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00:00C-E-O! C-E-O! C-E-O! C-E-O! C-E-O! C-E-O! C-E-O! C-E-O! C-E-O!
00:17Welcome back to the following her Foundation Tournament, everyone called
00:23The injured supers from Boston, Massachusetts the TBS champion! C-E-O, Mercedes Bunny!
00:37P- And Tony, due to the injury to Hook.
00:39Due to him being taken to the hospital for observation is just you and I
00:42tonight in the suplex machine Tasz of course at the hospital alongside his son..
00:47Understandably so, and that was a horrible thing that happened earlier to Hook.
00:53And we're sure this wonderful young athlete will be back in action as soon as possible.
01:00Yes, the Death Riders strike again.
01:02This time it was revolting.
01:08There's a little mention here.
01:17The Fallen Goddess of Theta!
01:36Let me tell you, this time of year when the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament is going full steam, it's always special.
01:42But this year, in the semifinals, we have a champion versus champion match.
01:48Of course, neither title is on the line, but what's at stake here, Tony, is a spot in the tournament finals.
01:55Winner of this match will go on to double or nothing to buy against either Jamie Hedger or Chris Statlander.
02:01And that should be a great match as well.
02:03But I consider this Excalibur almost like a women's dream match between these two ladies who've been so successful over the past few years.
02:12I mean, not just successful over the past few years, but successful throughout their entire career.
02:17These are women that have shared locker room, shared the ring together, but have never faced off one-on-one.
02:24That is why this is a dream match, and that is why we are kicking Dynamite off with this tonight.
02:29And then Mercedes-Benz, 19-0 record since winning the TBS championship back at double or nothing last year.
02:49Wow.
02:49And fans, to learn more about the mission and the message of the Owen Hart Foundation, visit OwenHartFoundation.org.
02:56Molten atmosphere here in Boston, the city in which Mercedes-Benz made her AEW debut not too long ago.
03:08Such a big night.
03:09So proud to be a part of AEW and this night especially.
03:14And look, these fans are...
03:16These fans are red-eyed.
03:18And just think, we'll be back here live in Boston tomorrow night for Collision on TNT Special Night.
03:27Thursday Night Collision tomorrow night.
03:29Yes, sir.
03:30We'll be live right back here, and I can't wait for that.
03:34Kalernovo tie-up.
03:37And Athena, lower center of gravity, taking Mercedes down to the mat.
03:41And as we mentioned, a spot in the finals on the line in this match, the 2025 Owen Hart Foundation Tournament.
03:49As Athena and Mercedes, Kalernovo tie-up, neither woman willing to relent, but it's Mercedes breaking first and getting in the face of the forever ring of honor women's champion.
04:04And I talked about this being a historic night for all of us in AEW and primetime wrestling here on TBS and, of course, over on TNT where we have Collision.
04:16And every wrestler today that I talked to realize, it did not escape them, how big this night was.
04:22It was a different feeling in the locker rooms here today.
04:25And that news, Tony, or this record-breaking event tonight on Dynamite, also paired with the news that we're coming not just to Glasgow, not just to London for Forbidden Door, but also Grand Slam Mexico.
04:38We'll have more on that as our broadcast continues.
04:41But a huge week of news here for all of the wrestling.
04:43What a memorable year.
04:44We've got a sellout crowd here.
04:46It's just great being a part of AEW.
04:48You're taking a look, and you're taking a look.
04:50Here's the cover.
04:51This is the chant of CEO.
04:53That old press there as Athena kicking out.
04:57Now Athena goes over.
04:58Crucifix.
05:00Mercedes able to break it up.
05:01Mercedes Manet now thinking backslide.
05:04Athena down.
05:05Shoot.
05:07And Athena, though, even though this is Mercedes' hometown, Tony, Athena with her fair share of support as she has the inside cradle on Mercedes.
05:14Mercedes shifts her balance now.
05:16Both women looking for cradles.
05:18Neither woman finding a pinfall.
05:19And fans are loving it, I think, or is it cover?
05:23I think, Excalibur, the fact that fans respect what Athena has done in this incredible reign as Ring of Honor Women's World Champion.
05:34Yeah, Mercedes Manet, the fifth, the current TBS champion, holding the title for 325 days, 16 title defenses.
05:41But her reign, Mercedes, pales in comparison to Athena's record-setting reign as Ring of Honor Women's World Champion.
05:48As now once again locked in the collar and elbow tie-up.
05:51And then we see the bottom of your screen.
05:52Hangman Adam Page facing up against the wild card.
05:55The mystery entrant in the Owen Hart Foundation men's tournament first-round match.
05:59Kanosuke, Takeshi, Will Ospreay, they will kick off the men's semifinals.
06:03As right now, Mercedes looking for a pinning predicament.
06:07Boot intercepted.
06:09UW World Tag Team Championships on the line.
06:11The Hart Syndicate taking on Gates of Agony.
06:14Tony, I think that one is going to be a slurfest.
06:18Wow, no question about that.
06:19And plus our main event, Death Riders engaging a little bit of Dirty Pool.
06:24Attack and Hook taking him out of action earlier today.
06:27It will be Katsuri, Shibati, Samoa Joe.
06:29And quick kick out there by Athena.
06:33And Samoa Joe, Shibata, they said they don't care, Tony.
06:35They will walk into this match outnumbered.
06:38Well, you know what?
06:40You know how Samoa Joe is.
06:42He's so calm, he's so cool, but he has a very violent side about him.
06:46Talking to him today after what went down with Hook, he was very angry.
06:50Ticked off to say the least, and he's ready to fight.
06:55Mercedes maybe looking for the...
06:57Oh, wait, now Athena counters two.
06:59And Athena backs off Mercedes.
07:02Countered, kicked to the midsection.
07:04Athena and Zikiri staggers the TBS champion into the corner.
07:11And now Athena closing the...
07:13Distance!
07:14Big elbow strike.
07:15So athletic Excalibur.
07:16Inside cradle once again.
07:18Two.
07:19Mercedes able to kick out.
07:21And Tony, these two women, they're pushing a very fast pace here in the opening moments of the match.
07:27And I'm not so sure who that favors.
07:29I'm thinking it favors Mercedes.
07:30And right now, stare down with Aubrey Edwards, the referee, who, by the way, is refereeing her 2000th match in her career here tonight.
07:42So we've got a lot going on in this program.
07:44By the way, Dynamite, we've had 37 championship title changes during the children and 88 previous events.
07:52All right, a second statement maker, center of the ring.
07:56This could be it.
07:57Mercedes could be on her way to the finals of the 2025 Owen Hart Foundation Tournament.
08:02And now Mercedes changing sides, putting her body in between Athena and the Rosebud maintaining her grip.
08:19And, oh, wow, going to the floor right in front of our desk.
08:24And now the action out of the ring.
08:26Tony, this is illegal.
08:28You hear Aubrey Edwards telling Mercedes the match can't be won on the outside.
08:33But I think Mercedes is just looking to inflict the maximum amount of punishment possible.
08:37And she's screaming, give up here.
08:39Of course, as she knows, if she can get Athena down, roll in the ring, she can win this thing by count out and advance.
08:49And look at the joy is set by Mercedes.
08:53How about Athena?
08:54Turning things around on the CEO now.
08:57Athena!
08:59Whoa.
08:59Knees.
09:00Knocked a ring of honor, women's world champion, inverted.
09:05She's in a tough spot here, is Athena.
09:08She cannot get away.
09:09She is locked in.
09:11And Mercedes knows it here, Excalibur.
09:14Mercedes.
09:16No shortage of confidence.
09:20Oh, my God.
09:21Athena.
09:21No.
09:22Athena.
09:22Bridge backwards.
09:23Mercedes tweaked her ankle on the way down.
09:25And now Athena locks it.
09:28The stunner on the outside.
09:30And don't go anywhere, because action in the 2025 Owen Hart Foundation Tournament continues.
09:38Tremendous job by Athena, Excalibur, to get out of that.
09:41She was stuck.
09:43And she came out looking the best out of that.
09:46Was she stuck, Tony?
09:47Or did she bait Mercedes in?
09:48That's a good point.
09:51That's a great point.
09:54What a way to start this 289th historic-making telecast.
09:59And there you see what we've got still to come tonight.
10:01Is Athena now taking Mercedes face-first into that ring apron?
10:11I thought Athena would be returning Mercedes to the ring, but instead, Athena content to punish the TBS champion on the outside.
10:19Oh, there you go.
10:21Let's go, Mercedes.
10:22Let's go, Mercedes.
10:23Ah!
10:25Mercedes just fighting back, though, as Athena, oh, as Athena came towards her, kick right in the midsection.
10:32You know, this started out, Excalibur, a very, very good wrestling match between two ladies.
10:39It's gotten physical as it increased, and now the physicality is at the height right now.
10:46Well, think about this, though.
10:47Mercedes-Benz, for so long, had a spotless win-loss record here, or I should say loss record, in AEW.
10:55But it was Athena alongside Julia Hart that gave—oh, wait, now the cover here.
10:59Athena only a two-count for her, but it was Athena and Julia Hart that gave Mercedes the first blemish on her record.
11:07It was a loss in a tag-team match.
11:08It was Harley Cameron that tapped out, but it's still technically a loss for the CEO.
11:13That's right, and believe you me, even though it wasn't in singles competition, Mercedes realized that.
11:20Got a hammer throw into the corner.
11:22Athena looking to close the distance.
11:24Mercedes slips between the ropes.
11:26Knee strike.
11:27Uh-oh.
11:27Oh, and Athena—oh, brother.
11:30Maybe up on a silver platter for the CEO.
11:35Oh, she folded her in half!
11:38One, two, no!
11:41Athena able to kick out.
11:43That was incredible.
11:44It was incredible that Athena could kick out.
11:46And Mercedes, you can see the frustration beginning to bubble up, thought she may have had the Ring of Honor Women's World Champion down for the count, but that was not the case.
12:02I think everybody here thought she had her down for the count.
12:05Oh, she's got her down for the count.
12:07She's got her down for the count.
12:08Athena nearly two-and-a-half years as Ring of Honor Women's World Champion.
12:11That's amazing.
12:12Twenty-eight successful defenses that sends Mercedes to the floor.
12:16Now, Athena—
12:16Trouble here.
12:17On the move!
12:21And Athena just drove Mercedes into our desk, and our desk just lurched back about four or five inches.
12:27Both ladies are hurting from that.
12:29There you see Mercedes.
12:31Athena barely can get to her feet right now.
12:36Incredible what these ladies are putting on the line, trying to get to the finals of the Owen Hart Cup, trying to get to all-in to buy for the world title.
12:46All I've got is C-E-O!
12:48All I've got is C-E-O!
12:51All I've got is C-E-O!
12:53A.W. Dynamite live on TBS and Max.
12:57We have had an action-packed open contest.
13:00Let's take you back to what occurred during the break.
13:03Mercedes, the massive knee drop.
13:05Only a two-cup for Mercedes, but Athena, the Fallen Goddess, answering back with a devastating tope.
13:11And both ladies hit very hard on the desk.
13:13I'm still amazed Athena can come back after those knees across the turnbuckle, that time by Mercedes Manet.
13:21And Athena, the Ring of Honor Women's World Champion, your forever champion, just rocked the CEO of the TBS Champion.
13:28But Mercedes firing back in kind.
13:31There she goes.
13:31Look at this.
13:32I don't know as much as Mercedes is a great wrestler.
13:35I don't know if she-
13:36Oh!
13:37I was going to say, I don't know if she wants to slug it out with Athena, but that proved me wrong.
13:41Oh, Mercedes.
13:42But Athena!
13:43Athena!
13:44Great evasion, great thrust kick, and now Athena has Mercedes poised for maybe a tombstone.
13:53But you see Mercedes kicking the feet.
13:57And Athena, she's fighting it by Mercedes.
14:01Poised her up, and now Athena, though, cartwheeling out of it.
14:06Both women battling, both women looking for an advantage.
14:13This is amazing.
14:14This is just great women's wrestling.
14:17And this is great wrestling, Tony, and this is for a spot-
14:21No!
14:21Of the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament!
14:26Lung Blower Carter.
14:29Fans are standing everywhere here.
14:31Sunday, May 25th, the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
14:38Double or nothing, it will be the finals of the 2025 Owen Hart Foundation Tournament.
14:44Mercedes-Mene or Athena will meet either Jamie Hayter or Chris Dantland, and Mercedes makes the cover!
14:51And Mercedes trying to make a case for herself in the finals.
14:55Disappointment on the face of Mercedes.
14:57You know she feels the pressure here, Excalibur.
14:59I don't know.
15:00I don't know.
15:00I don't know.