This week’s rendition of AEW Dynamite was very much focused on in-ring action, which is a good thing for AEW. Plain, good wrestling has been AEW’s bread and butter since the company’s creation in 2019. The matches showcased tonight ranged from technical clinics to violent, weapon-filled brawls. It also continued several storylines, mainly Bryan Danielson’s journey to a title match with MJF at Revolution and the growing chasm in the women’s division.
Winner: Jon Moxley vs Hangman Adam Page
This bout was the rubber match between two of AEW’s biggest stars. In the first match, Hangman suffered a concussion as a result of a stiff lariat. The match technically counted as a win for Moxley due to referee stoppage. The next match, Hangman knocked Moxley out (in kayfabe). There was a lot of emotion and pride on the line heading into this third bout, in Moxley’s home state of Ohio.
Jon Moxley survived a deadeye and a buckshot lariat to win the match with a roll up, meaning he’s won the series. However, the aftermath of the match suggested that things aren’t quite over between Hangman and the Blackpool Combat Club; Hangman butted heads with Wheeler Yuta and Claudio Castagnoli before leaving the ring in a huff.
If you like Jon Moxley’s schtick of stiff, bloody brawling, this match will be right up your alley.
Yet To Be Determined: Bunny Challenges Hayter; Saraya & Toni Storm Jump Britt Baker
In a backstage segment hosted by Renee Paquette, The Bunny (accompanied by the Butcher and the Blade) politely challenged Jamie Hayter to an AEW Women’s World Championship eliminator match (meaning that if Bunny wins, she gets a title shot). Jamie graciously accepted and the two shook hands.
Then, Renee alerted the audience to something happening elsewhere in the arena. Cameras cut to Saraya and Toni Storm attacking Britt Baker. Storm and Saraya have been heels for a few weeks now, but now it’s seeming like Britt Baker is consequently becoming a babyface. She has grown exponentially since the last time she was a babyface, but the thought of babyface Baker doesn’t exactly instill optimism.
Loser: The Acclaimed Squash Match/Confrontation With The Gunn Club
The AEW World Tag Team Champions had a short squash match with a very goofy pair of jobbers that was nothing out of the ordinary. As the champs stood in the ring, the Gunn Club’s music hit and Colten and Austin Gunn came out to confront them. They demanded a title shot, and the two teams started bickering. Billy Gunn became fed up with this and left the ring. Austin began to ridicule his father, saying “do what you did our entire childhood and turn your back on us,” and even going so far as to tell his father to drown his sorrows in a bottle of pills.
Billy then came to the ring and granted the Gunns their title shot, giving them exactly what they wanted. Could it be that Billy has been in cahoots with his sons this entire time? That would be an interesting twist in this storyline that has arguably overstayed its welcome.
Loser: Konosuke Takeshita Defeats Brian Cage
One of these wrestlers has an incredibly high ceiling and the potential to become one of the best wrestlers in the world. The other wrestler is Brian Cage. This match was very solid, featuring a lot of well-executed suplexes and strikes from both competitors. However, Brian Cage has never really been treated like a threat in AEW, so it’s hard to take him seriously in matches like this.
Hopefully, AEW continues to push Takeshita and gives him worthier opponents in the future.
Winner: Bryan Danielson Defeats Timothy Thatcher
The next part of Bryan Danielson’s journey to his title match against MJF was tonight’s bout against wrestling technician Timothy Thatcher. Last week, MJF promised Thatcher a seemingly good amount of money to purposely damage Danielson’s already-injured arm.
This was a very solid match between two technical wrestlers at the top of their games. It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of the British catch-as-catch-can style (even though this is a match between Americans).
Konosuke Takeshita also made an appearance and jumped MJF, who attempted to interfere. It was a nice moment of revenge for Takeshita over MJF’s strange, racist remarks to him a few weeks back.
There’s a very unfortunate chance that the matches leading up to Danielson vs MJF at Revolution will be more impressive than the PPV match itself. MJF, for all his charisma and mic skills, has never been known for his in-ring talent. A one-hour Ironman match will be quite the test for the new champ.
Loser: Jade Cargill Defeats Red Velvet
For the most part, Jade has been able to find success based on her presentation alone. However, there are moments when it’s clear Jade Cargill isn’t too good at wrestling itself. This match had a fair share of those moments. Wrestlers banking on their presentation is nothing new, but when someone is a champion on a 50-0 win streak, one would hope for more improvement to be made.
Ever since Kris Statlander sustained a knee injury last year, it has felt like Jade Cargill’s storylines are just trying to buy time until her return.
Loser: Samoa Joe Defeats Darby Allin To Become TNT Champion
Darby Allin has become known for his violent stunts and ragdoll-like ability to take damage. Tonight, that act was pushed to its limit.
This match featured several dangerous, painful-looking spots. That on its own is not a bad thing, however many of these spots were either botched or came off as sloppy. If you enjoy seeing wrestlers get their faces cut open with tables, getting thrown onto chairs at awkward angles, or getting their heads smashed onto concrete stairs, this is a good match for you.
While Samoa Joe is not a bad TNT Champion by any stretch, his victory tonight continues AEW’s convoluted ping-pong booking of the title.