All Elite Wrestling returned to holding a regular episode of Dynamite this week after the last three Wednesday's featured special shows for Fyter Fest and Fight for the Fallen...
Chris Jericho Wanted Orange Cassidy to Drive into AEW in an Orange Juice Truck
Jul 19, 2020
Chris Jericho attends New York Comic Con to promote TNT's
AEW star Chris Jericho revealed Saturday that he had a WWE-inspired idea for the Inner Circle's segment with Orange Cassidy on Wednesday's episode of Dynamite that didn't come to fruition.
On Chris Jericho's Saturday Night Special on YouTube, Jericho said he initially wanted OC to drive into Daily's Place in Jacksonville, Florida, in an orange juice truck:
Jericho noted that they had to improvise with orange juice falling from the rafters instead since they couldn't fit a truck into the venue:
"Obviously I got the idea from that from the bloodbaths that we used to do in the '90s with The Brood, which was Gangrel and Edge and Christian. And then we have somebody standing there and they would get dumped with blood, and that was kind of what I had the idea from.
"I originally wanted Orange to come into the venue in an orange juice truck, kind of like [Kurt Angle] did with the milk truck or whatever it may be. But if you see at Daily's Place whenever they have cars come in—Cody tried to drive it in that one time, and now they have FTR driving. And you can only get to a certain area and then you have to stop, so you couldn't get a whole orange juice truck, even if there's such a thing. But I'm sure we could have made one, and he would have sprayed orange juice on [us]."
The truck gimmick is something that was done on a couple of occasions in WWE. The first was in 1999 when Stone Cold Steve Austin drove a beer truck to ringside and doused The Corporation in beer.
Two years later, Angle parodied that segment by driving a milk truck to the ring and shooting The Alliance, including Austin, with a hose full of milk.
While it is possible that AEW would have caught some flak for essentially copying something WWE created, there is no doubt that it would have made for a memorable moment and helped get the popular Cassidy even more over with the AEW fanbase.
The spot that happened with orange juice getting poured on Jericho and Co. was still impactful, especially after Jericho beat Cassidy at Fyter Fest, but it likely won't go down as the iconic moment that the orange juice truck spot could have been.
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Since Brian Cage won the Casino Ladder match at Double or Nothing in May, he and Taz have been treating his clash with Jon Moxley as a foregone conclusion...
For two weeks, All Elite Wrestling presented Fyter Fest, pay-per-view-caliber cards featuring all the brand's top stars in competitive matches. All the top stars, that is, with one major exception—AEW champion Jon Moxley...
The final installment of a three-week stretch of pay-per-view quality episodes of All Elite Wrestling Dynamite took place Wednesday on TNT when the company presented Fight for the Fallen...
Watch: Tony Khan Talks State of AEW Ahead of Fight for the Fallen
AEW's next major event, Fight for the Fallen, takes place a year-and-a-half after the creation of the company. A lot has happened within AEW's walls since January of 2019, so who better to talk about it than president Tony Khan?
B/R Live spoke to the 37-year-old executive about the upcoming event, the state of AEW 18 months in, how the pandemic has affected them, the high points for the promotion, what he feels they need to work on and the future of the company.
He also discussed what he believes are the defining moments in AEW's history so far.
"The biggest moment overall was extending our media rights," Khan said. "Getting on TNT in the first place, obviously, but then extending those rights was the biggest in terms of the state of the company. I think we were very fortunate to get that deal signed two months before the COVID-19 outbreak because things could've looked a lot different if we hadn't.
"In terms of a milestone moment on screen, I think Jon Moxley showing up at Double or Nothing. It was such a classic show already, but there had to be a big payoff, and Moxley showing up at the end was it. It wouldn't have been the same without him. ... The way the show went with Moxley coming in and wreaking havoc on Chris Jericho and then the way we ended it by having that brawl with Kenny Omega up to the poker chips was the culmination of a lot of great stuff to me."
You can find the full interview below and watch Fight for the Fallen, headlined by Jon Moxley vs. Brian Cage for the AEW world championship, at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 15, on TNT.
Jeff Hardy Dream Feuds; Arn Praises Randy Orton; Chris Jericho on Titus O'Neil
Jul 13, 2020
Jeff Hardy makes his way to the ring during the WWE World Cup Quarterfinal match as part of as part of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Crown Jewel pay-per-view at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh on November 2, 2018. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP) (Photo credit should read FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)
Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from WWE and All Elite Wrestling.
Hardy Wants Styles, Reigns, Wyatt Matches Before He Retires
Jeff Hardy is closer to the end of his career than the beginning, and the Charismatic Enigma has some ideas about the main event stars he wants to go one-on-one with before hanging up his cargo pants.
Hardy appeared on The Bump and highlighted some Superstars he wants to face (h/t Brie Coder of Wrestling Inc):
"It would be a dream of mine—the first time I went to another wrestling world, I wrestled this young up-and-coming star named AJ Styles. My match with him was my first match back, and I remember being so nervous because he was so good. We're both the same age, but we're the complete opposites.
"I'd also like to face Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt as well. If 'The Fiend' is around, I know there will be something special between me and him."
Hardy has been in a feud with Sheamus since his return to television earlier this year. While the feud hasn't been the best-received—the angle has shone a light on Hardy's real-life substance abuse—Hardy can still go in the ring.
With Styles holding the Intercontinental championship and regularly defending the belt, a one-on-one contest with Hardy might be a natural progression post-Sheamus feud.
Arn Anderson Praises Orton's Heel Work
Wrestling legend Arn Anderson recently said what we've all been thinking for years: Stop trying to make Randy Orton a face.
"When he's a heel and allowed to get heat, he's the best heel in the business," Anderson said on his podcast, ARN (h/t Marco Rovere of Wrestling Inc). "Once Randy starts getting heat, you feel that. It's an old-school, straightforward beatdown.
"He's just so smooth in the ring, and that RKO out of nowhere, no matter how much heat he may have had through the course of that match, you get a babyface pop. That's what Randy bring to the table."
While the RKO is perhaps the most over move in professional wrestling, Orton's never connected to the audience in a babyface role in the same way he has as a heel. The revival of Orton's "legend-killer" gimmick has produced his best work in years, and it's all because WWE has allowed him to work with the level of ruthlessness that made him a star in the first place.
Orton, despite being increasingly likable outside the ring, is so good at being unlikable in the squared circle. He's also not particularly believable as a babyface, as Anderson noted: "He just has that look, like a guy who would reach over and bite your nose off. He's an excellent heel, but when he gets forced into a babyface role, Randy will tell you he's not as comfortable. He's a much better heel."
Jericho Says Titus O'Neil Was 'Tough' to Wrestle
In his latest Saturday Night Special, Chris Jericho was asked about the most unsafe worker he has encountered and highlighted Titus O'Neil and Tyson Tomko.
"Christian's bodyguard was Tyson Tomko; his finish was very hard to take," Jericho said (h/t Joshua Gagnon of Wrestling Inc). "And Titus O'Neil too. When guys just throw you with no direction and no care on how you're going to land, it makes it harder. And I'm not saying Tyson and Titus aren't good workers. I'm just saying there are certain moves they did that I didn't like taking."
O'Neil has never been known as the most skilled worker, but he doesn't have an extensive history of injuring his opponents, either. Jericho defended Ryback in his podcast, despite The Big Guy being considered one of the most unsafe workers around during his time with WWE.
"Ryback was not unsafe;Rybackwas a great worker, and whoever said he was unsafe had different experiences," Jericho said. "I know [CM] Punk said he was unsafe. I never had a problem with Ryback. Ever. I thought he was a really, really good worker."
All Elite Wrestling followed up an explosive first night of its 2020 Fyter Fest extravaganza with a second, headlined by "Le Champion" Chris Jericho battling "Freshly Squeezed" Orange Cassidy in a much-anticipated main event...
Kenny Omega-Vince McMahon; Stone Cold Documentary; Jericho on 'Eye for an Eye'
Jul 8, 2020
TOKYO, JAPAN - JANUARY 04: Kenny Omega enters the ring prior to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship bout during Wrestle Kingdom 13 of New Japan Pro-Wrestling at Tokyo Dome on January 4, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe and All Elite Wrestling.
Kenny Omega Confirms Kota Ibushi-Vince McMahon Interaction
An article from Daily DDT's Rob Wolkenbrod made the rounds on social media recently. The 2016 piece recounted an interaction between New Japan Pro-Wrestling star Kota Ibushi and WWE chairman Vince McMahon.
While backstage at NXT TakeOver: Dallas in April 2016, Ibushi crossed paths with McMahon backstage. Not knowing it was McMahon, Ibushi gave him a high five, which left some WWE staffers "really upset."
All Elite Wrestling star Kenny Omega verified the story while throwing some shade at the culture WWE has built behind the scenes (warning: tweet contains profanity):
Hard to believe, but yeah, some of the most talented wrestlers in the world aren’t constantly walking on eggshells and scared shitless of their boss.
This isn't the first time Omega has highlighted what he believes to be the restrictive atmosphere at WWE.
During a Twitch chat in March 2018, he said a move to WWE wasn't on his radar because he "[doesn't] want to be a robot" and "[doesn't] want to be controlled."
Mick Foley Interviewed for Stone Cold Documentary
In April 2019, WWE announced it reached a deal with A+E Networks to produce five documentaries on wrestling legends Randy Savage, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Booker T, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Shawn Michaels.
Work on the Austin documentary is apparently underway since Mick Foley tweeted Tuesday he had been interviewed for the project:
Foley and Austin had a few notable encounters during the Attitude Era. Their most memorable matches came at Unforgiven 1998 and Over The Edge 1998, when Foley adopted his Dude Love persona and attempted to take the WWF Championship from the Texas Rattlesnake.
Chris Jericho Throws Shade at WWE
Rey Mysterio and Seth Rollins are wrestling in an Eye for an Eye match at The Horror Show at Extreme Rules on July 19.
If that match type sounds familiar, it's likely because AEW used the same tactic to hype up Jon Moxley's match with Santana on the Feb. 12 edition of Dynamite.
Chris Jericho made sure to highlight that fact on Twitter:
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Full Preview and Predictions for Night 2 of AEW Fyter Fest Match Card
Jul 8, 2020
All Elite Wrestling concludes its stacked Fyter Fest card with Night 2 on TNT at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday. It's headlined by another tag team championship defense for Kenny Omega and Adam Page as they take on Private Party.
We'll also see the highly anticipated matchup between Chris Jericho and Orange Cassidy, FTR and The Young Bucks teaming up to take on the Lucha Brothers and The Butcher and The Blade, and Nyla Rose facing a mystery opponent.
Here's the breakdown of every announced match at Fyter Fest's second week.
The tag team champions are stepping in on short notice after the original main event between Jon Moxley and Brian Cage for the AEW World Championship was postponed until next week at Fight for the Fallen.
Omega and Page successfully defended their titles for a sixth time last week against Best Friends in one of the best matches of the night. The Cleaner then declined to celebrate with FTR after the match when the contenders attempted to drink beer with them. The Young Bucks intervened, continuing the brewing rivalry between all three teams.
Meanwhile, Private Party defeated Santana and Ortiz last week to earn an impromptu title shot as one of the division's top contenders. This will be their first championship match since November when they faced SCU and the Lucha Brothers in a three-way bout.
Prediction: Kenny Omega and Adam Page defeat Private Party
Just like last week, it seems Omega and Page will remain involved in a feud with FTR and the Bucks. There's more to be done with them as champions, while Private Party won't really be hurt by a loss to standouts like Omega and Page.
Although not the main event, Jericho vs. Cassidy might be the most anticipated match of the night because of the buildup that has gone into it.
It seemed as if Jericho was headed toward a bout with boxing legend Mike Tyson after they got into a heated exchange on the May 27 episode of Dynamite. However, when Le Champion called for the "baddest man on the planet" to come down to the ring the following week, out walked Cassidy.
On the next episode of Dynamite, Cassidy and Best Friends teamed up to defeat members of Jericho's Inner Circle, much to the chagrin of their leader. He ran down to the ring with his trusty baseball bat and laid out Cassidy before pummeling him with a bag of oranges (no, seriously). A bloodied Cassidy lay in the ring as Jericho and his stablemates looked on.
Jericho and Sammy Guevara, known as Le Sex Gods, teamed up to face Best Friends the next week. It seemed as if The Inner Circle were headed for a win until Cassidy, posing as a cameraman, tripped Guevara and enabled Best Friends to pick up the victory. He then began to beat down Jericho.
The following Dynamite saw Le Champion confront and deliver a scathing promo to the face of Cassidy:
"When I first heard your name, I thought it was stupid. When I first saw your matches, I thought you were an embarrassment to the business. When you signed an AEW contract, I called management and asked why in the hell did they bring in Orange Cassidy.
"The reason people love you is because part of your appeal is you're a lot like them. You're lazy and a slacker. You better be the best Orange Cassidy that you've ever been at Fyter Fest because if you try any of that bulls--t kicking me in the shin offense, I'll knock your teeth down your throat and beat you in 30 seconds."
The lackadaisical Cassidy mocked Jericho and proceeded with his usual shin-kicking offense. The two men brawled outside the ring until a superman punch sent the veteran through a table.
Prediction: Chris Jericho defeats Orange Cassidy
If these two have a barn burner of a match, then neither one really loses. It might be just a little too early to put Cassidy over such a well-established talent like Jericho, but AEW would instantly have a new superstar if it did so and I don't think many fans would complain about that.
The issue there, though, is Jericho can't really afford a loss to Cassidy since the other Inner Circle members have also been taking defeats. It would hurt the legitimacy of the group to see its leader lose to Cassidy, who is a relative newcomer to this big of a spotlight.
However, a great showing from Cassidy—even with a loss—would still get him over. Expect Jericho to get his hand raised at the end of this one.
FTR and The Young Bucks vs. Lucha Brothers and The Butcher and The Blade
These men will collide in an explosive 8-man tag match as #FTR & The @YoungBucks face the returning #LuchaBros, The Butcher & the Blade this Wednesday at #FyterFest!
It may just be for one match, but FTR and The Young Bucks will try to put their differences aside as they team together against the Lucha Brothers and The Butcher and The Blade.
Since FTR made their AEW debut in May, they've butted heads and traded words with the Bucks without actually engaging in any physical altercations. A match between the two teams has been a dream scenario for ages, so it'll be interesting to see how they could further escalate tensions.
Meanwhile, this will be the first time since the coronavirus pandemic that we see the Lucha Brothers in action together. Their rivalry with The Young Bucks is extensive to say the least, and both teams always put on a show when competing against each other, so their return should be an exciting addition.
The Butcher and The Blade have their own heat to settle with all four of their opponents after losing to each team in recent weeks.
Prediction: FTR and The Young Bucks defeat Lucha Brothers and The Butcher and The Blade
FTR and The Young Bucks will likely get distracted by each other during the match and might even come to blows, but it won't stop them from getting the win against two teams with little momentum at the moment.
Rose hasn't had a feud or clear storyline to fall back on since losing her AEW Women's Championship to Hikaru Shida at Double or Nothing in May.We've seen her in action twice, defeating Big Swole in a singles match before teaming with Penelope Ford to beat Shida and Kris Statlander.
She'll be in action again at Fyter Fest but against an opponent yet to be announced. She dropped hints in her interview with B/R Live that it could be an old foe from last year's Fyter Fest and a coach of hers may even be involved.
Prediction: Nyla Rose defeats TBA opponent(s)
If Rose was telling the truth and not just trying to swerve fans, it's likely her opponent will be Riho and/or Yuka Sakazaki who have both been in Japan during the pandemic and who she faced at last year's Fyter Fest.
Rose potentially introducing a coach is even more interesting. Could we see someone like Vickie Guerrero, who has made appearances ringside during AEW events, join forces with The Native Beast? That would be quite the tandem.
Regardless of what happens during this match, questions will be answered.
The Dark Order and Colt Cabana vs. SCU
Tomorrow night on #FyterFest - It's 6-man tag-team action as #SCU face The #DarkOrder & @ColtCabana in what will be an interesting situation for Cabana.
This Dark Order team will look a little different as leader Brodie Lee steps in for Evil Uno and joins Stu Grayson.
Also, Colt Cabana accepted Lee's invitation to team with The Dark Order again after he and Lee defeated Joey Janela and Sonny Kiss. This is part of their ongoing effort to recruit him.
SCU have had their issues with The Dark Order dating back to March when Christopher Daniels believed The Exalted One wasn't real. The two teams had multiple matches over the past few months and are quite familiar with each other at this point.
Prediction: The Dark Order defeats SCU
It only seems natural that a Dark Order win will be the catalyst Cabana needs to be convinced that joining them is the right move for his career.
Lance Archer has been in a destructive mood to say the least. Since losing his TNT Championship match to Cody at Double or Nothing, he's defeated David Ali, Griff Garrison and Pineapple Pete on AEW Dark in dominant fashion. He then laid out Janela and Sonny Kiss after their match with The Dark Order a couple weeks ago.
Janela tried to return the favor last week as he scuffled with Archer ringside.
Prediction: Lance Archer defeats Joey Janela
There's no reason for Archer to lose this match. AEW is building him back up after his loss to Cody and a defeat at the hands of Janela would ruin all of that.
