AEW Battle of the Belts
#AEWBOTB
Original Air Date: January 8, 2022
Event Date: January 8, 2022
(aired live on TNT)
City: Charlotte, NC
Venue: Bojangles Coliseum
Commentary: Excalibur, Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone (1, 3), Taz (2)
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Match 1
Interim TNT Title Match
“The Natural” Dustin Rhodes vs w/ Arn Anderson vs “Spanish God” Sammy Guevara
(referee: Aubrey Edwards; title belt presenter: David Crockett)
Result: Sammy Guevara wins via pinfall with a sitout pin, Sammy Guevara becomes the Interim TNT Champion
Time: 16:15
Match Thoughts
Very good match. The pace was slower than you might expect for a Sammy Guevara match, but that’s because Dustin Rhodes was able to slow Sammy down. Dustin slammed Sammy’s knee into the ring steps early in the match (following up with a piledriver on the floor), and that one move kept Sammy’s offense manageable for Dustin for most of the rest of the match. Sammy had to fight from behind nearly the entire time. Fuego del Sol appeared from under the ring and set up a table for Sammy to use, but it backfired, causing Sammy to struggle even more against Dustin. For an interim title match, this was well done. I enjoyed that it forced Sammy to use something other than speed and flying if he wanted to come away with a win.
Ring Area
After the match, David Crockett presents the winner with the Interim TNT Title belt. Afterwards, Daniel Garcia gets into the ring and picks a fight with the interim champ. Referees try to restore order as the show heads to a commercial break.
Video
Jade Cargill (with Mark Sterling) gloats as the first TBS Champion. Jurassic Express (with Christian Cage) are humble about their recent title victory.
Backstage
Tony Schiavone is with the Interim TNT Champ, Sammy Guevara. Guevara isn’t happy about Daniel Garcia trying to ruin his moment. The TNT Title is about open challenges though, so Sammy says he’ll put his title on the line against Garcia on Dynamite.
Match 2
FTW Title Match
Matt Sydal vs Ricky Starks (FTW Champ) w/ Powerhouse Hobbs
(referee: Bryce Remsburg)
Result: Ricky Starks wins via pinfall after Roshambo, Ricky Starks retains the title in his fourth defense
Time: 9:03
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Sydal got off to a good start, going after Starks’ thigh and slowing Starks down. Starks starting mounting a comeback, but Sydal was able to shut Starks down after some really nice countering sequences. Late in the match Starks began looking for his finisher, but he struggled because of the damage to his leg. This was VERY nicely done and definitely helps the status of the FTW Title.
Ring Area
After the match, Ricky Starks attacks Matt Sydal. Powerhouse Hobbs enters the ring and beats on Sydal as well. Lee Moriarty runs out to help Sydal, but Moriarty is quickly put down. Dante Martin then runs out and gets in the face of Powerhouse Hobbs. Martin manages to kick Hobbs out of the ring.
Video
Buildup for tonight’s main event shows that Riho may have Britt Baker’s number. Can Baker finally beat Riho?
Match 3
AEW Women’s World Title Match
Riho vs Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. (AEW Women’s Champ) w/ Jamie Hayter, Rebel
(referee: Paul Turner)
Result: Britt Baker wins via submission with Lockjaw, Britt Baker defends the title in her sixth defense
Time: 12:45
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Baker used a lot of help from Rebel and Hayter, though, for the most part the help was always in small amounts. For most of the match, Baker was trying to keep up with Riho’s speed. Whenever Riho got caught she got hit hard, but Riho is used to getting knocked down and getting back up over and over. The final few minutes were quite entertaining with some close calls going both ways. There was a little drama between Baker and Hayter, but that didn’t really overshadow the title match itself.
Show Impressions
This was an entertaining show. Having an interim title and a non-sanctioned title be two-thirds of your first Battle of the Belts program seems a little underwhelming on paper, but the matches were all good, so it’s fine.
Match of the Night
Ricky Starks vs Matt Sydal
Despite having more drama in the main event, I preferred the wrestling in the FTW Title match.