Revolution (2023)

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Revolution
Promotional poster featuring various AEW wrestlers
PromotionAll Elite Wrestling
DateMarch 5, 2023
CitySan Francisco, California
VenueChase Center
Attendance9,000
Buy rate145,000[1]
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The 2023 Revolution was the fourth annual Revolution professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by All Elite Wrestling (AEW). It took place on March 5, 2023, at Chase Center in San Francisco, California, marking AEW's first PPV to be held in California.

Nine matches were contested at the event, including one on the Zero Hour pre-show. In the main event, MJF defeated Bryan Danielson 4–3 in sudden death overtime of a 60-minute Iron Man match to retain the AEW World Championship. In other prominent matches, The House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews) defeated The Elite (Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson, and Nick Jackson) to win the AEW World Trios Championship, "Hangman" Adam Page defeated Jon Moxley by submission in a Texas Death match, and in the opening bout, Ricky Starks defeated Chris Jericho.

Production

Background

The event was held at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, marking All Elite Wrestling's first pay-per-view event held in California.

Revolution is a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event held annually by All Elite Wrestling (AEW) since 2020—it was originally held in late February but moved to early March in 2021. It is one of AEW's "Big Four" PPVs, which also includes Double or Nothing, All Out, and Full Gear, their four biggest domestic shows produced quarterly.[2] During Full Gear's post-event media scrum on November 20, 2022, AEW announced that the fourth Revolution event would take place on March 5, 2023, at Chase Center in San Francisco, California, marking AEW's first PPV to be held in California.[3] Tickets went on sale on December 9, 2022. As part of the week leading up to the event, both Wednesday Night Dynamite and Friday Night Rampage aired live from the nearby Cow Palace on March 1 and 3, respectively.[4] In addition to PPV, AEW partnered with Joe Hand Promotions to broadcast Revolution in select theaters, bars, and restaurants across North America.[5]

Storylines

Revolution featured professional wrestling matches that involved different wrestlers from pre-existing feuds and storylines.[6] Storylines were produced on AEW's weekly television programs, Dynamite and Rampage, as well as the supplementary online streaming shows, Dark and Elevation.

At Full Gear, MJF defeated Jon Moxley to win the AEW World Championship with assistance from William Regal, the leader of the Blackpool Combat Club (BCC), who betrayed Moxley.[7] Two weeks later, MJF double crossed Regal and attacked his badly damaged neck with Regal's brass knuckles.[8] This drew out, and the ire of, Bryan Danielson, another member of the BCC and one of Regal's proteges. MJF later stated that if Danielson wanted a title match against him at Revolution, he would have to win all of his singles matches in a one-month period, which Danielson agreed to on the condition that their match at the PPV would be a 60-minute Iron Man match.[9] Danielson went on to defeat Konosuke Takeshita, Bandido, Brian Cage, and Timothy Thatcher, before defeating Rush on the February 8 episode of Dynamite to make the World Championship match at Revolution official.[10]

At the special Dynamite: Championship Fight Night, The Gunns (Austin Gunn and Colten Gunn) defeated The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens and Max Caster) to win the AEW World Tag Team Championship.[10] The following week, a three-way tag team match for the title was scheduled for Revolution between The Gunns and the winners of the Revolution Tag Team Battle Royal and Casino Tag Team Royale, but the match was changed to a four-way tag team match after The Acclaimed invoked their rematch clause.[11] On the February 22 episode of Dynamite, Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett won the Revolution Tag Team Battle Royal to be added to the match,[12] while on the following episode, Orange Cassidy and Danhausen won the Tag Team Casino Battle Royale to secure the final spot.[13]

At Full Gear, Samoa Joe defeated Wardlow and Powerhouse Hobbs in a three-way match to win the AEW TNT Championship.[7] On December 28 at Dynamite: New Year's Smash, Joe retained his title against Wardlow.[14] On February 1, Wardlow returned and attacked Joe, after he regained the TNT Championship against Darby Allin in a No Holds Barred match.[15] Two weeks later, a rematch between Joe and Wardlow for the title was scheduled for Revolution.[11]

Event

Other on-screen personnel
Role Name
Commentators Excalibur (Pre-show and PPV)
Jim Ross (PPV)
Tony Schiavone (Pre-show and PPV)
Taz (Pre-show and PPV)
Ring announcer Justin Roberts
Referees Aubrey Edwards
Bryce Remsburg
Paul Turner
Rick Knox
Stephon Smith
Interviewer Renee Paquette

Pre-show

In the Zero Hour pre-show, Mark Briscoe and The Lucha Brothers (Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix) (accompanied by Alex Abrahantes) took on Ari Daivari and The Varsity Athletes (Josh Woods and Tony Nese) (accompanied by "Smart" Mark Sterling). The former won after Mark delivered the Froggy Bow on Daivari. After the match, Abrahantes beat down Sterling.[16]

Preliminary matches

The opening contest was a match between Chris Jericho and Ricky Starks. In the closing stages, Jericho hit a baseball bat on Starks and was looking for a Judas Effect, but Starks countered it into the Roshambo for the win.

The next match was a Final Burial match contested between "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry and Christian Cage, in which the only way to win was to put your opponent into the casket and shut the lid. Perry won after delivering two con-chair-tos. He then tossed Cage into the casket and slammed the lid shut.[16]

Next, The Elite defended the AEW World Trios Championship against The House of Black. In the end, The Elite hit the BTE Trigger, but Buddy Matthews made the save. As Matt Jackson was setting up for the Meltzer Driver, Brody King hit the Dante's Inferno and Malakai Black made the pin, making them the first team to win the trios titles on an AEW PPV card.[16]

In the next match, Jamie Hayter (with Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.) defended the AEW Women's World Championship against Ruby Soho and Saraya (with Toni Storm). Saraya performed a leg lace chickenwing on Ruby, but Hayter then hit a lariat on Saraya. Ruby then delivered Destination Unknown to Saraya. Hayter then delivered a majistral cradle on Ruby for the three-count. After the match, Ruby hit the Disaster Kick and Destination Unknown on Hayter and Britt and spray painted them both, therefore aligning herself with Storm and Saraya; and also turned her heel for the first time in her AEW career.[16]

The next bout was a Texas Deathmatch contested between Jon Moxley and "Hangman" Adam Page. In the opening stages, Moxley and Page both wrapped barbed wires around each other's faces, causing blood spillage on both men. Page then hit the barbed wire on Moxley. Moxley then stabbed Page with a fork on the head. As Moxley went to grab Moxley into the ring, Page delivered a clothesline. Page then hit the Dead Eye on the barbed wire-wrapped chair. As Page was looking for the Buckshot Lariat, Moxley countered it into the Death Rider. Moxley then stomped Page onto a brick pile. Moxley grabbed a chain, but Page grabbed one end of the chain, and hit a lariat. Page then hit the Buckshot Lariat, but the chain was still wrapped around Moxley's neck. Page forcefully pulled the chain, forcing Moxley to submit.[16]

Next, Samoa Joe defended the TNT Championship against Wardlow. In the end, as Joe was looking for a Muscle Buster, Wardlow countered it into a powerbomb. As Wardlow was looking for another powerbomb (as in the Powerbomb Symphony), Joe rolled up Wardlow for a two-count, and immediately delivered a lariat. As Joe was looking for a powerbomb, Wardlow headbutted him and delivered a rear-naked choke, forcing Joe to pass out.[16]

In the penultimate match, The Gunns (Austin Gunn and Colten Gunn) defended the AEW World Tag Team Championship against The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens and Max Caster) (with Billy Gunn), Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal (with Sonjay Dutt and Satnam Singh), and Orange Cassidy and Danhausen. In the end, Caster hit the Mic Drop on Austin, but Colten broke up the pin. Jay Lethal then picked up a Golden Globe and hit it on Caster. The Gunns then delivered the 310 to Yuma on Danhausen for the win. After the match, FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) made their long awaited return and delivered the Big Rig to The Gunns.[16]

Main event

In the main event, MJF defended the AEW World Championship against Bryan Danielson in a 60 minute Iron man match. In the opening stages, both men delivered simultaneous lariats to each other. MJF then delivered an elevated hammerlock DDT to Danielson. Danielson then delivered a sunset flip powerbomb. Danielson then started hitting Yes! kicks and running dropkicks in the corner. Danielson then delivered the Busaiku Knee to score the first fall (MJF 0 vs. Danielson 1). Immediately after MJF hit a low blow and he was disqualified, giving Danielson another fall (MJF 0 vs. Danielson 2). MJF then pinned Danielson twice, as he was still feeling the effects of the low blow, to score two falls (MJF 2 vs. Danielson 2). Danielson then wrapped MJF's knee around the steel post. As Danielson was looking for a superplex, MJF sent Danielson crashing to the outside of the floor. MJF then delivered a tombstone piledriver on the remnants of the timekeeper's table. Danielson was then busted open. MJF then dragged Danielson into the ring and delivered a Heat Seeker to pickup another fall (MJF 3 vs. Danielson 2). As MJF was looking to send Danielson into the ringpost, Danielson blocked and instead sent him into the ring post. Danielson then delivered a spider superplex, a diving headbutt, another Busaiku Knee, and the Regal Stretch, forcing MJF to submit (MJF 3 vs. Danielson 3). Danielson then locked in the LeBell Lock, but the timer ran out. The match then went to sudden death overtime. MJF then hit a lowblow on Danielson again, but Danielson kicked out. Danielson then locked in a single-leg Boston Crab, but MJF reached the ropes, and rolled to the outside. Unbeknownst to the referee, MJF hit Danielson with an oxygen tank and locked in the LeBell Lock, forcing Danielson to tap (MJF 4 vs. Danielson 3).[16]

Reception

Revolution received critical acclaim, particularly for both the Texas Death and Iron Man matches. Bryan Rose of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter called the event "one of the best shows of the year". He gave praise to the main event, which he called "one of the best 60-minute Iron Man matches in modern history" and a "masterclass" in storytelling. Rose also commended the "tremendous" Texas Deathmatch between Jon Moxley and Adam Page, which was a "classic, bloody war". Elsewhere on the card, The Elite vs. The House of Black was "very fun", and Chris Jericho vs. Ricky Starks was a "solid opener".[17]

Writing for Sports Illustrated, Bryan Alvarez wrote that the event "exceeded expectations", defying an "underwhelming" build. He opined that the main event was "assuredly the greatest Iron Man match in wrestling history", the Texas Deathmatch was "preposterously bloody and violent", and the trios match was "outstanding", with the rest of show ranging from "good to great".[18]

Dave Meltzer gave the AEW World Championship match 5.75 stars, making it the highest rated Iron Man match of all time. The Texas Deathmatch received 5 stars, The Ricky Starks vs. Chris Jericho match and the Final Burial match both received 4 stars each, the AEW World Trios Championship match received 4.75 stars, the AEW World Tag Team Championship match received 3.25 stars, the AEW Women's World Championship match got 3 stars and the TNT Championship bout was the lowest rated match, receiving a mere 2.25 stars.[19]

Results

No.ResultsStipulationsTimes[16]
1PMark Briscoe and The Lucha Bros (Rey Fenix and Penta El Zero Miedo) (with Alex Abrahantes) defeated Ari Daivari and The Varsity Athletes (Josh Woods and Tony Nese) (with Mark Sterling) by pinfallTrios match[20]12:50
2Ricky Starks defeated Chris Jericho by pinfallSingles match[21]
The Jericho Appreciation Society were banned from ringside.		13:35
3Jack Perry defeated Christian CageFinal Burial match[22]14:50
4House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews) defeated The Elite (Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson, and Nick Jackson) (c) by pinfallTrios match for the AEW World Trios Championship[23]18:00
5Jamie Hayter (c) (with Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.) defeated Saraya (with Toni Storm) and Ruby Soho by pinfallThree-way match for the AEW Women's World Championship[24]10:00
6Adam Page defeated Jon Moxley by submissionTexas Death match[25]24:45
7Wardlow defeated Samoa Joe (c) by technical submissionSingles match for the AEW TNT Championship[26]10:40
8The Gunns (Austin Gunn and Colten Gunn) (c) defeated The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens and Max Caster) (with Billy Gunn), Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett (with Sonjay Dutt and Satnam Singh), and Orange Cassidy and Danhausen by pinfallFour-way tag team match for the AEW World Tag Team Championship[27]13:35
9MJF (c) defeated Bryan Danielson 4–3 in sudden death overtime60-minute Iron man match for the AEW World Championship[28]1:05:20
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
P – the match was broadcast on the pre-show

Iron man match

Score Point winner Decision Notes Times[16]
0–1 Danielson Pinfall Danielson pinned MJF after Busaiku Knee 25:28
0–2 Disqualification MJF was disqualified after he attacked Danielson with a low blow 26:35
1–2 MJF Pinfall MJF pinned Danielson with a roll-up 26:43
2–2 MJF immediately pinned Danielson 26:46
3–2 MJF pinned Danielson after Heat Seeker 40:30
3–3 Danielson Submission Danielson submitted MJF to a Regal Stretch 49:20
4–3 MJF MJF submitted Danielson to a LeBell Lock 1:05:20

See also

References

  1. ^ Lee, Joseph (March 6, 2023). "Tony Khan Gives Estimates For Live Gate, PPV Buys and Attendance of AEW Revolution". 411Mania. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  2. ^ Defelice, Robert (November 8, 2020). "Tony Khan Likes AEW's 'Big Four' Pay-Per-View Schedule, Announces 'Beach Break' Special For January". Fightful. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  3. ^ Tessier, Colin (November 20, 2022). "AEW Revolution 2023 Confirmed For The Chase Center On March 5". Fightful. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  4. ^ Thomas, Jeremy (December 9, 2022). "Tickets Now On Sale For AEW Revolution". 411Mania. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  5. ^ Thomas, Jeremy (February 27, 2023). "AEW Revolution Airing In Select Theaters, Bars & Restaurants This Weekend". 411Mania. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  6. ^ Grabianowski, Ed (January 13, 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  7. ^ a b Powell, Jason (November 19, 2022). "AEW Full Gear results: Powell's live review of Jon Moxley vs. MJF for the AEW World Championship, The Acclaimed vs. Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee for the AEW Tag Titles, Toni Storm vs. Jamie Hayter for the Interim AEW Women's Title, Death Triangle vs. The Elite for the AEW Trios Titles, Saraya vs. Britt Baker". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  8. ^ Powell, Jason (November 30, 2023). "11/30 AEW Dynamite results: Powell's live review of MJF's first appearance as AEW World Champion, Death Triangle vs. The Elite in the third match of the best of seven series for the AEW Trios Titles, Bryan Danielson vs. Dax Harwood, Samoa Joe vs. AR Fox for the TNT Title, Willow Nightingale vs. Anna Jay". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  9. ^ Powell, Jason (January 4, 2023). "1/4 AEW Dynamite results: Powell's live review of Samoa Joe vs. Darby Allin for the TNT Title, The Acclaimed vs. Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal for the AEW Tag Team Titles, Ricky Starks vs. Chris Jericho, Jade Cargill and Red Velvet vs. Skye Blue and Kiera Hogan, Swerve Strickland vs. AR Fox, Bryan Danielson vs. Tony Nese". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Barnett, Jake (February 8, 2023). "2/8 AEW Dynamite results: Barnett's live review of MJF vs. Konosuke Takeshita, and Jamie Hayter vs. The Bunny in eliminator matches, Bryan Danielson vs. Rush, The Acclaimed vs. Austin Gunn and Colten Gunn for the AEW Tag Titles, The Elite vs. AR Fox and Top Flight for the AEW Trios Titles, Ricky Starks runs the JAS Gauntlet". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Barnett, Jake (February 15, 2023). "2/15 AEW Dynamite results: Barnett's live review of Jon Moxley and Claudio Castagnoli vs. Rush and Preston Vance in a Texas Tornado match, Mark Briscoe vs. Josh Woods, Britt Baker vs. Toni Storm vs. Ruby Soho in a three-way, Hangman Page vs. Kip Sabian, Orange Cassidy, Billy Gunn, and The Acclaimed vs. Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal, Satnam Singh, and Sonjay Dutt, Penta and Rey Fenix return". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  12. ^ Barnett, Jake (February 22, 2023). "2/22 AEW Dynamite results: Barnett's live review of Tony Khan's announcement, a Tag Team Battle Royale for a spot in the four-way AEW Tag Team Title match at AEW Revolution, Orange Cassidy vs. Wheeler Yuta for the AEW All-Atlantic Title, The Acclaimed vs. Big Bill and Lee Moriarty, Jon Moxley vs. Evil Uno, Saraya vs. Skye Blue". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  13. ^ Powell, Jason (March 1, 2023). "3/1 AEW Dynamite results: Powell's live review of Sammy Guevara vs. Action Andretti vs. Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Eddie Kingston vs. AR Fox vs. Konosuke Takeshita vs. Komander vs. Ortiz in a Face of the Revolution ladder match, Tag Team Casino Battle Royale, Orange Cassidy vs. Big Bill for the AEW All-Atlantic Title, Hook vs. Matt Hardy for the FTW Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  14. ^ Barnett, Jake (December 28, 2022). "12/28 AEW Dynamite results: Barnett's live review of Samoa Joe vs. Wardlow for the TNT Title, Death Triangle vs. The Elite in a Falls Count Anywhere match in the sixth match of the best of seven series, Ethan Page vs. Bryan Danielson, Ruby Soho and Willow Nightingale vs. Anna Jay and Tay Melo, Top Flight vs. Jon Moxley and Claudio Castagnoli". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  15. ^ Powell, Jason (February 1, 2023). "2/1 AEW Dynamite results: Powell's live review of Darby Allin vs. Samoa Joe in a No Holds Barred match for the TNT Title, Hangman Page vs. Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson vs. Timothy Thatcher, Jade Cargill vs. Red Velvet for the TBS Title, Konosuke Takeshita vs. Brian Cage, AEW Tag Champions The Acclaimed in action". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Powell, Jason (March 5, 2023). "AEW Revolution results: Powell's live review of MJF vs. Bryan Danielson in an Iron Man match for the AEW World Championship, Jamie Hayter vs. Saraya vs. Ruby Soho in a three-way for the AEW Women's Title, Jon Moxley vs. Hangman Page in a Texas Death match, Samoa Joe vs. Wardlow for the TNT Title, The Elite vs. House of Black for the AEW Trios Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  17. ^ Rose, Bryan (March 6, 2023). "AEW Revolution review: MJF proves he's the best in the world". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  18. ^ Alvarez, Bryan (March 7, 2023). "'Revolution' Was the Momentum-Shifting Pay-Per-View AEW Needed". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  19. ^ Holder, James (March 10, 2023). "Dave Meltzer's AEW Revolution 2023 Star Ratings Revealed". Inside The Ropes. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  20. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (March 5, 2023). "AEW Revolution 2023 - Mark Briscoe And Lucha Bros vs. Varsity Athletes And Ari Daivari Result". Fightful. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  21. ^ Defelice, Robert (February 5, 2023). "AEW Revolution 2023 - Chris Jericho vs. Ricky Starks Result". Fightful. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  22. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (March 5, 2023). "'Jungle Boy' Jack Perry Buries Christian Cage At AEW Revolution 2023". Fightful. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  23. ^ Defelice, Robert (March 5, 2023). "New AEW World Trios Champions Crowned At AEW Revolution 2023". Fightful. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  24. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (March 5, 2023). "Jamie Hayter Retains AEW Women's Title, Ruby Soho Chooses Her Side At AEW Revolution 2023". Fightful. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  25. ^ Defelice, Robert (March 5, 2023). "Hangman Page Lives Up To His Name, Chokes Out Jon Moxley In Texas Death Match At AEW Revolution 2023". Fightful. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  26. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (March 5, 2022). "Wardlow Wins AEW TNT Championship At AEW Revolution 2023". Fightful. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  27. ^ Defelice, Robert (March 5, 2023). "FTR Returns Following AEW Tag Team Championship Match At AEW Revolution 2023". Fightful. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  28. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (March 6, 2023). "Cody Rhodes Outlasts Kazuchi Okada, Retains AEW World Title In OT At AEW Revolution 2023". Fightful. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
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