Early this morning, the event of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) Dynamite: Road Rager, the final special themed Dynamite episode before the highly anticipated AEWXNJPW: The Forbidden Door.
The event carries interesting representations of the upcoming joint PPV with the NJPW. Several NJPW stars appeared in the show such as Will Ospreay and his United Empire members, and Tanahashi.
Here are the highlights of the AEW: Road Rager and the road to AEWXNJPW The Forbidden Door.
New IWJP World Champion Appears
Last week, the former AEW World champion Adam “Hangman” Page challenged NJPW’s Ocada who lost his IWJP World title to Jay White early this week.
Therefore, he changed his mind and challenged the new champion White, before he was interrupted by Adam Cole who assisted that the Undisputed Elite and the Bullet Club are only concerned with the title.
The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion @JayWhiteNZ Crashes #AEWDynamite: #RoadRager
▶️ https://t.co/ecTVMhs1gZ pic.twitter.com/4xyy4upFLi— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 16, 2022
Suddenly, Switchblade appeared in the show and shocked the fans by rejecting both challenges and teasing a more surprising name for the IWGP World Heavy title contest at The Forbidden Door. Could be Kenny Omega?
The Young Bucks Rule Once Again
This match was supposed to be a triple threat match for the titles, but the Hardyz were pulled out of the match after Jeff Hardy was arrested for DUI on Monday, and the promotion suspended Hardy until he passes the treatment program.
#AndNew! The @YoungBucks Prove They Are the Best in the World | #AEWDynamite: #RoadRager
▶️ https://t.co/aa2W2CLXlw pic.twitter.com/oZbGTOo76l— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 16, 2022
There is no doubt that any match by the Young Bucks is an enjoyable contest. There was huge harmony between both teams, in addition, their acrobatic and highly athletic performances valued the concept of an interesting ladders-contest for the titles.
With their victory, Bucks became the first 2-time AEW Tag Team champions.
2x @AEW Tag Team Champs. Read ‘em & mother effing weep. pic.twitter.com/lTw5GOP0OY
— Young Bucks® (@youngbucks) June 16, 2022
Highly Anticipated Heel Turn On
For more than four months, AEW fans were deeply waiting for the heel turn of Christian Cage against the Jurassic Express.
Am I the only partner he’s had he didn’t turn on? https://t.co/1nXpWevTJF
— Lance Storm (@LanceStorm) June 16, 2022
Cage turned heel after he attacked Jungle Boy after losing the AEW Tag Team titles, and did a Con-Chair-Too. against him.
Lately released footage showed the veteran AEW Superstar conflicted with Jungle Boy’s sister.
Escalations between JAS & BCC Knock NJPW Doors
The segment between Jon Moxely, and Tanahashi was somehow complicated due to the language difference. However, it was not the only problem in the segment, but the interference of Christ Jericho caused some confusion.
.@JonMoxley and @tanahashi1_100 Finally Come Face to Face | #AEWDynamite: #RoadRager
▶️ https://t.co/cnHikNYtHb pic.twitter.com/ViM9bxcJu5— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 16, 2022
Jericho reminded Tanahashi that he defeated him at Tokyo Dome, before continuing his talk by introducing Sammy Guevara, and Tay Conti as the newest members of the Jericho Appreciation Society.
Yo WTF?!?? Sammy when I told you I wanted more TV time this is not what I meant… https://t.co/KKeTc7vEMb
— Fuego Del Sol! (@FuegoDelSol) June 16, 2022
A huge fight started between both gangs’ members, including members of Minoru Suzuki’s gang paved the way for a huge six-man-tag-team match in The Forbidden Door between Jericho, Guevara, and Suzuki vs. Shota Umino, Eddie Kingston, and Wheeler Yuta.
.@IAmJericho decides now is an appropriate time to introduce the new members of the #JerichoAppreciationSociety, @sammyguevara, @tayconti_, @lancehoyt and @ElDesperado5, and makes a challenge for #ForbiddenDoor LIVE on PPV! It’s #AEWDynamite: #RoadRager LIVE on @TBSNetwork! pic.twitter.com/vkWBVyUBy2
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 16, 2022
Unexpected Contest Announced for The Forbidden Door
NJPW’s United Empire, led by IWGP US Champion Will Ospreay, were the earliest members who kicked the door of AEW Dynamite in the framework of the joint PPV by attacking ROH Tag Team champions FTR, and Trent Beretta.
Sunday 26th June. pic.twitter.com/e09GIrHpZn
— ᵂⁱˡˡ ᴼˢᵖʳᵉᵃʸ • ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay) June 16, 2022
Both teams met in tag team action which the AEW’s guys won, however, Ospreay caught a singular victory over FTR’s Dax Harwood.
After the match, a huge fight struck between United Empire’s members, and FTR & Best Friends. Suddenly, one of the top AEW superstars Orange Cassidy returned to action with huge applause from the fans.
#FreshlySqueezed @orangecassidy returned at #AEWDynamite: #RoafRager and will face IWGP US Champion @WillOspreay LIVE on PPV, Sunday, June 26 at #AEW x @njpwglobal’s #ForbiddenDoor 8e/5p available on all major providers, @BleacherReport & @FiteTV (international only) pic.twitter.com/RAgGeSMTzA
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 16, 2022
A match between Ospreay and Cassidy for the IWGP US Championship was unexpectedly announced.
#FreshlySqueezed @orangecassidy returned at #AEWDynamite: #RoadRager and is set to face IWGP US Champion @WillOspreay LIVE on PPV, Sunday June 26 at #AEW x @njpwglobal’s #ForbiddenDoor 8pm ET/5pm PT available on all major providers, @BleacherReport & @FiteTV (international only) pic.twitter.com/htKolzV9mI
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 16, 2022
AEW Women’s World Title Contest Dropped
Since her arrival at the AEW, Toni Storm fixed her eyes to capture the world’s title. She was eliminated from the Owen Hart Foundation Cup Tournament by Britt Baker.
#ToniStorm counters the LockJaw and lands the Storm Zero for the win! #AEWDynamite: #RoadRager is LIVE on @TBSNetwork! pic.twitter.com/cd9GNWnKJ0
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 16, 2022
Next, she represented herself to the AEW Women’s champion Thunder Rosa as the new challenger after defeating Baker at AEW Dynamite: Road Rager.
The contest was confirmed by AEW President Tony Khan for the Forbidden Door.
Miro Makes it to All-Atlantic Title Fatal 4 Way
Miro successfully defeated Ethan Page in an impressive match to be added to the Fatal 4 Way contest for the All-Atlantic Championship.
— “All Ego” Ethan Page (@OfficialEGO) June 16, 2022
The events of Road Rager will continue this Friday at the AEW Rampage: Road Rager.
#AEWRampage: #RoadRager TOMORROW 10/9c on TNT
–@JonMoxley v @lucha_angel1
-TBS Title @Jade_Cargill (c) v @willowwrestles
–@DarbyAllin v @theBobbyFish
–@PlatinumMax/@theaustingunn/@coltengunn v @bearbronsonBC/@bear_boulder/@LEONRUFF_
-We hear from @swerveconfident/@RealKeithLee! pic.twitter.com/oddhA1ODPQ— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 16, 2022
