Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00Willow's a gamer. I walked away from her at Gatorade after we talked about her match tonight, and I thought to myself,
00:06that girl is always lasered in and ready to play the game. Here's another gamer.
00:14This match will involve a 20-minute time limit for both the AJPW Strong and TDS Championship.
00:24Accompanied by Camille from Boston, Massachusetts, she is the AJPW Strong and TDS Champion,
00:33the CEO, Mercedes Monáe!
00:39Title Tuesday, Tony. Title Tuesday. Here we go.
00:43You're right about Mercedes Monáe being a gamer. The girl behind her, the woman behind her is a gamer as well.
00:49A lot of confidence, a lot of arrogance already with Mercedes, but amp it up with Camille.
00:56It's easy to be confident, easy to be full of yourself when you have the brickhouse Camille watching your back.
01:02But Mercedes Monáe tonight looks to defend the New Japan Strong Women's Championship and the TDS Championship
01:10for the first time ever in a double titles match. As Double J said, Title Tuesday.
01:15That's right. Mercedes 8-0. 8-0 since all out.
01:20And her challenger, from Ichigaya, Japan, Emi Sakura!
01:27Emi Sakura, who's returned from Japan. She was back home for a few months, but now has refocused,
01:35reignited her spirit, looking for the crown that has eluded her thus far here in AEW.
01:43She's looking to call herself champion, and tonight, if she plays her cards right, could call herself double champion.
01:52You know, the thing, I think, Jeff, that really eats at Emi Sakura is that she's such a great trainer,
01:58she's such a great coach. She has coached former AEW Women's World Champions like Riho, like Hikaru Shida,
02:04but she's never held a championship in AEW herself. Is tonight the night that she rights that wrong?
02:11One of her priorities, is she's focused more on her students, or on her own game tonight?
02:15She's held 15 different titles, 28 title reigns. Is she going to capture AEW gold?
02:22She's got her work cut out.
02:24Emi Sakura is also someone that has seen the growth of the CEO, Mercedes Manet.
02:31And I say growth, Tony, but it's really, to put it in Emi's words, she has seen how disrespectful Mercedes Manet has become.
02:39She used to pay homage to the legends, to the trainers, those that came before her, not only in Japan, but in Mexico,
02:44and the United States as well, but now, turning her back on all that.
02:47Yeah, she is a changed lady in many ways. She really believes her own press, if we can use that old cliche.
02:54But you know, Emi, look at this, a hairbeal, how about that? Emi is cut out of the same mold.
02:59Emi loves to run her mouth. Emi loves to show her arrogance. Let's see what transpires here.
03:08You know, I think Emi Sakura, she's been planning, she's promised to lay in the chops on Mercedes Manet.
03:16Mercedes strikes first there, but I think it would behoove Emi Sakura to turn this match into a slugfest, Jeff.
03:22You know, but I just don't think Mercedes, when you think about her, she's had a 14-year career, 7-time world champion,
03:30but out of those 14 years, 371 days she sat on the shelf of the injury.
03:36Since she's come back from that, she's undefeated. She's on a streak.
03:40I don't think Emi has it in her to truly change the game.
03:45Emi Sakura now, striking with those chops, machine gun chops in the corner.
03:50Wearing down, wearing out the TBS champion, and Mercedes Manet feeling the sting.
03:57She said that she was going to tap her.
04:04Emi Sakura now looking for a cover. No, Mercedes kicking out.
04:09And now jawbreaker.
04:11Well, you know, we were talking about the ladies talking trash.
04:14She mentioned that she was going to chop Mercedes.
04:16We saw in the corner those machine gun chops. I don't think she's done chopping her now.
04:21Emi really has some of the best chops in all the women's division.
04:25You know, guys, when you think about the women's division here, over and over and over,
04:30women come in and are truly intimidated by the time they get in the ring with Mercedes.
04:35That's not going to happen with Emi.
04:36Emi's got over 2,400 matches in her career.
04:39She's seen it. She's done it all.
04:41She may be able to, with her experience alone, capture gold.
04:46A caper door that took the world backbreaker there from Emi Sakura.
04:48She's been around the world quite literally, Jeff, and now looking to capture her first championship,
04:54not only in AEW, but New Japan strong as well.
04:57Here we go. Double titles on the line.
04:58There's those chops.
04:59Once again, Tony, we were talking about it at the outset of this match.
05:02Mercedes looked to one-up Emi, but Emi grabbing the upper hand.
05:05No, nobody home there.
05:07Mercedes using her agility to her advantage.
05:10I think that's what she's got to do, and I don't think she can out-chop Emi.
05:14And let's see. Ooh, watch out.
05:15And you've got Camille.
05:16Moving overhead. Meteora there from the CEO.
05:19Mercedes Mane.
05:20And fans, don't go anywhere, because this match continues in Picture in Picture.
05:28CEO! CEO! CEO! CEO!
05:34Love to hear the fans chant her name, chant her moniker, CEO.
05:41But she's got to stay out of the corner.
05:43And Mercedes now looking for the cover.
05:45The leg hooked. Emi Sakura able to kick out.
05:48Referee Stephon Smith right there on the call.
05:52And he was watching.
05:53He had his eyes firmly planted on Camille, Jeff,
05:55making sure that nothing untoward went down.
05:58I bet he had his eyes planted squarely.
06:00But now, as soon as Stephon, the referee, takes his eyes off Camille,
06:04she takes advantage.
06:05And now, the far leg hooked.
06:07And, ooh, very nearly.
06:09Mercedes retaining both titles.
06:12Oh, look at this.
06:15What this, I don't know what this is about, Jeff.
06:18I'm telling you, the numbers game, the emotion, the strategy,
06:22the charisma of Monet, she's just so hard to beat right now.
06:30Now, Mercedes looking to take that right arm away from Emi Sakura.
06:34Emi, of course, an orthodox striker.
06:38Uses that right hand to generate all that power.
06:40Mercedes knows that well.
06:42She's felt the sting from those chops.
06:45And now, Mercedes looking for a pin, too.
06:48And Emi able to kick out once again.
06:55Tony, you were there this past Saturday
06:57where Chris Statlander and Camille kind of ran afoul of one another.
07:03Absolutely.
07:04Statlander, and you're talking about two ladies, I think,
07:07who are equal as far as power in the ring is concerned.
07:12And I think fans would love to see these two ladies collide.
07:16I know I would.
07:21Now, Emi Sakura goes behind Mercedes.
07:24Quick roll-up.
07:26And Mercedes, though, strikes hard with that drop kick.
07:29Cover.
07:30Again, and Emi able to kick out.
07:32Great resilience shown by Mercedes, Jeff.
07:34Without question.
07:35I was sitting here as I'm watching the strategy and as things roll out,
07:39the later it gets into this match, who really does have the advantage?
07:43Emi is such a gamer.
07:44She has so much experience.
07:45Renee is in tip-top shape.
07:47I'm not sure the longer this match goes, who has the advantage.
07:51Do you think Mercedes is getting a little frustrated right now?
07:56I would have said that maybe early in her career,
07:59where she's at today on top of her game like we've both talked about.
08:03She's a true gamer.
08:04I don't think she's – no, she's not frustrated at this point.
08:08Well, Mercedes right now punishing the challenger, that kick to the spine.
08:11You see Emi trying to make her way to the ropes to fend off the attack.
08:16Mercedes, the suplex, the cover.
08:20She's wearing her down, guys.
08:21Each false finish, each cover, it's exhausting.
08:24Emi at this stage of the game is going to start really digging,
08:29digging for some win.
08:30Yeah, every time that Emi Sakura kicks out, she's forced to expend energy.
08:33She's forced to expend oxygen.
08:35And Mercedes trying to make sure that is in short supply for the challenger.
08:41A knee firmly planted between the shoulder blades,
08:51courtesy of the CEO, Mercedes Mene.
08:57The champion, Mercedes Mene,
08:59looking to defend the TBS Championship
09:01and the New Japan Strong Women's Championship
09:03live here tonight on Dynamite against the veteran,
09:06against the hungry Emi Sakura.
09:08Sakura looking for her first gold, not only in New Japan Pro Wrestling,
09:11but also here in All Elite Wrestling.
09:14And Emi Sakura stinging the champion with those chops.
09:19She's in incredible shape.
09:21You know, we talked about earlier, before we went into the break,
09:23she's had over 2,400 matches.
09:25She's had 30 since April.
09:27Now, cover here.
09:29Far leg hook, Emi Sakura, though, in the ropes.
09:31Great ring awareness.
09:32And, of course, you're talking about Emi Sakura, Jeff.
09:34That experience, that nearly 30-year career.
09:37Look at this again.
09:39Look at this backstabber maneuver here.
09:41This is well done, man.
09:43It is right on target.
09:44Look at this.
09:45Almost got a win, too, but too close to the ropes.
09:47And you see Camille walking around.
09:49You know, we talked about that Chris Statlander had come out,
09:52confronted Camille last week.
09:54We all saw that.
09:55I think that's something that fans would love to see,
09:57these two powerhouses, Statlander, Camille, eventually collide.
10:02Well, right now, we just witnessed Mercedes Mene, the CEO,
10:05overcommit.
10:06She was looking for that drop kick in the corner.
10:08And now perhaps looking for that meteor again.
10:11Emi able to avoid it.
10:12Mercedes.
10:13I think she hurt her leg.
10:14Yeah, able to tweak that left knee as Emi Sakura.
10:18Oh, Camille.
10:20That move.
10:21Veteran move right there.
10:22Camille gets a taste of the boots.
10:24Emi Sakura, the splash on the champion.
10:30Mercedes Mene, she wasn't in trouble before.
10:33She is now.
10:34Oh, Emi.
10:35How about that?
10:36Take advantage of that, too, with a back turn.
10:38Catching the brick house unawares.
10:41Such a veteran is Emi.
10:43Stephon better get control of this match.
10:45I agree.
10:46And Emi Sakura.
10:49Oh, the splash against the barricade.
10:53Not one, but two.
10:55Oh.
10:56Todd is turning here.
10:58Emi stepping up here big time.
10:59But got to roll the champion into the ring here.
11:02Well, Emi crashing against the board.
11:03And speaking of which, the NHL on TNT returns tomorrow night with a double header.
11:07First, the New York Rangers visit the Pittsburgh Penguins.
11:09Followed by the Colorado Avalanche battling the Vegas Golden Knights.
11:12Coverage begins at 6 p.m. Eastern on TNT.
11:15And Max has Emi Sakura perhaps with two championships in hand.
11:21Can she finish it here tonight?
11:23Can she hand the CEO her first loss in AEW?
11:27The CEO is hurting right now.
11:29Look at this.
11:31Emi Sakura with the champion inverted.
11:34Giving her plenty of time to think about it.
11:36If she executes this, get the cover early.
11:39Camille's down outside.
11:40Go for the win.
11:42The backbreaker.
11:43Oh, wow.
11:44Look at that.
11:45Mercedes, a heads-up move by the champion.
11:47Taking herself out of play, Jeff.
11:49Very smart.
11:50Very smart.
11:51Monet again on top of her game.
11:53Mercedes, look at this.
11:54Trying to grab onto the ring apron.
11:55Anything to prevent her from being pulled back in the center of the ring.
11:59Oh, the up kick.
12:00Watch out behind.
12:01Oh, the sweep from Camille.
12:03Again, Stephon Smith didn't see it.
12:05Mercedes, the cover, but no.
12:07Now, look at this.
12:08The reversal.
12:11Into the statement maker.
12:15Can Mercedes crack back?
12:16Can she tap out the challenger?
12:18Emi's trying to hold on here, guys.
12:20Oh, no.
12:21Emi Sakura taps out.
12:22Mercedes retains.
12:25Here is your winner and still NJPW Strong and TBS Champion,
12:31the CEO, Mercedes Monet.
12:35The double champ found a way to win on Title Tuesday.
12:38It's just that simple.
12:41Yeah, Mercedes, she found her way to win,
12:43but it was thanks in large part to the Brickhouse Camille,
12:45but look at this now.
12:48Camille and Mercedes holding Emi Sakura back.
12:54Wait, wait.
12:55Whoa.
12:56Chris Statlander storming down the ramp.
13:00And this is what Tony Schiavone was alluding to, Jeff.
13:03The two powerhouses of the A.W. Women's Division going at it.
13:06Oh, Camille.
13:09Camille overcommitted.
13:10The boot went over the top, and Statlander sends Camille packing.
13:13And look at this.
13:14The CEO, Mercedes Monet trying to play peacemaker.
13:18I got you.
13:21Well, Mercedes Monet doesn't look too happy for someone
13:23that just defended her titles.
13:25But once again, let's head to the back
13:27with a hard-working Renee Paquette standing by.
13:30What a match.