Universe 3L1T3: AEW 2023 Episode 1

Welcome to Universe 3L1T3!

This is very similar to your current universe with some minor changes: most notably CM PUNK NEVER LEFT AEW AND THERE WERE NO ISSUES AT ALL IN.

Further changes from the ALL IN match card include:

I’ve chosen this point in time begin telling you the story of AEW since its seems to be where both our universe differ the most in the company’s future. THATS IT FOR NOW. Onto the show:

Pyro goes off and we get a seeping shot of a packed out NOW Arena in Chicago.

Commentary introduce tonight’s show:

Excalibur: “It’s Wednesday, you know what that means! We’re coming to you live from a sold-out NOW Arena with 11,000 hungry fans looking to see the fallout from ALL IN.”

Tony Schiavone: “5 years ago this was the home of the first All in and tonight it’s hosting Dynamite!”

Excalibur: “That’s right and tonight we have a packed show. TWO Championship matches tonight, Orange Cassidy vs Andrade for the International Championship and Kris Statlander faces Riho for the TBS Championship.

Also, the first qualifier match for the All Out TNT gauntlet match will be tonight between Lance Archer and a mystery opponent. Tonight we will hear from Saraya after she became the new AEW Women’s World Champion in her home country in front of her family and friends. But first, MJF is going to have a Title Celebration after his history victory in Wembley. That’s up next!”

MJF TITLE CELEBRATION

MJFs music hits. But it’s not just MJF’s theme, it’s the Better than you Bay Bay theme. MJF and Adam Cole come out to big cheers from all the fans. They do their BOOM pose then Adam Cole beats MJF to getting the middle rope for him and MJF steps in with ease. They then the do the Adam Cole Bay Bay pose.
Round of applause for both men. Adam Cole takes a mic and MJF rests in a corner.

Adam Cole: “Who’s ready for storytime with Adam Cole Bay Bay! Wembley Stadium… 81,000 cheering fans, cheering for one guy at the end of the night, M.J.F.”

MJF smiles in the corner and mouths ‘ME? Adam turns to face Max.

Adam Cole: “Max, I think we put on the best match this company has ever seen together. I know I got upset at the end but man I’m seeing clearly now, Truly I’m sorry for acting the way I did. I really thought I could beat you but it wasn’t meant to be. You won Max, you were the better man. Now there’s just one thing left to do. Let me have the title for a second.”

Cole reaches out for the title and Max hands it to him. Cole ushers Max into the middle of the ring and stands behind him, then gets him to raise his arms. Max is smiling at this gesture. Cole looks down at the belt, then lifts it up to look like he’s gonna hit Max.

The crowd gasps and Max turns, Cole laughs it off and tells Max he was kidding and Max laughs as well. Cole puts the AEW World Championship around MJF’s waist and buttons it up. Adam Cole: “Here you have it everyone, the greatest world champion AEW has ever had.”

Max soaks in the cheers until a familiar music tone plays.

CM Punk’s music hits!

The Chicago crowd erupts. Max and Cole are both staring up the ramp, shocked and angry. CM Punk walks out, alone, and plays to the Chicago crowd. Slowly he walks down the ramp and into the ring. Gets eye to eye with MJF and raises his Real World Championship. Punk walks over to the ringside to get a mic, his music is now cut off and the Chicago crowd are drowning out the arena with CM Punk chants.

Punk: “The greatest champion we’ve ever had? If we all left the arena right now and it was just you two here, would you be on your knees for him Adam?”

Adam is pissed at Punk for that line and is yelling at him across the ring. MJF takes Adam’s mic. The crowd get excited in anticipation for MJF and Punk on the mic together. But Punk cuts him off.

Punk: “Max I’ll keep this short and simple, I know you want to get back to your celebration, I think everyone is more excited to see me…”

The crowd rally behind this line

Punk: “I am sick of hearing you as World Champion. I’m the Real World Champion. I never lost this title! So let’s run this back, ALL OUT, Chicago, Punk V MJF with everything on the line. Then we will know who the greatest AEW World Champion is.”

Punk and MJF are face to face, with Max telling Punk he’d love to embarrass him.

KENNY OMEGAS MUSIC HITS

Taz: “Oh man! You want to talk about the greatest World champions. Here’s my pick!”

Kenny comes down to the ring, staring at both men. Kenny stands face to face with Punk and Max steps back into the background.
The crowd start a holy shit chant.

Kenny: “I feel naked out here, Chicago doesn’t like me, at least not when I’m standing across from Punk. Then there’s the issue of title gold. I have none while you both bicker over which one is shinier. But when I was Champion, I had THREE world championships!”

Kenny gets within arm’s length of both MJF and Punk.

Kenny: “You want to talk about the greatest AEW World Champion? You are looking at him! I’ll beat you for that title Max or I’ll beat YOU for your knock-off title Punker.”

MJF: “Ok ok, well since this is MY CELEBRATION, l’d like to speak now. What do I think? Well, I know what that mark Tony Khan would do, he would probably book you guys in a match tonight… free on HBO… for this Chicago crowd to see.”

A YES CHANT breaks out in the audience.

MJF: “I’m a fan of the game, little bit of a mark too sometimes, so how about I leave the ring and you two decide who wants to face me, for the REAL AEW World Championship. Oh and Kenny, I hope you’ve had your rabies shot, just in case Punk decides to get Larry involved again”

The crowd gasps at the line, then break into a ‘Larry’ chant.

Tony Schiavone: “Attention everyone. Max is right, in our Main event tonight, it’ll be CM Punk VS Kenny Omega for a World title shot at All Out.”

Taz: “Holy shit! Really?”

MJFs applauds and his music begins to play. Max leaves the ring as Kenny and Punk remain face to face.

KRIS STATLANDER vs RIHO – TBS CHAMPIONSHIP

These two women have faced once before and it was for the AEW Women’s Championship, only difference this time is that Statlander is the champion.

The women start this match with a friendly handshake. Statlander uses her strength against Riho early, catching everything Riho throws at her. Riho begins to cut Statlander down with leg kicks, eventually hitting a dropkick, draping Statlander across the middle rope, then she hits a 619. Riho climbs to the top rope and goes for a diving crossbody onto Statlander but is caught again, Kris lifts her up and hits a massive powerbomb for a near fall.

In the end, Riho hits Statlander with a snap dragon suplex, she sprints at the ring ropes but Statlander is up and takes her out with a lariat. Statlander picks up Riho to go for Big Bang Theory but Riho grabs Statlander knees and rolls her through for a roll-up pinfall attempt and Stat kicks out.

Before Riho can get off Statlander grabs her from behind and throws her across the ring with a German suplex. Stat marches across the ring to pick up and lifeless Riho and finally hits the Big Bang Theory for the pinfall.

STATLANDER WINS via Pinfall. 13mins.

Commercial break

SARAYA PROMO BACKSTAGE AFTER HER WEMBLEY VICTORY

Ruby and Toni Storm walk through a curtain backstage cheering and they’re followed by Saraya. All three women are jumping for joy.

Saraya: “You see this? This is what I was owed and I EARNT THIS! I came to AEW and put everyone on notice. Now, here I am, as your AEW Women’s Champion. The bar is raised and none of you are on my level. The Outcasts are the most dominant group in women’s wrestling today and this is just the start!”

Excalibur: “A new era for the Women’s division as Saraya and the Outcasts sit at the top.”

LANCE ARCHER vs MYSTERY OPPONENT

LANCE ARCHER’s music plays. He marches down to the ring drooling at the mouth for his opponent, screaming. “Come on, Come on! Everybody dies!”

KEITH LEE’S MUSIC PLAYS

Tony Schiavone: “It’s Keith Lee, he’s back!”
Taz: “Great to see him back, but perhaps not the place l’d choose to return with big, mean Archer in the ring”

Keith Lee basks in the crowd singing his song. Archer just frothing at the mouth for the bell to ring. The match starts with both men charging at one another, but it’s a stalemate. Both men again run against the ropes and go again, stalemate again.

Archer hits Keith with a forearm, Lee responds with his own. These forearms get stiffer and Archer falls back onto the ropes and springs forward with a clothes line but Lee doesn’t fall to the group, Lee hits a discus forearm on Archer who stumbles into the corner. Lee gets a running start and hits a big splash on Archer in the corner. Lee follows this up with another forearm and then throws Archer across the ring to a massive crowd pop.

In the finish we see Keith Lee on the outside of the ring, on the apron, block a punch from Archer then springboard himself over the ropes but Archer catches him. Archer runs with Keith straight into a turn buckle, he lifts Keith up to the top rope and sets him up for a BlackOut.

Archer gets Keith up and bringshim to the middle of the ring but Keith slips out, he falls back into the ropes and launches himself back at Archer shoulder charging him straight to the mat. Keith picks up Archer and hits a Big Bang Catastrophe for the win.

KEITH LEE WINS via Pinfall. 10mins.

Commercial break.

ORANGE CASSIDY vs ANDRADE International Championship

Orange Cassidy is sitting backstage, waiting for his music to hit when Jay White and Bullet Club Gold show up.
Jay White: “Cassidy, I’ll be watching your match, veerrrryy closely. Because while I like your style, you’re not worthy of being a champion here in AEW.”
Orange: “Well, if you win a match at Wembley maybe you’ll be able to face me one day.” Orange walks away and we hear his music begins to play. Jay White looks furious, the Guns have to hold him back. He doesn’t break eye contact from Cassidy.

ORANGE CASSIDYs Music plays. Orange walks to the ring slowly, with backpack on his shoulder. He rolls in and takes the title out, and poses.

ANDRADES Music plays.
Andrade comes out, Mask on, confidently walking to the ring.

Cassidy starts this match as usual with his stiff kicks to the shins of Andrade. The crowd chants with every kick. As he goes for the superkick, Andrade hits Cassidy with a massive superkick of his home. Andrade chops Cassidy all over the ring and ringside area.

Towards the end of this match, Andrade has tried a number of submission holds to take Cassidy out, targeting the legs in particular. After Cassidy escapes a figure four leg lock, The Gunns come out and try to storm the ring, this distracts the ref and allows Jay White to enter the ring and hit a switchblade on Cassidy. Andrade sees this and gets in Jay’s face.

Jay’s telling Andrade to stay out of this and that he’s helping him win. Andrade pushes Jay so he calls out to Aubrey, the ref. She turns and Jay then hits Andrade with a Switchblade. Aubrey throws out the match as a result of DQ – Andrade wins.

ANDRADE WINS via DQ. 16mins.

Final commercial break.

Excalibur: “Welcome back everybody to Dynamite, as we get set for out Main Event tonight I hear that the production truck has just received a video file from London, titled, ‘Help’. Let’s see what this is about.

LOST IN LONDON Segment

Kota Ibushi wakes up in an Alley, in London, just wearing his wrestling gear. He thanks a homeless man laying next to him and gives him some money he pulls out of his wrestling trunks, looks at his phone and it’s flat. He makes his way to Wembley Stadium and no-one is there. Ibushi then begins walking around and finds a library.

He finds a computer and types in AEW, learning that everybody is in Chicago, Illinois, USA, TODAY! Shocked, he runs to a nearby store to buy a globe. He looks for Chicago and then runs his finger in a line from Chicago to London and smiles.

Ibushi is now back in the streets of London, walking and eating. Night passes and then it’s daytime again, Ibushi has been walking for four days now.

Finally he stops, he finds a beach, he looks down on his arm and written in texture is the words ‘Sennen Beach’. Ibushi looks up and the sign for this beach matches, Sennen Beach. This is on the east coast of England, basically bordering Wales. Kota looks at his globe one more time, drops it in the sand and walks into the water.

The final shot of this video is a back shot of Kota as he walks into the vast open ocean, in his wrestling attire.

Taz: “That was the most cinematic video l’ve ever seen titled, ‘Help’.

CM PUNKs music hits. Crowd erupts in cheers and Punk comes out with his Real World Championship. It’s clobbering time.

CM PUNK Vs KENNY OMEGA No. 1 Contenders Match

This match started with Omega and Punk, still, just soaking in the crowd chants, staring each other down. “Holy Shit! Holy Shit!” “We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy!” 

Both men meet in the middle of the ring and lock foreheads together. Punk is first to lay hands on Kenny as he pushes him away, Kenny responds with a forearm and these two begin wailing on one another. Kenny gets the best of Punk in the early stages with some technical wrestling on the ground but it does not last long as Punk rallies with the crowd to get back to a standing position and hits a Russian leg sweep.

Punk whips Omega into the corner and hits a running knee, whips Kenny into another corner and charges in for another but Kenny gets out of the way and runs off the rope looking for a VTrigger, but Punk meets that with a big side head kick. Kenny rolls out of the ring and stumbles, Punk signals to the Chicago crowd that it’s time for him to fly. He runs against the ropes and launches himself out of the ring with a top rope suicida! 

Punk embraces some fans around him as he picks up Kenny and puts him in the ring. Punk turns to the crowd to soak in their love. As Punk get in the ring Omega fires up and starts laying into Punk. All this
“ends with a VTrigger that leaves Punk tumbling out of the ring. It’s Kennys turn as he runs for ropes and hits a Tope rop con hilo!

15mins have gone by now with both men getting in plenty of offence. Punk gets Kenny on the top rope for a superplex but Kenny fights out of it. Before capitalising, Punk pushes the ref into the ropes and Kenny falls from a standing to sitting position again. Punk rushes to Kenny quickly and gets him up for a GTS AND HITS IT! 1…2… Kenny kicks out! Both men utterly exhausted from the physical match. Punk pulls Kenny off the ground and gets him up for another GTS, but Kenny wriggles out and Punk almost runs into referee Bryce, but stops short. Punk turns around and sees Kenny charging at him so he gets out of the way and Bryce is hit with the VTrigger. Kenny is shocked but turns to Punk only to be hit with a big side head kick. Kenny stumbles but fires up and hits a Vtrigger on Punk. Punk falls back onto the ropes and then charges at Kenny to hit a Vtrigger of his own. Both men are now laid out, including the referee. 

MJF comes running down the ring and he looks at both men, back and forth, then picks up Punk and hits him with a Heat Seaker. FTR come running down the ring to chase off Max. They check on the referee and on Punk. Kenny has nearly pulled himself all the way to his feet now. Dax and Cash look at each other and shrug, then they pull Omega in and hit a shatter machine! They try now waking up Punk and Bryce. Punk crawls for the cover and Bryce crawls for the pinfall. Punk lays his arm over Kenny, then Bryce crawls into position. 1………..2……….KENNY KICKS OUT. 

Tony Schiavone: “What a match! Both men are finding a new gear just for a chance at the world championship!” 

“Fight forever! Fight forever!” chants erupt. FTR are shocked Punk hasn’t won the match right there. Punk and Kenny lean on each other to get up, and slowly throw forearms, Punk finally ducks one and lifts Kenny up for a GTS but Kenny is too close to the ropes and holds onto them until he can slip off. Now behind Punk, Kenny lifts him up for a One Winged Angel and hits it! Kenny is slow to cover after the beating his body has taken tonight, before he can reach him Punk rolls out of the ring, with FTRs help, and FTR check on him. Kenny lays back in frustration, Bryce starts yelling at FTR to get him back in here and they argue over what’s best to do for Punk. 

While Bryce is distracted, Konosuke Takeshita runs into the ring and hits Kenny in the face with a screw driver, then quickly runs out. Kenny drops to his knees, now bleeding as FTR helps Punk back into the ring. Bryce sees Kenny is bleeding and asks when that happened but before Kenny could answer Punk gets him up for another GTS. With just one arm draped over Kenny, 1… 2… 3. CM Punk wins.

СМ Punk wins via Pinfall. 28mins.

Chicago crowd are happy. Kenny is just passed out on the mat with blood coming from his forehead. With FTRs help, Punk poses with his Real World Championship then Punk walks up the ramp, helped by FTR.

Don Callis and Konosuke come into the ring and pick Kenny up, Takeshita hits Kenny with another knee strike. They both stand over Kenny as Dynamite goes off the air.