"What the f**k?" - Top AEW star was shocked after being informed about big match's result
AEW has featured many notable title matches in its first six years with shocking and unexpected finishes. As has been the case in pro wrestling for years, wrestlers often do not find out about match plans until right before showtime. A former WWE star is now opening up on his reaction to plans for a shocking win.
Big Bill debuted for All Elite Wrestling in May 2022, then returned that August to sign a full-time contract. One year later, the former Big Cass was paired with Ricky Starks, and they won the AEW World Tag Team Championship from FTR. The Collision opener on October 7, 2023, in Utah, marked the second two-on-two match for Starks and Bill together.
The Redwood recently spoke with stablemate Chris Jericho on Talk Is Jericho, and revealed how CM Punk was responsible for the tag team with Starks. Discussing the under-5-minute Collision opener that saw him and Starks dethrone FTR of the World Tag Team Championship, Bill recalled how he showed up to work on October 7, 2023, looking forward to a good match. The 38-year-old also revealed how he reacted when told of the quick title change:
"Then they put me with Ricky and I was like okay, now I’m all in on this. Then we did a bunch of stuff together and then finally they put us in a tag title match with FTR, which I came to work that day just thinking we’ll have a good match with FTR, because who doesn’t? It’ll be a good match, and that’ll be it. And then they told us, 'You’re beating FTR in like three minutes,' and I was like, 'What the f**k?,'" Big Bill said. [H/T to ITR]
After three title defenses, Bill and Starks dropped the World Tag Team Championship in a Dynamite Tornado Match against Sting and Darby Allin on February 7. Their next match was their last together, as a loss to Top Flight in the tournament to crown new champions following Sting's retirement. Starks has not wrestled for AEW since then, and Bill is now aligned with Chris Jericho.
Big Bill set for a special match on AEW Dynamite
ROH's Fight Without Honor stipulation is coming to All Elite Wrestling on tonight's live, loaded Dynamite. The Ring of Honor concept does not require participants to use the Code of Honor, and the are no count-outs or disqualifications, but there must be a winner.
Tonight's Dynamite will feature ROH World Champion Chris Jericho, Big Bill, and Bryan Keith facing The Conglomeration's Mark Briscoe, Kyle O'Reilly, and Kyle O'Reilly in a Fight Without Honor. This is the first time Tony Khan has used the stipulation in AEW.
Khan has booked four Fights Without Honor since buying ROH in 2022. The most recent match was held at Supercard of Honor this past April, which saw Dalton Castle defeat Johnny TV in twenty-two minutes.