‘AEW: Battle of the Belts 4’ Review
We’ve got a bonus show from AEW this week, the quarterly Battle of the Belts 4, which followed directly from this week’s live episode of Rampage on TNT. Let’s get to it!
Match #1: AEW All-Atlantic Championship Match – PAC def. Trent Beretta
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Trent clotheslined PAC over the top rope and to the floor. Trent followed up with a pescado. Trent bodyslammed PAC on the arena floor. Trent speared PAC on the outside. Trent hit a high boot on PAC and then placed him on a table. Trent was going to jump off the ramp onto PAC but PAC moved off the table. PAC got a second wind and delivered an avalanche brainbuster to Trent! PAC was turned inside out with a lariat from Trent. Trent planted PAC with a piledriver for a near fall. PAC drilled Trent with a brainbuster off the ramp and through a table. PAC went for the Black Arrow but Trent had it scouted and raised his knees! PAC blocked a spear from Trent with a knee. Trent cradled PAC for a near fall. Trent threw PAC off the top turnbuckle with a half and half. PAC was like a Pitbull, though, and locked on the Brutalizer. Trent forced the break by reaching the ropes with his boots. PAC grabbed the ring bell hammer and hit Trent between the eyes. The ref didn’t see it and PAC pinned Trent. Orange Cassidy ran out to the ring for retribution, taking out his anger and frustration on PAC!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: TBS Championship Match – Jade Cargill def. Willow Nightingale
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Ricky Starks joined the commentary team for this match. Jade kicked Willow in the midsection. Willow answered with a shotgun dropkick and then a suplex. Willow shoved Jade to the arena floor. Willow was hoisted up and planted on the arena steps by Jade! Back in the ring Willow splashed Jade with a cannonball. Cargill walloped Willow with Jaded and then pinned her! Vickie Guerrero walked onto the ramp and distracted Jade and the Baddies. Nyla Rose grabbed Jade’s championship and ran off with it!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: ROH World Tag Team Championship Match – FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) def. The Gates of Agony (Kaun & Toa Liona)
The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
The Gunn Club were dressed as FTR, making fun of them as FTR made their entrance. Kaun pushed Dax back to the corner. Dax hit a shoulder tackle on Kaun, but Kaun fired back with a big, meaty clothesline. Liona ran in but Dax and Cash made him pay with stiff strikes. Cash tagged in and Kaun began to chop him. Toa tagged in and bodyslammed Cash. Toa headbutted the back of Cash Wheeler. Toa tried to spear Cash outside the ring but Cash sidestepped it, sending Toa crashing into the ringside barricade. Back in the ring, Toa sent Dax flying with a huge Samoan drop! Dax tried for a crossbody press but Toa caught him. Cash dropkicked Toa, assisting his partner. FTR spiked Kaun with a stuffed piledriver! FTR smashed Toa with the Big Rig! After Prince Nana jumped on the ring apron, Dax pinned Kaun using a backslide. “The Machine” Brian Cage ran out to the ring and the Embassy began to beat down FTR. TNT Champ Wardlow came down to even up the odds and help FTR. Samoa Joe ran down to the ring and forced The Embassy to retreat!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
Another great Battle of the Belts in the can, this one was marked by PAC pulling double duty – going straight from the Trios title match into a singles title match without skipping a beat. The fact he’d just fought one match meant that it felt like Trent really did have a chance of sneaking the win. He didn’t but PAC did have to cheat once again to get the win though… FTR delivered a great match as expected, with The Gates of Agony really stepping up and stepping to their opponents in solid fashion. The only disappointment? That Willow Nightingale didn’t pick up the win against Jade Cargill to top off her recent great run in AEW. Though hopefully Willow impressed enough to get an AEW contract or at least a regular gig in the company going forward!
