ecstasy. Riho then comes out in her signature dress and also with an umbrella with the Imperial Japanese Flag designed on it. Both women offer their hands to each other, and both embrace before locking up. A collar and elbow is engaged and maintained, Yuka breaks the chains by connecting a Dropkick, followed by another Basement Dropkick! Riho ducks a Lariat attempt and runs the ropes, performing a dizzying array of spins before landing the Tornado DDT! 1.....2....Yuka kicks out! Yuka runs the ropes and hits a Seated Senton in the centre of the ring. She goes for a cover but Riho kicks out. Riho takes Yuka down with a Half Crab. Yuka winces in pain and cries in agony but throws Riho off her leg. Yuka then hits a Slingblade and rolls to the outside.
Riho connects a Baseball Slide Dropkick through the both ropes, before lifting Yuka up and hitting an incredible Deadlift Suplex into the middle of the ring. Excalibur makes note of Riho being 98 lbs so that feat of strength is truly incredible. Yuka connects an Enziguri and begins a Three Amigos. Riho flips out of the last one and hits a Roundhouse Kick followed by Double Foot Stomp! She covers, 1.......2....Kick Out! Riho seems annoyed at this and takes Yuka to the corner. They trade elbows for a bit before Yuka swaps them around and hits a Roundhouse Kick! She then takes Riho to the top turnbuckle. Yuka attempts to hit a Avalanche Butterfly Suplex, but Riho doesn’t move. Riho shoves Yuka onto the apron and Yuka grabs her back in pain. Riho then hits a Diving Double Foot Stomp onto the apron! That receives a holy shit chant as Riho throws her back into the ring and goes to cover.
Yuka rolls into a Fujiwara Armbar! She channels her inner Zack Sabre Jr. and begins to stomp on Riho’s head as she has the submission locked in. Riho rolls forward into a School Boy but Yuka kicks out. Yuka rolls back but is met by a Basement Dropkick! Riho then hits a Northern Lights Suplex! She goes to cover but Yuka rolls out. Yuka whips Riho to the apron. She hits a Dragon Screw on the ropes and connects a Baseball Slide Dropkick! Yuka goes for a Half and Half Suplex on the apron, but Riho gets out and hits a Belly to Back Suplex! Right on the hardest part of the ring as Yuka sells the pain. Riho rolls back into the ring, but is met by a Springboard Front Missile Dropkick by Yuka! Yuka then heads to the top ropes and does a magical pose, Diving Double Foot Stomp! 1........2.....KICK OUT!!! Yuka is now desperate and decides, “fuck it”, and begins a frenzy of attacks.
Any and everything used. Yuka hits a Running Meteora! She goes for another but Riho catches with an Enziguri and then hits a Running Double Foot Stomp! She picks Yuka up and hits a German Suplex but Yuka lands on her feet; Half and Half Suplex! Yuka hits a Slingblade and begins a series of Daniel Bryan like Roundhouses, with a few yes chants thrown in from the audience. She keeps going until Riho ducks one and hits a Bicycle Knee! Yuka responds with a Bicycle Kick! Riho hits an Impaler DDT!!! She gets the crowd going and goes for an Exploder Suplex, but Yuka counters into a Backbody Drop! Yuka then hits the Exploder Suplex followed by a Pendelum Kick! She takes Riho to the top ropes and goes for an Avalanche Butterfly Suplex! RIHO COUNTERS MIDAIR IN A ROLL UP!! 1......2.....3!!!! Riho is going to face Hikaru Shida tomorrow night for the AEW Women’s World Championship!
Riho defeats Yuka Sakazaki (10:17)
AEW Revolution 2021:
Anna Jay vs. Britt Baker vs. Tay Conti vs. Thunder Rosa - Four-way Match
AEW’s Women’s International Eliminator Tournament has come and gone, and with it many women have some grudges held. Thunder Rosa was cost the semi-finals with Riho after Britt Baker interference. This is of course, due to Rosa beating Britt in the First Round. Also, Anna Jay and Tay Conti faced in the First Round where Conti was successful. That drove a wedge between them as we’ve seen. There is enough tension where we need a resolution, and so they’re all put into a match together - whoever is the best comes out on top. The Four-way is made for Revolution, with the winner set to be Shida or Riho’s next challenger in the coming weeks. However before the match, we see Brandi Rhodes come out for the first time in 2 months. She has a mic in hand and says that two years ago there was a similar multi-women match set. That was the during the genesis of AEW. A three-way became a four-way. Now we know how talented of a roster the AEW Women’s Division is, but what if it could be blustered?
Well she’s got the perfect solution to that. How could she make this match even more stacked however? Easy answer, add another women. But not just any women...a Virtuosa. So with a little helping hand, she’s secured someone to really put up a fight. Outcomes Deonna Purazzo. The current Knockouts Champion makes her way out and joins the fray. The crowd applaud loudly at the surprise arrival, as this match is now made a Five-way. Immediately the beefing girls go for each other, Britt and Rosa and Tay and Anna. Deonna meanwhile just picks people off, playing it smart and looking for the win. She’s not fuelled by animosity like the rest, she is just being intelligent. We see the rest of the women all take themselves out to the point Britt turns around into a Jumping DDT and Fujiwara Armbar. She taps out and Purazzo wins the match. She takes the mic afterwards and hoists her Knockouts Championship high. “Who’s ready for a Battle of the Belts?” she says before leaving.
Deonna Purazzo defeats Anna Jay, Britt Baker, Tay Conti and Thunder Rosa (11:17)
Hikaru Shida (c) vs. Riho - AEW Women’s World Championship
We’ve seen the whole tournament so far and the mini-doc of Hikaru Shida. It’s the first majorly built AEW Women’s Championship PPV match...ever, so it’s got some expectations on its shoulders. Shida walks out wearing her attire from the AEW video game trailer, pointed out by Excalibur. Riho is just coming off a match from last night while Shida hasn’t wrestled in nearly a month, so she is fully in control early on. She busts out some early signature moves so the audience get a groove of her once more since it’s been a minute. They go outside where Riho starts to come back and from there it’s back and forth. They recreate the finishing sequence that won it for Riho last time, ending with Riho getting a roll up originally, but this time Shida kicks out! They then keep going as Riho kicks out of a few more moves by Hikaru. Riho goes for a Diving Double Foot Stomp, but she’s hit midair and then by a Tamashii no Three Count! KICK OUT!! They keep fighting as Riho once more tries for the finishing sequence that won it for her last time, but this time it ends when Shida lifts her into a Falcon Arrow! 1..............2..............3!! She wins and retains!
Hikaru Shida defeats Riho (14:56)
We now head into the build for Double or Nothing. However we aren’t all building towards that. See, it’s announced at Revolution a supercard of supercards is set for April 4th. The “Bloodshed Supercard” is coming up, pitting stars from AEW, NJPW, NWA and Impact against one another. The big match advertised is a Lethal Lockdown Match: pitting Kenny Omega, The Good Brothers and Kenta against Jon Moxley and Death Triangle. But also set for the show, we’ll get into detail here. Deonna Purazzo is now the #1 Contender to the AEW Women’s World Championship, and an appearance by her is advertised for the Dynamite after Revolution. She shows up and cuts a typical promo of hers on Hikaru, claiming herself the one true Virtuosa and hyping her credentials. These outmatch everything Shida has ever done, and when they face, she’ll truly outmatch her for all to see.
The match is dubbed “Battle of the Belts” after AEW trademarked that. Knockouts Champion vs. AEW Women’s World Champion. Next week Shida goes to speak, but she’s cut off by Deonna. Purazzo attacks her and beats down the rival champion. She tells Shida she should of stayed in Japan, because now she’s crossed the Pacific she’s in HER country. The Virtuosa runs the place here, and she is going to cement herself as the best champion in the entire country - nay, the world. Later in the night when asked about how she felt of the attack, Hikaru says “Next Tuesday. Impact Wrestling. Watch me.” before leaving. Then, on Impact, we see Hikaru come out after a Ten-person Knockouts Tag Team Match. She looks around with her title, and walks over to the captain of the winning team, Kiera Hogan. She shakes her hand and points back and forth between the two. Kiera vs. Shida is sanctioned for next week on Impact.
They face, but due to Hikaru now being in Deonna’s house, she makes her presence known with an attack. Part of rebuilding the Women’s division is other feuds need to exist in it, so let’s touch on those. Firstly, Leyla Hirsch and her new stable, dubbing themselves “Bloodsport” have made an enemy out of Riho. The two face with the stipulation that the winner will face Serena Deeb for the NWA Women’s Championship. Hirsch wins after making Riho tap. Then in her match with Deeb, a returning Allysin Kay comes out and interferes. Deeb rolls up with her distraction. Leyla doesn’t attack Kay however. After all, she was the fourth women in that Bloodsport tournament along with Hirsch, Kelly and Snow. They offer her a spot but Allysin declines and says she just wants that NWA Women’s Championship back. A Three-way then is made, which ends with Kay pinning Deeb. She gets her title back, and afterwards, offers an embrace to Hirsch. Snow and Kelly get her to accept.
Bloodsport pose together with Allysin Kay now in their rankings, but tension between her and Hirsch is clear after Kay just took the title she’s been craving for weeks. However, they’re now a unit. Also, Anna Jay and Tay Conti. Anna takes a leadership role in The Dark Order as her and Conti slowly start patching things up. They both agree they got lost in the tournament and were drunk off the thought of glory. They hug it out and walk out together. Then, Thunder Rosa and Britt Baker. The first thing we see on Dynamite after Revolution is Thunder Rosa brutalising Britt Baker. She destroys her. She kayfabe reinjures her and puts her back on crutches. Britt doesn’t wrestle after this but has a vendetta against Rosa, and Rosa is likewise. The women all have feuds, with only one revolving around the title, and they actually get TV time on Dynamite. It’s basically just what AEW do with the guys, but the gender is changed. That’s literally how you do women’s wrestling.
Bloodshed Supercard:
Deonna Purrazzo vs. Hikaru Shida - Battle of the Belts
The singles match main event of the show, it’s the heavily anticipated “Battle of the Belts.” Shida is out first, wearing a kimono and carrying her own umbrella to the ring. She twirls it around at the hard camera in a optical illusion before walking down. Deonna is out afterwards and the Virtuosa walks with purpose, hoisting her title over Shida’s head. Hikaru hoists hers up and they meet forehead to forehead. The match the begins. Shida and Deonna trade goods and submissions on the mat before it goes outside and gets physical there. Purrazzo uses the guardrails and ring posts, before taking it to the apron. Shida hits her with a Superkick and runs the ropes inside the ring, dropkicking Purrazzo into part of the set. Once back up they have some stiff back and forth with a lot of shots and strikes to knock the other down. Both women keep kicking out however. We see many moments when Hikaru looks like she’s about to tap but resists and keeps fighting. They head outside once again where Deonna hits a Backbody Drop onto the floor. Once back inside, Shida hits a Falcon Arrow into a Tamashii no Three Count to win. Afterwards her and Deonna resiliently shake hands in respect.
Hikaru Shida defeats Deonna Purrazzo (25:10)
Heading out of Bloodshed Supercard, Britt Baker and Thunder Rosa are still battling it out. Britt is set to return to action on the April 14th edition of Dynamite, where she will face Rosa in a No Disqualification, No Countout Match. It’s a brutal bout with Britt showing the aggression she did in her Tooth and Nail Match on Rosa. She ends up winning after a chairshot and kendo stick assisted Lockjaw makes Rosa pass out. Meanwhile, Hikaru Shida continues her trail of dominance over the AEW Women’s division. She’s earned the respect of Deonna Purazzo’s who’s gonna back off to Impact. Shida cuts a promo in English after the match saying she wants more of the Knockouts, and they are an amazing group of girls. She once again faces Kiera Hogan, this time on Dynamite, with interference banned. They have a clean bout that ends with Shida once again winning. They shake hands afterwards. This is Hogan’s first AEW match and she makes a big splash, but comes up short.
Next in line is Nyla Rose, who is still with Vickie Guerrero but their relationship is going very sour. Nonetheless, as we approach a year after Hikaru took the belt from Nyla, they’re set to face one more - this time it’s 2 Out of 3 Falls. It’s an excellent bout that ends with Shida winning by falling onto Nyla after the two basically kill themselves. Nyla the next week cuts a promo on Shida, saying she wants one final shot, and if she loses - she will never challenge for the title while Shida is champion again. This is when Britt Baker gets involved and puts her stamp on the picture. She limps down on a crutch as that match with Rosa as temporarily hurt her again. She cuts a mini promo of her own, before blasting Nyla with the crutch. A #1 Contenders Match is set up, with the winner going on to face Hikaru at Double or Nothing.
Britt wins after a very hard fought and brutal contest. Afterwards, Tony Schiavone comes out and reads a letter from Brandi. She congratulates both women on the incredible match. She then announces Nyla as the first women to take part in the AEW Women’s Casino Ladder Match at Double or Nothing. In the final weeks before Double or Nothing, Britt cuts some very passionate promos about the struggle she’s went through to even become a wrestler, and as soon as she became the best thing in this company she was injured. But this time, nothing is going to stop her. She’s not going to be hindered by dentistry, not by trying to being a good guy, and not by injury. She will be victorious. Reba is banned from ringside, as if she gets involved Britt automatically loses. Baker is now fuelled by anger as she wants to take down the unstoppable Hikaru Shida.
Then, our other stories. Well the premier one is the aforementioned Women’s Casino Ladder Match. Once more it’s decided there’s too much beef amongst the AEW Women’s division, so Tony Khan’s solution is to throw nine of them into a ladder match, and whoever isn’t dead by the end gets an AEW Women’s Championship shot. And just like last time, there will be a mystery participant. Women gradually get announced via AEW’s Twitter, with Nyla Rose as the first on TV before they slowly start adding names to the field, like they did last year. Anna Jay and Tay Conti are announced together, Serena Deeb, Leyla Hirsch, Riho etc. Thunder Rosa and Abadon face once more after their epic match in the Super 16. Abadon hits a Spear into part of the stage which takes them both out and it goes to a double countout. Both women are then put into the match, with the ninth women remaining a mystery.
Double or Nothing 2021:
Abadon vs. Anna Jay vs. Leyla Hirsch vs. Nyla Rose vs. Riho vs. Serena Deeb vs. Tay Conti vs. Thunder Rosa vs. ??? - Women’s Casino Ladder Match
Serena Deeb and Nyla Rose start it off hot, Nyla trying to dominate but Deeb using her strength to counteract. Tay Conti comes in and her and Deeb come to a babyface arrangement to take the big women down. Thunder Rosa follows suit and starts to mix it up with everyone. Leyla Hirsch, Anna Jay, Riho and Abadon all come out and continue the fight. It’s multi-man chaos, with each women sabotaging the other from getting that poker chip. They all want the prize. Killer Kelly at one point tries to walk down and help out Hirsch, but Riho valiantly takes her on and brawls with her to the back. She then dives off the stage with a Crossbody into Lindsay Snow and Killer Kelly. Allysin Kay comes out and puts her through a part of the stage to take her out.
Riho comes back, freshly bruised by Kay, and looks to climb the ladder, but Anna Jay pushes her down. She then starts to taunt and mock the 9th and final entrant while she waits for them to appear...and it’s RETURNING KRIS STATLANDER! Statlander comes in and wrecks house; takes out all the people involved while the action continues. Abadon lets out a mighty scream as she goes to climb the ladder. Tay and Anna push her off and meet at the top. They then start throwing shots at each other. They all fall under Thunder Rosa pushes them off and climbs up, grabbing the poker chip and holding it high it in triumph. She now with a future AEW Women’s World Championship match locked in. She takes the mic and tells Hikaru “good luck - you’ll need it.” before dropping it and heading to the back.
Thunder Rosa wins the Women’s Casino Ladder Match (16:35)
Hikaru Shida (c) vs. Britt Baker - AEW Women’s World Championship
Baker comes out without Reba for the first time in a long time, pure determination on her face to succeed. Both women put their heart and soul into the match, pouring every last bit of fight they’ve got in. Britt gets a Lockjaw in near the end and refuses to let go when Shida grabs the ropes. The ref has to physically pull her off, ONLY FOR SHIDA TO HIT ONE FINAL TAMASHII NO THREE COUNT!! She pins and wins.
Hikaru Shida defeats Britt Baker (10:21)

Jon Moxley has now surpassed a year as AEW World Champion and what a 365 days. Last time we started with him and Fénix doing battle after an intense build, seeing Kurt Angle get involved at one point. They had a great bout that ended in the death of Death Triangle, after Pentagon Jr. turned on his brother out of a cocktail of feelings: hate, jealously, anger, spite and more. This led us into Full Gear, where Pac also got involved and ended the 4 month saga between Jon Moxley and Death Triangle with a huge Four-way main event between everyone, seeing Jon retain his title.
We then learned more about Moxley’s year in NJPW - how he lost his IWGP United States Championship to Will Ospreay early in the year and then went on hiatus to pursue glory in AEW. Hiromu Takahashi would soon become the first non-Gaijin to win the title and go into Power Struggle with the title. After a successful defence against Juice Robinson, Jon Moxley would challenge Hiromu to a Winner Takes All Match with both their titles on the line at Wrestle Kingdom 15. This match would happen, with Moxley winning and entering his third reign with the title.
Lastly was Revolution where the third instalment of the Omega/Moxley series took place - and this time it was a 30-minute Iron Man Match. Kenny had become an ultra mega dick heel after Full Gear; refusing to speak anything but Japanese, having a geeky translator by his side at all times, having burned every bridge he crossed and lambasting in it. But there was an air of trade by about it - Kenny no longer had any friends. This was made present have he snapped on Jon when they tagged together. Jon exposes that Riho, Nakazawa, Page, The Bucks - not even Ibushi were his friends anymore. They fought to a 2-2 draw, with Jon only barely scratching out the win. This is the set up for where we begin now...
Book Jon Moxley’s AEW World Championship Reign - Part 3: Blood Feuds, Ancient and Modern
Revolution is in the rear view mirror but Kenny Omega will not rest until this injustice is righted. Jon barely won at a Revolution - only winning by a draw and having to scrape that out anyways. Omega is back to talking in English because he doesn’t like his translator anymore - and hits the One Winged Angel on him. Kenny wants to beat Moxley fair and square. Jon tells him next week he won’t be getting a singles match for the title, so what’s he gonna get? A tag match? Not like he has any friends who will want to help him out. Omega interrupts him on that. “Funny you say, Jon. I think you’re forgetting I’m the EVP around here, and I can make stuff happen. I can make myself some new friends. Would you like to meet them?” That’s when Kip Sabian and Miro run down to the ring and assault Jon.
A Blood and Guts Match is confirmed for the March 31 edition of Dynamite, between Team Moxley and Team Omega. It will be four-on-four, both guys need to fill out their squads for then. With two weeks left of Dynamites to go before the big fight, Miro and Moxley fight. Jon scrapes out a win after Darby Allin skates down to his rescue to prevent Kip Sabian from interfering. Will Hobbs soon joins the fray to take down Miro. It’s now three men on either side, and the go home week we will discover both teams fourth men. Kenny hyped up his fourth man as “The New Muscle”. He tells Jon he may not know him right now, but reeeaaal soon he will. Mox retorts that his fourth man is someone Kenny knows very well. In the main event both teams will have a contract signing and reveal their fourth men.
Moxley’s is Adam Page, who comes out and assaults Omega with words. Omega’s man does an assault too, but is more a psychical one. “Meet Schaff, ladies and gentlemen!” Kenny declares before a giant man sprints down the ring and wrecks SHIT UP. SCHAFF HAS ARRIVED TO AEW! So it’s set: Team Moxley (Adam Page, Darby Allin, Jon Moxley and Will Hobbs) vs. Team Omega (Kenny Omega, Kip Sabian, Miro and Schaff) - Blood and Guts Match. Last year saw Omega and Page compete, but they had a rough time of it. This year starts off as Omega/Moxley, and soon Schaff joins the fray. Darby Allin comes to the rescue though. Then Kip, then Hangman. Lastly are the two big guys: Will Hobbs and Miro. This is where we enter The Match Beyond. Chaos ensues; including a spot of Darby doing a Coffin Drop off the roof into everyone. In the end Omega hits a Super One Winged Angel on Moxley, but hurts himself in the process and can’t cover. Instead Kip Sabian does it, and gets the win for his team.
Kip Sabian is now in line for an AEW World Championship match, but says he doesn’t want it - he just cares about his TNT Championship. This leaves the AEW World Champion #1 Contender a mystery, but it will be solved with a Casino Ladder Match on Dynamite. April 14 is when it’s announced, and we immediately get people confirmed. Schaff and Miro will take part due to both being on the winning team, as well as some guys high up on the rankings in Pentagon Jr, MJF and Brian Cage. Shawn Spears will represent The Four Horseman, Brodie Lee representing The Dark Order and Kenny Omega for nearly getting the pin. The ninth man is of course a mystery. The week before the match on April 28, Moxley runs down every competitor and all their flaws. The ninth man is the returning Fénix! Coming back from injury after having his arm broken for a second time by Pentagon Jr.
MJF wins the match with some help from Wardlow, and heads into May as the #1 Contender. There’s four weeks of Dynamite let until Double or Nothing, and I would keep a lot of the actual MJF/Moxley build the same. You can’t do the whole presidential campaign shtick since there would be no election in May 2021, but you can still do MJF petitioning that he the rightful man to lead the charge of AEW for the next 25 years - not a scrub like Jon. Jon takes offence to this, and calls out MJF as a man who doesn’t know a thing about getting extreme, because all he knows is being privileged and being protected by a gush of wind. May 19 episode of Dynamite then is where we see MJF commit a brutal assault on Jon, busting him open and flogging him with a belt. This leaves Jon’s back blistered and bruised. The go home week is the same contract signing, but they agree to a Barbed Wire Steel Cage Match - a match especially designed by Jon to be the most violent match AEW has ever seen. MJF agrees to compete in it. “We didn’t even need to break the table” says Jon.
Double or Nothing 2021:
Jon Moxley vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman - Barbed Wire Steel Cage Match for the AEW World Championship
Double or Nothing has been an incredible show so far, with the Dallas crowd have been loving it all night. We’ve reached our main event, and Maxwell Jacob Friedman walks out first as the challenger. He comes out with his private lawyer, Mark Sterling, as well as his family. We see his millionaire parents in the front row, with them isolated from the fans as they don’t want to be near lesser people. Moxley meanwhile walks out, but when he reaches the guardrail he sits down beside MJF’s parents to get a picture. Mox then says he’s got his own buddy - AND OUT COMES NICK GAGE!! He was meant to be in the All Out Casino Battle Royale, but was injured. I’d love him in AEW but the TNT executives would probably run for their lives at the sight of him with an open mic, so here he is supporting his buddy. Gage takes MJF’s parents seats, who walk away and prefer to stand than sit beside him.
MJF and Moxley both step inside through the door, and it is then locked shut, with chains wrapped around to prevent no escape. As well as that, barbed wire is wrapped around the top of the cage walls. The bell is rung but neither attack each other straight away. They take a moment to embrace where they are. No escape, in a cage of death. On the floor beside them is a barbed wire board, and in each corner is a pane of glass. Another barbed wire board is leaning against the ropes, and on the opposite side is a board of mouse traps. A bag of thumbtacks is on the floor, a chainlink of chairs is against the wall, and various light tubes are stuck to the walls. They both walk around and look at everything, taking in what they’ve signed up for. MJF looks scared, but for the first time we’ve ever seen - so does Jon Moxley.
They start off with a collar and elbow, which MJF gets into a headlock. He Irish whips Moxley out to the ropes, who rebounds but is caught with a shoulder block. MJF then drops and gets him in another headlock, which he gets into a head scissors. Moxley escapes and they’re back to their feet, which is then put into a another collar and elbow. This time Jon slips behind into a waistlock, and slams him down! Then Mox gets in his first headlock. Eventually he’s had enough and lifts MJF UP INTO A MOXICITY ONTO THE BARBED WIRE BOARD. He walks over to the cameraman outside the door and tells him “it’s time for some fucking garbage wrestling.” He then grabs a light tube off the wall and advances towards a writhing Friedman.
He pulls the light tube up and goes to smash it down, but FRIEDMAN WITH A LOW BLOW!! HE SPITS IN JONS FACE!! Jon is blinded and stumbles backwards. He doesn’t seem the LIGHT TUBE BEING SMASHED OVER HIS HEAD!! Jon then falls to the floor as MJF is now on top. JR slowly realises “we’ve only ever seen Maxwell as the arrogant, cocky and brash douchehead- but we have never seen him go to such extreme places. He has this dark place in his mind that he goes to, and when there’s no escape in this cage there’s no escape from that place in his mind.” Mox falls back to a glass window but doesn’t fall through. Jon runs forward at MJF, and they start to trade trying to snatch the light tube remains. Eventually MJF gets hold and SMASHES IT OVER MOX’S BACK, AND THEN SMASHES THE TWO LEFTOVER REMAINS INTO HIS HEAD!! Jon falls in a heap.
MJF GOES FOR A FRIEDMAN ARMBAR SPECIAL BUT MOX ROLLS OUT INTO HIS OWN!! They lay in the pile of glass as Mox wrenches the hold. MJF escapes and scurries for the ropes. MOX THEN HITS HIM WITH A DROPKICK INTO THE CHAINLINK CHAIRS!! He tries MJF’s arms up in the ropes to hold him still, and STARTS TO SWING THE LINK OF CHAIRS AGAINST MJF. He keeps going and going, making MJF feel how he did during that flogging. He eventually lets go after 10, and MJF falls to the floor with a bloody face. Moxley seems happy with his work and wipes some of MJF’s blood onto his own face. Nick Gage passes him some spikes through the cage gaps, and shoves a baseball bat in too. Wardlow runs out to fight with Gage, WHO HITS HIM WITH A PILEDRIVER ONTO THE OUTSIDE!! Meanwhile inside the ring, MJF sets up both barbed wire boards on top of each other. MJF THEN HITS MOX WITH A DOUBLE CROSS ONTO THE BARBED WIRE PILE!!!! 1...............2...........KICK OUT!!!
MJF grabs a spike and the bat and shouts at Nick Gage, telling him to try and save his friend. He places the spike on Mox’s forehead, and TAPS THE SPIKE WITH HIS BAT!! Mox’s is now gushing and his face is painted with a crimson mask. MJF THEN SEES NICK GAGE CLIMBING UP THE SIDE OF THE CAGE!! He climbs up and the two try and knock each other off, but can’t get past the barbed wire mesh. The distraction is enough that Moxley can set up the board of mouse traps below them. He climbs up and starts to bang his fist against MJF’s back. MJF KNOCKS MOXLEY OFF, AND GOES FOR A SWANTON BOMB!! HE DIVES - BUT MOXLEY MOVES OUT THE WAY!!! MJF CRASHES DOWN ONTO THE BOARD OF MOUSE TRAPS!! MOXLEY COVERS!! 1.............2.........KICK OUT!!!!
Mox grabs the chainlink chairs and snips two off, and folds them upright. He places a glass sheet across the seats of them, and then another on top of that across the handles. He brings MJF over to try and HIT A SUPER PARADIGM SHIFT THROUGH THE GLASS TOWER! MJF STOPS HIM, AND GOES FOR A BACK BODY DROP!! MOXLEY STOPS, AND STARTS TO CLIMB UP THE CAGE WALL! MJF CLIMBS AFTER HIM!! SUPER SOUTH HAMPTONS PLUNGE FROM THE CAGE WALL THROUGH THE STACK OF WINDOWS!!!! HE THEN CLIMBS UP FOR A SWANTON BOMB TO FINISH IT!! With blood and glass everywhere, MJF is going to become the AEW World Champion. BUT THEN MOXLEY GETS UP!! MJF TRIES TO KICK HIM IN THE HEAD TO KNOCK HIM OFF! MOXLEY CROTCHES MJF!! Moxley meanwhile grabs the remaining two glass sheets, and all the light tubes. He stacks them on top to make a glass catastrophe. MJF KICKS MOXLEY IN THE HEAD AGAIN AND STARTS TO CLIMB THE SIDE OF THE CAGE WALL!! MOXLEY FOLLOWS AFTER HIM!!! AIR RAID CRASH BY MOX THROUGH THE PILE OF GLASS DEATH!!! 1..................2...................3!!!!!!!!!
Jon Moxley defeats Maxwell Jacob Friedman (25:56)
The match at Double or Nothing is in the rear view mirror and it sure grabbed people’s attention. Moxley and MJF killed each other so much that they take weeks off after Double or Nothing to heal. It was a proper CZW style deathmatch, between two former CZW World Heavyweight Champions. Fyter Fest is the next show in line and that is where we will see AEW make their Japanese debut. In collaboration with DDT Pro Wrestling, Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling - AEW will host a Supershow. Moxley returns on June 10th, where he confirms that he’s been told that him and Kota Ibushi will face off in a non-title match at Fyter Fest in the main event. This receives a pop.
Jon says he’s excited for the match as he wanted this at Wrestle Kingdom 15, but his commitments in AEW got in the way again. He did lose his IWGP United States Championship to Jay White however at Wrestling Hinokuni however. Ibushi last year said in an interview with Sports Illustrated about a match with Jon Moxley in the G1 Finals: “I have never had a match against him, so I do want to have such an opportunity. The first time that I have that chance is in the G1 fighting at the final.” Ibushi says once again in a NJPW interview that “I still want that match with Jon Moxley, but I don’t feel nervous. He is not credible enough because of his lack of ability to keep hold of the United States Championship. That is my opinion on Moxley-san.” Jon feels the sting of that.
At Fyter Fest, they main the show in a 30-minute epic. Moxley has done several of these thus far against guys like Pac and Kenny Omega, and Ibushi wrestles a similar fast paced style. But the thing both these guys have in common is THEY ARE LUNATICS. Ibushi hits a Phoenix Splash to the outside at one point, and also takes a Gotch-style Piledriver from the top rope. Moxley meanwhile takes a Canadian Destoryer off the apron through a table. Ibushi is the only NJPW representative wrestling on the show. He fights for his company, wanting to prove he is worth the IWGP Heavyweight Championship he lost to Hiroshi Tanahashi earlier in the year. The finishing sequence sees Moxley slide under a leapfrog and go for a waist lock, WITH IBUSHI FLIPPING OVER AND HITTING A KAMIGOYE FOR THE WIN!!! After this Jon takes to the mic and says he wants to face the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Tetsuya Naito. Champion vs. Champion, for Naito’s belt. He gets this match as it’s confirmed for the upcoming G1 Special in USA before the thirty-first G1 Climax begins.
G1 Special in Dallas:
Tetsuya Naito (c) vs. Jon Moxley - IWGP Heavyweight Championship
Naito has had quite the year thus far. He started off as the Intercontinental Champion, having successfully defended against Will Ospreay on Night One of Wrestle Kingdom as part of the second ever Double Gold Dash, but lost in the main event of Night Two to Kota Ibushi for both belts. He then went on to lose the New Japan Cup Finals to Tomohiro Ishii after a gruelling bout. He would get his redemption though as at Dominion he defeated IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Hiroshi Tanahashi to win the gold. Now he heads into the G1 Climax as part of Block A, but first him and Jon Moxley will have a non-title Champion vs. Champion Match here tonight. Jon comes out with Shooter who holds his belts for him, while Jon takes in the Dallas crowd reaction. This is the second time these two men have faced off, last time being two years ago on Night 10 of the 29th G1 Climax – when Moxley first arrived to the company, and won.
Tetsuya Naito is very slow in his entrance, very much taking his time with his arrival. He raises a fist to the Ingobernables in particular, one junior in the crowd gets special treatment - #LIJIsForTheChildren. Jon tries for a collar and elbow to begin but Naito falls to the ground and lays in the corner. He just has a stroll around ringside – every 20 seconds rolling back in, just to roll back out. He has a nap on the floor while Moxley gets restless. Naito offers his hand for a collar and elbow, but just turns it into a fist to the sky. JON THEN GRABS HIM AND GOES FOR A LARIAT! NAITO DUCKS AND LANDS AN ARM DRAG! MOX IS THROWN INTO THE ROPES AND LOOKS TO BE ON THE RECEIVING END OF A CHOP…but El Ingobernable relaxes and pats Jon on the chest, and throws his hands up in surrender. He then lies down as the One True Tranquillo.
Moxley has had enough and lifts Naito up for an Irish whip. He predicts Naito stopping before Jon connects his move, and so hits a SNAP DDT! JON IRISH WHIPS HIM TO THE CORNER AND HITS A FOREARM SMASH!! HE FOLLOWS WITH A RUNNING BULLDOG!! MOXLEY THEN GOES FOR A RUNNING CROSSBODY!! NAITO CATCHES WITH A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION! HE THEN LIFTS MOXLEY UP FOR A DRAGON SUPLEX! JON ROLLS TO THE CORNER WHERES HES HIT BY A BASEMENT FOLLOWED BY SLINGSHOT DROPKICK COMBO!! Naito then rolls back and places the LIJ fist to Moxley’s prone head. He rolls outside and grabs his most coveted item – his LIJ cap, and places it on. He lies in the ropes and waits for Jon to get up. When he does reach his feet, MOXLEY PULLS TETSUYA OUT AND HITS A TORNADO DDT!! HE THEN HITS NAITO WITH A FRONT DROPKICK WHILE HES IN THE ROPES, TAKING HIM OUTSIDE!!
They now are on the floor. Moxley sweeps both legs and starts to unload a flurry of punches. He then lifts Naito up for a DEATH RIDER, BUT NAITO ROLLS FORWARD AND HITS A GERMAN SUPLEX!! He then grabs Moxley by the back of the head and brings him to the timekeepers’ area. They fight on the top of his desk. They start trading elbows on there, AND THEN NAITO HITS A SUPER HURRICANERANA THROUGH THE COMMENTARY TABLE!! MOXLEY FLIES OVER THE HEAD OF JUSHIN THUNDER LIGER AND CRASHES THROUGH THE TABLE!! His legs hit off the guardrail so its like he’s folded in a heap of broken wood. Once they’re back up, Moxley refuses to be thrown in by Naito, instead kicking him in the gut and throwing him in instead. Jon then hits a Rolling Release Suplex! 1……2….KICK OUT!! MOXLEY THEN LANDS THE RUNNING CROSSBODY FOLLOWED BY A SERIES OF PUNCHES TO THE DOME!!
MOXLEY GOES FOR A PARADIGM SHIFT, BUT NAITO FLOATS OVER AND HITS A GLORIA!!! HE FOLLOWS BY RUNNING THE ROPES AND HITTING A SOMMERSAULT SENTON!!! 1…...2….KICK OUT!!! Naito then realises he needs to try the Destino. MOXLEY PREDICTS IT AND HITS A BIG ELBOW STRIKE!! He headbutts Naito into the ropes, and then runs up for a FRONT DROPKICK!! NAITO GETS OUT THE WAY AND MOXLEY GOES TO THE APRON!! NAITO THEN HITS A VALENTIA ONTO THE APRON!! They both fall to the floor like a ton of bricks. The IWGP Heavyweight Champion is first up and rolls back in, where he takes a nap. Jon meanwhile waits for his neck to turn back from being dust. He gets back in and flies in with a DIVING ELBOW DROP!!
Moxley now takes Naito out and its his turn to deliver the pain. HE GOES FOR A PILEDRIVER ONTO THE APRON!! NAITO GETS OUT, BUT EATS SHIT WITH AN APRON DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Moxley then takes him out to the crowd for a public beating. He throws him to the floor and bangs down punches while the fans count each one. He then gives rest to soak in their response. He sees Tetsuya getting up, WHO THEN HITS A FLYING FOREARM SMASH!! HE THEN IRISH WHIPS HIM INTO THE GUARDRAIL!! Moxley falls over, and IS THEN HIT BY A FLYING CROSSBODY FROM NAITO!! NAITO THROWS HIM INSIDE AND HITS A EVOLUCION!! 1……….2……KICK OUT!!!! JON THEN GETS UP AND BLINDLY SWINGS, NAITO TURNS INTO POLVO DE ESTRELLA!! HE RUNS THE ROPES – AND IS CAUGHT BY A KNEE TO THE GUT!! DEATH RIDER BY MOXLEY!!! 1………2…….KICK OUT!!!!!!! THE DEATH RIDER IS KICKED OUT OF BY THE IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!!!
JON MOXLEY THEN HITS A HIGH-ANGLE GERMAN SUPLEX!! NAITO GETS UP AND HITS A ROLLING WHEEL KICK!! SOMMERSAULT SENTON!! HE CLIMBS THE TOP ROPES, LOOKING FOR SOMETHING. COULD IT BE? THE STARDUST PRESS?!?!? MOXLEY CLIMBS AFTER HIM AND GOES FOR AN AIR RAID CRASH, BUT NAITO GETS OUT AND HITS A LANZA TO THE BACK OF MOX!!! HE HITS A BIG BOOT AND RUNS THE ROPES – BUT IS CAUGHT BY A BIG BOOT!! HE STUMBLES, AND THEN THEY BOTH RUN THE ROPES FOR STEREO CLOTHESLINES! Instead of the expected double down, NAITO RUNS UNDER AND GOES FOR A DESTINO!! MOXLEY CATCHES IN THE REAR NAKED CHOKE!!! THIS ENDED THE MATCH LAST TIME!! TETSUYA NAITO IS ABOUT TO FADE! UNTIL HE ESCAPES AND HITS A DESTINO!!!!!! 1……….2………….3!!!!!!!!!!! Tetsuya Naito defeats Jon Moxley (27:29)
Jon Moxley then goes on to enter the G1 Climax. He competes in the A Block, which looks like this:

• Kazuchika Okada
• Tetsuya Naito
• Jay White
• Jon Moxley
• Tomohiro Ishii
• EVIL
• SANADA
• Juice Robinson
• Toru Yano
• Zack Sabre Jr.

While Block B looks like:

• Hiroshi Tanahashi
• KENTA
• Kota Ibushi
• Kenny Omega
• Hirooki Goto
• Will Ospreay
• Juice Robinson
• Taichi
• Shingo Takagi
• El Phantasmo
• Hiromu Takahashi

Yes, Kenny Omega makes his return to NJPW as part of the G1 Climax and is one of the most controversial names in modern NJPW - after The Elite exodus was a bit messy. Moxley or Omega don’t show up on Dynamite for the whole of the G1, which causes some uproar in the company. The TNT Title becomes the main championship while a Yugi-Oh style Duelist Kingdom tournament takes place. People compete over poker chips on Dynamite, and then all those who have chips fight in a tournament to determine the winner - who then is allowed to enable an “anytime, anywhere” match for the AEW World Championship. I think it’s a cool idea and it takes concepts from anime and Lucha Underground - I’m sold.
Adam Page works his ass off to earn chips, jumping over hurdle after hurdle to reach the top. Meanwhile Brodie Lee wins a chip off of Marko Stunt, and then has his cronies win chips for him that are then handed over to them. This punches his ticket straight to the finals - which earns the ire of Hangman. They face off in early August. Then when Jon Moxley returns, he comes back as a villain amongst the roster. Adam Page specifically who has been building as the new ace of AEW in Omega and Moxley’s absence is especially annoyed. He calls out Jon for being a bad champion. While he respects him for surpassing 500 days as AEW World Champion, he doesn’t just get to slack off to Japan while the rest of the roster go to war with each other for a CHANCE at his title, meanwhile he’s off losing that tournament in Japan.
Jon then tries to retort, but for the first time ever he’s booed. The fans are annoyed he’s left for a month for his other commitments. Moxley then says “well I don’t care if you like me or not because guess what - I’ve been champion for over 500 days and have defended it successfully 9 goddamn times.” They boo him louder. Jon looks like he regrets saying that. Page then tells him “well if you don’t care then there’s a viable replacement who does - me. I’ll can knock you out of your trance because I have this anytime, anywhere match clause. And you know what Jon? I’m enabling it. I will wish you the best in your future endeavours - at All Out.” The crowd pop. “Fine.” Jon says and storms off. Page leads a cowboy shit chant to close the segment.
So the match is made, and Jon doesn’t know what to do. He was a man of the people, but one tour in Japan later and he’s now an ego obsessed douche. But Jon refuses to believe he is this - no, the FANS are the ego obsessed douches. Jon explains this in an interview. Tony then tells him “well, look around you kid. Will Hobbs doesn’t want to associate with you anymore. Darby Allin don’t got your back anymore. Sting isn’t proud anymore. Adam Page is completely against you. Is it that everyone around you are just against you in a big conspiracy?” Jon dissects that, and feels it sink in the truth. “You called out Kenny Omega for burning every bridge when he became inflated with his own self. I’m seeing that in you.” Jon stays silent. “Heck, you even said the fans were the real champions 18 months ago when you won the title. Now they’re the enemy?” Jon simply says “guess so.” and walks off.
All Out 2021:
Jon Moxley vs. Adam Page - AEW World Championship
This is set to be Moxley’s tenth defence of his AEW World Championship, and tonight marks his 547th day as AEW World Champion. Adam Page comes out on a horse, with Excalibur noting “may Hunter Horse Helmsley rest in peace.” The fans lead him in a “Cowboy Shit” chant, all raising their alcoholic beverage glasses to the air at him. He is most certainly the fan favourite in this scenario. Jon Moxley usually walks out through the crowd because he always belived them to be safer to be a part of than the locker room – but this time it’s through the curtain and down the ramp. He’s booed at his arrival, and doesn’t know how to react to not being who he thought he was – or not knowing who he thought THEY were. Adam Page goes for a handshake before the match which earns applause. Moxley looks angry at them cheering him for such a small act, and spitefully accepts the offer. PAGE THEN BEGINS THE MATCH STRAIGHT AWAY WITH A MOONSAULT FALLAWAY SLAM!!! 1……...2…….KICK OUT!!!!!
WOW! What a start. Jon gets up, shocked by the sudden attack. Page shrugs at him and heads to his corner again. Mox gets really annoyed at what Hangman just tried. Page runs for him but IS CAUGHT BY A KNEE TO THE GUT!! MOXLEY THEN HITS A CROSSBODY TO THE FLOOR AND STARTS TO UNLOAD PUNCHES TO PAGE!! He lets go when the ref threatens to ring the bell. HE LIFTS PAGE UP FOR A SUPLEX! PAGE GETS OUT AND HITS A SUPERKICK!! HE GOES FOR A POWERBOMB BUT MOXLEY PUSHES HIM DOWNWARDS AND STARTS TO ELBOW THE SCALP OF HANGMAN! PAGE SLIDES UNDER HIM AND HITS A DISCUS FOREARM SMASH WHEN JON TURNS AROUND!! GERMAN SUPLEX!!! 1……..2…..KICK OUT!! MOXLEY THEN HEADBUTTS PAGE AND HITS HIM WITH A DROPKICK INTO THE ROPES!! Page falls outside and Moxley follows him out there.
HE FOLLOWS OUT WITH A SUICIDE DIVE I MEAN! Page falls up the ramp where Moxley entered from. MOXLEY GOES FOR A PARADIGM SHIFT THROUGH THE RAMP!! PAGE GETS OUT AND RUNS FOR THE RING; ASAI MOONSAULT TO MOXLEY!!! PAGE THEN HITS A FALLAWAY SLAM ONTO THE RAMP!! They both lay there in hurt from all the moves they just hit each other with. Hangman and Jon both shuffle back in under the ropes. Jon pulls himself up by the turnbuckles, and waits for Hangman. HE THEN RUNS UP FOR A TORNADO DDT OFF THE ROPES!! 1……KICK OUT!! The crowd applaud loudly and Mox is ballistic. “HOW DARE YOU!” he says before going for a forearm smash. HANGMAN SLIPS UNDER WITH A SUPERKICK TO THE CHIN! HE THEN RUNS UP THE RAMP AND BACK DOWN FOR A BUCKSHOT LARIAT!! MOXLEY CATCHES HIM WITH A MOXICITY!! PAGE REVERSES INTO A CUTTER!! Now they’re both down.
Hangman sits down at the bottom turnbuckle while he waits for Jon to get up. Jon gets up in the opposite corner. They then rise up at the same time. PAGE GOES FOR A CLOTHESLINE BUT MOXLEY WITH A HANGING SOCCER KICK!! Page stumbles back but rebounds with a forearm smash. MOXLEY THEN HITS HIM WITH A PENDELUM LARIAT!! Jon soaks it in for a moment, befor falling to cover. PAGE WITH A BOOT TO THE HEAD! HE GETS UP AND IRISH WHIPS JON INTO A CORNER DROPKICK!! HE TRIES FOR A RITE OF PASSAGE!! MOXLEY REVERSES AND APPLIES A REAR NAKED CHOKE!!! PAGE ESCAPES AND RUNS TO THE CORNER – BUT SO DOES MOXLEY WHO HITS HIM WITH A FOREARM SMASH! HE FOLLOWS WITH A RUNNING BULLDOG!!! 1………..2……….KICK OUT!!!!!!!!
Page rolls outside to recover and Moxley lays on the apron. He walks around ringside for a moment and takes in the crowd reaction to him. He looks at a chair set up nearby, and starts to advance. HANGMAN THEN HITS HIM WITH A FRONT DROPKICK TO THE BACK, KNOCKING HIM INTO THE CHAIR!! Moxley topples over and now Page waits on the apron. HE DIVES OFF WITH A SHOOTING STAR PRESS!! HE THEN THROWS JON INSIDE AND GOES FOR A BUCKSHOT LARIAT!! CONNECTS!! 1……….2……..KICK OUT!!!! JON THEN GETS UP AND STARTS TO SLAP THE SHIT OUT OF PAGE!! He slaps him over and over while shouting. “YOU. WILL. NEVER. TAKE. MY. CROWN” he says in tandem with every slap. After the one said alongside “crown.” PAGE ONCE AGAIN SLIDES UNDER FOR A SUPERKICK!! HE HITS THE CRACKER BARREL!! He can’t get the cover however.
Page pulls himself up and looks to end it. He gets cocky and tries to hit Moxley with the Paradigm Shift – BUT MOXLEY SLIPS OUT AND HITS THE REAL PARADIGM SHIFT!!! 1…...….2……..KICK OUT!!!!! HANGMAN IS RESILENT TO THE PARADIGM SHIFT!!! MOXLEY THEN LIFTS HIM UP FOR A PILEDRIVER, BUT PAGE ROLLS BACK AND HITS A CRACKER BARRELL AGAIN!! He then starts to climb the ropes with Moxley, and reach the top turnbuckle. HE’S LOOKING FOR AN AVALANCHE SWINING NECKBREAKER TO END IT!! MOXLEY JUMPS DOWN!! PAGE TRIES FOR A SHOOTING STAR PRESS, BUT JON SCURRIES UP THE TURNBUCKLES AND HITS A SUPER PARADIGM SHIFT!!! 1……….2………..3!!! MOXLEY HAS DEFENDED HIS AEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SUCCESFULLY FOR THE TENTH TIME, AND PINNED HANGMAN ADAM PAGE TO RETAIN!! THE ERA OF MOXLEY HAS NOT COME TO A CLOSE JUST YET!!! Jon Moxley defeats Adam Page (22:02)
All Out is done, and Moxley has defended his belt successfully for a tenth time. But at what cost? He originally stated the real champions were the fans - but look at him. He’s calling them ego obsessed douches. JR says that he never knew what being hated felt like and went into defence mode - he didn’t know what else to do and the jealously of Adam Page fuelled the fire. But with Page dealt with, that’s in the rear view mirror. There are 12 weeks left until the next PPV in Full Gear, so exactly 3 months. Before we get into what transpires over those 3 months, let’s go back to our antagonist we haven’t touched upon fully since March - Kenny Omega.
At Double or Nothing Kenny Omega would face off against Kip Sabian at Double or Nothing in a losing effort. This would send Kenny on a spiral of redemption, as he fill into pit of his own ego over the summer. A trip back to a Japan and a match with Kota Ibushi later and Omega was back on track. He returned to the States no longer the bad guy he was. He apologised to everyone and especially the fans when he came back, and said he wants to lead them into the next era of AEW. This is what triggers Moxley. The week after All Out, Kenny Omega is seen with Adam Page backstage comforting him on the loss. They seem to be buddies again. Moxley walks past and sees this, and then walks off angry. Next week then is when Moxley snaps on, who runs off on Omega. “You accept him but not me? Why because he’s now a soft?” Jon asks.
He then feels Omega’s soft touch the week after - in the form of the barbed wire broom. After some hardcore cleaning Omega explains why he has got redemption. “Because I am not insecure, Jon. I accept failures, I can overcome being pushed away. You can’t, Jon. You aren’t able to function without the support of the fans. They’re the crutch of your title - and without them it’s falling apart.” We build towards October 6: AEW Homecoming, where we will see Kenny Omega and Adam Page team up to take on Jon Moxley and a mystery partner. That mystery partner is spoken about by Moxley. “Me and him used to be close, but like everyone he left me. He’s the only guy who will give me a second chance, and for that I’m grateful.” Is it perhaps Will Hobbs? Is it the debut of Nick Gage? Someone we haven’t met?
Well it’s none of the above - it’s Darby Allin. Allin has forgiven Moxley and is back to help him. The match main events and runs 20 minutes with limit ad breaks, and the finish sees Page and Omega double pin Jon after a Buckshot Lariat + V-Trigger combo. This means they both are earned a title match in the future. The week after Moxley has his promo where he says he is looking for forgiveness - but not asking, he doesn’t deserve to request. A man can dream though. The match is then made by Jon himself. “Kenny - our saga has three singles matches so far. The score is currently 2-1-0, but sanctioned as 1-1-0. At Full Gear we will settle it - in our last ever bout. A Last Chance Match. If Kenny wins he will never challenge for the title again. There will be No Time Limits to prevent another draw. And most specially, it will be a Three Degrees of Pain Match.
This is elaborated upon as being essentially a Three Stages of Hell Match. Moxley will choose one stipulation, Omega will choose another, and then The Khan Family will choose the third. Omega says his stipulation will be a standard Singles Match. Moxley’s will be a Barbed Wire Massacre. Then Nik Sobic speaks on behalf of Shad and Tony Khan to announce the third stipulation will be...a Three-way Match with “Hangman” Adam Page. If Hangman wins his fall, he will be added to the rest of them. If not, whoever wins between Moxley and Omega earns the point. In case of a 3 way tie, it goes to sudden death. Everyone agrees to this in the contract signing beforehand. Two years on from when it begun - Omega and Moxley put their war to an end.
Full Gear 2021:
Jon Moxley vs. Kenny Omega - Last Chance No Time Limit Three Degrees of Pain Match for the AEW World Championship
Moxley gets the first, Omega gets the second, Omega then wins. The reign ends at 623 days.

Fénix wins the Roulette Rumble last eliminating Lance Archer in a Buy-In Match
The rules of this match are as follows: every wrestler spins the roulette wheel before the show and whichever number they land on (0-36) is the number they enter at. People will enter every 45 seconds and you can be eliminated by being thrown over the top, pinfall or submission. The winner receives a shot any title of their choosing. In no particular order, the participants of the match are:
Fénix, Kip Sabian, Colt Cabana, Ricky Starks, Brodie Lee, Preston Vance, Evil Uno, Stu Greyson, John Silver, Alex Reynolds, Brandon Cutler, Sonny Kiss, Joey Janela, Shawn Spears, Lance Archer, The Butcher, The Blade, Frankie Kazarian, Christopher Daniels, Scorpio Sky, Sonny Kiss, Dustin Rhodes, Brandon Cutler, Angelico, Jack Evans, Michael Nakazawa, Marko Stunt, Wardlow, Billy Gunn, Austin Gunn, Matt Hardy, Alan Angles, Peter Avalon, Pineapple Pete and Luther.
Abadon def. Allie, Anna Jay, Big Swole, Brandi Rhodes, Nyla Rose, Penelope Ford, Priscilla Kelly and Thunder Rosa in the Women's Casino Ladder Match
Continuing with AEW’s theme of Men’s Casino Match at Double or Nothing, then the women’s turn at All Out, it’s announced on Dynamite there will be a Women’s Casino Ladder Match, with the winner receiving the prize of a future AEW Women’s World Championship. And just like last time, there will be a mystery participant. Women gradually get announced via AEW’s Twitter, with the unsigned Thunder Rosa and Priscilla Kelly being surprise entrants. All others are standard AEW folk: Nyla Rose, Penelope Ford, Allie, Big Swole etc.
Big Swole and Nyla Rose start it off hot, Nyla trying to dominate but Swole using her strength to counteract. Allie comes in and her and Swole come to a babyface arrangement to take the big women down. Thunder Rosa follows suit and starts to mix it up with everyone. Priscilla Kelly, Anna Jay, Penelope Ford and Brandi Rhodes all come out and continue the fight. It’s multi-man chaos, with each women sabotaging the other from getting that poker chip. They all want the prize. Awesome Kong at one point tries to walk down and help out Brandi, but Allie valiantly takes her on and brawls with her to the back.
Allie comes back, freshly bruised by Kong, and looks to climb the ladder, but Brandi pushes her down. She then starts to taunt and mock the 9th and final entrant while she waits for them to appear...and it’s Abadon. Oh no. Abadon comes in and wrecks house, takes out all the people involved while the action continues, before she climbs the ladder and receives the chip. She then lets out a mighty scream as she holds it in triumph. What a terrifying women, now with a future AEW Women’s World Championship match locked in.
Brian Cage (w/ Taz) def. Darby Allin in a No Disqualification, No Countout Match
After his loss to Jon Moxley at Fyter Fest and failing to win the AEW World Championship in his first match, he goes on a tear. The Dynamite after he takes part in a Four-way Elimination Match with Jungle Boy, Marq Quen and Darby Allin. All young, high flying faces. He pins Marq Quen after a brutal beat down, then Allin pine Jungle Boy. Cage isn’t happy that Allin stole an elimination from him, so he counts a three count for himself on Jungle Boy, then starts to go hell for leather on Allin. Cage wins and after the match hits a Weapon X off the apron onto a big wooden board that just dents on collision. Allin is off TV for a while, as he has been.
Cage in the meantime continues his rampage until one day, he declares an Open Challenge, and no one responds. Taz then goes on a rant about how Cage scared off everyone in the AEW locker room, no one has the guts to step up to him. That’s when, Darby Allin walks out. The match ends in a no contest because neither of them abide to the rules and beat the piss out of each other. It’s settled that regular rules can’t contain them, it’s going to be No Disqualification, No Countout.
Pentagon Jr. def. Cody (c) (w/ Nightmare Family) to win the TNT Championship
We’ve had two crazy matches just there, so how about a bit calmer now. Cody continues his weekly open challenges and getting great matches out of a diverse cast of wrestlers: young high flyer Marq Quen, tall jock Jake Hager, to the charismatic and cool Ricky Starks. He continues his open challenges, taking on Jack Evans, Joey Janela, and an especially good match with Sammy Guevara upon his return.
The tension between Omega and Page has boiled to a point where they take a mini break from teaming with each other. Omega then teams with Cody for a match against the tag champs, Best Friends. The returning team of Lucha Bros come out in a shock appearance, presumably to cost Best Friends the match, but Cody actually gets distracted by Pentagon allowing Chuckie T to roll him up. Week following, Cody and Chuckie T then go at it for the TNT Championship. During Cody’s entrance, it’s interrupted by a vignette of Pentagon Jr. Throughout the match Pentagon haunts Cody in his mind which very near leads to Cody losing the title. Cody pulls through.
Pentagon Jr makes his in-ring return to action next week and breaks Dustin Rhodes arm! Following week he tries to do it to Brandi, but Cody runs out and saves her in time. They have a brawl, ending with Cody declaring that “PENTAGON JR!!!! YOU’RE ON!!!!” He then cuts a scathing promo the following week on the go home. When he leaves the cameras cut to the highest point of Daily’s Place to see Pentagon Jr, standing there, and staring... Both these guys love a bloody, brutal, story driven match. Having a match like that for the companies midcard Championship really legitimises it, and with the story I’m going to create will make this one of the most talked about titles. Pentagon Jr. wins after a Fear Factor, and to rub the salt in - breaks Cody’s arm ahead of Blood and Guts. Fénix comes out to congratulate Pentagón, but Penta snaps his arm too. That’s the next feud going forward.
Best Friends (c) def. Santana & Ortiz (w/ Jake Hager), Private Party and Jurassic Express in a Lucha Rules Tag Team Match to retain the World Tag Team Championships
Best Friends defeat the growing to be dysfunctional duo of Adam Page and Kenny Omega at Fyter Fest to become new AEW World Tag Team Champions, and are now on top of the division. Over the weeks they keep trying to have defences, but it always ends with a team running down saying they want in and a brawl breaking out. Eventually it’s ruled that these guys all want the titles, so all of them will be put in a match at All Out and whoever wants it enough will get it. And thus, the chaos ensues. 8 incredibly talented guys going all out for golden glory. None of the teams seem to want it as much as Santana and Ortiz who keep using weapons to try and win. This costs them, which makes them very cross.
Hikaru Shida (c) def. Dr. Britt Baker DMD to retain the Women's World Championship
Hikaru Shida continues her trail of dominance over the AEW Women’s division over the summer and into August, defeating Penelope Ford at Fyter Fest and then Nyla Rose on Dynamite in an excellent 2 out 3 Falls Count Anywhere Match. Nyla the next week cuts a promo on Shida, saying she wants one final shot, and if she loses - she will never challenge for the title while Shida is champion again. This is when Britt Baker returns, limping down to the ring on a crutch. She cuts a mini promo of her own, before blasting Nyla with the crutch. A #1 Contenders Match is set up, with the winner going on to face Hikaru at All Out.
Britt wins after a very hard fought and brutal contest. Afterwards Brandi comes out to congratulate both women on the incredible match. She then announces Nyla as the first women to take part in the AEW Women’s Casino Ladder Match at All Out. In the final weeks we see video packages for Shida, detailing her past in Japan and how much it means to her to be here in America and holding the most important title in the world to her. Britt cuts some very passionate promos about the struggle she’s went through to even become a wrestler, and as soon as she became the best thing in this company she was injured. But this time, nothing is going to stop her. She’s not going to be hindered by dentistry, not by trying to being a good guy, and not by injury. She will be victorious. Both women put their heart and soul into the match, but Shida wins with one final Tamashii no Three Count.
The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho, Jake Hager, Santana, Ortiz and Sammy Guevara) def. Tyson’s Crew (Mike Tyson, Mickey Gooch, Henry Cejudo, Rashad Evans and Vitor Belfort) in a Daily’s Place Fight
After Tyson and Jericho’s confrontation on Dynamite and all the attention that grabbed, it’s a given some sort of match will have to happen. The best way to do this I think is a Cinematic Match, featuring all of The Inner Circle and Tyson’s Crew from the beat down. I’ve only picked 5 of the guys with any notoriety, all the other imposing black guys can get involved in the match but there’s no point in advertising them as part of the match. Advertising guys like Henry Cejudo and Rashad Evans though, that’ll work. The gimmick of the match is before the ring or any one arrives to Daily’s Place for the show, IC and Tyson’s Crew can have a fight. We see everyone arriving to the arena, Inner Circle making a lightly comical entrance.
Then a fight breaks out. Fists are flying everyone, they’re going tooth and nail. We see spots like Hager and Cejudo going full MMA in the ring, Sammy running for his absolute life from Tyson, Ortiz and Santana doing a skit with Gooch, fun stuff. Jericho and Tyson both can not take themselves seriously and still come off as legit because of their names. We have to give the win to the actual wrestlers, after one of Tyson’s Crew fall off something high onto a crash pad in a big spot to be talked about. Santana and Ortiz then cover for the win.
Adam Page def. Kenny Omega
After Fyter Fest, Page and Omrga’s 162 day reign with the AEW World Tag Team Championships comes to a close. Page afterwards loses it, arrives to every match drunk and is slowly losing himself. Omega tries to keep him together but Page wants nothing to do with him. Omega tries to find help from The Bucks but they’re so caught up with #FTR they don’t pay attention. Kenny Omega wins the Battle Bowl and his wish he gets to grant, is that Adam Page gets his wish instead. #GoodGuyKenny. Page’ in his drunken state, wishes to face Kenny Omega at All Out. The wish is granted and it’s made official.
We get two vignettes for Omega and Page each leading up. Both are sit down interviews with Tony. Omega talks about how much he cares for Page and doesn’t want to do what he’ll have to do to beat him at All Out, he doesn’t even want to be standing in the opposite corner to him. But this is how it goes, he tried to keep Page in one piece but he fumbled and it dropped. Page is fully onboard with this being a good idea and in an interview states he believes this is the only way to establish that he is superior to Kenny, He was shunned by The Bucks, Kenny’s best friends. Kenny told me he wasn’t like them and believed in me, but he wasn’t. Kenny thinks he is better than me but he’s not and never will be.
In the match Kenny doesn’t use any major hard hitting moves. He does stuff like an Arm Drag, headlock, Hurricanerana, Dropkick etc. He fends for himself when Page attacks and is able to counter, but he can’t hit anything major. He can’t do this to his friend. Page on the other hand unloads everything he’s got. He hits two Buckshot Lariats to Kenny, and when he goes for the third...he stops. He’s stuck. Should he? Should he not? He looks at Kenny, with a confused look. He then flips over the ropes and hits the third Buckshot. He covers and wins, but doesn’t know what he just did. He turns around, and looks at Kenny...who isn’t happy. The story has just begun.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman def. Jon Moxley (c) to win the AEW World Championship
This is the match everyone is talking about happening. And to be honest this is a match I really want to see. Neither of these guys are very flashy wrestlers but they both are masters at selling and storytelling. I really want a diverse card, featuring your Lucha Libre, ladder Warfare, crazy multi-man, weapons brawl, cinematic match, battle royal, blockbuster tag, and the story driven match is the final piece of that puzzle. With Moxley probably not going to be able to show up regularly on Dynamite regularly however, this is going to have to be carried by promos from MJF. And if anyone can do that, it’s MJF.
It starts with Jurassic Express defeating MJF and Wardlow at Fyter Fest. Afterwards, MJF and Aardlow walk to the back with the Moxley/Cage match up next, and no one takes any notice since that’s just standard procedure. But the following week, MJF comes out with a bone to pick. He’s got a problem with the “World Champion”. He goes on a rant about how much of a worthless champion Jon is, because he’s just going to sit at home for the next few months on his couch because his wife is sick. He makes an offer to Renee, telling her if she wants to be with a real man - just hit MJF up. Jungle Boy interrupts him and their feud goes on, culminating in a Last Man Standing Match on Dynamite.
After that’s wrapped up, AEW hold a special episode of Dynamite called “Fight for the Fallen” like last year, with all proceeds for the show going towards a Black Lives Matter organisation. At the show we get two Semi-Final matches in a 4-man tournament for the match with Moxley at All Out. Moxley can’t appear and MJF is one of the people involved, so MJF cuts another promo trashing Mox. The tournament matches feature the top guys in the rankings: Brian Cage, MJF, Lance Archer and Adam Page. MJF beats Page and Archer beats Cage, leading to Archer vs. MJF on Dynamite the next week, with MJF victorious.
Moxley returns sometime in August with one objective: beat up MJF. He attacks him backstage and chokes him out with his scarf, even beating up Wardlow. Moxley gets a chance to cut a promo on MJF, which MJF interrupts. This is the main event of the go home show and they go off the hook. MJF trashes Moxley for coming from “the slums”, Moxley brings up how MJF bullies Wardlow, MJF tells Moxley he’s only popular for garbage wrestling, Moxley says he’d rather rather go back to the slums than watch an MJF match. It all boils over, AEW World Championship. And just because it’s the most real heat possible, MJF cheats using Wardlow to win and become AEW World Champion.
FTR def. The Young Bucks
You had to see this coming, right? And where else does this belong other than the main event of AEW’s biggest show of the year? This is the most anticipated match in wrestling right now, and has been for ages. Fight The Revival begun in 2016, 4 years of build. Now, it’s happening. We saw The Bucks come out to tell FTR that they are the best tag team in the world recently, and that is where we begin.
At Fyter Fest we see The Bucks and FTR team up against Lucha Bros and BB. Bucks and FTR win the match because we’re really trying to establish these two as the best tag teams in the world. The Bucks get the pin too. Next week we get an interview with Tony Schiavone and The Young Bucks. The Bucks tell Tony they are the best tag team in the world and have been for over 10 years. In an FTR interview with Jim Ross however, they tell Jim that The Bucks Fear The Revolt because they were so used to being positioned as the best tag tram in the world, and then they swooped in and took their crown. They want it back but they can’t. They can do a thousand flips and kicks, sure, but they aren’t The Revival or Tag Team Wrestling. FTR are.
Both teams continue the impressive win streaks and at Fight for the Fallen, it’s settled, the main event of All Out will be #FTR coming true. The Bucks and FTR have a confrontation in the ring where they exchange a war of words. Some points are recycled like FTR’s “you can do a thousand flips and kicks but you’ll never be on our level”. The Bucks says that they are just jealous B+ players who tell themselves they eclipsed The Young Bucks, but they never have and never will. It all comes down to it, main event, the biggest match of the year. It goes 40-50 minutes and is just perfect. FTR bust out all the classic tag team finishers: Hart Attack, Doomsday Device, Steinerizer, Decapitator, Death Sentence, Power Plex, Spike Piledriver etc. Meanwhile The Bucks bust out their greatest hits. The clash of styles is gorgeous to watch in motion, and in the end - FTR prevail.

Taz stands in the centre of the ring with a table in front of him with the AEW Elite Championship underneath a black cloth. He announces the rules of the match first: 6 men will be eliminated until the last man standing wins. You just pin your opponent in the ring. No Disqualification, anything goes. He unveils the title. It has a white strap with a tall, gold centre plate featuring the AEW logo in the centre and decorated with many golden jewels similar to that of the IWGP or Big Gold Title. Taz holds the title up before everyone begins their entrances.
First out is Adam Page, followed by Sammy Guevara, Kip Sabian accompanied by Penelope Ford, Darby Allin skateboarding down the ramp, Joey Janela, Jeff Cobb making his PPV debut and third ever match and finally Chris Jericho. Jericho has FOZZY sing his theme live on stage while he sings his own theme as he walks down the ramp. He points the mic to the crowd during the “let me go - let me go - let me go - let me go”’s and they sing for him. Finally enters the ring. Before the bell rings Jeff Cobb grabs Joey Janela, Tour of the Islands through the table the title was placed on!
Everyone gangs up on Jeff Cobb but he pushes them all aside. He takes Kip Sabian down with a huge Lariat and begins to beat down on him on the outside. Sammy Guevara and Chris Jericho team up to take down Darby Allin and Adam Page. Page hits a Calf Kick to Jericho sending him to outside. Page then hits a Shooting Star Press from the top rope into everyone! Sammy Guevara hits a Springboard Shooting Star Press into everyone! This is all capped off by Darby Allin hitting a Springboard Coffin Drop into everyone.
Darby Allin drags Sammy Guevara back in the ring and goes for a cover but Guevara kicks out. Kip Sabian rolls in and hits a Running Hurricanerana to Guevara. Guevara catches him in a Fireman’s Carry position, and Allin hits a Diving Double Foot Stomp to Sabian! Guevara grabs Allin by the neck and throws him into the ring post and Allin sells like mad. Sabian connects a flurry of strikes to Guevara, before hitting a Triangle Roundhouse Kick! He goes for a Deathly Hallows but from outside the ring Joey Janela hurls a chair at him!
Janela pulls out a stack of chairs and shoves a couple into the ring but keeps one for himself. He unfolds it and places it upside down on the barricade. He then Irish whips Jericho into it! Kip Sabian runs off the apron with a Corkscrew Crossbody into both men. Guevara is in the centre of the ring taunting but he’s met by a Buckshot Lariat from Adam Page! Page sets the chair up in the corner and hits a Lawn Dart into it. He grabs the chair and begins whacking it on the match and yelling “come on big boy!” at Cobb.
Cobb runs in with a Corner Running European Uppercut to Page! He catches Page on the fall and hits a Northern Lights Suplex! 1.......2....Page kicks out. Page leap frogs a running attack and connects a European Uppercut. He hits a Monkey Flip to Cobb sending him into the corner. He runs at him but Cobb catches him looking for a Tour of the Islands. Page manages to get out and hit a Vertical Suplex! He can’t quite cover as Jericho and Guevara both pull him out. Page elbows Guevara in the face and hits an Uppercut to Jericho but the numbers are too much.
Jericho grabs Janela by the hair and sits him in one of the announcers chairs. Guevara grabs some tape to wrap Janela around in. Jericho then undoes his bandana and chokes Janela with it. They finally stop and Janela is breathless. Jericho and Guevara pour multiple cups of thumbtacks around in a circle around Janela’s chair so when he gets up he has to step onto the tacks. They undo his boots and unwrap him. He does walk on the tacks and it looks sick as fuck. Janela then lays on the outside picking tacks from his feet.
Adam Page gets back up and throws Jericho into the ring. They have a stare down and the crowd begin to get wild but Cobb breaks it up with a double Clothesline. Cobb then picks up Jericho in a Fireman’s Carry and Page in a Gorrila Press. He throws Page backwards with an Overhead Toss and hits a Samoan Drop at the same time! Penelope Ford walks over to Janela and begins to mock him. Sabian strolls over with a chair and goes to leather Janela with it, Janela takes him to thumbtack dick kick city!
Cobb is in the centre of the ring looking around at his prey. Commentary note how monstrous he is and JR says Cobb is his official endorsement. Cobb turns around to a skateboard Missile Dropkick! Allin lays into Cobb with punches, finally taking the big man down. Cobb picks him up and goes to throw him to the outside. Allin hangs on to the ropes and hits a Hanging Soccer Kick. He the hits a Slingshot Youshi Tonic!!! 1........2......Kick Out!!!! Guevara secures a table and slides it into the ring. He quickly sets it up and begins to lay into Darby. Kip Sabian comes back into the ring and we have a three-way fight. This is token up by Janela who has finally hitting a Moonsault into everyone! He covers Kip, 1............2.........3!!!!
Kip Sabian has been eliminated.
First man is out. Cobb gets back up and he’s hungry, he charges Allin into the corner. He picks Allin up and throws him into Sabian and Ford who are leaving. Adam Page on the outside grabs a ladder and throws it in. He grabs a couple cold ones and goes to town on Chris Jericho on the outside. He cracks two cans open, downs both of em’ - Stunner! That table Sammy set up in the ring is still there, as Cobb lays Sammy on it. He goes for a Frogsplash to Sammy though it, but Sammy rolls off and Cobb crashes through!! It is at this point Chris Jericho has the genius idea to handcuff himself to the barricade - as the rules apply you can only pin your opponent in the ring.
Janela notices him and begins to batter him with a chair. Page notices too and they hit double superkicks. They then face each other and Janela asks “remember All In?” and they go at it. Page pulls out two new tables and sets one up. Janela runs at him but Page hits a Pop-up Powerbomb through the table! He grabs a barbed wire board and sets it up in the corner of the ring. He goes to throw Janela into it but Janela grabs one of Page’s beer bottles and smashes it over Page’s head! He grabs Page by the hair and goes to throw him into the barbed wire but Page catches him with an Exploder Suplex through it!
This is especially crushing for Janela as he spent the last few weeks on Twitter hyping up how he’s gonna avenge All In against Page and they had a mini-feud going. Janela looks up at Page and Page shakes his head saying “don’t fuck with a cowboy” before covering, 1..........2.......3!!!!
Joey Janela has been eliminated.
At this point Page starts seeing blood drizzle from his hair. He licks it. Also at this point Jericho regains his sense of everything and pans his head over to see... Jeff Cobb. Cobb malls the former champ and his former Inner Circle stablemate (more on that later) so there’s a lot of beef present. He grabs Guevara and begins to beat him up too. Sammy fights back however. Cobb slams him onto the announce table with a Urange Chokeslam but Guevara pulls him up with him. He Irish whips Cobb into the crowd but Cobb lands on the barricade. Guevara then jumps onto the barricade with him, Spanish Fly onto the announce table!!!!
Darby Allin grabs a table and ladder on he outside and throws them into the ring. He sets up the table and places Adam Page on it and begins to climb up the ladder. About half way up he jumps off it with a Coffin Drop, but Page rolls off the table!!!! Allin crashes through!! Page sees Jericho on the outside and is out for more blood. He un-cuffs him and lays into him. Jericho fights back and locks him to the ring post. He grabs a bottle and pours it over Page, making fun of his alcoholism. He then smashes it over his head. Page looks up at him and says “again.”
Jericho smashes another bottle over him and a bloodied Page is screaming at him craving more. He unhooks himself and attacks Jericho. He throws him into the ring but is caught by a Codebreaker! 1.......2.....KICK OUT!!!! Sammy Guevara on the outside is collecting all the unused tacks and putting them back into a container, before pouring it over the mat. He attacks Page and goes for a Canadian Destroyer but Page catches him - DEADEYE! Page covers, 1.......2........3 just before Jericho can break it up!!!!
Sammy Guevara has been eliminated.
Page grabs Jericho and lays into him with elbows. Jericho locks in a Liontamer but Page gets out. Page runs towards the corner but is caught with a Pop-up Last Ride Powerbomb! He then hits a Spear to Jericho! Jericho runs the ropes at Cobb but he catches him, Tour of the Islands onto the thumbtacks! 1........2......3!!!!!!
Chris Jericho has been eliminated.
We’re down to 3. Cobb comes in and hits an Athletic-Plex to Page and stares down upon Darby Allin. Allin gets one of the pops of the night as he pulls out the cracker barrel! He throws it into the ring and throws it at Cobb. He begins to hit him with it before leaving it in the corner. Cobb goes for a Suplex Toss but Allin hits a Cutter midair! He’s able to fight with the big man. He begins to grab all the weapons and pile them onto Cobb. He uses the ladder, remains fo the tables, all the chairs, remains of the barbed wire board, everything he can find he piles onto Cobb. He then hits a Cracker Barrel Coffin Drop to Cobb! 1........2.......3!!!!!!!!
Jeff Cobb has been eliminated.
It’s the final two. Both men have put their bodies through hell in these last 28 minutes, risking it all, throwing health precautions out the window, both men are willing to literally kill for this title. Adam Page goes for a Buckshot Lariat but Allin hits a Push-off Dropkick! He grabs his skateboard and whips him with it over and over. He then runs over Hangman’s fingers with it. He goes to the outside and retrieves a body bag with “Kill Cowboy” spray painted on it. He tries to get Page in it but Page ducks a Lariat and hits a Rite of Passage! 1..........2......ALLIN’S FOOT FALLS ONTO THE ROPES!!!!
Page can’t believe it. He’s flabbergasted. He pulls himself up to his feet, and drags Allin into the body bag. He grabs a barbed wire wrapped baseball bat and lays into Allin with it. He pulls him out and goes for a swing, Allin ducks and connects a Backstabber! He goes for a Springboard Coffin Drop but Page catches with a Bicycle Knee! He hits another Bicycle Knee! Allin drops to his knees and stands on the apron. He waits for Allin to get up - BUCKSHOT LARIAT!!!! 1.........2........3!!!!!
Darby Allin has been eliminated.
”Hangman” Adam Page wins last eliminating Darby Allin to become the inaugural AEW Elite Champion (31:24)
6- Cody (with Brandi Rhodes, Dustin Rhodes and Arn Anderson) vs. Brodie Lee (with Jake “The Snake’” Roberts) - Singles Match
On the March 11th episode of Dynamite, Cody takes on Ortiz of the Inner Circle in Singles action. Cody and Ortiz have a stellar back and forth match with Cody getting the win. After the match he calls out Jake Roberts but is cut off by the lights going out. On the titantron we see scratchy lettering saying “you promised I would be part of your empire. You lied. You must suffer.” The lights come back on and Cody is tangled in the ropes and Jake has got Damien out. Damien slithers across Cody as Arn watches. Arn rolls into the ring and comes face to face with Jake. They get a nostalgia pop and Jake asks “you still got it?” Arn thinks better of it though and helps Cody to the back.
Next week we see a sit down interview between Jake and JR. Jake cuts a classic promo of his, the quiet yet calculating voice which makes him sound ten steps ahead of you at all times, and manages to put himself over while still keeping the suspense of who is his client and hyping him up. J.R. asks Jake what did the message on the titantron mean and Jake responds “you’ll see soon Jim, they’ll all seen soon...” before he heads off. Next week is Blood and Guts which you saw the result of earlier on so needless to say - Cody is scarred. The Bucks locked Cody out the cage, beat the shit out of Hangman and Kenny as Cody had no choice but to watch his best friends and the foundation of his company destroyed.
Following show in the first week of April, Cody takes to the ring to cut an impassioned promo where he talks about his father, Jake, his opponent at Double or Nothing and Jake’s client. He tells this mystery client he doesn’t know who he is, he doesn’t know what he wants - but if it’s a fight he’s looking for, bring it on. Jake “The Snake” appears on the titantron and tells Cody that if Cody agrees to the following, his client will reveal himself on one condition. That being - he wants a Singles Match at Double or Nothing against Cody. Cody looks Jake dead in the eyes and says “I accept.” “By the way Cody, this was pre-taped.”
From behind, a man runs up and blindsides Cody. It’s Brodie Lee! He attacks Cody and beats the shit out of him with rights and lefts. Cody is busted open and Lee connects a Discus Clothesline. He then looks up the ramp with a stone faced expression. He got what he wanted. Brandi Rhodes comes out and hopes into the ring, Lee Discus Clothesline’s her. Bit of Intergender stuff since AEW like to be edgy. Lee then pulls Cody up and looks him in the eyes through the thick coat of blood covering his face. He then admires what he’s done before dropping him and heading to the back.
Two weeks later, Dustin Rhodes cuts a promo on Brodie Lee and Roberts defending his brother. Cody comes out with his face stitched up and tells Dustin to calm down. He’s got this covered and he promises to kick Lee’s ass at Double or Nothing. Last year Dustin and Cody went to war, but this year Cody hopes they can stand together - he wants his brother with him in his corner at Double or Nothing alongside Arn and Brandi. Dustin accepts and the two hug in the centre of the ring. Cody and Dustin Rhodes team up to take on Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy two weeks later in a losing effort after Luchasaurus got the pin on Dustin.
Cody was taken out midway through by Brodie Lee but Lee couldn’t quite get his hands on Dustin. This cost the brothers the match. Next week Brodie Lee and a pissed off Dustin get into a brawl backstage, a very violent one. Dustin is trying to avenge his brother who Brodie is out to end whilst Lee is trying to hurt Cody by brutally assaulting his brother and taking him out of the match. Without his brother Cody has nothing and so Lee is trying to demolish him. Dustin’s age gets the better of him and he can’t keep going. The final shot before Double or Nothing is Brodie Lee standing tall over Dustin who is coughing up blood.
Cody enters out with Brandi and Arn after making one of his over the top pyro filled elevator entrances he makes but x10. They come out in Deep Space Nine attire with Brandi, Arn, DDP and other Nightmare Family associates all standing together and Pharaoh of course. DDP and the rest of the Nightmare Family people leave so it’s just Brandi and Arn with Cody. The trio stand atop the ramp, before Dustin Rhodes marches out and walks with Cody to the ring. Dustin and Cody hug and Dustin wishes him good luck against what he’s about to face.
Brodie Lee then enters out with Jake “The Snake” Roberts. Both men have white sheep masks on before ripping them off in homage to Lee’s past as Luke Harper in the Wyatt Family. He comes out in his old hillbilly look of the shaggy black hair, dirty white tank top and cargo pants. Jake wears a leather jacket with a fresh haircut and walks behind his client and monster. Jake has got Damien slung over his shoulder in a black bag and he walks down to the ring with Brodie Lee.
Before the bell is rung Lee begins to use his brawling abilities and sheer power against Cody. They brawl through the crowd for a bit using fan signs and any nearby objects as weapons. Lee throws Cody into the wall and targets the shoulder of Cody, throwing him into all sorts of things shoulder first or hitting him with weapons across the shoulder. The bell still hasn’t rung so we’re not officially underway. Lee hits a Urange Slam onto the announce table and they brawl up the ramp. Cody throws Lee into the giant poker chips and drags him back to the ring. Now they’re in the ring the bell is rung even though they’ve been fighting for about 5 minutes already.
They have an intense lock up but i doesn’t last long as Lee slams Cody onto the mat repeatedly. Lee grabs Cody by the weight belt and hurls him into the ring post. Cody finally fights back and hits a series of punches before rolling his arms like his father and landing an elbow to dome. Cody hits a Springboard Cutter to Lee and followed up by a Lou Thesz Press. Lee gets out and hits a European Uppercut followed by going for the Discus Clothesline. Cody ducks and goes for an elbow but Lee gets him up in a Fireman’s Carry and hits a TKO to Cody!!! 1.........2......Kick Out!!!!!
Cody hits a Belly to Back Suplex and begins to undo his belt. Lee hits a Spear from out of nowhere though and referee Earl Hebner goes down with it. Cody hits a Disaster Kick and begins to pull himself up by the ropes. He looks to hit a Cross Rhodes but Lee gets out and connects the Discus Clothesline! He can’t cover however so he grabs Cody’s belt and whips him with it. He pulls out Damien and lets him slither across Cody as Brandi looks on terrified. Brandi rolls into the ring and tries to do something but she’s afraid of the snake. Jake is cackling on the outside. Brandi then rolls out takes Jake to Dick Kick City!
Arn then connects the Double A Spinebuster to Brodie Lee to a big pop. Dustin then hits Shattered Dreams to Lee. Dustin takes Damien out and helps Earl back to his feet. Cody hits another Disaster Kick! He goes for a rope run attack but he’s caught by the Discus Clothesline! 1...........2..........KICK OUT!!!! The fans pop again. Cody hits a Suicide Dive to Lee and Jake and throws him back into the ring. Jake yells at Cody and Cody goes for a Bicycle Kick but he hits Brandi instead. Lee then hits a Big Boot to him and he falls onto Brandi. Lee throws him into the ring and hits the Discus Clothesline followed by the DDT, 1............2..........3!!!!!
Brodie Lee wins and Cody has lost 3 PPV matches in a row now. He stares around the arena feeling lost and confused. Brandi and Arn help him up and Dustin shakes Cody’s hands. They hug but Cody asks to be left alone in the ring. He grabs a mic and gets only a few words into a promo before Anthony Ogogo hops the barricade! He rolls into the ring as the crowd are hopefully going mental and he punches Cody in the face. Cody is knocked out and the trio who left him moments ago rush back down to help him up as Ogogo escapes up the ramp. He climbs up the poker chips and poses atop them.
Brodie Lee defeats Cody (13:11)
7- Bea Priestley © vs. Dr. Britt Baker DMD - No Disqualification Match for the AEW Women’s World Championship
The AEW Women’s Division needs some elevation so I’m going to try and accomplish that. You saw the Riho vs. Yuka Sakazaki feud already so what’s going on with the women’s title? Well we start with Nyla Rose as AEW Women’s Champion. I believe her and Kris Statlander can actually be a really good feud to carry the division so we’ll continue that for a bit. Nyla attacks Kris on the March 11th episode backstage and lays her out cold. Next week the two are set for a 2 out of 3 Falls Match for the title. I think their match at Revolution under delivered for what they really could do since Kris was sick, so this match gives them a bit more time and hopefully they can get a great match out of each other. On Dark that week Yuka Sakazaki defeats Big Swole.
Next week Britt Baker comes to he ring to cut a promo. Britt Baker cuts a standard heel promo, saying how she feels sorry the fans first have to pay to see a shitty attempt at Awesome Kong as their AEW Women’s Champion fight a god damn alien. She says she is the best women in this division period, and anyone who thinks they can step up, get ready for a Lockjaw. She sent Yuka back to Japan, Priscilla Kelly back to bingo halls, Bea Priestley back to - Bea Priestley comes out! Bea slowly walks down to the ring, a past rival of Britt. She stares down Britt, and Britt says “remember the time I beat you?” They then get into a brawl, but Britt escapes.
Next week Nyla Rose defends her AEW Women’s World Championship in a Four-way Match against Yuka Sakazaki, Hikaru Shida and Riho. You already saw how this played out from earlier on, but anyways, Nyla wins. Next week Bea Priestley gets a win over Abadon and begins #1 on the rankings for Nyla’s title. They fight on Dynamite in a hard fought contest, lots of big kicks and stiff strikes thrown. In the end Bea Priestley gets the win and becomes new AEW Women’s World Champion. After the match Britt Baker comes out and attacks Bea, locking in a Lockjaw on her. She gets a bit of blood on her hand and licks it off.
Bea attacks Britt backstage and they have yet another brawl the following week. These brawls are getting too wild and their health is at a serious risk. AEW management need their champ to not be sent to the ER every week. The match is promised to be a No Disqualification Match so they can get their hands on each other at Double or Nothing, not right now though. If either women touch each other over the next few weeks until the show, Britt doesn’t get the match, Bea is stripped of her title. They both trade barbs in the weeks leading up before the big event.
Britt Baker and Bea Priestley start the match off hit with Britt taking it to Bea with a kendo stick. She strikes her with it repeatedly before Bea fights back. Bea connects a Big Boot an Irish Whip into the barricade. Bea then goes to town on Britt with the kendo stick. She goes for a Exploder Suplex into the ring post but Britt counters into a Backbody Drop on the outside. Britt pulls out a trash can with a chair in it. She throws the chair in the ring and places the trash can over Bea’s head. She then dives off the apron with a Meteora, but Bea dodges!
Bea pulls the trash can off her head and places it over Britt’s head. She leans her against the steps and hits a roundhouse kick into the trash can. She pulls Britt out and throws her into the ring. Her and Britt brawl in the ring. Britt hits a Superkick to Bea and sits her on the chair. She hits another Superkick. She takes her off the chair and goes for a DDT onto the chair, but Bea gets out and hits a Spinning Heel Kick! Britt falls into the chair and Bea taunts the crowd. Britt gets off the chair however and hits a Deadlift German Suplex onto the unfolded chair!!!!
Bea slouches in the chair and Britt connects a V-Trigger! 1.........2......Kick Out!!!! Britt pulls out a chain from under the ring and throws it into the ring. Britt whips Bea with the chain repeatedly but Bea gets up and hits a Falcon Arrow onto the chains! Bea stalks her prey as she lays on the apron. Bea hits two consecutive Bicycle Knees to Britt. She goes for a Deadlift Suplex into the ring onto the chair but Britt counters into a DDT midair!! Britt goes for the Lockjaw but Bea kicks off the ropes and rolls into Sit-out Powerbomb! 1.....2.....Kick Out!!!
Bea on the outside sets up a table. Britt runs out and hits a clothesline to her. She takes her the apron and goes for a Swinging Fisherman’s Neckbreaker off the apron through the table, but Bea kicks her in the gut and hits an Apron Bridging Half and Half Suplex! She lays Britt across the table and runs across the apron with a Diving Double Foot Stomp!!!! She throws Britt back in the ring and covers, 1............2........KICK OUT!!!! Britt kicks out and rolls into the Lockjaw! She wrenches on the hold!
Bea goes to reach the ropes but Britt kicks off them and rolls back! Bea gets out and hits a Bicycle Kick! She grabs the kendo stick and locks in a kendo stick assisted Armbar! Britt gets out and hits a Knee lift. She then locks in a kendo stick assisted Double Underhook Crossface! Bea Priestley gets out and lays into Britt some more with the kendo stick. She grabs the chair and throws it at Britt. She gets Britt in a Tree of Woe position. She places the chair over her chest and then dives onto her with a Double Foot Stomp from the top rope! She connects the Queen’s Landing! 1...........2........3!!!!!
Bea Priestley defeats Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. to retain the AEW Women’s World Championship (9:48)
8- Kenny Omega vs. Jon Moxley © - Singles Match for the AEW World Championship
After losing Blood and Guts to The Inner Circle, after his best friends Matt and Nick Jackson turning on him and Cody and Adam Page, after losing his AEW Tag Team Championships to Matt and Nick, Kenny Omega is at rock bottom. The week after losing the tag titles, he wrestles Darby Allin in that weeks main event in a Qualifying Match for a new AEW Championship that will be unveiled at a later date (AEW Elite Championship). Kenny comes out to a lukewarm reaction while his opponent Darby Allin gets a huge pop as he rolls down the ramp on his skateboard. He jumps off the skateboard, through the middle ropes and rolls into the ring. Ringside member throws the skateboard back towards Darby and he kicks the match off hot with a skateboard assisted Dropkick!
Allin takes Kenny to the corner and hits a Hesitation Dropkick. He then hits a Snapmare and Springboard Meteora! Kenny is already dazed and the match has only gone a few seconds. Kenny goes for a lariat but Darby ducks and hits a Pele Kick followed by Rolling Youshi Tonic! 1......2.....Kenny barely kicks out. Darby then recovers in the corner while Kenny is flushed. Kenny regains his composure and begins to fight back. He hits a Kamigoye and starts to go back and forth with Darby. Darby however counters out of a One Winged Angel and hits a Backstabber followed by Coffin Drop. 1.........2.......3. Darby Allin is going to Double or Nothing.
On the final episode of Being The Elite now that The Bucks are gone - we see Adam Page and Kenny drinking at a bar, the fall of The Elite never being so present. The episode ends when Kenny leaves the bar and heads to their car, and in the rain finds a pair of aviator shades resting on the seat of his car. He puts them on and we see a man we haven’t seen in a long time - The Cleaner. This clip is replayed on Dynamite with some higher quality. That same Dynamite the Casino Battle Royale is announced to take place on Dynamite to determine who will challenge Jon Moxley for the AEW Championship at Double or Nothing.
New rules are input - all 21 entrants will draw a card. The suit of their card will determine when they come out. Each suit come out in one batch at time intervals. For the first 5 entrants - all those entrants are of the Spades deck. Then entrants 6-10 will be of the Clubs deck, 11-15 the Diamonds and 16-20 the hearts. Everyone enters at 90 second time intervals with the Joker coming out last as the 21st entrant. The winner faces Jon Moxley for the AEW Championship at Double or Nothing. Jon Moxley cuts a promo the week before the Casino Battle Royale and roasts everyone of the possible people to win the match and face him. He comes at Jericho, MJF, Pac, but mainly Kenny Omega.
Spades:
1- The Butcher 2- The Blade 3- “Broken” Matt Hardy 4- MJF 5- Dustin Rhodes
Butcher and Blade start the match off. A tag team being 1 and 2 in these type of matches always draws a pop and the two go at it before the crowd explode for Broken Matt Hardy! We hear his old Impact theme and he walks down, finally broken, finally free. MJF follows suit and the boos rain down because as soon as he locks eyes with Hardy, he starts imitating he’s got a broken back and the crowd want him dead. Dustin Rhodes come out next and has a nice moment with Matt before they start fighting. Butcher and Blade then begin to team up and try and eliminate some people.
Hearts:
6- Jake Hager 7- Diamond Dallas Page 8- Billy Gunn 9- Tommy Dreamer 10- Sonny Kiss
Jake Hager comes out and tries to dump Dustin out immediately. They go back and forth before they eliminate each other brawling over the ropes. DDP then comes out to a big pop, followed by a big pop when Billy Gunn comes out, followed by another big pop when Tommy Dreamer comes out! Tour of the dads! DDP gives everyone a Diamond Cutter, and Gunn gives a Famouser to MJF. Sonny Kiss comes out and has a face off with Dreamer. Kiss then bashes Dreamer’s face into his ass like last year.
Clubs:
11- Shawn Spears 12- Joey Janela 13- Wardlow 14- Masato Tanaka 15- Jimmy Havoc
Break from the comedy as Shawn Spears comes out and we’re getting serious. Spears takes out Billy Gunn as soon as he walks in, takes out DDP, goes to eliminate Dreamer but Dreamer gets out and fights back. Joey Janela and Dreamer have a hardcore brawl, Wardlow comes out to help MJF and they fight with Butcher and The Blade. Throwback spot, as Masato Tanaka comes out! Jimmy Havoc comes out, and joins the Dreamer and Janela fight. They use a couple weapons, before Havoc knocks a kendo stick over the head of Janela, before hitting an Acid Rainmaker to Dreamer and he falls through a table as he falls out!
Diamonds:
16- Brodie Lee 17- Jeff Cobb 18- Michael Nakazawa 19- Lance Archer 20- Kenny Omega
Brodie Lee gets a huge pop when he enters, making his AEW debut tonight. He comes in and Discus Clothesline’s everyone, before dumping out Sonny Kiss. Butcher and The Blade go to eliminate Brodie Lee, but Lee gets out. Butcher and Blade turn around and are tossed out by Wardlow and MJF. Jeff Cobb comes out and has a monsters brawl with Brodie Lee. Cobb and Lee take down everyone in the ring, and then - Michael Nakazawa. He comes out and looks at Cobb and Lee, side to side, oh boy he’s made a mistake. He undoes his thong and does his general antics before Lance Archer comes out making his AEW debut! Archer, Cobb and Lee all surround Nakazawa. Oh Jesus he chose the wrong day to be a human. Wardlow then walks in and to every direction he looks, a monster surrounds him. He then walks through a gap and simply dumps himself out to avoid harm. Then all the monsters have a huge fight. Final entrant before Joker and it’s who we’ve all been waiting for, it’s Kenny Omega.
Joker:
21- Chris Jericho
Jericho walks out with the Joker card in hand, as Pyro shoots off around him. Jericho nails a Judas Effect to Masato Tanaka who collapses to the outside. Jimmy Havoc and Joey Janela bring a ladder into the ring and take down everyone. Janela climbs to the top of the ladder and goes for a Diving Elbow to a pile of people below him, but Jimmy Havoc from behind climbs up and locks in a barbed wire bat assisted choke hold! Then everyone below team up to push them to the outside! Broken Matt Hardy and Chris Jericho have a fight, and Jericho wins, tossing out Hardy.
Eight remaining in the ring and finally after everyone hit their finishers, Wardlow is tossed out, followed by Lance Archer eliminating MJF with a Razor’s Edge to the outside, into Wardlow. Kenny Omega eliminates Shawn Spears with a mighty V-Trigger and he starts to have a great contest with Jeff Cobb. However now it’s Jericho teaming with Jeff Cobb as they’re Inner Circle buddies. They both team up to eliminate Lance Archer. Jericho then thinks “right, Cobb’ll just throw himself out won’t he?” Jericho then berates Cobb to get out, let him win - TOUR OF THE ISLANDS FROM COBB!! Kenny Omega picks Jericho up and it’s Double or Nothing one all over again.
Omega and Jericho start to go at it. Jericho throws a Judas Effect but Omega ducks and throws him out. Omega then looks down at Jericho and gets his win back from him. Jeff Cobb and Kenny Omega are the final two left standing and they go at it. Cobb uses his amazing strength to nearly eliminate Kenny so many times but he fails each time. Omega then manages to get Cobb up on his shoulders, One Winged Angel! Huge pop at this as Omega v-triggers Cobb out to win the match. After the match Jon Moxley walks out. He walks up to Omega and holds his title high. Omega then does the finger gun taunt on Mox’s forehead. The Cleaner has returned.
Over the last few weeks until Double or Nothing, we slowly see The Cleaner returning. Omega now rocks his leather jacket, aviator shades, has a tooth pick hanging from the side of his lip, pounds the Terminator 2 theme on the mat, is the quintessential definition of cool. Moxley is still reeking havoc across the roster as per usual. Moxley is a tweener as Omega is so over yet Mox is such a badass people can’t help to cheer him. However, he cuts a scathing promo how that all Omega is now doing is just trying to relive his past success, when he saw the real Omega at Full Gear and you know what he saw? He saw him laying on the mat for the 1,2,3.
Omega then comes out with Michael Nakazawa, Riho and Adam Page behind him. Omega is in a white t-shirt and his tights so not in full Cleaner mode. The foursome stare down Moxley and he tells Moxley that this isn’t the old him - this is the best him. “I have got this group of guys by my side and my lover back in Japan standing with me. I got rid of those punk ass bitches Matt and Nick, I got rid of everything from my recession era - all I need now is your AEW Championship.” The two close the show with a gigantic stare down before Double or Nothing.
Kenny Omega entrance I’m going the full 9 yards with. It starts with a video playing on the titantron of a montage of Kenny’s road to being led here as a version of Devil’s Sky plays. It features his friendship with Kota Ibushi, Michael Nakazawa, Riho, Adam Page and finally leading him to this moment. It finishes with a quick recap of their beef over the past few months. Jon won the first time - but that wasn’t an official match in the record books. Kenny has everything to lose going in here. It’s Double...or Nothing.
We hear an angelic voice singing the same “hoooohhhhhooohhh” on repeat as Kenny slowly rises on an elevator. During this the angelic voice is mixed with the pounding beat of the Terminator 2 soundtrack. Finally all sound stops, and Kenny walks forward. LittleVMills is on the side of the stage singing Battle Cru live from the opening piano notes to him roaring “The Best...BOUT...MACHINE” and we’re finally able to see Kenny. He is in his aviator shades, leather jacket, tooth pick hanging from the side of his mouth but most of all he has a metal spiky stick weapon.
Jon Moxley makes a big entrance too as we see his entire journey from the limo to ringside with the title slung over his shoulder. He rolls into the ring and leans back like he did at Double or Nothing 1, and the match is on. Straight away Kenny hits a V-Trigger and the two start throwing punches at each other. It’s hog wild to begin with. Kenny hits a tight rope knee drop to Mox. Mox ducks a lariat and hits a Neckbreaker to Omega! Omega runs into the corner with a Corner Back Elbow! Omega then vault jumps to the top turnbuckle, Moonsault by Omega!!!
Omega runs the ropes but Mox ducks his attack and catches him with a TKO! Moxley hits an Inverted Atomic Drop and goes for a Neckbreaker but Omega gets out and connects a Superkick! He hits a Rope Run Diving Knee Strike! 1.......2.....Kick Out by Mox! Mox rolls to the outside to recover. Omega goes for a Calf Kick through the bottom rope but Mox catches him with a European Uppercut! Mox rolls back into the ring and hits a Snake Eyes to Omega! Omega lays on the apron now as Mox stomps him viciously through the ropes.
Omega gets back up and goes for a Slingshot Spear but Mox catches and hits a Draping DDT!!! 1.....2.....Omega gets his foot on the ropes!!! Mox pulls Omega up. He goes for a Vertical Suplex but Omega reverses into a DDT!! Omega hits a Shin Breaker followed by running the ropes and hitting a Bicycle Kick! Omega goes to do the the finger gun taunt but Mox having none of it, Running Brainbuster from Mox! He looks like he’s gonna cover but Omega spins around into an Armbar. Mox pulls Omega up and hits a Spinning Sit-out Powerbomb! 1.......2......Kick Out!!!
Mox gets Omega up and plants him on the top rope with an Atomic Drop. He leaves him laying there as he dives from the middle rope with a Clothesline to Omega! Omega falls to the outside. Mox rolls out there and throws him into the steel steps. Mox goes for a Kitchen Sink but Omega dodges and Mox’s knee goes splat. Omega rolls back into the ring but immediately goes flying with a Tope Con Hilo! He goes for a Exploder Suplex into the barricade but Mox gets out, Spear into the barricade! Mox could easily win by Countout here but he wants to win properly and most of all hurt Kenny some more.
He throws Kenny back into the ring but Kenny Superkick’s him off the apron. Kenny rolls to the outside and buries Mox under a pile of mats from the floor. He then hits a Springboard Double Foot Stomp onto Mox! Now he throws him back in. Omega hits a German Suplex and lines up a V-Trigger. He jumps for it but Mox dodges and hits a Piledriver! 1.........2......KICK OUT!!! Kenny gets up. Mox connects a Bicycle Kick and goes for a Butterfly Suplex but Kenny counters midair into a Frankensteiner! 1........2.....Kick Out!!
Omega throws elbows at Mox before Irish whipping him into the corner. Mox gets his foot up before he hits the corner, then grabs Omega and hurls him into the corner. He connects a Kitchen Sink and goes for a Paradigm Shift but Omega gets out and hits a Butterfly Piledriver! 1........2......Mox Kicks Out!!! Mox goes for a Lariat but Kenny ducks and hits a Basement Dropkick. Kenny goes for an attack but Moxley catches with a Kneecap Brainbuster!!! Mox goes for a Piledriver but Omega slides out and hits a Rolling Fireman’s Carry Slam + Moonsault combo! 1..........2........MOX KICKS OUT!!!
Mox gets back to his feet and dumps Kenny to the outside. Kenny goes for a Hanging Soccer Kick but Mox ducks and hits a Belly to Back Suplex from in the ring onto the apron to Omega! Omega looks like he’s not gonna get up for 10 but he manages to get on the apron and connect a Springboard Missile Dropkick while Mox was posing! Kenny hits a Cross-Legged Fisherman Neckbreaker! He goes for a Superkick but Mox twists him around and hits an Exploder German Suplex into the corner! Mox connects another Kitchen Sink! He goes for a Paradigm Shift with Kenny’s feet hanging off the top ropes, but Kenny gets out and sits on the top turnbuckle.
He then jumps from the top ropes onto the actual rope and hits a Moonsault to Mox! Mox lays on the second rope which lines up a V-Trigger from Omega! Omega then hits Croyt’s Wrath!!!! 1..........2.......KICK OUT!!! Mox rolls to the outside and walks up the ramp. Kenny runs for him he’s caught by a Bicycle Knee and Paradigm Shift onto the steel! Both men can barely get up but they do so. Kenny then hits a Kotaro Krusher on the ramp! They both rush back to the ring.
Mox scoops Kenny up and charges into the corner. Mox hits a Scoop Slam followed by a Death Valley Driver! He then hits a Dragon Suplex! He runs at Omega for another attack but Omega catches and hits a Pumphandle Dr. Wiley’s Bomb!! 1..........2.....Kick Out!!!! Mox gets up and throws elbows at Omega. Mox finally connects a Paradigm Shift! 1............2........KICK OUT!!!! Omega hits another Kotaro Krusher followed by a massive V-Trigger! He gets Mox up for the One Winged Angel but Mox gets out and hits a Neckbreaker as he comes down. Mox goes for a Running Knee but Omega scoops him up, ONE WINGED ANGEL!!!!!!! 1..............2...........3!!!!!!! NEW CHAMP!!!!
Kenny Omega defeats Jon Moxley to become the new AEW World Champion (24:37)

MAME 0.212

It’s the moment you’ve surely been waiting for: the release of MAME 0.212! A huge amount of work has gone into this release in a number of different areas. Starting with the software lists, you’ll find hundreds more clean cracks for Apple II, the Rainbow on Disk collection for Tandy Color Computer, all the latest Game Boy Advance dumps, and thousands more ZX Spectrum cassette images. Chess computers now support chess piece simulation using the built-in artwork, support has been added for several more chess computers from Hegener & Glaser, Novag and Saitek, and the Tasc ChessSystem R30 is now working. Three Game & Watch titles, Bomb Sweeper, Gold Cliff and Safe Buster, have been added for this release.
Protection microcontrollers continue to fall, with Rainbow Islands – Extra Version, Choplifter, Wyvern F-0, 1943: The Battle of Midway and Bionic Commando no longer needing simulation, hacks or patches. In some cases, the dumps have confirmed that the protection had been reverse-engineered correctly and the simulation was correct, but it's still important to preserve these programs. It’s also important for people repairing these systems if the original microcontrollers have failed.
There are three important sound-related fixes in this release: FM Towns CD audio playback positions have been fixed, Konami System 573 digital audio synchronisation has been improved, and a special low latency mode has been added for the PortAudio sound module.
For more advanced users and developers, more functionality has been exposed to Lua scripts and plugins. The layout file format has been overhauled to better support systems that make creative use of LEDs and LCDs. Disassembler support has been added for the Fujitsu F2MC-16 and National Semiconductor CompactRISC CR16B architectures. And if you've been following along, you might notice that we’ve waved goodbye to a little more of our C legacy with the removal of the MACHINE_CONFIG_START macro and its associated crud.
We don't have space to list all the Apple II and ZX Spectrum software list additions here, but they’re in the whatsnew.txt file. You get the source and Windows binary packages from the download page.

MAMETesters Bugs Fixed

• 00349: [Graphics] (shaolins.cpp) kicker: Graphical artefacts after going through service mode tests. (Angelo Salese)
• 02060: [Graphics] (aerofgt.cpp) spinlbrk, spinlbrku, spinlbrkj: Incorrect graphics priorities. (Mamesick)
• 04159: [DIP/Input] (segas24.cpp) sgmast, sgmastc, sgmastj: Swing power input doesn’t work correctly. (Angelo Salese)
• 05516: [Misc.] Systems using TZX cassette format: [debug] Allocated memory is not freed correctly. (AmatCoder)
• 06231: [Interface] (poly88.cpp) poly88: Cassette is not working. (Robbbert)
• 06654: [Interface] (c64.cpp) c64: In some cases, changing slot cards and choosing RESET crashes MAME. (AmatCoder)
• 06655: [Interface] cgenie, coco3: Unloading and big changes in interface slots can cause crash. (AmatCoder)
• 06677: [Interface] MAME may crash when selecting a new machine if current machine has empty image slots. (AmatCoder)
• 06716: [Media Support] (spectrum.cpp) specpl3e: Fatal error when launching ZX Spectrum disks. (AmatCoder)
• 06756: [Interface] (nascom1.cpp) nascom2, nascom1: Cassette records no signal. (Robbbert)
• 06880: [Crash/Freeze] (coco3.cpp) All machines in coco12.cpp, coco3.cpp: UI/MAME crash when configuring MPI options. (AmatCoder)
• 07098: [Sound] (itech32.cpp) gt3d, gt97, gt98, gt99, gt2k, gtclassc: Incorrect sounds play during gameplay. (AJR)
• 07188: [DIP/Input] (zr107.cpp) jetwave and clones: Analog controls do not respond in game. (Hydreigon)
• 07331: [DIP/Input] (vsnes.cpp) pc_duckh, pc_hgaly, pc_wgnmn, duckhunt, hogalley: Lightgun games doesn’t work. (Enik Land)
• 07357: [Crash/Freeze] (taitojc.cpp) All sets in taitojc.cpp: Reset loop after startup screen. (AJR)
• 07362: [Crash/Freeze] (vii.cpp) jak_spdm, jak_pooh, others: [debug] DRC assertion failure. (Ryan Holtz)
• 07370: [Crash/Freeze] (namconb1.cpp) sws95, sws96, sws97: Crash during attract mode. (hap)
• 07373: [Gameplay] (iteagle.cpp) gtfore02, gtfore03, gtfore04, gtfore05, gtfore06 and clones: Games fail to boot. (Samuele Zannoli)
• 07377: [Crash/Freeze] Crash or segmentation fault when removing some slot cards. (AmatCoder)
• 07385: [Interface] (wrally.cpp) wrally: Coin inputs are don’t work. (O. Galibert)

New working machines

• The Boat [AJR, Roberto Fresca, TeamEurope, The Dumping Union]
• Commodore Chessmate [hap]
• Double Joker Poker (CGI) [Stu, hammy, The Dumping Union]
• Energopribor Debut-M [hap, Berger]
• Game & Watch: Bomb Sweeper [algestam, jeffpar, mattl]
• Game & Watch: Gold Cliff [algestam, hydef, Ewzzy, laurenstrenger, antimoof]
• Game & Watch: Safe Buster [algestam, Rygar9, Moose, foxxtrot]
• Hegener & Glaser Mephisto Berlin 68000 [Sandro Ronco]
• Hegener & Glaser Mephisto Mondial [CB-Emu, Sandro Ronco]
• Kazaam (handheld) [hap, Sean Riddle, handheldgamefan89]
• Novag Constellation [hap, Berger]
• Novag Savant [hap, Berger, Sean Riddle]
• The Open University Hektor III [Nigel Barnes, jltursan]
• Saitek Kasparov Corona (ver. D+) [hap, Berger, CB-Emu]
• Saitek Kasparov Turbo King (ver. D) [hap, Berger, CB-Emu]
• Super 21 [Roberto Freeze, Grull Osgo, TeamEurope]
• Tangerine/ETI Space Invasion (ETI) [Nigel Barnes]

New working clones

• Dragon World 3 EX / Zhongguo Long 3 EX / Dungfong Zi Zyu 3 EX / Chuugokuryuu 3 EX (ver. 101CN) [GC8TECH]
• F1 Super Lap (World, Unprotected) [Corral Tomaselli, The Dumping Union]
• Hegener & Glaser Mephisto B&P [CB-Emu, Sandro Ronco]
• Hegener & Glaser Mephisto Berlin 68000 London Upgrade [Sandro Ronco]
• Hegener & Glaser Mephisto Super Mondial (Ver B) [CB-Emu, Sandro Ronco]
• New Lucky 8 Lines (set 7, W-4, encrypted) [TeamEurope]
• Novag Chess Champion: MK II (ver. 2) [hap]
• Royal Casino (D-2608208A1-1, Smaller Board, set 2) [TeamEurope, The Dumping Union]
• Saitek Kasparov Corona (ver. C) [hap, Berger, CB-Emu]
• Saitek Kasparov Turbo King (ver. B, set 1) [hap, Berger, CB-Emu]
• Saitek Kasparov Turbo King (ver. B, set 2) [hap, Berger, CB-Emu]
• SciSys Kasparov Stratos (set 2) [hap, Berger, CB-Emu]
• Tangerine Micron [Nigel Barnes]
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Turtles in Time (4 Players ver UEA) [Stephan Suys]
• Wyvern F-0 [jordigahan, ClawGrip, The Dumping Union]
• Zip & Zap (Less Explicit) [system11, The Dumping Union]

Machines promoted to working

• David Griffiths DG680 with DGOS-Z80 1.4 [Robbbert]
• Hegener & Glaser Mephisto MM IV [Sandro Ronco]
• Ninja Gaiden (handheld) [hap, Sean Riddle]
• SciSys Kasparov Stratos (set 1) [hap, Berger, CB-Emu]
• Tasc ChessSystem R30 [Sandro Ronco]
• VEB Mikroelektronik Erfurt Chess-Master (set 1) [Sandro Ronco]
• VEB Mikroelektronik Erfurt Chess-Master Diamond [Sandro Ronco]

Clones promoted to working

• hack Mephisto MM IV (TurboKit) [Sandro Ronco]
• Hegener & Glaser Mephisto MM II [Sandro Ronco]
• Hegener & Glaser Mephisto MM V [Sandro Ronco]
• Hegener & Glaser Mephisto Rebell 5.0 [Sandro Ronco]
• Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (RK, bootleg) [hammy, ClawGrip]

New machines marked as NOT_WORKING

• Bingo Time [TeamEurope]
• Bonanza Enterprises' Joker Poker [TeamEurope, The Dumping Union]
• Coleco / Ganz Talking Wrinkles [hap, David Viens]
• Cue (Prototype) [The Sanctum, PinMAME]
• H/H Microcomputers H/H Tiger [Centre for Computing History]
• Kodai Ouja Kyouryuu King - Mezame yo! Arata-naru Chikara!! (Japan, Ver 4.000) (MDA-C0061) [SauraphaganaxRex, MetalliC]
• Lucky 21 [TeamEurope]
• Lucky 21-D [TeamEurope]
• Lucky 25 [TeamEurope]
• Lucky 37 [TeamEurope]
• Reuters Model SK 101 BL [MCbx Old Computer Collection]
• Silicon Graphics Inc Personal Iris 4D/25 [Patrick Mackinlay]
• Southwest Technical Products Corporation SWTPC 8212 [Robbbert]
• Space Byte 8085 [AJR, S100Computers.com]
• unknown Chang Yu Electronic gambling game 1 [TeamEurope]
• unknown Chang Yu Electronic gambling game 2 [TeamEurope]

New clones marked as NOT_WORKING

• Black Tiger (Modular System) [Juan Romero, Recreativas.org, ClawGrip]
• Casino Poker (Ver PM88-01-21, German) [TeamEurope]
• Gold Strike (Barcrest) (MPU5) (V1.00, Spanish, Bilso S.A.) [jordigahan, ClawGrip, Recreativas.org]
• Honeywell Bull QuestaM [rfka01, aquarius]
• Legend of Hero Tonma (Gaelco bootleg, Modular System) [ArcadeHacker, Recreativas.org, ClawGrip]
• Lion 3500 [rfka01]
• Octek Fox II [rfka01]
• Photo Y2K 2 / Chaoji Bi Yi Bi 2 / Dajia Lai Zhao Cha 2 / Real and Fake 2 Photo Y2K (ver. 100, Japanese Board) [GC8TECH]
• Tangerine Microtan 6809 System [Nigel Barnes]
• Video Hustler (bootleg, set 4) [f205v]

New working software list additions

• apple2_flop_orig: 2400 A.D., Advanced Math Shop, Algebra Shop, Alice in Wonderland, Alternate Reality: The Dungeon (Version 2.1), Both Barrels, Bureaucracy (Release 116 / 870602), Congo, Copy II Plus (Version 2.0), The Dark Crystal, Dark Lord, Dr. Ruth's Computer Game of Good Sex, Enchanter (Release 15 / 831107), Escape!, Hollywood Hijinx (Release 37 / 861215), Infidel (Release 22 / 830916), Maniac Mansion, Math Shop, Math Shop Jr., Maxwell Manor, MECC-A279 Lewis and Clark Stayed Home (Version 1.0), MECC-A315 Freedom! (Version 1.0), Moonmist (Release 9 / 861022), The Neverending Story, Operation: FROG, Quadrant 6112, Sherwood Forest, Short Circuit, Space Shuttle: A Journey Into Space, The Sporting News: Baseball, Suspect (Release 14 / 841005), Suspended (Release 8 / 830521), Tetrad, Witness (Release 22 / 840924), World War III [4am, Firehawke]
• coco_flop: Rainbow on Disk 1986-10 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1986-11 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1986-12 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1987-01 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1987-02 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1987-03 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1987-04 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1987-05 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1987-06 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1987-07 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1987-08 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1987-09 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1987-10 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1987-11 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1987-12 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1988-01 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1988-02 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1988-03 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1988-04 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1988-05 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1988-06 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1988-07 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1988-08 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1988-09 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1988-10 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1988-11 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1988-12 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1989-01 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1989-02 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1989-03 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1989-04 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1989-05 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1989-06 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1989-07 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1989-08 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1989-09 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1989-10 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1989-11 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1989-12 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1990-01 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1990-02 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1990-03 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1990-04 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1990-05 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1990-06 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1990-07 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1990-08 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1990-09 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1990-10 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1990-11 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1990-12 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1991-01 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1991-02 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1991-03 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1991-04 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1991-05 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1991-06 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1991-07 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1991-08 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1991-09 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1991-10 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1991-11 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1991-12 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1992-01 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1992-02 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1992-03 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1992-04 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1992-05 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1992-06 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1992-07 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1992-08 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1992-09 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1992-10 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1992-11 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1992-12 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1993-01 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1993-02 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1993-03 issue, Rainbow on Disk 1994-01 issue [Firehawke]
• bbc_rom: Uniterm, Vax [Nigel Barnes]
• cd32: Vital Light (Amiga CD32 Special) [redump.org, FakeShemp]
• dragon_cart: Test De Conducción [robcfg]
• fmtowns_cd: Cat's Part-1, DOR Best Selection Gekan, G5, Gokko Vol. 01 - Doctor, Leading Company, Professional Mahjong Goku, Sekigahara, Shinjuku Labyrinth, Taiken Shiyou! Marty Channel [redump.org, r09]
• gba: Aging Cartridge (World, Rev. 1), Bibi und Tina - Ferien auf dem Martinshof (Ger, Rev. 1), Blue Angelo - Angels from the Shrine (Europe, Prototype 1), Blue Angelo - Angels from the Shrine (Europe, Prototype 2), Disney's Peter Pan - Return to Neverland (USA, Rev. 1), Dogz 2 (USA, Rev. 1), EX Monopoly (Jpn, Rev. 1), Hardcore Pool (Fra), Hunter X Hunter - Minna Tomodachi Daisakusen!! (Jpn, Rev. 1), J.League Pocket (Jpn, Rev. 1), The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (USA, Rev. 1), King Kong - The Official Game of the Movie (Euro, English / Swedish / Norwegian / Danish / Finnish), Matantei Loki Ragnarok - Gensou no Labyrinth (Jpn, Rev. 1), Paws & Claws - Pet Vet (USA), Pocket Monsters - Leaf Green (Jpn, Rev. 1), Power Pro Kun Pocket 5 (Jpn, Rev. 1), Prince of Persia - The Sands of Time (USA, Rev. 1), Racing Fever (Fra), Riviera - Yakusoku no Chi Riviera (Jpn, Rev. 1), Shrek - Swamp Kart Speedway (USA, Rev. 1), Sim City 2000 (USA, Rev. 1), SN Systems (Jpn), Strawberry Shortcake - Ice Cream Island - Riding Camp (Euro, Rev. 1), Super Dodge Ball Advance (USA, Rev. 1), Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo (USA, Rev. 1), Tweety and the Magic Gems (Ned), Ultimate Card Games (USA, Rev. 1), Ultimate Card Games (USA, Rev. 2), Wizardry Summoner (Jpn, Rev. 1), Zoids Saga (Jpn, Rev. 1) [No-Intro, FakeShemp]
• ibm5150: SimEarth: The Living Planet (3.5", v1.1), SimEarth: The Living Planet (3.5", v1.3), SimEarth: The Living Planet (5.25", v1.1), SimEarth: The Living Planet (Europe, 3.5", v1.0) [Justin Kerk]
• mephisto: Mephisto HG 240 Opening Library [CB-Emu, Sandro Ronco] Mephisto HG 440 Opening Library, Mephisto HG 550 Opening Library [Sandro Ronco]
• mt65_cass: Columbia Word, PGM Design Aid, Space Invasion, TUG EPROM Programmer, Tan-Forth [microtan.ukpc.net]
• mt65_rom: 2-Pass Assembler v1.2, DASM, Fig-FORTH 1.2, HRG Toolkit, Microsoft BASIC, Microsoft BASIC (Mousepacket Colour VDU), PGM Toolkit, Space Invasion, Toolkit, Video 80/82 Toolkit, XBug 5.2, XBug 5.3 [microtan.ukpc.net]
• odyssey2: AMOK!, Calculator!, Pong for Videopac and Odyssey²! [Justin Kerk]
• saitek_egr: Endgame ROM (ver. 1), Endgame ROM (ver. 2) [hap, Berger]
• sorcerer_cart: System Software Basic v1.1 [Robbbert]
• ti99_cart: Myarc Extended Basic II [Michael Zapf]
• vsmile_cart: Disney's Princess Cinderella - Lernen im Märchenland (Germany, Rev. 204), Disney/Pixar Findet Nemo - Nemos Unterwasserabenteuer (Germany) [TeamEurope]

Software list items promoted to working

• fmtowns_cd: The Legend of Kyrandia [redump.org, r09]
• spectrum_cass: Batman (set 8, The Hit Squad), Seymour - Take 1 (Minigame / Demo), Turbo The Tortoise (set 2, Codemasters), Wonder Boy (set 1), Wonder Boy (set 2) [AmatCoder, David Haywood]

New NOT_WORKING software list additions

• cd32: Brutal Sports Series: Football, Cannon Fodder, Castles II: Siege & Conquest, Frog Feast (Demo), Gulp!, PGA European Tour, Pierre Le Chef is... Out to Lunch, Power Drive, Power-Games, Prey: An Alien Encounter, The Seven Gates of Jambala, Sheer Delight, Simon the Sorcerer, The Speris Legacy, Strip Pot, Subwar 2050, Summer Olympix, Super Methane Bros., Super Skidmarks (set 2), Superfrog, Surf Ninjas, Syndicate, Theme Park, Trivial Pursuit, Trolls, UFO: Enemy Unknown, Ultimate Body Blows, Wembley International Soccer, Whale's Voyage, Wild Cup Soccer, Worms, Zool 2, Zool: Ninja of the "Nth" Dimension [redump.org, FakeShemp]
• dragon_cart: AMTOAX25 [David Linsley]
• fmtowns_cd: Scavenger (1993-11-11) [redump.org, r09]
• gba: Farbe (Ger), Game Boy Advance Video - Shrek (USA, Rev. 6), Game Boy Advance Video - Shrek 2 (USA, Rev. 6) [No-Intro, FakeShemp]
• mt65_rom: DVWord, EPROM Programmer, XBug 5.2 (patched tape for 1.5MHz) [microtan.ukpc.net]
• vsmilem_cart: Disney Micky Maus Wunderhaus (Germany), Fussball Meisterschaft (Germany), Sportskanone (Germany) [TeamEurope]

Translations added or modified

• Turkish [Kadir Ekşi]

Source Changes

• mc68hc11: Implemented more of the instructions, and cleaned up code. [68bit]
  
• tilemap: Added note about misleading variable names. [68bit]
  
• mc6846.cpp: Fixed timer modes. [68bit]
  
• m68040: Stop CINV DATA instruction from causing F-line exception. [AJR]
  
• wy100.cpp: Added keyboard, preliminary character display, and serial ports. [AJR]
  
• wy50kb: Fixed incorrect mapping for F4 key. [AJR]
  
• i8275: Calculate refresh rate from software-configured parameters. [AJR]
  
• Fixed calculation of TMS34010/020 shifted memory addresses for debugger save and load commands (fixes GitHub #5309). [AJR]
  
• Added disassembler and skeleton CPU device for CompactRISC CR16B architecture. [AJR]
  
• z8: Fixed calculation of half carry flag – Z8671 BASIC no longer prints “12” when the result is 18. [AJR]
  
• m37710: Added internal clock divider. [AJR]
  
• itech32.cpp: Use generic latch device for sound communications, and added second latch to 68EC020 systems. [AJR]
  
• cw7501, cdr4201: Added preliminary Creative CD-R 4210 and Panasonic CW-7501 SCSI CD-ROM devices. [AJR, Metropoli BBS Archive, Dirk Best]
  
• mcs51 disassembler updates: [AJR]
  
  • Restored some 8052 special-function register and bit names for more advanced models.
  • Added a few more T2-related names to disassembler.
  • Added i8xc51fx and i8xc51gb disassemblers with additional special-function register and bit names.
  • Removed i80c51 from unidasm (differences from i8051 are not significant).
• poly88, poly8813: Added S-100 bus. [AJR]
  
  • Moved Video Terminal Interface and additional RAM to S-100 cards, and added skeleton disk controller card.
• i8155: Update port outputs on mode change. [AJR]
  
• tzx_cass.cpp udpates: [AmatCoder]
  
  • Add 1 ms pause to ensure the last edge finishes properly at the end of the tape.
  • Fixed loading of Generalized Data blocks.
  • Fixed pulses on Standard Data blocks.
• dsk_dsk.cpp: Corrected sector size for some copy-protected tracks (fixes MT06716). [AmatCoder]
  
• namcos2.cpp: Removed ROZ optimization hack as it caused missing backgrounds in Phelios. [Angelo Salese]
  
• usgames.cpp: Changed drawing to use 6845 row update callback – fixes screen alignment. [Angelo Salese]
  
• seibucop.cpp: Fixed flipped sprite alignment in macro $C480 – improves SD Gundam Rainbow stage 3 mid-boss. [Angelo Salese]
  
• nemesis.cpp updates: [Angelo Salese]
  
  • Changed machine configurations to use raw screen parameters.
  • Fixed raster interrupt generation for Hyper Crash (fixes coin insertion and gameplay glitches).
• taito_en.cpp: Improved MB87078 divider ratios – fixes regression with Taito F3 volume control being too quiet. [Angelo Salese]
  
• senjyo.cpp: Fixed long-standing regression in background pixel layer width/enable handling. [Angelo Salese]
  
• riscpc.cpp: changed rpc700 to use proper ARM710a core, and fixed video transfers. [Angelo Salese]
  
• pgm.cpp: Added notes, improved metadata, and cleaned up code. [cam900]
  
• dooyong.cpp updates: [cam900]
  
  • Added tilemap attribute callback, implemented tilemap ROM limits, and added support for masked tilemap priority.
  • Updated notes and metadata.
• nmk16.cpp updates: [cam900]
  
  • Moved Afega-specific code to a derived state class.
  • Invalidate tilemaps when RAM bank is changed.
  • Cleaned up twinactn Oki sound ROM bank switching.
  • Changed Afega games to mono sound output and fixed sound output balance.
  • Derive clock frequencies from crystals/oscillators found on boards.
• cps1.cpp: Moved palette initialization into machine configuration. [cam900]
  
• deco32.cpp: Reduced runtime tag map lookups and cleaned up code. [cam900]
  
• seta2.cpp: Verified sound tempo and pitch, and CPU clock frequency. [cam900]
  
• pgmprot_igs027a_type3.cpp: Corrected ARM7 CPU clock frequency for killbldp. [cam900]
  
• vamphalf.cpp updates: [cam900]
  
  • Don’t change screen resolution and refresh rate when changing flip screen state.
  • Restricted sprite drawing to clipping rectangle.
  • Reduced duplication, added notes, and cleaned up code.
• qvt103.cpp: Implemented basic screen rendering. [Dirk Best]
  
• att630.cpp: Implemented screen rendering, and added more information to address map. [Dirk Best]
  
• falco5220.cpp: Identified keyboard addresses, and implemented RAM banking and preliminary graphics. [Dirk Best]
  
• bionicc: Correctly hooked up microcontroller, fixed audio CPU non-maskable interrupt source, and removed hacks. [Dirk Best]
  
• 1943.cpp: Replaced microcontroller simulation with emulation. [Dirk Best, Brian Troha, TeamEurope, The Dumping Union]
  
• nes, sms: Fixed light gun regressions. [Enik Land]
  
• 315_5124: Adjusted horizontal screen positions based on new research. [Enik Land, Charles MacDonald]
  
• k573dio: Fixed played sample count reporting. [Eric Vidal]
  
• Added an ultra-low-latency mode for PortAudio sound output module. [Eric Vidal]
  
• luaengine.cpp: Added accessors for snapshot target size, screen refresh interval, and snapshot bitmap. [feos]
  
• Disable UI startup screens when using the dummy video output module. [feos]
  
• MIDI: Fixed reception of several System Common messages. [Golden Child, R. Belmont]
  
• Added a sensorboard device mainly meant for chess piece simulation, and updated all chess drivers to use it. [hap, Sandro Ronco]
  
• ti99: Added support for for RAM-only standard cartridges (Myarc Exbasic II), and fixed RS-232 card DIP switches. [Michael Zapf]
  
• i386: Added hardware breakpoint support. [MoochMcGee]
  
• Moved UI colors and menu metrics into MAME UI manager class. [Nathan Woods]
  
• mc6847.cpp: Respond to changes in the video artifact configuration. [Nathan Woods]
  
• Lua engine updates: [Nathan Woods]
  
  • Exposed effective frame skip from video manager.
  • Exposed sound manager and natural keyboard objects.
  • Added support for saving snapshots to absolute paths.
  • Added ability to set input sequences on I/O port fields and exposed more properties.
  • Exposed more device_image_interface properties and fields.
  • Separated plugin options from core options, simplified boot.lua and made enabling/disabling non-existent plugins fatal.
  • Added support for multiple semicolon-separated paths in the -pluginspath option.
  • Added support for profiling Lua.
  • Added ability to disable UI input from Lua.
• Moved the clipboard paste function from the MAME UI manager to the natural keyboard class. [Nathan Woods]
  
• Added an option to skip showing the file manager for mandatory slots on start. [Nathan Woods]
  
• mindset updates: [O. Galibert]
  
  • Added floppy drives and LEDs.
  • Implemented more video features, including 80-column mode, and improved blitter.
  • Implemented I/O traps and display VRAM lookup.
• mindset: Added mouse and joystick inputs, improved palette, and added more register details. [O. Galibert, Al Kossow]
  
• ncd16: Fixed BERT QLC mode work, allowing terminal to boot. [O. Galibert]
  
• floppy: Added initial implementation of weak zone emulation. [O. Galibert]
  
• via6522: Changed most users to install handlers using map delegate. [O. Galibert]
  
• i186: Fixed bug in end-of-interrupt write handling. [O. Galibert]
  
• mk14: Added original SCIOS V1 monitor as a BIOS option. [Nigel Barnes]
  
• Overhauled microtan.cpp driver: [Nigel Barnes]
  
  • Added TANBUG V3.1, TANBUG V.3B, TUGBUG V1.1 and TANBUG V1 monitor ROMs as BIOS options.
  • Replaced XBug with original 0.75 MHz version (fixes cassette loading).
  • Added Micron system (MT65 and Tanex boards only).
  • Implemented the Microtan motherboard backplane and moved Tanex to slot device.
  • Implemented additional Tanbus expansion cards.
  • Added Space Invasion (ETI) and preliminary Microtan 6809 System emulation.
• Added SeeQ 8003 Ethernet data link controller device. [Patrick Mackinlay]
  
• Added Weitek WTL3132 floating-point coprocessor device. [Patrick Mackinlay]
  
• nscsi_cd: Made SGI CD-ROM identify as hard disk (SGI Personal Iris depends on this). [Patrick Mackinlay]
  
• apple2gs: Fixed game port regression. [R. Belmont]
  
• Added Fujitsu F2MC-16 disassembler, initial CPU core, and preliminary MB90610A and MB90611A microcontroller devices. [R. Belmont]
  
• enmirage: Use PWM device to get readable LED messages. [R. Belmont]
  
• mac128, mac512: Added preliminary GCC HyperDrive hard disk interface expansion (not working). [R. Belmont, Guru]
  
• fmtowns_cd.xml: Replaced disk images lacking offset correction and pre-gaps with dumps matching the redump.org database. [r09]
  
  • Also expanded and corrected metadata.
• fmtowns.cpp updates: [r09]
  
  • Fixed CD-DA start/end position (should be relative to beginning of table of contents).
  • Fixed crash on out-of-bounds palette writes in 16-color mode.
• dbp7000: Added initial Framestore and Brush Store Card devices. [Ryan Holtz]
  
• pockstat: Modernized logging and machine configuration, and cleaned up code. [Ryan Holtz]
  
• Removed MACHINE_CONFIG_START/MACHINE_CONFIG_END and almost all remaining MCFG macros. [Ryan Holtz]
  
• midtunit: Added debugger commands for logging DMA drawing bitmaps in PNG format and metadata in JSON format. [Ryan Holtz]
  
• debugcon: Added helpcustom command to display help for custom debugger command registered by devices. [Ryan Holtz]
  
• SGI Newport graphics updates: [Ryan Holtz]
  
  • Split out XMAP9, CMAP, VC2, and RB2 to separate devices.
  • Merge popup, overlay and CID planes into a single buffer to better reflect hardware behavior.
• Removed support for TEXFORMAT_PALETTEA16 (16-bit indexed with alpha). [Ryan Holtz]
  
• aviio: Added support for reading uncompressed RGB24 and YUV420p format video frames. [Ryan Holtz]
  
• scc68070: Moved Quizard microcontroller simulation to cdi.cpp, and modernized logging. [Ryan Holtz]
  
• tascr30: Added display, inputs and SmartBoard. [Sandro Ronco]
  
• agat.cpp: Added basic Agat-9 emulation, including video, Apple-compatible mode, and low-level floppy drive emulation. [shattered]
  
• De-unrolled pixel-drawing loops in various devices and drivers. [shattered]
  
• Made layout format more flexible and deprecated artwork “layer” concept. [Vas Crabb]
  
• apple2_flop_clcracked.xml: Added several hundred more cleanly cracked software items. [4am, Firehawke]
  
• nemesis.cpp: Improved Bubble System interrupt sources and timings, and expanded notes. [ArcadeHacker, Lord Nightmare]
  
• toki_ms.cpp: Dumped missing PROM for tokims. [ArcadeHacker, Recreativas.org, ClawGrip]
  
• naomi.cpp: Dumped “Sammy Atomiswave MPSYSTEM” four-cabinet splitter device. [Brian Hargrove]
  
• mpu5.hxx: Added PIC microcontroller dump to m5gstriks (not properly hooked up). [Caps0ff, jordigahan, ClawGrip]
  
• rbisland.cpp: Dumped the Rainbow Islands - Extra Version C-chip data EPROM. [Caps0ff, Kevin Eshbach]
  
• Added dump and skeleton device for Philips CDD2000 CD-R. [Cyberia/2 Filebase]
  
• spectrum_cass.xml: Documented some hacks that are actually engine re-implementations. [David Haywood]
  
• sorcerer_cart.xml: Added developer for ssbasic. [exidyboy]
  
• cd32.xml: Added additional information. [FakeShemp]
  
• gba.xml: Added cartridge information from No-Intro. [FakeShemp]
  
• cps1.cpp: Re-dumped sf2rk. [hammy, Clawgrip]
  
• cps1.cpp: Dumped full ROM set for sf2m6. [hammy, The Dumping Union]
  
• zr107, gticlub, nwk-tr, hornet: Changed default DIP switch settings and changed input descriptions. [Hydreigon]
  
• Added dump and skeleton device for Caravalle CD-R N820s. [I-Shou University File Server]
  
• spectrum_cass.xml: Added proper metadata for MicroHobby stuff. [ICEknight]
  
• bfm_ad5.cpp, bfm_sc5.cpp: Dumped PLDs from the Bellfruit Scorpion Five main PCB and ISS Adder 5 Video Card. [jordigahan, ClawGrip]
  
• hiscore.dat: Updated for latest changes in MAME. [Leezer]
  
• model2.cpp: Dumped correct sound ROMs for Sega Rally DX sets. [Mattia Negri]
  
• system1.cpp: Re-dumped Choplifter microcontroller, allowing ROM patches to be removed. [Porchy]
  
• at.cpp: Added additional RAM and BIOS options, and updated some notes and metadata. [rfka01]
  
• wyvernf0.cpp: Dumped and hooked up 68705 microcontroller. [Sean Riddle, jordigahan, ClawGrip, David Haywood]
  
• cps1.cpp: Dumped CDT 21 ROM for dinoa. [SHVB]
  
• socrates.cpp: Verified that French system and cartridge ROMs match existing dumps. [TeamEurope]
  
• konmedal.cpp: Dumped color PROMs for Fuusen Pentai. [TeamEurope, SpinalFeyd]
  
• spectrum_cass.xml: Added thousands of tape images. [TZX Vault, SPA2, Steve Brown, Andrew Barker, Paul Hurd, Tony Barnett, Claus Jahn, Donald Graham, Guy Bearman, Jose Luis Soler, Krasimir Hristov, Andrew Blood, Dave Stevens, John Wilson, Edwina Brown, Walter Pooley, Tomaz Kac, Martijn van der Heide, Ramsoft, Dunny, Woody, Mikie]