‘AEW: Battle of the Belts 8’ Review
We’ve got a bonus show from AEW this week, the eighth instalment of the quarterly Battle of the Belts, which followed directly from this week’s episode of Collision once again. Let’s get into it…
Match #1: AEW International Championship Match – Orange Cassidy def. John Silver
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
As Orange Cassidy was making his entrance, Moxley was leaving the ring. They bumped into each other on the ramp and then had to be pulled apart. Moxley had to be held back. John Silver cracked Cassidy with kicks on the ring apron. Orange climbed to the top turnbuckle. Silver grabbed him and planed him face first across the ring apron! Back in the ring, Orange tried for a backslide, but Silver escaped. Orange came back with the Stun Dog Millionaire and then the Beach Break for a near fall. Alex Reynolds grabbed the title belt and cracked Cassidy in the head with it. Silver rolled up Orange for a near fall. Silver nailed Orange with an airplane spin type maneuver for a two-count. Orange pulped Silver with the Orange Punch and pinned Silver!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Samoa Joe def. Tony Nese
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Samoa Joe jabbed at Nese. Tony Nese kicked Joe and back elbowed him. Nese went for a moonsault, but Joe stepped out of the way. Samoa Joe steamrolled right over Tony Nese! Samoa Joe finished off Tony Nese with the Muscle Buster and pinned him!
My Score: 0 out of 5
Match #3: TBS Championship Match – Kris Statlander def. Willow Nightingale
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Kris leapfrogged Willow and then knocked her down with a shoulder tackle. Outside the ring, Willow rammed Kris into the steel post. Willow followed up with a cannonball against the steel steps. Willow cracked Kris with rapid fire headbutts. Willow hurled Kris across the ring. She caught Kris in the corner and clocked her with rapid fire lariats. Kris swept out Willow’s legs and connected with a somersault senton. Kris dazed Willow with a Saturday Night Fever Blue for a near fall. Willow charged at Kris with a big pounce! Kris spiked Willow with a DDT for a near fall! Willow hoisted up Kris and planted her with an avalanche Death Valley Driver off the top for a two-count. Willow choked Kris and crashed into Kris with a cannonball in the corner. Willow climbed to the top, but Kris got up and powerbombed Willow! Kris splashed Willow with a 450 and pinned Willow!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #4: AEW World Trios Championship Match – The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens and Max Caster) & Daddy Ass def. Matt Menard, Angelo Parker & Daniel Garcia
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Anna Jay jumped into the ring to stop Garcia from doing his dance. The ref ejected Anna Jay from the ring. Matt Menard seized the moment and blindsided Bowens. Bowens fought back with strikes to Menard and Parker. Daddy Ass tagged in, and he and Bowens dropped a double elbow on Menard. Caster hit a double ax handle from the top rope on Menard. Garcia tagged in and put the boots to Caster. Bowens was triple teamed in the corner. Daddy Ass tagged in and cleaned house on all three members of the competition. He scoop slammed Menard. Bowens smashed Menard with the Scissor Me Timbers. Garcia went to do his dance, but Caster rolled him up from behind for a near fall. Garcia clotheslined Caster and then danced. Daddy Ass smashed Garcia with the Fame Asser. The Acclaimed planted Garcia and Bowens pinned him!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
As I always say, there’s one HUGE issue with all of AEW’s Battle of the Belts shows… You know absolutely none of the titles being fought for will change hands! It’s become something of a huge flaw in this quarterly show and one that, ultimately, detracts from the in-ring action and makes everything you watch during Battle of the Belts totally irrelevant in terms of impact on the company and its storylines. Yes, we get some great wrestling, as per this weekend’s show, but when there’s no consequences, there’s no tension… Well, it makes these entire specials completely inconsequential.
