Reviews

The John Report: AEW Dynamite 03/23/22 Review

By John Canton • Published 24th March 2022
aew dynamite march 23

This week’s AEW Dynamite featured the Jericho Appreciation Society in the main event, while The Hardys teamed up with Sting & Darby Allin in a Tornado Tag Team Match.

This is AEW Dynamite episode #129 at the H-E-B Center in Austin, Texas. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

It’s Wednesday night and you know what that means. Jim Ross welcomed us to the show along with Excalibur and Tony Schiavone on commentary.

CM Punk made his entrance to a thunderous ovation. This was a match that Tony Khan announced on Wednesday afternoon while most of the card was announced much earlier than that. Punk has a 13-1 record in AEW. Dax Harwood of the FTR team made his entrance wearing a AAA Tag Team Title that he holds, he got a hug from Cash Wheeler and then Cash went to the back.

CM Punk vs. Dax Harwood

This is like a Bret Hart tribute match since they are both huge Bret Hart fans that talk about him often. Loud “CM Punk” chants to start the match. Punk and Harwood did some mat wrestling as they fought over an armbar. Punk took control with two armdrags. The fans were reacting to Colten & Austin Gunn watching the match in the crowd. Harwood delivered an uppercut to work over Punk a bit. Punk with a body slam Harwood with a side headlock and Punk got an armdrag into a hammerlock. Punk was running off the ropes leading to Harwood hitting a knee to the ribs. Harwood with a suplex followed by a leg drop. Harwood with a backbreaker. Harwood with a chinlock, Punk broke free and Harwood delivered a belly to back suplex. The Gunn Club brothers were watching at ringside. Harwood went for a headbutt off the turnbuckle, Punk moved and Harwood hit the mat. They exchanged punches, Harwood off the ropes and Punk hit a jumping kick to the head. Punk slowly went to the top rope, Harwood met him there with chops and Punk delivered a front suplex to knock Harwood down. Punk took way too long to stand up, so Harwood was back up again to trip up Punk. Harwood went up top leading to a superplex and Harwood hit a diving headbutt for a two count. They did a suplex spot by the ropes, then they went tumbling over the top rope and fell to the floor. Cash Wheeler ran out to ringside to support his partner Harwood. The referee barely tried to count them out with a very slow count. Harwood was back in the ring, Punk jumped off the top with a cross body block and Punk applied an Anaconda Vice. Harwood powered out of it, Punk kicked into the turnbuckle and the back of Dax’s head hit the turnbuckle. There were pin attempts for both guys. Punk went for the running knee in the corner and Harwood caught him with a Slingshot Powerbomb off the ropes for a two count. Rough landing for Punk there. The fans were chanting “this is awesome” for them. Punk got back up with a kick to the face, a rising knee against the turnbuckle and Punk wanted the GTS, but Harwood blocked it. Harwood slapped on the Sharpshooter on Punk, then Punk was able to power out of it and Punk applied the Anaconda Vice. Harwood tapped out even though he was near the ropes. It went about 13 minutes.

Winner by submission: CM Punk

Analysis: ***3/4 A great technical wrestling match. While it was obvious that Punk was going to win, I liked seeing Harwood put up a fight and showing his toughness as well as his technical wrestling ability. That slingshot Powerbomb off the ropes was a very good nearfall. They battled over submissions with yet another Bret Hart tribute doing the Sharpshooter and then Punk trapped Dax with the Anaconda Vice for the win. Punk rarely loses in WWE, so the result is no surprise.

After the match, Punk made the belt motion with his hands around his waist. That was Punk’s way of letting us know he was going after the AEW World Title soon.

Analysis: It wouldn’t shock me to see challenging Adam Page for the AEW World Title in two months at Double or Nothing. I think Punk might win too.

Cash Wheeler helped Dax Harwood walk to the back where they stared at Gunn Club, so that could be a future tag team match.

There was a plug for Chris Jericho and Daniel Garcia in tag team action against Dark Order members John Silver and Alex Reynolds. That’s apparently the main event.

Chris Jericho was with his Jericho Appreciation Society talking about when John Silver met Jericho as a kid. Garcia did a promo about how he’s a sports entertainer that beats up pro wrestlers. Jericho mentioned Eddie Kingston, Santana and Ortiz while his group noted that those guys weren’t there. Jericho said that this is the Jericho Appreciation Society…and that’s entertainment.

It was time for an eight-man tag team match with Sting and Darby Allin up first. The Hardy Brothers Matt & Jeff got a big ovation as they made their way down to the ring. The team of Private Party along with The Butcher & The Blade entered as the opponents. They were joined by Andrade El Idolo, Jose The Assistant and The Bunny with those three going to the back.

Tornado Tag Team Match – No Disqualification, Anything Goes: Sting, Darby Allin, Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy vs. The Butcher, The Blade, Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy

Allin hit a suicide dive on a few guys on the floor. Sting went up top and jumped off the top rope onto a couple of guys on the floor. Jeff nailed Allin with a clothesline over the barricade. Sting hit a Stinger Splash on Kassidy against the barricade. Jeff was up in steps into the concession area while Allin fought with Butcher by the steps. Andrade attacked Allin from behind even though Andrade wasn’t in the match. Butcher rammed Allin into the side of the cement wall by the steps and then tossed Allin down the steps. Ouch. They went to a picture in picture break. I don’t know how AEW gets away with going 25 minutes until the first commercial, but that’s pretty good for them when you can start the show with that much action.

(Commercial)

Matt Hardy was fighting with Private Party on the stage with Matt hitting a body slam on Quen on the stage. Matt wanted a move on Kassidy off the stage, but Quen came back with a low blow. The Butcher and Blade were with Darby Allin in the concourse area. Private Party gave Matt a double team Side Effect off the stage through a table. Sting, Jeff and Darby were in control of Butcher and Blade. Allin and Sting kept Butcher and Blade down, Jeff climbed the top of a huge ladder and onto a window ledge. Jeff jumped off the ledge and hit a Swanton Bomb on The Butcher & The Blade through two tables with boxes underneath them. That was a crazy spot. It looked great. Back in the ringside area, Private Party brought Matt to the ring and got a two count while Sting made his way to ringside. Sting with a low blow using the ropes on Kassidy and Sting knocked down Quen. Kassidy with a light chair shot to Sting, so Sting no sold it and was on fire with Stinger Splashes on both guys. Quen moved to avoid a Stinger Splash, Kassidy with a kick and PP wanted a Gin & Juice, but Sting countered by grabbing a hold of Kassidy. Sting took several seconds to try to get back to his feet. I think he wanted to smoothly land on his feet, but he fell when he got a hold of Kassidy and it looked weird. Sting hit a Scorpion Death Drop on Kassidy while Matt hit a Twist of Fate on Quen and Matt pinned Quen to get the win. It went about ten minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Sting, Darby Allin, Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy

Analysis: *** A crazy tag team match with a couple of big table spots and some excitement as well. Sting not doing the Scorpion Death Drop smoothly hurt the match. If Sting just let him go, then picked him back up and hit the move it would have been better than this. Nobody watching this thought that faces were going to lose because the heel side loses so often. Jeff’s spot off the window ledge to take out two guys was impressive and pretty much typical for Jeff in his career. We have seen it many times in other places, so now we’ve seen it in AEW as well.

FTR was interviewed by Tony Schiavone. Cash Wheeler ripped on the Ass Boys for being puppies in the business. Dax Harwood said that he can’t stand spoiled brats. Harwood said that they are the best tag team in this business. Harwood said they’ll see Billy’s Kids on Dynamite next week.

The team of Danielson & Moxley were in action up next against The Varsity Blonds.

(Commercial)

Bryan Danielson made his entrance with William Regal, who joined commentary. Regal calls Excalibur “man with the mask” so it makes me like Regal more. Varsity Blonds did not get a televised entrance. Jon Moxley got a huge pop.

Bryan Danielson & Jon Moxley vs. Varsity Blonds – Brian Pillman & Griff Garrison

Bryan worked over Pillman with kicks to the body. Julia Hart was sitting on the steps. Moxley tagged in with a body slam, kicks and punches. Pillman knocked Moxley down, Garrison tagged in and hit a corner splash. Moxley with a German Suplex on Garrison while Bryan tagged in and got a kick to the chest.

(Commercial)

Moxley was working over Pillman as they hit a German Suplex/lariat combo. Garrison saved Pillman and gave Bryan a back body drop over the top to the floor. Moxley decked Garrison with a forearm, Garrison with a boot to the face and Pillman got a dropkick for two. Garrison tagged in, Bryan into the ring illegally with a knee and Moxley caught a jumping Pillman leading toa Paradigm Shift. Moxley with elbows to Garrison while Bryan stomped on Pillman. Moxley and Bryan each applied submission moves for the submission win. The match went about six minutes.

Winners by submission: Bryan Danielson & Jon Moxley

Analysis: ** A decisive win for the team of Bryan and Moxley. That’s how they should be booked. It shouldn’t be a struggle. No offense to Varsity Blonds, but they shouldn’t be threats in a match like that. I like seeing Danielson & Moxley booked this way. They should dominate like that.

Jon Moxley did a promo saying he’s been blessed to compete against the best in the world. Moxley said that there’s one man whose opinion he really cared about – Lord William Regal. Moxley said that the seal of approval from Regal is a badge of honor while adding it wasn’t easy, but he earned it. Moxley wears that badge of honor with pride, just like his friend, the perfect wrestler, the great “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson. Moxley said that they were forged in combat. Moxley said if you want to stand across from them, you better step up or get stepped on. Moxley said that this message is for anybody who thinks they can ride with the three most sadistic individuals in this business. Moxley said if you think you can hang with them, you need to reach into your soul and find where you love pain. Moxley said if you want a badge of honor from the Blackpool Combat Club then you have to earn it.

Analysis: It will be interesting to see what wrestlers will be part of this group or what the initiation process might be. We saw Wheeler Yuta trying to be part of it last week, so there could be more of that in the future. I like the concept of the group. The Blackpool Combat Club name is also fine with me – Blackpool is where Regal is from in England.

MJF is up next.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from MJF

Maxwell Jacob Friedman made his entrance in a suit along with a scarf joined by his buddy Shawn Spears. There were security guys (indy wrestlers) at ringside. MJF said it was such a shame that Wardlow couldn’t get the job done last week. MJF said that unlike Wardlow, he’s a man of his word and fans chanted “shut the f**k up” at MJF. MJF said if Wardlow won the TNT Title then he could keep it, but it was sad that Wardlow wasn’t good enough to beat Scorpio Sky.

MJF mentioned CM Punk saying he had Punk beat at Revolution just like MJF beat him twice in Chicago. MJF said that Punk cheated to win. MJF said there will be another match and when there is, he’ll give Punk the most embarrassing loss of his entire career. MJF said that it won’t be over until he attends Punk’s funeral and piss on his grave.

MJF got back to talking about Wardlow, the fans cheered and MJF said that the fans were inbred. MJF called Wardlow a pig because he’s a greedy little pig. The fans chanted “Wardlow” at MJF, who said if it wasn’t for him then these people wouldn’t know who Wardlow was. MJF said he made Wardlow and thanks to MJF, he now has a beautiful roof over Wardlow and his mother’s head. MJF said that Wardlow cost MJF the biggest match of his life and then Wardlow had the audacity to ask MJF to release Wardlow from his contract. MJF said that Wardlow signed a deal with the devil and all the devil’s deals are ironclad. MJF said he’s about to make Wardlow’s life a living hell. MJF reminded Wardlow that he owns him.

Wardlow made his entrance. Tony: “Thank God!” Wardlow shoved some of the security guys down, but then there were more security guys that showed up to hold Wardlow down. MJF said that Wardlow doesn’t work for AEW, he works for MJF and MJF doesn’t want him around him anymore. MJF said that Wardlow was trespassing just like these marks if they jumped over the barricade. MJF said he’ll pay him to stay home week after week, month after month until the people forget that Wardlow ever existed. MJF said he’ll do it until Wardlow ends up as an absolute nobody. Wardlow was let go by all the security guys as Wardlow went to the back.

MJF noted that The Pinnacle is not over. MJF said that The Pinnacle has never been better. MJF said that with FTR in action next week, they are ready to move up around here. MJF gave the microphone to Spears, who said when you’re with The Pinnacle you are always on top.

Analysis: It was a great promo from MJF as usual. This should lead to Wardlow trying to get after MJF every week while MJF will do everything he can to hide from him. They will do a slow build to the eventual MJF/Wardlow match. As for the Pinnacle comments, the group is rarely seen together, so I’m not sure about how strong the group is right now.

Orange Cassidy, Wheeler Yuta, Chuck Taylor and Trent Beretta were together with Tony Schiavone for an interview. Tony mentioned Wheeler getting in the ring with Regal last week. Trent Beretta said he didn’t like Wheeler, but these other guys helped train him and let Wheeler stay on the couch, so he wasn’t sure what Wheeler was thinking. Wheeler said he didn’t really like Trent either. Wheeler said he wasn’t trying to be the best friend he can be, he was trying to be the best wrestler he can be and you either get that or you don’t.

Adam Cole made his entrance for singles action and his opponent was Jay Lethal, who is apparently 10-2 in AEW. Most of those wins must have been on Youtube because I don’t watch the Youtube shows. They had a lot of history together in Ring of Honor.

Jay Lethal vs. Adam Cole

Lethal worked over Cole with punches along with an elbow smash. Cole came back with a couple of forearms to the face. Lethal with a dropkick for two. They battled over a waistlock, Cole broke free and hit a jumping kick to the head. Lethal with the Lethal Combination ending with a flapjack into the mat. Lethal went for a springboard dropkick, Cole moved and Cole did the “BOOM” point on the apron. Lethal knocked Cole off the apron, Lethal with two suicide dives in a row and then Cole got out of a way of a third dive. Lethal followed up with another dive on Cole although we didn’t get to see it. Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish were shown watching while on the ramp. That led to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

Lethal was in control as he went for a move, but Cole got an inside cradle for two. Lethal with a pin attempt, Cole got a pin attempt and Lethal applied the Figure Four Leglock submission. Cole got his hands on the bottom rope to break the hold while Fish and Kyle were at ringside. Lethal was distracted, so Cole got a rollup for two. Cole with a superkick, then he ran the ropes and Lethal hit a Cutter. Lethal went for the Lethal Injection, but Cole was ready for it and hit a superkick. Cole jumped off the middle ropes with the Panama Sunrise for a two count. Cole was stunned by it. The fans were chanting for both guys, Lethal avoided a knee and got a rollup sitting on top, but the referee was distracted by Fish and Kyle. Lethal went for the Lethal Injection, Cole hit a low blow (the referee wasn’t looking) and then Cole hit a Boom knee attack to the had for the pinfall win. It went about 11 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Adam Cole

Analysis: ***1/2 A great match here between two talented guys who had a history with eachother from ROH. Lots of counters, nearfalls, and a few moments where it looked like either guy could win. Cole cheating to win fits his character because he brags about how great he is, yet he needs help to win matches like this. Lethal isn’t being pushed that much on TV or in any sort of feud, so that’s why he lost.

Adam Cole did a promo saying there is nobody on the planet that deserves the AEW World Championship more than him. Cole said that Hangman has his title. Cole said when he pinned Jungle Boy and stared at Hangman, he saw fear because Page knows that Cole will be the man to take Page’s championship. Cole said that he’s a champion, he’s a winner, he brings the fight and he mentioned that your World Champion is a coward. Cole claimed that Hangman Page didn’t have the guts to face them in the ring.

The AEW World Champion “Hangman” Adam Page made his way down to the ring with the title in his hand. Cole took off his belt, he whipped Cole, Fish and Kyle, but then the numbers game kicked in with Cole hitting a low blow uppercut on Page. Cole picked up the AEW World Title, but that’s when Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus ran out there along with Christian Cage. Cole left with the AEW World Title on his shoulder. Cole: “Kiss your championship goodbye.”

Analysis: I don’t see Cole beating Page for the AEW World Title, but it’s fine to set up another title match between them whether it’s on Dynamite, Battle of the Belts or someplace else.

A video aired about Lance Archer facing Dustin Rhodes on Rampage this Friday night. Archer talked about how he beat up Dustin the last time and Dustin said he always gets back up. Dustin said in his hometown of Austin he’ll kick Archer’s ass because “monsters die too.” That’s on Friday.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from Sammy Guevara and Tay Conti

Sammy Guevara and Tay Conti were interviewed in the ring by Tony Schiavone. Sammy and Tay are dating as they like to make people aware on social media. I don’t follow either. Sammy talked about how he doesn’t have the title, but he will give you something you have never seen before and he’ll get the crowd chanting “holy shit” during his matches. Sammy said he has heard it his whole career that he can’t keep doing this style of matches ever, he’ll pay for it when he’s older and so on. Sammy said if he’s going to pay for it, then screw it because it’s worth it. Sammy said it’s worth it because the people give him the support and what’s he wanted in this business…until now. Tay said that they want payback telling Paige Vanzant that she’s going to get her ass kicked just like she did her entire fighting career.

Dan Lambert walked out wearing a TNT Title while Scorpio Sky was also wearing a TNT Title since AEW has two of them. Ethan Page was with them with Lambert calling himself a co-TNT Champion of all-time. Lambert ripped on Austin, Texas for being a “shitstain town.” Lambert plugged Paige Vanzant’s fan page for $9.99 saying that’s why Orange Cassidy keeps his hands in his pockets all the time. Lambert mentioned Scorpio Sky as the TNT Champion that hasn’t lost a match in over a year, which is when Tony Khan finally hit puberty. Lambert ripped on “Tiny Tim” Sammy and called his girlfriend Lucha Whore-us. Lambert said that you can kiss that match goodbye. Lambert kissed the title. Sammy said if you only knew what Sammy and Tay did while wearing that belt, then you’d know that Sammy lives in his mouth along with being rent-free in his head.

Analysis: There were some good lines by Lambert there as usual. Sammy ended it with a zinger so that made the fans happy. Sammy and Tay seem to be pretty open about their love for eachother on social media, but I don’t really follow either, so it doesn’t bother me.

A video aired about Ricky Starks defending the FTW Championship against Swerve Strickland on Rampage. That should be a good match. I’m a fan of both guys.

Leyla Hirsch vs. Red Velvet

This is a rematch from Rampage and for some reason, we need to see it again. They barred Kris Statlander from ringside since she got involved on Rampage. Velvet was doing her posing on the apron, so Leyla kicked her off the apron to the floor. Velvet whipped Leyla into the barricade two times. Leyla sent Velvet into the barricade and Velvet hit a headscissors on the floor. They finally went into the ring to start the match.

Velvet hit a standing moonsault, Leyla countered it and hit a gutwrench suplex. They went to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

Velvet hit two clotheslines, an armdrag and a double knee attack against the ropes. Velvet with a spin kick to the head. Velvet went for a move off the ropes (I guess) and Leyla caught her with a German Suplex for two. That looked like a well-choreographed spot. Velvet hit an overhead slam on Hirsch for a two count. Velvet hit a corkscrew kick and Leyla rolled out of the ring. Leyla grabbed a piece of steel from under the ring, the referee saw it in her hand and Leyla had another piece of steel in her trunks. Leyla hit Velvet with some steel object that the referee didn’t see. Leyla pinned to win. It went about six minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Leyla Hirsch

Analysis: ** It wasn’t that interesting. I get that Leyla is a heel now that likes to cheat to win matches. I just don’t have much interest in this storyline at all. Is the feud over now? I guess not. Velvet is fine as a babyface that has a lot of athleticism and has energy. It’s just hard to care that much about this rivalry.

Post match, Leyla worked over Velvet with forearms and then a cross armbreaker submission. Kris Statlander ran out to the ring with some jeans that had a lot of holes in them. Statlander punched Leyla repeatedly, then she tossed Leyla across the ring, Leyla went to the floor and that was it.

Analysis: It should lead to a Leyla-Statlander match again. The story isn’t interesting at all.

Jade Cargill, the TBS Champion was interviewed along with Smart Mark Sterling. Tony Schiavone asked about her next match. Cargill talked about how they needed to have a party when she wins her next match to go 30-0. Cargill talked about all the things they need for the party. Cargill told Tony to “cut the shit” as well. Sure.

This Friday on Rampage taped after Dynamite:

* Dustin Rhodes vs. Lance Archer.

* Alan Angels & Ten vs. ReDRagon – Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly.

* Nyla Rose in action.

* Hook receives his certificate of accomplishment from QT Marshall.

* FTW Championship: Ricky Starks defends vs. Swerve Strickland.

Next Wednesday on Dynamite:

* Darby Allin vs. Andrade El Idolo.

* FTR vs. Gunn Club.

Let’s Hear from Thunder Rosa

Thunder Rosa was interviewed as the AEW Women’s Champion on stage with Tony Schiavone there to talk to her. Rosa won the title last week in a Steel Cage match. Before Thunder could say a word, Vickie Guerrero arrived to interrupt. Vickie did her “Excuse Me” bit to get booed. Vickie ripped on Thunder for thinking she’s a Texan. Vickie told her to take her green card and do a backstroke back to Mexico. Thunder said she had her citizenship in the state of Texas. Nyla Rose, who is Vickie’s buddy, attacked Thunder from behind. Rose ran over Thunder and knocked her down on the stage. Rose stood tall.

Analysis: That was so rushed and Rosa barely got to say anything. Awful segment really. She’s a fake Texan? It’s lame. I guess Rosa will beat Nyla soon. AEW books way too many interviews where the person is interrupted right away. It happens far too often.

(Commercial)

The Dark Order’s John Silver and Alex Reynolds are somehow the #1 ranked tag team that is 5-1 in 2022. I don’t remember watching their wins, but I guess they do well on Youtube. Is it really a main event act? I don’t think so. Anyway, the real main eventer was here as the Jericho Appreciation Society’s Chris Jericho made his entrance with Daniel Garcia along with their buddies in the group. The former 2.0 guys are Matt Minard and Angelo Parker along with Jake Hager. The fan sang along with the “Fozzy” song as usual. Minard did a promo saying there should be no singing, no Judas and no nothing while saying that the crowd should appreciate Jericho letting them sing that song.

Chris Jericho & Daniel Garcia vs. John Silver & Alex Reynolds

Silver with a shoulder tackle and a body slam along with his own “come on, baby” cocky pin like Jericho used to do. Silver with an armdrag. Reynolds tagged in with a double drop toe hold and a double dropkick. JR was confused about who is legal while ripping on the bad refereeing, but that’s AEW, Jim. Silver left the ring as the illegal man, he kicked Jericho and Reynolds hit a suicide dive while Silver hit a suplex on the floor. Reynolds lifted up Garcia into an uppercut from Silver. Jericho kicked the steps, then book a bump and the referee Aubrey Edwards thought that Alan Angels & Ten did it, so she ejected them from ringside. I think Silver was in the ring for about a full minute after he tagged out. Anyway, they went to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

The heels were working over Reynolds with Jericho hitting a forearm to knock him down. Jericho wanted a Lionsault, Reynolds moved and Jericho hit the mat. Silver with two clotheslines, a flapjack on Jericho and he tossed Garcia out of the ring. Jericho went for a springboard move, Silver kicked him. Silver hit a dive on Garcia, a forearm on Minard, a kick on Parker and Silver even took down Hager with a hurricanrana. Silver went up top and jumped onto Jericho with a cross body block for two. Silver with kicks to the body, then turned around and back to Jericho, who was ready with a Codebreaker for a two count. Garcia tagged in with chops, Silver managed to send Jericho over the top to the floor. Reynolds got the blind tag, Stunner, German Suplex and a flipping pin attempt by Reynolds for two. Silver knocked Hager, Minard and Parker off the apron. When Silver went after Hager again, Hager caught him and hit a powerslam. Reynolds hit a knee lift on Garcia. Reynolds bounced off the ropes, Jericho hit him in the back with a baseball bat (the referee never saw it) and Garcia applied a Scorpion Death Lock submission with Reynolds tapping out. It went about 10 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Chris Jericho & Daniel Garcia

Analysis: ***1/4 A solid tag team match here. It didn’t feel like a big main event at all due to the lack of a story and it was just a random match put together. However, they had some fun moments like Silver’s flurry of offense taking out all of the JSA guys outside the ring leading to a nearfall. Jericho looked like the smartest wrestler again by cheating to help his team win. The Dark Order guys aren’t main eventers to me. They might be to others, but when you rarely wrestle on TV, it’s just strange to put them in the main event.

Jericho and the crew celebrated the win. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: I assume they bring Kingston, Santana & Ortiz back next week to get revenge.


Three Stars of the Show

  1. CM Punk
  2. MJF
  3. Dax Harwood

The Scoreboard

This Week: 7.5 out of 10

Last Week: 8

Final Thoughts

It was the usual very good episode of Dynamite although I’m going a bit below what I rated it last week. There was some good wrestling, especially with the Punk/Harwood opener that was my favorite part of the show. The Jeff Hardy ladder spot was cool while that eight-man tag was wild although very rushed in ten minutes as well. I liked seeing Moxley/Danielson kick ass together again and the Blackpool Combat Club is a great name. A fun match between Cole and Lethal, who have a lot of ROH history together. Cole winning cheap is fine. I didn’t think the Jericho/Garcia vs. Silver/Reynolds match was a strong main event although Silver can be exciting when he goes on a flurry of offense. They usually have more meaningful main events, but in this case, it was just a way to get Jericho’s group more attention.

In terms of promos, MJF’s promo was one of the better parts of the show for sure. When Wardlow finally has a match with MJF for his freedom, the crowd is going to be absolutely on fire for it. What AEW is really good at when it comes to that is they won’t rush it. They take their time. Then there was the Thunder Rosa/Vickie Guerrero thing that was awful and felt so rushed. Bad way to start Rosa’s title reign.

I enjoyed the show for the most part.

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

John Canton

Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter: @johnreport