The John Report: AEW Dynamite 04/19/23 Review
This week’s AEW Dynamite featured Jamie Hayter & Britt Baker teaming up against Ruby Soho & Toni Storm, Hobbs defends the TNT Title against Wardlow and more.
This was AEW Dynamite episode #185 at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Check out the AEW PPV listing archive only on TJRWrestling as well. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
It’s Wednesday night and you know what that means. Excalibur, Taz and Tony Schiavone were on commentary.
Let’s Hear from AEW World Title Contenders
It started off with “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry getting a big ovation for a show opening promo. Sammy Guevara was out next before Jack could say a word. Before Sammy could speak, Darby Allin’s music hit as Darby made his entrance to a huge pop from the crowd.
The three guys were in the ring. Darby said that out of all the pillars, he has known Sammy the longest, but he likes him the most. Allin said that Sting and himself respect eachother while Allin said that Sammy is being held back by Chris Jericho. Allin spoke to Jack saying he had to work less hard to get there because he was handpicked as part of the California Clique. Allin said when Jack got hired, Allin was still sleeping in his career. Allin said nothing about Jack intimidates Allin and Allin said “nothing” a few times.
Jack spoke about how he always sees a bunch of little kids with that Darby paint on their faces. Jack said oh boy if they knew what Allin was like. Jack said that Allin is antisocial, unfriendly and rude. Jack said that this wasn’t even Allin’s first choice and that Allin was only there because he didn’t make it as a skateboarder.
Jack talked to Sammy about how he was a dirtbag. Jack said that out of Darby and MJF, Jack actually respects Sammy the most. Jack said that with Sammy, what you see is what you get. Jack respects Sammy for putting his body, his life and his future on the life and he respects that. Jack said that Sammy is still a “scumbag piece of s**t.” That got muted at least here in Canada on TSN.
Sammy was next saying that Jack is just like MJF as the golden children of AEW. Sammy said that at the first Double or Nothing 2019, Darby didn’t work there, Sammy was on the pre-show and Jack was in the ring with MJF and Bret Hart. Sammy mentioned that Darby and himself weren’t on the last PPV, but Jack and MJF were. Sammy said that himself and Darby will do whatever crazy thing they have to do to make it and they did. Sammy thanked Darby for giving Sammy hope and Sammy said that Darby was the first pillar to win a championship here. Sammy said that Darby showed that you can break a glass ceiling that they want to put on us. Sammy mentioned being TNT Champion three times. Sammy said there’s been this never-ending competition with Sammy and Darby, but now Darby has to sit back and watch Sammy win the World Championship.
Jack Perry said that the spoiler alert is that he is the next AEW World Champion. Jack said he’ll do it for every person that has supported him since day one.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman, the AEW World Champion, made his entrance on the stage. MJF was booed by the crowd. MJF said he didn’t care about Pittsburgh and trashed them for thinking that Britt Baker is talented. MJF told the “ladies” to stop fighting over him. MJF said that he had a conversation with his good friend Tony Khan and he had an idea. MJF said there will be a Pillars tournament and the winner gets to face him for the AEW World Title at Double or Nothing. MJF said that one of them will get a bye in round one. A guy walked out with a hat and names on it with MJF reading Darby Allin’s name. MJF said that means in round one it will be Sammy Guevara facing Jack Perry and MJF said that it’s happening tonight. MJF said that “good luck beating the shit out of eachother” because they both suck. MJF called for his music and he left. Sammy and Jack had a staredown to end it.
Analysis: We know AEW loves tournaments, so instead of simply doing a triple threat match for an AEW World Title shot, they are doing a mini “Pillars tournament” to determine a title contender. A triple threat match to determine the title challenger would have worked fine too, but they have over one month until Double or Nothing, so you might as well stretch it out a bit. They also could have done a 4-way match at Double or Nothing, but I guess they want to go with a singles match, which is fine with me. Anyway, I thought Sammy, Jack and Darby did a great job with their promos laying out what makes them worthy of being title contenders and giving it a personal feel as well. With all of that said, I doubt MJF loses the AEW World Title to any of these guys.
(Commercial)
A graphic let us know that the winner of Jack Perry-Sammy Guevara this week faces Darby Allin next week. The winner of that faces MJF at Double or Nothing for the AEW World Title.
The Outcasts trio of Toni Storm, Ruby Soho & Saraya made their entrance. They argued with Britt Baker’s parents at ringside. Saraya even tried to put some spray paint on Britt’s mom. The AEW World Champion Jamie Hayter is 6-0 in 2023. Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. got a big pop in her hometown of Pittsburgh. Storm and Soho attacked Hayter outside the ring before the bell.
Jamie Hayter & Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. vs. The Outcasts – Ruby Soho & Toni Storm (w/Saraya)
Hayter was dominant early on with shoulder tackles, corner attacks with clotheslines and Hayter hit a double suplex on both opponents. Saraya grabbed Hayter’s foot, the referee saw it and did nothing because…AEW? Anyway, Hayter was fighting off the heels on the floor. Hayter ran the ropes, but Storm hit a forearm to the head to stop an attack. Ruby with a superkick on Hayter and Storm did a hip attack knocking Hayter down. Baker went for a move on the floor, but Storm kicked Baker and Ruby did an STO trip on the floor.
(Commercial)
The match returned with Hayter slamming Storm down and Baker tagging in with clotheslines, then a Slingblade neckbreaker on Storm and a neckbreaker on Storm on the apron. Baker sent Storm into the turnbuckle. Baker put her black glove on, knocked Ruby off the apron, German Suplex by Storm and Baker hit an Air Raid Crash slam for two. Hayter knocked Ruby out of the ring. Hayter was in the ring for about one minute doing double team moves with Baker with the referee doing nothing about it. Ruby broke up a pin attempt by tackling Hayter onto the pile. The heels cheated with Saraya hitting Baker with a title belt and Storm hit a Storm Zero for a two count. Storm sent Hayter into the steel steps and dropkicked Hayter’s right arm into the steel steps. Baker slammed Ruby off the turnbuckle with a front suplex. Baker knocked Storm down and Baker hit a Panama Sunrise on Ruby for two. Baker hit a Stomp on Ruby for two. Baker applied the Lockjaw submission on Ruby, who tapped out. It went about ten minutes.
Winners by submission: Jamie Hayter & Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D.
Analysis: ***1/4 This was a really good match even with all of the ignoring of tag team rules that continue to plague tag team matches in this company. Hayter worked the first half, so Baker tagged in and cleaned house to get the win in her hometown. Hayter selling the arm injury was a key thing to remember for later in the show. I think The Outcasts losing does hurt them a bit, but I’m fine with Britt winning in her hometown.
Post match, Baker quickly left the ring while the trainer was helping Hayter to the back.
Wardlow was interviewed by Renee Paquette saying he reached out to a Horseman to even out the odds tonight. Arn Anderson walked up recapping this long story. Anderson said that Tully Blanchard was a good checkers player, but tonight they are going to start playing chess.
Let’s Hear from The Elite
The Elite trio of Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) made their entrance. Matt had a big brace on his left arm for his partially torn biceps muscle. Omega said that the Blackpool Combat Club are respected, but then they sent his friends to the hospital and his uncle (Don Callis) to the hospital. Omega said that he wanted to plunge a screwdriver into Jon Moxley’s face. Omega said that the purpose of them being out there is that he wants the Blackpool Combat Club to come out there and squash the beef.
Bryan Danielson appeared in the backstage area saying that they are bunch of amateurs for saying they don’t have much to say. That led to Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta attacking The Elite from behind. The Elite fought back with Nick hitting a dive on Claudio and a superkick. Both Young Bucks superkicked Claudio over the barricade. Moxley was fighting with Omega into the crowd while Matt was hitting Yuta with multiple Northern Lights Suplexes. Omega hit Yuta in the ribs with a chair. Moxley choked out Omega, but then Omega sent Moxley into the barricade. Yuta used a title belt to hit Matt in the injured left arm, so Nick jumped back into the ring to try to save his brother. Claudio hit a massive Powerbomb on Nick. Omega suplexed Yuta. Moxley was back with a Death Rider slam on Moxley. Danielson walked out with the microphone saying they were nothing but a bunch of amateurs. Bryan said he thought Omega would be a professional, but maybe he is not. Don Callis ran out with a steel chair, Bryan called him out and Don ran to the back.
Bryan got into ring saying that Kenny had the most potential of anybody, but Kenny would rather sit in the lobby of his own potential. Bryan had a screwdriver in his jacket. Konosuke Takeshita arrived with Don Callis. Takeshita was kicking ass with moves on Yuta, Claudio and Moxley. Takeshita with a knee on Yuta, then Omega with a V-Trigger on Yuta. Takeshita and Omega hit a double team clothesline on Moxley to knock him out of the ring. The Elite and Takeshita celebrated in the ring while the BCC left.
Analysis: It was good. I liked it. That was a long brawl with nobody even attempting to try to break it up, but that’s what AEW does sometimes. The babyfaces saying they wanted to fight and then holding their own is a good way to book it. I really like AEW putting Konosuke Takeshita in that spot helping The Elite against the Blackpool Combat Club. I have been saying they need to use Takeshita more and I like this for him. That guy is great and deserves a big spot. Obviously, “Hangman” Adam Page would have been an obvious choice in that spot too, but they went with the Takeshita save instead. They are probably building to an Anarchy in the Arena match at Double or Nothing and then it can lead to a Blood & Guts Match as well. I liked how this was done.
The TNT Title match was next.
(Commercial)
Wardlow was up first with Arn Anderson. They showed clips of their history with the worked car break-in story leading to Powerhouse Hobbs aligning with QT Marshall to become the TNT Champion when they had a match. Hobbs had Marshall and the lovely Harley Cameron with him.
TNT Championship: Powerhouse Hobbs (w/QT Marshall & Harley Cameron) vs. Wardlow (w/Arn Anderson)
Hobbs hit three belly to belly suplexes early in the match. Wardlow left the ring with Hobbs and Wardlow clotheslines Hobbs over the barricade. Wardlow was in control in the crowd as they kept fighting with the referee following them. Wardlow slammed Hobbs on the floor. They went to a picture-in-picture break.
(Commercial)
Hobbs was looking for a superplex, Wardlow shoved him down and Wardlow hit a Swanton Bomb off the top. Wardlow and Hobbs exchanged clotheslines, then Hobbs delivered more clotheslines, but Wardlow managed to come back with a running clothesline. Wardlow with two German Suplexes. Hobbs went for a lift, but Wardlow blocked it, Wardlow with a headbutt and a wind-up clothesline. Cameron was on the apron to distract and she’s easy on the eyes, so Arn checked her out too. Marshall hit a Diamond Cutter on Wardlow and Hobbs hit a spinebuster for two. Marshall got into the ring so Arn simulated pulling a gun on him and Marshall ran away. Penta showed up to superkick Marshall back into the ring. Arn hit a DDT on Marshall to end that. Hobbs got a rollup on Wardlow for two. Wardlow hit a Powerbomb on Hobbs followed by a second Powerbomb. Wardlow hit a third Powerbomb on Hobbs for the pinfall win to become the TNT Champion for the third time. It went ten minutes.
Winner by pinfall AND NEW TNT Champion: Wardlow
Analysis: *** A good match that was yet another TNT Championship change. I thought a title change was possible, but also hopeful that Hobbs would get a lengthy title reign. I think AEW has shown a willingness to book short title reigns with this title and even Wardlow has experienced that since he’s a three-time TNT Champion now. I liked the Arn Anderson spot with Marshall as well because Arn’s presence helped Wardlow overcome the cheating opponent to get the win.
Wardlow was handed the TNT Championship in the ring as Christian Cage arrived with Luchasaurus in a red/black mask. Wardlow had a staredown with Luchasaurus from a distance. Christian was smirking about it.
Sammy Guevara was about to be interviewed by Renee Paquette when MJF interrupted. MJF said that he was offering Sammy a guaranteed spot in the main event of Double or Nothing. MJF said all he has to do is lay down. Sammy said that he’s going to beat Jack, Darby and then MJF to become the AEW World Title. MJF told Sammy to name his price for some deal, so Sammy wrote some price on a check and MJF reluctantly agreed to it. Anyway, MJF wanted a handshake, but Sammy said friends don’t shake hands, they hugged, so Sammy hugged MJF.
Jay White (w/Juice Robinson) vs. Komander
This was White’s first match signing with AEW. I missed the first few minutes. They did this springboard spot out of the turnbuckle, Komander jumped the ropes a few times and jumped off the ropes leading to a hurricanrana that sent White out of the ring. Komander kicked White off the apron to the floor. Komander jumped off with a moonsault to the floor, White avoided that and White suplexed Komander face first onto the apron. They went to a PIP break.
(Commercial)
White was in control with strikes as they showed Shawn Spears watching from ringside. Komander hooked White’s arms leading to a crucifix pin attempt for two. White hit a running clothesline. White was on the turnbuckle, Komander with a jumping kick and White did an eye gouge to the eye under the mask. Komander kicked White out of the ring. Komander walked the ropes, White back in, Komander with a superkick out of the ring and Komander went up top again. Komander ran across the ropes, then jumped off the top and hit an impressive moonsault onto White on the floor. Spears held up a “10” sign. Back in the ring, Komander hit did a rope walk into the Shooting Star Press for two. Komander hit a springboard Phoenix Splash for two. Komander went for another move off the top, White avoided it and White hit a cutthroat suplex. White hit the Bladerunner neckbreaker for the pinfall after 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Jay White
Analysis: ***1/2 That was a fun match. Komander is very talented and can do a lot of cool moves off the ropes. He makes it look easy. Maybe throwing some more strikes would help, but for the most part I like him. White winning was the obvious result since he just signed with AEW recently, so of course he’s going to win a match like this. I would have had White win more decisively because he was selling for a lot of the match and I think AEW wants White to be a big deal, but it wasn’t a bad thing necessarily to have Komander look impressive. I’m just saying I would have had White look even stronger.
Jay White celebrated the win while Shawn Spears held up a “5” sign. Juice Robinson brought Spears over the barricade and they were fighting. White and Juice fought with Spears into the ring. Ricky Starks ran into the ring with a Spear on Juice while White ran away.
Analysis: That should set up a tag team match with Starks & Spears against White & Juice. That can also lead to Starks vs. White in a singles match.
As for Komander, he is now signed to an AEW contract. Now it makes sense why he got so much offense. Good for him and bad for the 50 wrestlers that get flown every week to sit in catering during Dynamite.
He's one of the most incredible athletes in wrestling, and after his great effort tonight on #AEWDynamite, now it's official:@KomandercrMX is ALL ELITE! pic.twitter.com/r23EAtfF4E
— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) April 20, 2023
FTR was about to be interviewed by Renee Paquette, who told FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) that Mark Briscoe was attacked. There was a video shown of Mark getting attacked. FTR went into the trainer’s room to check on Mark while Jay Lethal, Jeff Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh were there. The trainer told Mark he couldn’t fight in his condition, so Mark said he wanted Jeff & Jay to work with FTR against whoever attacked Mark earlier. FTR reluctantly agreed to do it.
Chris Jericho made his entrance for his promo segment with Adam Cole after a break.
(Commercial)
It’s all about the boom because here comes Adam Cole…bay bay. Cole has dated Pittsburgh’s own Britt Baker for many years, so I guess this crowd likes him even more. They showed some of Cole’s family at ringside including Cole’s mom. Cole got into the ring with Jericho.
Chris Jericho Talks To Adam Cole
Jericho said it sounds like the crowd loves Cole. Cole said that anybody that has followed him knows how much of an influence Jericho has been on him and even his catchphrase is from Jericho. The “baby” thing is definitely a Jericho thing since Jericho always did the one foot cocky pin while shouting “Come on, baby” during matches. Cole said it’s pretty damn cool to be in the ring with Jericho and Cole said he has a ton of respect for Jericho. When Chris extended his hand, Cole shook it.
Jericho: “Adam Cole, bay bay.” Jericho said that he appreciates what he just said. Jericho said that he has absolutely zero respect for Cole and said that Cole is an arrogant son of a bitch. Jericho complained about Cole interrupting Jericho’s celebration to give Keith Lee a handshake and said it’s unacceptable. Jericho said that Cole is lucky that Jericho doesn’t slap him in the face right now.
Cole said Jericho has been a real jag-off lately. Cole wondered how hypocritical Jericho can be. Cole wondered when was the last time Jericho looked himself in the mirror at the real Chris Jericho. Cole wondered if the real Jericho is a guy that let’s the JAS do his work for him or if he’s really one of the best of all time. Cole said that Jericho is a fickle, insecure “stupid idiot” so that led to a “stupid idiot” chant. Cole said that if you want Cole’s attention you’ve got it, so now what? Cole got right in Jericho’s face.
Jericho said he is not a “jag-off” leading to the fans chanting that. Jericho said that Cole doesn’t impress him. Jericho said that Cole doesn’t want to meet Jericho, know him and want anything to do with him. Jericho told Cole if he’s smart he’ll get out of this ring that Jericho built right here and right now. Jericho shoved Cole, so Cole fired back with punches and Cole stomped on Jericho. Daniel Garcia showed up to attack Cole from behind and Jericho/Garcia double teamed Cole in the corner. Britt Baker ran out there to save her boyfriend Cole. Baker grabbed Jericho and slapped him in the face. The Outcasts showed up with Saraya, Toni Storm & Ruby Soho arrived. They were under the ring apparently. The three women beat up Baker with punches. Garcia handcuffed Cole to the bottom rope while the girls worked over Baker. Jericho had a kendo stick and Jericho teased hitting Cole, but Jericho handed it to Saraya. That led to Saraya hitting Baker repeatedly in the back, but then it was more like in the jeans. I wouldn’t say Saraya hit Baker that hard, but it was the tough that counts. Jericho hugged Saraya. The fans chanted “piece of shit” at Jericho. That led to the JAS and The Outcasts leaving. Cole was saying sorry to Britt, who was down selling.
Analysis: A clever attack by the heels following an entertaining promo exchange by Cole and Jericho. I like how Cole showed respect to Jericho early, but then Jericho fired back in heel mode and trashed Cole immediately. It was yet another angle on this show with nobody even attempting to break it up or stop it. Shouldn’t referees try to break it up or security? I mean it just kept going and going. The kendo stick shots by Saraya were gentle as I said. So where was Jamie Hayter? She is the best friend of Baker apparently, yet there was no sign of Hayter anywhere. The announcers didn’t ask it either. I assume they can say that Hayter was hurt earlier since the doctor was helping her backstage, but the announcers didn’t push that story at all. Apparently, Cole has no other friends. Anyway, it worked in terms of getting heat especially with Baker getting beat up in her hometown in front of her family while Cole’s mom was also shown there. It certainly builds a lot of heat for the Jericho-Cole story and The Outcasts against Baker too.
Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, Isiah Kassidy & Hook were part of a backstage promo with Matt saying the Deletion match is coming soon. Jeff said that he’ll address the AEW crowd on Rampage.
The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) & Billy Gunn vs. Jericho Appreciation Society – Matt Menard, Angelo Parker & Jake Hager
Max did a good pre-match rap even working in Bud Light stock dropping, a Draymond Green stomp reference and mentioned the terrible towel for the Steelers fans in Pittsburgh. Caster hit a body slam while Bowens tagged in and hit Scissor Me Timbers leg drop to the groin…or to the leg, I guess. They went to a picture-in-picture break.
(Commercial)
Gunn got the tag as the match returned. Gunn was going nuts with clotheslines, Hager avoided a clothesline and Hager hit a double leg pickup into a slam for two. Bowens tagged in against Menard with Bowens hitting strikes and a superkick. Parker had some object in his right hand (the loaded comb) that he hit Bowens with, but Bowens kicked out of Menard’s pin attempt. Parker punched Hager with the comb by accident. Gunn broke the comb and Bowens hit Parker with a rolling elbow. Bowens hit The Arrival slam and Caster hit the Mic Drop elbow off the top for the pinfall after seven minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) & Billy Gunn
Analysis: ** It was passable for the time given although only about half of the match was shown in full screen. If you time the commercial better then you can show the whole match full screen. The story has been lame from the get go while Menard & Parker rarely win matches on TV (neither does Hager), so you know what the result was going to be here. The Acclaimed went from being so popular as Tag Team Champions and they have fallen in the last few months to a boring feud like this.
This Saturday on Rampage instead of Friday. It was taped after Dynamite:
* AAA Mega Championship: El Hijo Del Vikingo vs. Dralistico
* Jay Lethal, Jeff Jarrett & FTR vs. Varsity Athletes & Slim J
* We will hear from The Hardys, Hook & Isiah Kassidy
* Kiera Hogan vs. Julia Hart
* We will hear from TBS Champion Jade Cargill probably telling us to cut the shit
* Jon Moxley vs. Christopher Daniels
Next Wednesday on AEW Dynamite:
* TBS Championship: Jade Cargill vs. Taya Valkyrie
* Darby Allin faces the Winner of Jack Perry vs. Sammy Guevara Match that is up next.
Sammy Guevara made his entrance with a good luck kiss from his wife Tay Melo, who went to the back.
(Commercial)
“Jungle Boy” Jack Perry was next as the opponent with an 8-0 record in 2023.
Sammy Guevara vs. “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry
The winner of this match faces Darby Allin next week and the winner of that match faces MJF for the AEW World Title at Double or Nothing.
Jack knocked Sammy out of the ring, Jack hit a suicide dive and Sammy came back with a somersault dive over the top to the floor. Jack jumped off the ropes and hit a hurricanrana onto Sammy on the floor. Jack went up top, so Sammy hit a Spanish Fly off the top. They finally decided to sell some moves for a few moments after that. MJF was watching on a TV backstage and Darby Allin was watching from the rafters like “Uncle” Sting used to do. They battled on the apron with Jack hitting a loud superkick with leg slap and Sammy hit a knee strike to stop Jack’s diving attack. Sammy hit a Spanish Fly slam off the apron onto the floor.
(Commercial)
Sammy was in control while MJF was shown watching the TV saying “that’s my friend.” Jack came back with a comeback lariat. Jack hit a jumping kick as they battled on the apron again. Jack gave Sammy a Powerbomb onto the ring apron. Jack jumped off the top with a Destroyer onto a standing Sammy for a two count. Ouch. Jack did it in a safe way, but that is a tough move to do from that spot. Jack went up top, Sammy kicked the rope to knock him down and Sammy went for an SSP, but Jack moved. Sammy came back with a Cutter off the top. Sammy lifted Jack up and hit an Implant DDT for a two count. That’s a nasty bump, but I think Jack landed on his forearms to protect his head. Sammy went for the GTH, Jack countered it and hit a reverse hurricanrana. Sammy hit a Poison Rana, then Jack landed on his feet, grabbed his head a bit and hit a clothesline to the back of the head. Both guys were down on the mat actually selling as the referee counted them down until they got to their knees to throw strikes. They hit eachother with some slaps and forearms, Jack with a kick and Jack caught Sammy in a Snare Trap submission, but Sammy got to the ropes. Jack went to the turnbuckle, Sammy hit a running dropkick and Jack bumped off the top rope onto the commentary table with Jack’s head hitting the table…or at least that was the idea. The referee rarely counts in AEW, but they did here as Jack tried to get back in before ten. Sammy grabbed the referee Bryce Remsburg, turned him around and MJF showed up to punch Jack in the head with the Dynamite Diamond Ring. The referee never saw it, so Sammy told Bryce to restart the count, so then the referee counted two more times and it was a countout loss for Jack. It went about 12 minutes.
Winner by countout: Sammy Guevara
Analysis: ***1/2 A great match with a lot of big moves, but not as much selling as I would like to see in a match like that. I like these guys a lot, but it would be nice if they sold moves more to make them mean something instead of getting right back up to hit more moves. I get that you want to be a highlight reel wrestler that hits a bunch of cool moves. But what’s wrong with selling? That’s how you tell a story in the match. A rare countout finish in AEW fits the story since MJF did the cheap attack. However, the referees are very inconsistent with countouts in general, so that’s something I wish they could improve. I also want to point Jack taking a lot of head/neck bumps looked pretty scary even with the announcers talking about it. It’s going to led to some serious injury if you keep taking bumps like that. Sammy and Jack are both great athletes that can do a lot of moves. I just think if they slowed down and actually sold the big moves then it could be a better match.
After the match, MJF went into the ring to celebrate with his “buddy” Sammy. MJF put Sammy on his shoulders to celebrate. MJF and Sammy were bowing down to eachother. The graphic reminded us that Sammy Guevara faces Darby Allin next week on Dynamite for a shot at the AEW World Title at Double or Nothing. MJF celebrated with the AEW World Title while Sammy was wearing MJF’s scarf. End show.
Analysis: I will go with Darby Allin beating Sammy next week on Dynamite. That means it will be MJF vs. Allin at Double or Nothing next month.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Sammy Guevara/Jack Perry
- Jay White/Komander
- Britt Baker & Jamie Hayter
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The Scoreboard
This Week: 7.5 out of 10
Last Week: 7.25
2023 Average: 7.48
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Final Thoughts
A good show that was close to being great. I liked the Jack Perry-Sammy Guevara match in the main event although Jack took a ridiculous amount of head/neck bumps. Somebody is going to get seriously hurt taking bumps like that so often. It was smart how it was set up to open the show with Darby Allin & MJF also involved. It is so rare for AEW to use an opening promo segment to set up a main event match, but that’s what they did this week. I know it’s a WWE move that we have seen for decades. I’m just pointing it out because I mentioned this as something they should do because if you advertise every match and segment before the show, it’s fine. However, if you are spontaneous about a match or segment, that makes the show more interesting.
The non-wrestling segments were better than we get during some weeks of AEW Dynamite. I liked how Konosuke Takeshita is siding with The Elite against the Blackpool Combat Club since Don Callis has been recruiting Takeshita for several months, so there’s the payoff to that story. Takeshita deserves a big role because of how talented he is. That angle progressed really well. Chris Jericho’s story with Adam Cole was furthered with The Outcasts group beating up Cole’s girlfriend Britt Baker while Cole was handcuffed to the bottom rope. Jamie Hayter was selling an injury earlier in the show, so there was no save for Britt.
There was yet another TNT Title change with Wardlow beating Powerhouse Hobbs for the title. I thought Hobbs would have a longer title reign. In this case, Wardlow won because Arn Anderson watched his back and prevented Hobbs’ buddies from helping him win. Some of AEW’s titles have really long title changes, but with the TNT Title, it gets passed around a lot and now it’s back with Wardlow for a third time. Anyway, it was an enjoyable show with a mix of good matches and story progression.
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Thanks for reading. Go 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