The John Report: AEW Dynamite 01/15/25 Review (Maximum Carnage)

This week’s AEW Dynamite featured Jon Moxley defending the World Title against Powerhouse Hobbs, Kenny Omega back in action against Brian Cage, and more.

Kenny Omega is back on AEW Dynamite this week after picking up a big win over Gabe Kidd at NJPW Wrestle Dynasty this past weekend. I thought it was a great match and it’s nice to see Kenny back in action after missing over a year due to the serious diverticulitis illness.

This was AEW Dynamite episode #275 from the Brady Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

It’s Wednesday and you know what that means. The commentary team was Excalibur, Tony Schiavone and Taz, who is back on commentary after a few months off. They were at ringside.

There was a video previewed what’s coming up on this week’s show.

This venue looks very small with a crowd of about 1,600 fans according to WrestleTix. It’s smarter than booking 15,000-seat arenas and selling only 2,000 tickets, but it is a bit depressing considering AEW used to have much bigger crowds in past years. With that said, it’s smarter for AEW to use smaller buildings if they can’t sell tickets because the smaller buildings cost less to use. Plus, smaller crowds can still be enthusiastic, so as long as they make noise, that’s what matters.

Kenny Omega got a big ovation as he walked down the short ramp on his way to the ring.

Brian Cage (w/Lance Archer & Don Callis) vs. Kenny Omega

This is Omega’s first AEW match in 13 months and his second match in that period. Omega missed all that time due to diverticulitis causing surgery on his intestine, so it’s painful on the stomach area. Don Callis was on commentary to support Cage.

Omega hit a couple of running kicks to the left leg. Cage hit a back body drop to counter a move. Cage hit a fallaway slam to send Omega across the ring. Cage hit a running clothesline. Cage hit a hurricanrana that sent Cage out of the ring. Archer went on the apron to prevent a dive from Omega, so Omega kicked Archer off the apron. Cage went into the ring and nailed Omega with a clothesline. They left the ring where Cage sent Omega into the barricade. Cage picked up Omega over his head and press slammed Omega onto the commentary table. Archer and Callis hit Omega with cheap shots on the table. They went to a 90-second picture-in-picture break.

(Commercial)

Cage was in control with a superplex from the middle turnbuckle. Omega was bleeding likely from the forehead. Tony tried to put this over as one of the most important matches in AEW history, which is ridiculous, but that’s AEW commentary trying to say everything current is important. Omega and Cage battled on the ramp where Omega hit a knee smash. Cage caught Omega and sent him over the top with a Powerbomb into the ring. Cage hit an F5 for just a two count. Omega was selling a stomach/rib injury. Omega tried to come back with a splash, but Cage got his knees up to block. Cage hit a suplex to continue working on the stomach area. Cage put Omega on the apron, then Cage climbed to the top rope for nothing and then Omega hit a Powerbomb off the top. Omega hit a running knee for two. I didn’t like that spot because Cage going to the top rope made no sense except to set up a spot. It looks too choreographed. You need to make pro wrestling look more natural. Guys at this level should know that especially considering they have been doing this for decades. Omega hit another running knee. Omega hit the V-Trigger knee to the jaw. Omega put Cage on his shoulders and hit the One Winged Angel for the pinfall win after about 11 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Kenny Omega

Analysis: ***1/2 A very good match as usual for Omega and Cage can certainly go in the ring as well. Omega getting the win was an obvious result since he’s a much bigger star in AEW. It wasn’t the kind of match where Kenny was out there to have a match of the year style of match, but it was done to show that Kenny could pick up a win in his return. Omega did a good job of selling the stomach injury throughout the match.

After the match, Archer attacked Omega and he was joined by Kyle Fletcher attacking Omega. Will Ospreay made the save to clear the ring of Fletcher. Omega hit a knee on Archer and Ospreay hit the Hidden Blade running elbow. Ospreay kicked Fletcher off the apron and did a slingshot dive over the top onto Fletcher. The AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita went into the ring with Omega where they exchanged punches. Fletcher hit a Snapdragon Suplex on Omega and Takeshita clotheslined Omega. Fletcher did thumb to the eyes of Ospreay and Takeshita decked Ospreay with a forearm. Takeshita and Fletcher hit their Raging Fire and brainbuster moves on Omega and Ospreay. The Don Callis Family celebrated their attack. Omega and Ospreay were on the mat selling after the attack.

Analysis: It looked like Will Ospreay was going to be successful in helping Kenny Omega, but they couldn’t keep all of the Don Callis Family group away because it was a 4-on-2 attack. The numbers game worked for the Callis Family. This should likely lead to Ospreay and Omega forming a tag team against Fletcher and Takeshita at a big show soon.

The Hurt Syndicate’s MVP was shown in a bar talking about how for the first time in two and a half years, he was taking off the suit and putting on the boots to have a match. MVP and Shelton Benjamin let us know they are The Hurt Syndicate and they hurt people.

(Commercial)

Chris Jericho, the ROH World Champion, was backstage for a New York Minute with Big Bill and Bryan Keith. Jericho mentioned that on Collision they are a part of a 12-man tag team match. Jericho mocked his opponents. Jericho said “Wheeler is a kneeler” like he’s kneeling at the feet of the King of New York. Jericho said that people wonder how Jon Moxley and Jericho can get along, but Jericho guarantees they’ll be on the same page…right?

Analysis: The “Wheeler is a kneeler” thing by Jericho was his attempt at continuing his cheesy gimmick as The Learning Tree.

Let’s Hear from Ricochet

Ricochet was introduced to the crowd and the fans booed him. Two weeks ago, Ricochet did a vicious and bloody assault on Swerve Strickland on Dynamite to further Ricochet’s heel turn. The fans were chanting “Whose House? Swerve’s house” at Ricochet to piss him off. Ricochet kept staring at the fans as they continued to boo him.

Ricochet said if that’s how it’s going to be, a picture is worth a thousand words. Ricochet pointed to an image of Ricochet standing over a bloody Swerve on Dynamite two weeks ago. Swerve Strickland’s music hit and Prince Nana went in the ring behind Ricochet. Nana hit Ricochet in the back with a steel chair.

Swerve Strickland walked down to the ring with a chain around his neck. Swerve swung the chain at Ricochet, who managed to bail out of the ring. Swerve went after Ricochet, so Ricochet ran into the crowd and Ricochet shoved a security guy at Swerve. Ricochet went out a back door and left the building.

Analysis: That was a quick segment to show that Swerve Strickland has recovered from Ricochet’s attack and he wanted to get his hands on Ricochet, but Ricochet wanted no part of Swerve. This is obviously going to lead to a big match between them.

A video package aired about Mercedes Mone carrying her multiple titles around doing the Sherri Shepherd talk show, then Mone went to a jeweler and she was shown training in a ring. Mone has four titles now and her AEW title is the TBS Championship. Mone reminded us that money changes everything.

The Hurt Syndicate – Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin & MVP vs. Mark Briscoe and Private Party – Zay & Quen

Private Party are the AEW Tag Team Champions. This is MVP’s first match in AEW. As he mentioned in the video earlier, it’s his first match in over two years.

The match started as a brawl with the six guys exchanging punches. MVP worked over Mark with punches and uppercuts. MVP hit an elbow smash on Mark while Lashley and Benjamin were in control on the floor. Mark fought back with an uppercut along with a dropkick off the middle turnbuckle. Mark charged at MVP, who hit a boot to the head. MVP sent Mark out of the ring. Benjamin got the tag and sent Mark into the barricade and apron repeatedly. Benjamin gave Mark a body slam on the floor.

(Commercial)

MVP was in control of Mark with the vintage Ballin’ elbow drop spot. MVP hit a Fisherman’s Buster for a two count. Mark ran the ropes leading to a running forearm to the jaw. Zay finally got a tag with a top rope cross body block on Shelton and a dropkick right after that. Quen tagged in with a double dropkick on MVP, Benjamin and Lashley, who bumped out of the ring. Mark hit a suicide dive somersault onto Lashley on the floor. Quen and Zay each took out Benjamin and MVP with springboard attacks. Zay clotheslined MVP out of the ring. Quen countered a Benjamin move by hitting a leaping flatliner for two. Lashley was dominant on the floor with an overhead suplex on Mark on the floor. Zay hit a Hardy Style jumping leg lariat. Lashley went into the ring illegally with a spinebuster on Quen and Benjamin gave Zay a German Suplex. Lashley hit a Spear on Zay. MVP hit a running kick on Mark on the floor. Benjamin gave Quen a German Suplex and a superkick. Benjamin covered Quen for the pinfall win after about 10 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Hurt Syndicate – Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin & MVP

Analysis: **3/4 A dominant win by The Hurt Syndicate. MVP was impressive by working most of the match for his team. Lashley was barely in the match other than when he went in there illegally. Benjamin finished Quen emphatically for the easy win. This didn’t make Private Party or Briscoe look good, but it was done to make The Hurt Syndicate look strong.

Next week on Dynamite it’s Adam Copeland aka Cope against Pac.

A quick video aired about how the Rated FTR group consisting of Cope, Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler are so close as friends that they are like a family. That’s nice.

(Commercial)

It was announced that Swerve Strickland will face Ricochet on the February 5th edition of AEW Dynamite in Atlanta. It is three weeks away.

Analysis: It’s a long time to build up to a TV match, but I am enjoying that storyline. There is no AEW PPV until Revolution in March, so it’s smart to do some big TV matches.

Let’s Hear from Jeff Jarrett…and MJF

Jeff Jarrett did a promo in the ring saying that the last few weeks have been humbling for him. Maxwell Jacob Friedman interrupted while wearing dress clothes and the usual scarf around the neck. MJF went into the ring with Jarrett.

MJF said that Jeff has yet to learn the definition of the word humbling. MJF trashed Jeff for having the audacity to turn him down last week. Jeff called MJF lazy for not entering the Casino Gauntlet and MJF yelled that he should never interrupt him. MJF said he’s a Hall of Famer if he retires tomorrow because he’s a living legend. MJF said that Jeff has the dumb schmuck fans convinced that Jeff is a legend. MJF said that Jeff is the “Last Outlaw” because he’s the last thing you see before a company dies. MJF trashed Jeff for being a pro wrestling grim reaper. MJF claimed it’s enough to make him drink while trashing Jeff for being a recovering alcoholic. MJF said for the health of this company and for Jeff, MJF suggests that he can send Jeff back to rehab where he belongs. MJF mentioned the “sexy MILF” wife of Jeff’s in reference to Karen Jarrett. MJF said that when he’s done with Karen, Jeff will learn what a generational talent and Olympic Gold Medallist’s balls taste like. Ouch.

Jeff responded to MJF saying he knows that his best years are behind him. Jeff said last year in the Owen Hart Cup, the fans awakened a passion and desire that Jeff didn’t know he still had. Jeff said he’ll keep that passion and fuel going. Jeff said it’s the one thing that will put him on track to become the AEW World Champion. Jeff said that MJF that he thinks he’s going to hurt Jeff’s feelings and Jeff said that he was him before MJF was who he is. Jeff said that he’s done it before him and he’s done it better than MJF. Jeff said he didn’t know if MJF was a dumbass or a scumbag. Jeff claimed he felt sorry for Max being raised by a call girl mother. Jeff said that Max has an ambulance chasing old man lawyer as a father. Jeff said that Max’s mom made Max’s dad pay for that shit. Jeff claimed that MJF’s old lady (girlfriend Alicia Atout) is a Canadian call girl. Jeff talked about how MJF was doing his 60-minute matches in this ring, Max’s old lady was doing her 60 minutes with wrestlers in the parking lot. Jeff claimed that Max is a scared little boy who was scared to enter the gauntlet and MJF is scared at 28 years of age. Jeff claimed that MJF is scared of becoming a one hit wonder. The fans chanted “one hit wonder” at Max.

MJF said he is nothing like him. MJF said he didn’t need his daddy to make him a top guy or to start his own company to be a top guy. MJF said he made himself. MJF said that when he’s king of the mountain, he’s the only man to thank for the biggest pro wrestling show of all time with 82,000 strong at Wembley Stadium. MJF bragged about record pay-per-view and record ticket sales while saying he was the best in the world. MJF said he got screwed out of the championship while his name was dragged through the mud. MJF said that the people treat him like nothing and he’s not nothing. MJF said that he needs the AEW World Championship again to shove it down the fans’ throats. Instead, MJF has to wait in line for Jeff Jarrett. MJF said that the fans aren’t very bright and said that no wrestling fan has ever given a single, solitary s**t about him. MJF said what pisses him off is just because Jeff was best friends with Owen Hart, Jeff thinks he is owed a finale. MJF told Jeff he was a leech riding the coattails of his deceased friend. MJF said that that Jeff doesn’t like it when MJF talks about Owen and that led to Jeff punching MJF repeatedly. There were security guys that went into the ring. Karen Jarrett went into the ring and pulled Jeff off. MJF grabbed Karen and then he shoved her toward Jeff. MJF ran to the back like a coward while Jeff stared from the ring.

Analysis: There was a lot of personal stuff spewed by both guys. MJF bringing up Owen’s name and disrespecting Owen’s name is a way to get some cheap heat, but it’s also a way to get Jeff to start punching Max, which the fans loved. I respect Jeff Jarrett as a wrestler, but I think MJF is a better performer for sure. MJF at his best is a lot better all around. That’s not an insult to Jeff. It’s just my way of praising MJF for the awesome performer that he is.

This Saturday on Collision: “Hangman” Adam Page faces Christopher Daniels in a Texas Death Match.

A video aired about Kazuchika Okada defending the AEW Continental Title against Tomohiro Ishii. They are former friends who have become rivals. They have match on Collision this Saturday.

Christian Cage made his entrance with Mother Wayne when Hook showed up for an attack from behind with punches. Cage went into the ring to start the match.

Hook vs. Christian Cage (w/Mother Wayne)

The story is that Christian Cage and his group attacked Hook’s dad Taz, so Hook is finally getting revenge.

It was Hook in control early on. Christian tried to leave the ring, so Hook attacked him. They went back into the ring, Christian left the ring and went on the ramp, but Hook brought him back to the ring. Hook gave Christian a back body drop from the ramp into the ring. Christian gave Hook a hug to try to reason with him, so Hook hit a belly-to-belly suplex. Hook worked over Christian with punches. Hook sent Christian hard into the turnbuckle.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Christian working over Hook with punches. Christian’s allies Nick Wayne and Kip Sabian were at ringside as well. Katsuyori Shibata was at ringside to support Hook. Hook sent Christian over the top to the floor. Hook hit a running elbow smash off the apron onto Christian on the floor. Hook tried to stomp on Christian’s hand on the steel steps, but Christian managed to trip him up and Hook landed on his back on the steps. Christian went up top and hit a Frog Splash for a two count. Christian hit a second Frog Splash off the top turnbuckle. Christian hit a third Frog Splash off the top turnbuckle for a two count. Christian charged, but Hook stopped it with a knee. Christian came back with a Spear for just a one count. Hook nailed Christin with some clotheslines along with a toss across the ring and a Northern Lights Suplex for two. Hook hit a Fisherman’s Suplex for a two count. Hook went for Red Rum, but Christian put his feet on the ropes so Hook let go and Christian bumped to the mat. Taz encouraged his son saying Hook has got this. Christian did an eye gouge and sent Hook into the ring post. Christian nailed Shibata with a reverse DDT on the floor. Hook punched Sabian and Nick on the floor. Christian went for Killswitch, but Hook avoided it and Hook applied the Red Rum submission. Sabian and Nick went into the ring to attack Hook and save Christian, so it was a DQ finish. It went about 12 minutes.

Winner by disqualification: Hook

Analysis: **3/4 I thought the match dragged most of the way. It just never felt that interesting, especially for a match that was supposed to be a grudge match. They went with the cheap DQ finish to keep the rivalry going so that Hook can get his hands on Christian in another match down the road.

After the match, Sabian and Nick brought in chairs to attack Hook some more, but Taz stood up because he couldn’t take it. Samoa Joe made his return and Christian left the ring. Joe sent Sabian out of the ring. Joe hit Sabian with a powerslam. Shibata hit a running PK kick on Sabian. Joe stood tall with Hook and Shibata. Taz said he loves it when a plan comes together.

Analysis: It’s good to see former AEW World Champion Samoa Joe back in action. Joe has been out of action for a while due to filming the Twisted Metal show and other reasons, so I’m glad he’s back.

There were promos from various AEW wrestlers like Jay White, Roderick Strong, Adam Cole, Daniel Garcia and Kyle O’Reilly talking about the Casino Gauntlet last week. The TNT Champion Garcia said he wants to fight every week. Cole said that the Undisputed Kingdom will get their hands on some gold this year and that’s undisputed.

(Commercial)

Jeff Jarrett was about to be interviewed by Renee Paquette backstage. Dustin Rhodes walked up to Jeff with his two ROH titles. Dustin said that they have known eachother for so many years. Dustin trashed MJF for being a disrespectful little s**t. Dustin said that he wants Jeff to fulfill his dream of becoming AEW World Champion. Dustin said that Max doesn’t know everything they’ve been through and got back up. Dustin told Jeff he’s a 12-time World Champion and he’s the Last Outlaw. Dustin said that outlaws never die. Dustin told Jeff that they were the last of their kind. Dustin left.

Analysis: That was a great pep talk by Dustin Rhodes. I don’t watch the ROH brand, but I’m glad that Dustin Rhodes is still performing at a high level.

Mariah May made her entrance as the AEW Women’s World Champion. She was in a dress that is going to make her more popular with fans rather than hated.

Women’s Casino Gauntlet Match

The winner of this match gets an AEW World Title match at AEW’s Australia Grand Slam event on February 15th. The match can end at any time with entrants joining the match at random intervals.

It is Kris Statlander at #1 and Jamie Hayter as the second entrant. Kris and Hayter exchanged shoulder tackles. Kris knocked Hayter down with a shoulder tackle. Kris and Hayter each did clotheslines leading to Hayter nailing Kris with a kick. Kris hit a sitout Michinoku Driver on Hayter as the clock ticked down for the next entrant.

Megan Bayne was the third entrant as an AEW newcomer. Excalibur said she was in AEW in the past, but she’s been in Stardom recently. May complained about how she didn’t think Bayne was in AEW. Kris sent Bayne into the turnbuckle with an uppercut, but Bayne came back with a leaping clothesline. Bayne hit a sitout Falcon Arrow on Kris for a two count because Hayter made the save. Bayne went for a vertical suplex, but Hayter countered it to send Bayne out of the ring.

The fourth entrant was Julia Hart, who is a rival of Hayter. As Hart was making her entrance, Hayter attacked and gave Hart a suplex on the ramp. They went to a PIP break.

(Commercial)

As the show returned from break, the clock ticked down for the fifth entrant Willow Nightingale, who was cheered by the fans. Willow kicked Bayne and hit some forearms. Bayne hit a jumping kick to the head on Willow to knock her down. Kris did a jawbreaker on Bayne. Hayter sent Hart into the barricade. Willow and Kris hit a double suplex on Bayne and they smiled since they used to be friends. Willow and Kris exchanged chops. Willow ran the ropes leading to the Pounce to knock Kris down.

The sixth entrant was former AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm, who acts like a rookie with memory loss. Storm knocked down everybody in the ring with snapmare takedowns along with shoulder tackles. The director missed Bayne knocking Storm down because they were showing May. Willow dropkicked Bayne out of the ring. Hayter kicked Willow out of the ring. Hart gave Hayter a DDT and Willow hit a clothesline on Hart. Willow hit a cross body block on Bayne on the floor. May acted like she has never met Toni Storm and Schiavone goes: “We know she’s the same person.” Thanks, Tony. This commentary team is so lame sometimes. Anyway, Kris hit a somersault dive on a couple of women on the floor. Hayter and Hart were exchanging punches.

It was Harley Cameron as the 7th woman in the ring with a kick. Hayter gave Harley a German Suplex. Hayter hit a backbreaker on Hart. Harley rolled up Hayter for two Harley hit an enziguri kick on Hayter, but Hayter came back with a backbreaker. Hayter Hart spit the black mist in Harley’s face and Hart knocked down Hayter. Hart knocked down Harley from behind. Storm got an inside cradle on Hart for the pinfall win after 14 minutes.

Winner: Toni Storm

Analysis: ***1/4 A good match like the guys last week, but I wouldn’t call it great. There were some good exchanges early on by Kris, Willow and Hayter. It slowed down a bit and then it was just a bunch of nearfalls, which is fine in this kind of match. I just don’t think it was that exciting to watch. Storm winning didn’t shock me just based on her history with Mariah May and the winner getting a shot at the Women’s Title held by May.

That win by Toni Storm means she’ll challenge Mariah May for the AEW World Title at AEW Grand Slam Australia on February 15th. Storm was born in New Zealand, but grew up in Australia.

After the match, Toni Storm was shocked that she got the win. Mariah May was clapping about Toni’s win because she thinks it will be an easy match for May.

Analysis: There are a lot of ways that match can go with Storm and May. Perhaps something will happen during the match to make Toni remember she was “Timeless” Toni Storm in the past and that will make Toni win the match. I think that would work. I think Storm becoming the Women’s Champion in Australia is certainly possible.

The AEW World Title match was after the break.

(Commercial)

Powerhouse Hobbs made his entrance for the main event. The AEW World Champion Jon Moxley and Marina Shafir (with briefcase containing AEW World Title) was shown outside the building walking out in the cold. Moxley walked into the arena in the back of the building. It is Moxley’s hometown, but it’s not like he was cheered heavily since he is a heel. Moxley had a “Cincy” sweatshirt and there were some light chants for him.

AEW World Championship: Jon Moxley (w/Marina Shafir, Claudio Castagnoli & Pac) vs. Powerhouse Hobbs

Moxley worked over Hobbs with punches against the turnbuckle. Hobbs came back with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex along with punches. Moxley tried hitting Hobbs with strikes, but Hobbs no-sold those and hit a shoulder tackle to knock Moxley out of the ring. Hobbs nailed Mox with forearms while they were on the floor. Back in the ring, Moxley hit Hobbs with two kicks to knock Hobbs out of the ring. Moxley hit a suicide dive to knock down Moxley on the floor. Moxley and Hobbs were fighting in the crowd so the referee Paul Turner followed them instead of counting them out. Hobbs and Moxley went back to ringside and back into the ring. The fighting in the crowd was barely anything, so it was rather pointless. Moxley worked over Hobbs with punches along with a middle finger salute. Hobbs tackled Moxley back-first into the turnbuckle. Hobbs bit Moxley’s left ear and spit something out. Hobbs bit the earring out of Moxley’s left ear, so Moxley was bleeding from the ear. Hobbs knocked Moxley off the apron to the floor. They went to a PIP break.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Hobbs running the ropes and Moxley hit a Cutter to put him down. Moxley and Hobbs exchanged forearms. Hobbs charged, so Moxley sent Hobbs out of the ring. Shafir did a cheap shot kick on Hobbs on the floor. Back in the ring, Moxley tried a move, but Hobbs broke free and hit a shoulder tackle. Hobbs hit two running clotheslines. Hobbs hit another clothesline against the turnbuckle. Hobbs hit a World’s Dangerous Slam for a two count. Hobbs picked up Moxley onto the middle turnbuckle and hit a spinning powerslam. Moxley countered Hobbs on the mat leading to a cross armbreaker on the mat, but Hobbs locked his hands and grabbed the ropes to break free. The fans chanted “fight forever” as Wheeler Yuta showed up from the back to hit Hobbs with a Busaiko Knee to the face. The referee was looking at Moxley, so he didn’t see it. Hobbs came back with a spinebuster on Moxley. Hobbs lifted up Moxley, but Moxley slipped free and the referee was looking at Moxley, so Shafir hit Hobbs with the briefcase. Moxley got a rollup for two. Moxley hit a Paradigm Shift for two. Good nearfall. Moxley applied the Bulldog Choke submission and Hobbs sold it like he was knocked out, so the referee called for the bell. Moxley wins after 13 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Jon Moxley

Analysis: ***1/4 This was pretty good with Moxley taking a beating for the match while also bleeding heavily, which is typical in Moxley matches. It wasn’t a PPV quality style of match like you might expect from an AEW World Title match. However, it was still an enjoyable match. With all of that said, I don’t think a single person watching this thought that Moxley was losing the AEW World Title to Hobbs. I think they should have had more spots where it looked like Hobbs could pull off an upset. You need to try to make the fans believe. Anyway, it was a cheap win for Moxley since his friends got involved, so it makes Hobbs look strong since it took a lot of people to beat him.

After the match, Moxley’s Death Riders group went into the ring. Hobbs tried to fight them off, but Claudio Castagnoli used a chair to hit Hobbs in the surgically repaired right knee. Moxley hit Hobbs’ right knee with a steel chair. Claudio took the brace off the knee. Claudio stomped on the chair that was around the right knee of Hobbs. Rated FTR’s Adam Copeland aka Cope, Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler went into the ring, so the Death Riders ran away like cowards. Rated FTR checked on Hobbs. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: That’s AEW where they love to make their babyfaces look like idiots with no friends because Hobbs was beaten up for a minute before anybody came out there to try to help him. The Rated FTR guys could have saved Hobbs if they were out there 30 seconds earlier, but instead poor Hobbs took a beating. I get it that it was done this way to get heat on the Death Riders. I’m just saying AEW does not book their babyfaces well. Obviously, this is going to lead to Moxley against Cope probably at Revolution, but they have nearly two months to get there, so it’s a slow-building story that will continue in the weeks ahead.

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Three Stars of the Show

1. Kenny Omega
2. Toni Storm
3. Jon Moxley

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The Scoreboard

This Week: 7.5 out of 10

Last Week: 7.25

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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite

It was a good edition of Dynamite. I think the Kenny Omega match was the best of the night even though it was a challenge since Brian Cage had no chance to win. The same goes for Jon Moxley’s win over Powerhouse Hobbs. Other stuff like The Hurt Syndicate winning and Toni Storm winning were okay.

Watching Dynamite with a small crowd like this with under 2,000 fans there is depressing because I remember when they had four or five times that. They need better stories to sell more tickets. The stories they have are okay, but are any of them really that interesting? I don’t think so. I think my favorite story is between Swerve and Ricochet at this point.

The rivalry between MJF and Jeff Jarrett got a lot of time with that promo exchange in the ring. Out of all the people in AEW that MJF could feud with, they went with a dude that’s double his age like Jeff Jarrett? They had to go with the very cheap heat route by having MJF mention Owen Hart. Please let the dead rest in peace. Anyway, I would like to see MJF in a better feud.

This was a good night for the heel factions like the Don Callis family beating up Omega & Ospreay while the Death Riders beat up Powerhouse Hobbs, who has no friends that want to help him in a 5 on 1 attack until it’s after a chair gets stomped onto his knee. Poor guy. Anyway, a solid show overall, but I wouldn’t call it a great episode.

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Thanks for reading. Go Los Angeles Rams, Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs. You can contact me using any of the methods below.

John Canton

Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter/X: @johnreport