AEW: Battle Of The Belts Results

AEW rolled into Horseman country as they presented the first ever Battle of the Belts from Charlotte, NC’s Bojangles Coliseum.

A Saturday Fight Night TNT TV special in the vein of the classic NWA Clash of the Champions shows, Battle of the Belts was originally set to feature Cody Rhodes defending the TNT Championship against former champion Sammy Guevara, however, as revealed on AEW: Rampage on January 7, Cody would be missing the show, with Dustin Rhodes taking his place and an ‘interim TNT Championship’ up for grabs.

Here’s what went down at the first ever AEW Battle of the Belts:

Sammy Guevara def. Dustin Rhodes - Interim TNT Championship

With Cody Rhodes out of action, brother Dustin stepped up to take on Guevara for the third time in AEW, both men with a win each heading into this bout.

This started as a very even affair, but Sammy’s speed gave him the advantage, with Dustin noticeably taking time to catch his breath. Luckily, Dustin could rely on his veteran savvy to get him back on track, crushing Sammy with a piledriver on the outside after slowing the match down. 

Rhodes focused on Guevara’s knee after Sammy indicated it was hurt, but ‘The Spanish God’ was still able to hit a springboard swanton to the outside, and even kicked out at two after a gorgeous spiking Crossrhoads. Guevara sank a thudding GTH, Dustin somehow kicking out at two, as Fuego del Sol appeared from beneath the ring with a table. The table stunt backfired on Guevara, as Dustin hit a pitch perfect Canadian Destroyer off the apron through the wood. After a little more back-and-forth, Guevara finally put Dustin away after a pinning exchange, and was presented with the interim TNT Championship by David Crockett as Dustin raised Guevara’s hand.

Post-match Daniel Garcia came into the ring to antagonise Sammy, with the two having to be separated by officials as a brawl kicked off. Guevara later told Tony Schiavone that he’d see Garcia on Dynamite, and the title will be on the line.

Ricky Starks def. Matt Sydal - FTW Championship

A last minute addition to the card, Ricky Starks put the FTW Title on the line for the first time on TV since October 2021.

Sydal was quick out of the traps, realising there was a good chance to gain his first title in AEW, and rocked Starks with a series of strikes. This didn’t take ‘Absolute’ off of his game for too long, and soon he established control, throwing in some showboating for good measure. Sydal mounted a comeback with a nasty looking Michinoku Driver, and a Lightning Spiral, before nailing Meteora for two as Starks got to the ropes. All Starks needed was a big spear and a Ro-Sham-Bo to retain the title.

Despite the victory Starks was angry, and he and Powerhouse Hobbs put a beating on Sydal in the corner, before Lee Moriarty, and Dante Martin came out to even the score.

Britt Baker def. Riho - AEW Women’s World Championship

Despite being one of the ‘pillars’ of AEW and the AEW Women’s World Champion, Britt Baker would not rest until she could finally beat Riho, with the inaugural AEW Women’s World Champion having Baker’s number every time the two had faced off.

Baker was flanked by Rebel and an aggravated Jamie Hayter, and DMD’s entourage made their presence felt throughout this bout, often backfiring as Riho took out Rebel with a crossbody, and Hayter with a table assisted dropkick. The cracks in Baker and Hayter’s relationship continued to show, as the two bickered throughout the match, distracting the champ and allowing Riho to stay in the fight. Baker kept control for the majority of the match, and despite a few close calls, DMD emerged with the win and the belt after submitting Riho to Lockjaw in the centre of the ring.

Hayter snatched the title from Rebel after the match, only to hand it to Baker as the three shared a group hug.

Full results:

• Sammy Guevara def. Dustin Rhodes - Interim TNT Championship
• Ricky Starks (c) def. Matt Sydal - FTW Championship
• Britt Baker (c) def. Riho - AEW Women’s World Championship