AEW Big Business live results: Mercedes Mone debuts
The long-awaited AEW debut of Mercedes Mone is set for tonight’s Big Business event in Boston.
While never explicitly advertised, Mone’s debut has been teased in the same manner that AEW debuted CM Punk at AEW Rampage: The First Dance in 2021.
Mone has been sidelined with an ankle injury since May 2023, but did appear in the crowd at last August’s All In event at Wembley Stadium in London. Tonight will mark her AEW debut as a character.
The AEW World title is also on the line tonight, as Samoa Joe defends against Wardlow, who won a scramble match at Revolution to earn the title shot.
Darby Allin will face Jay White on tonight’s show.
Willow Nightingale will take on Riho in a women’s division contest.
Chris Jericho & Hook will face Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona of Gates of Agony in tag team action.
Kazuchika Okada & The Young Bucks of The Elite will face PAC, Eddie Kingston & Penta El Zero Miedo in a trios match.
AEW Dynamite: Big Business comes on the air with Renee Paquette saying this is one of the biggest nights in AEW and runs down the card for tonight. A Mercedes pulls up and the door opens, but we never see who gets out. There are signs in the crowd anticipating Mercedes Mone’s arrival. Excalibur welcomes us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz as we immediately get the CEO entrance video and music hitting for the newest member of the AEW roster.
Mercedes Mone is All Elite
CEO chants ring out, as Mone’s hair has All Elite CEO on it, as she entered through the babyface tunnel. Mone tears up and tells Boston that she’s home. She thanks the crowd for having her back the past two years and for giving her the courage to be here. Mone said they’ll be creating so many moments together because the fans are the reason she is here. If the fans only knew how much tonight and pro wrestling meant to her, as it’s changed and saved her life. It’s given her hope, a place to dream and people like Eddie Guerrero gave her hope that one day she could wrestle, too. Mone brought up main eventing a show in this very building. Her dreams took her to Chaotic Wrestling and lets the fans know if she could do it, they could do it too.
It’s time to get down to business. She needs to be here in AEW, where a revolution could be global. Mone has been watching the girls in the back and can’t wait to get in the ring with them. Mone brings up the main event tonight, Riho vs. Willow Nightingale and said Nightingale and herself have some unfinished business, but right now, Mercedes Mone is All Elite. The official graphic is shown on the big screen as Mone thanks Tony Khan and tells the fans to say hello to their new CEO. Mone took her jacket off to reveal gold gear, as the crowd went wild.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Samoa Joe, who said tonight feels like money. Joe hasn’t forgotten the last time he & Wardlow were in the ring together, as debts need to be paid and Wardlow is overdue. Joe said this was the biggest mistake of Wardlow’s career and Joe doesn’t lose titles in the Garden.
-An Undisputed Kingdom video package is shown with Adam Cole reading from a book, saying once upon a time there was a man who was lied to, named Wardlow, who was locked away by a truly evil man. Wardlow slayed many beasts and was decked in gold, but needed to be surrounded by men who hated that evil man as much as he did, a brotherhood bound by undisputed hatred. The warrior Wardlow is ready to fulfill his destiny, presenting the prize to its king. With courage and purpose, Wardlow marched into war, fueled by his hatred of the evil man to slay the beast. The book Cole was reading from shows “The precious gold was captured. The prophecy fulfilled. The Kingdom became whole.”
Samoa Joe defeated Wardlow to retain the AEW World Title
(This was in no way a bad match; I was just surprised at how basic it was, with Joe simply putting Wardlow to sleep clean. I suppose that’s a great thing for the World Champion to continue looking strong, as it makes the choke seem even more of a threat for Swerve Strickland, who felt that wrath last week. I just assumed Wardlow would’ve been in this longer after his destruction the past few months.)
Wardlow attacked right at the bell and took the fight to the outside, slamming Joe into the barricade. Wardlow ripped up a fans sign that read Joe’s Gonna Kill You before heading into the ring, keeping Joe grounded. Wardlow ran into a back elbow, as Joe lit Wardlow up with punches until a corner enzugiri crumbled him. Taz said Joe’s head is that of a small farm house, as Wardlow fought out of the corner and hit a Whisper in the Wind that took things to commercial.
It was all Wardlow during break and he took Joe to the corner and hit his signature hanging knee strike, but Joe kicked out. Wardlow took too long to follow up and missed a Swanton, as Joe went to the corner for punches, but Wardlow powerbombed his way out. Joe swept the legs out from taking a powerbomb, sank in the Coquina Clutch, backpacking Wardlow, who crumbled and ultimately went out.
Swerve Strickland came out from the back and took out security trying to hold him back, as he has a chain in hand, with Joe bailing from the ring. Joe had a smile on his face, knowing he got under the skin of Strickland, choking him out next week.
-Earlier today, Alex Marvez tried to get a word from Kazuchika Okada & The Young Bucks, asking why Okada joined The Elite? Nicholas scolded Marvez for not calling him by his real name, The Rainmaker Kazuchika Okada. Matthew said they’re the three best athletes in the world and a friendship that has gone on for 14 years. Matthew said he bets Okada can give 14 million other reasons why they’re such good friends, too. Okada told Penta, PAC & Kingston that he’s coming for them and told Marvez to tell Matthew Happy Birthday, but instead, sing it. Marvez did, as they went to commercial.
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Kazuchika Okada & The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) defeated PAC, Penta el Zero Miedo & Eddie Kingston (w/Alex Abrahantes)
(An action packed party match this was, as there was no way The Elite were dropping Okada’s first match as an official AEW member. I will say, I sure have missed PAC on my TV being as awesome as he is. This was his first match back since July of last year and I hope he can stay healthy to have a real strong run with AEW’s roster of talent at an all time high.)
It’s Kingston & Okada facing off to start, but Okada quickly bails and Matthew eats a chop after trying to offer Kingston a fist bump. PAC tagged in and had a fast sequence with Matthew ending in a snap hurricanrana and tilt a whirl back breaker. Nicholas tags in and immediately flattened Penta with a cutter, but Penta responded with a corner superkick and spinning fireman’s carry slam for two. PAC & Penta took turns double teaming The Bucks with superkicks and a top rope double stomp low on Matthew. Okada & Kingston have another face off, this time firing chops and forearms at one another, but Okada hit the perfect dropkick to gain control, keeping Kingston isolated during break.
Kingston caught Matthew with an Exploder suplex, but Nicholas & Okada pulled the legs out from Penta & PAC as Kingston leapt for the tag. Okada mocked Kingston in his own corner, as Matthew got a lariat in before posing with Okada. Kingston again caught Matthew on an overhead throw, this time it led to a Penta hot tag, who ran wild with Sling Blades and DDTs aplenty. Okada avoided a backstabber, so PAC flew in with a shotgun dropkick before he & Penta hit stereo dives with Penta onto The Bucks outside. Back inside, Penta delivered another low double stomp off the top and PAC followed with a 450 splash for two. PAC flattened Okada with a snap bounce back German, as Kingston tagged in and lit up Okada with chops.
Okada dodged a backfist and countered into a DDT, but PAC again flew in with an enzugiri. Matthew came in and laid out PAC with a cazadora face buster, but Penta connected on a Canadian Destroyer. Nicholas hit a superkick on Penta, took his belt off to whip him, but Kingston took Nicholas out. Matthew took the ref, as Nicholas hit a punt kick low and Okada connected on a Rainmaker to pin Kingston. Okada took a long look at the Continental Crown title before celebrating with The Bucks on stage.
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-A video package is shown of Christian Cage & Adam Copeland ahead of their trilogy match next week in an I Quit Match for the TNT Title in Toronto.
Will Ospreay Addresses Bryan Danielson
Tony Schiavone welcomes to the ring Will Ospreay, who gets a massive ovation from the Boston crowd. Ospreay said his match with Bryan Danielson at AEW Dynasty means so much to him, as Danielson is the person he wanted to emulate his career after. Ospreay is glad Danielson’s a fan of his work, saying he’s seen Ospreay saying he’s the best in the World in Japan, so prove it in America. Ospreay said the world was talking about his match with Kenny Omega and how he dropped him on his head with the Tiger Driver 91. Being in that match, blood pouring down his head, when it was all over, was absolutely worth it. This match with Danielson means a lot more to Ospreay, as there’s a phrase that’s been following him, restore the feeling. Ospreay is the feeling, as this match will remind people why AEW is the best wrestling in the world. The moment they both step foot in the ring together, it’s Danielson’s life or Ospreay’s and he has no plans on dying. He is Will Ospreay and he’s on another level.
-Deonna Purrazzo is backstage and said if Timeless Toni Storm & Mariah May think this is over between the two of them, they’re wrong. If it’s a numbers game they want, she has no problem finding a partner for next week. Purrazzo told them both to watch for the shoe, as she’s going to stick it straight up their ass.
Switchblade Jay White defeated Darby Allin
(This thankfully won’t be the last time we see these two wrestle each other, as they worked incredibly well together. The story of White outsmarting Allin at the end led to a big singles win for Switchblade and finally in the post match, put an end to the Bang Bang Scissor Gang nonsense. With White Pillmanizing Allin’s ankle, commentary talked about how this could cost Allin climbing Mount Everest. It’s felt like White has not been doing a whole lot lately, this is the kick start needed to change that.)
Allin’s ribs and shoulder are taped up from his brutal ladder fall through glass a few weeks ago at Revolution. Standard moves like a side headlock takeover by White did more damage than usual, as White hit one of the loudest chops that caused the crowd to react big. Allin fought back with a shotgun dropkick and followed with a somersault dive off the top to the floor. On the opposite end of the ring, Allin flew from the ring to the floor with a somersault dive. Allin came up limping after the first dive, as White responded with an underarm suplex through a chair. White positioned the steps and launched Allin over them into the barricade.
Allin regained control during break, but his legs were swept out from under him in the corner, smashing against the turnbuckle. White connected with brutal chops to the back of the neck, but missed the Stinger Splash. Allin countered Blade Runner into an up and over stunner and sunset flip for two. The Last Supper got Allin another near fall, as they zoom in on the purple chest of Allin while both men were down. Allin tried a Coffin Splash, but White countered into a German suplex in mid air, followed by a Uranage for two.
White attempted a suplex from the apron back in the ring, but Allin floated over into a Scorpion Death Drop for two, as White got a foot on the rope. White knew Allin wanted a Coffin Drop, so he suckered Allin in by crawling to the edge of the ring and bailing at the last moment, as Allin’s spine smacked the corner of the apron. Referee Bryce got to 9, as Allin broke the count, but slid right into a Blade Runner for the White victory.
Post match, Austin & Colten Gunn came to the ring and celebrated with White, who threw down his ROH Six Man Title and offered Allin a handshake, but it was a ruse, as it turned into a finger gun and The Gunns attacked. The Gunns wrap a chair around Allin’s ankle and White was about to Pillmanize it with a baseball bat until The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass make the save. White encouraged Bowens, Caster & Gunn to join in, but The Acclaimed helped Allin out of the ring and up the ramp. Billy Gunn & White had a stare down until White decked Gunn with a chair shot to the head. Austin & Colten lay out Bowens & Caster with belt shots and White laid out Daddy Ass with a Blade Runner. Austin & Colten threw Allin back in the ring, placed the chair on the ankle again and White successfully Pillmanized the ankle with the baseball bat.
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FTW Champion HOOK & Chris Jericho defeated The Gates of Agony (Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun)
(The match itself was fine, but man where they really trying to force the LionHOOK team name, which doesn’t really flow like Jungle HOOK did, or even HOOKHausen for that matter. Regardless, I know they were on the losing end, but even in defeat, I’m always impressed by Kaun & Liona, as they’re a really good big man team.)
Dasha Gonzalez announced Prince Nana being with the Gates of Agony, but he wasn’t there. Quick series of double suplexes from Jericho & HOOK in the early going, but Kaun & Liona gained control soon after, draping Jericho over the top rope and launching him to the outside. Back in the ring, Liona missed a corner splash, as Jericho was sent over the top and sent crashing into the announce table, while HOOK was leveled to the floor.
Jericho was worked over during break and connected on a Lionsault when things returned. HOOK made a hot tag and ran wild with a series of T-Bone suplexes until Liona broke a German attempt, only to be low bridged to the outside. Jericho flew in off the top with a sledgehammer, as HOOK connected on his German suplex on Liona. Kaun laid out HOOK with a fireman’s carry gutbuster, but HOOK answered with REDRUM. Liona was dispatched by Jericho, who sank in a Liontamer on Kaun, who was still locked in REDRUM. Jericho broke off and hit a springboard dropkick on Liona, as Kaun passed out.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Kyle O’Reilly and asks him about the landscape of AEW. O’Reilly said the past two years were some of the darkest days of his life, even being unable to pick up his daughter. It’s the most competitive roster in the sport and he’s been looking at a guy on the roster who could bring out the best in Kyle O’Reilly, that being Bryan Keith and talks about their match this Saturday on Collision. Roderick Strong screams into the shot and told O’Reilly if he wants to do things on his own, he respects that. Strong, Taven & Bennett tell him welcome back, as O’Reilly came to the realization that he’s never had to do things on his own while in AEW.
-A video package for Willow Nightingale vs. Riho is shown, as Riho is shown warming up backstage when she’s approached by Mercedes Mone, who told her she’s excited about her match and good luck.
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-Renee Paquette is backstage with LionHOOK and Jericho said the name is good (it’s not) and HOOK has future World Champion potential written on him. Jericho said he still needs to know more, so he needs to know what it’s like standing in the ring across from HOOK. Next week, Jericho vs. HOOK for the first time ever and HOOK agrees.
Willow Nightingale defeated Riho
(This felt like a sprint right from the start, as once things returned from commercial, it turned into a hard hitting battle with Nightingale getting the clean win. The crowd was really into this and especially the end with Mone making the save for Nightingale instead of Kris Statlander, which I’m sure will play into the story. The show was bookmarked by Mone and this gave the women’s division a big boost as a result. I’m looking forward to whatever happens next for Mone, whether that be a rematch with Nightingale or even a future TBS Title match with Julia Hart.)
Nightingale showed off her power early with a shoulder tackle and low cross body, but Riho bridged out and showed off her speed with running corner knees. Nightingale avoided the third and hit a shotgun dropkick that launched Riho clear across the ring into picture in picture.
When things returned, Riho built up some momentum with a Tiger Feint Kick and top rope cross body for two. Riho tried a Northern Lights, Nightingale countered into a Doctor Bomb attempt, but Riho turned it into a snap hurricanrana for two. Riho finally connected on a Northern Lights and was super close to dropping Nightingale on her head for another near fall. Riho went to the top again, but missed a double stomp and Nightingale Pounced her out of the ring. Nightingale tried to follow with a cannonball off the apron, but missed and Riho hit a double stomp instead. Both ladies went to the apron and Riho connected with a Dragon Suplex on the edge of the ring and top rope double stomp off the top back inside for a very close two. Riho missed the charging knee strike, as Nightingale rose to her feet and threw a wild lariat before lowering her straps. Riho tried a jackknife pin, but Nightingale rolled through into a Doctor Bomb for the victory.
Post match, Nightingale checked on Riho, as commentary talked about how Nightingale wants the TBS Title and Julia Hart, as right on cue, the lights go out and commentary actually acted shocked by this. Julia Hart appears on stage, but Skye Blue runs in and chop blocks the leg out from Nightingale. Both Hart & Blue beat down Nightingale until Mercedes Mone walked out in her ring gear and leveled Blue with a forearm on the stage. Mone & Hart had a face off until a high kick and Mone Maker laid out the TBS Champion. Nightingale rose to her feet and Mone raised her hand, as Nightingale gave her the ring to close the show to CEO chants.
AEW Rampage 3/15/23
· AEW Tag Team Title Tournament Bracketology
· Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta vs. Evil Uno & John Silver
· Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett vs. Top Flight (Dante & Darius Martin) & Action Andretti
· Timeless Toni Storm & Mariah May in Tag Team Action
AEW Collision 3/16/23
· Kyle O’Reilly vs. Bryan Keith
AEW Dynamite 3/20/23
· Christian Cage defends the TNT Title against Adam Copeland in an I Quit Match
· Eddie Kingston defends the Continental Crown against Kazuchika Okada
· FTW Champion HOOK vs. Chris Jericho
· We hear from Mercedes Mone