The John Report: AEW Dynamite 06/18/21 Review
Welcome to the AEW Dynamite review here on TJRWrestling. It was another Friday show since AEW Dynamite was pre-empted on Wednesday because of the NBA Playoffs. This week’s show was taped two weeks ago. Their next live show is next week on Saturday, June 26, then Wednesday, June 30 is the last Dynamite show in Jacksonville and they’re hitting the road in July.
The format I will use for this review is to summarize the matches without doing play by play and then putting in my analysis after. I’ve had a very busy week with another PPV to preview/review this weekend, so I’m trying to cut back a bit by doing summaries instead of play by play of every move.
This is AEW Dynamite from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, FL. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Here’s my AEW Dynamite TV review archive. Let’s get to it.
The announce team was Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone and Excalibur as usual. There were the wrestlers and paid AEW people surrounding the ring. No fans. There was clearly a lot of fake crowd noise being used. Taz joined the announcers for the first match.
Cage Fight: Wardlow (w/Shawn Spears) vs. Jake Hager (w/Chris Jericho)
They had an octagon ring surrounded by a cage. That’s why they did this on a taped show so they can take their time taking apart the cage and setting up the ring. On a live show, that would be tough to do. Hager was wrestling in trunks while Wardlow was in a singlet.
They tried to present this like a UFC fight with three rounds that are five minutes each. There was barely anything in the first two minutes other than a jab by Hager along with a punch to the ribs. Wardlow powered out of a double leg takedown attempt and then Hager did a double leg takedown. Wardlow got some offense after a takedown. They threw worked punches that didn’t really connect. Wardlow jumped off the cage with a punch. The first round ended with Wardlow in control. In a real MMA fight, they would have actual coaches instead of their wrestler friends with them.
The second round saw Wardlow remaining in control with some worked punches. Swagger transitioned to a worked Ankle Lock that we have seen in pro wrestling for over 20 years. Wardlow gave Hager a Powerbomb, a hurricanrana (lol what) and a Spear. Hager applied a headlock triangle submission and Wardlow fought out of it. Hager hit a uranage (like a Rock Bottom) into the headlock triangle submission. Wardlow did a middle finger towards Jericho and then Wardlow passed out, so Hager won with 0:48 left in the second round. The whole thing went 9:12.
Winner by referee stoppage: Jake Hager
Analysis: I’m not going to rate it like a wrestling match. Some of it was fine for a worked MMA fight. I’m not used to watching worked MMA fights, so it’s hard to compare it to a real MMA fight. I thought it was comical doing wrestling moves like a headscissors in the match, but it was a way to get the crowd to react. Hager got the win after Wardlow did some pro wrestling moves. It made sense for Hager to win since he’s a legitimate MMA fighter, so they might as well have him win.
The announcers talked about it with Excalibur saying they each have a victory against eachother, so Excalibur wants to see another match.
Shawn Spears attacked Jake Hager from behind. Chris Jericho tried to save his buddy and then MJF showed up to go after Jericho. MJF took off the brace on Jericho’s left arm and MJF applied the Salt of the Earth armbar on Jericho, who was tapping out. Dean Malenko pulled MJF off. MJF punched Malenko, which led to JR calling MJF a “son of a bitch” for hitting a 60-year-old man. There were boos as the announcers talked about Malenko has had health issues. Sammy Guevara made the save for his Inner Circle and you can tell they had Tony Schiavone overdub the others on commentary to show a lot of enthusiasm. Sammy was on fire going after The Pinnacle guys, but then The Pinnacle ran away like the heels that they are.
Analysis: Good post match segment with MJF getting some cheap heat as usual by attacking a former wrestler like Malenko. It worked in terms of getting heat while also putting Sammy in a position to be a babyface hero.
There was a backstage promo by Eddie Kingston, Penta and Frankie Kazarian talking about the three opponents in the main event.
(Commercial)
There was a backstage scene with Team Taz standing by with Taz telling Ricky Starks that he has to fix his issues with Brian Cage. Powerhouse Hobbs wasn’t happy about being left alone. Taz challenged Hangman Page vs. Powerhouse Hobbs on next week’s Dynamite.
Ethan Page & Scorpio Sky vs. Darby Allin
Darby Allin is 12-1 in 2021 with that loss being the TNT Title loss against Miro. Allin was fighting off both guys by himself for about a minute until the numbers game led to the heels getting some offense. Page took control with a huge shoulder tackle that led to Allin doing a big bump. Page tossed Allin hard into the turnbuckle.
(Commercial)
The heels were still in control with Page and Sky each hitting backbreakers – they did four in a row. Allin got an inside cradle. Wow, they really cranked up the fake crowd noise on that nearfall. Allin countered a Page move into a Scorpion Death Drop (reverse DDT). Allin did the comeback with some of his moves and then Page slammed Allin down again. Allin tied Page’s feet together with zip-ties, so then Darby was on fire against Sky with a bunch of moves including a Stunner. Allin hit a Coffin Drop off the ropes on Sky, but Page broke up the pin. Page found a toolbox and cut the zip-ties so he was free. Page whipped Allin into the ring post with Darby taking a crazy bump. Back in the ring, Darby did some finger biting and Sky saved his partner. Page hit the Ego’s Edge (like a Razor’s Edge) for the pinfall win at 12:01.
Winners by pinfall: Ethan Page & Scorpio Sky
Analysis: *** This was good with Darby putting up a fight as expected. A rare loss for Darby Allin, who is one of the strongest booked guys in AEW. This loss only happened because it was a handicap match. I don’t know if this is a good way to get Page/Sky more credibility as a team because it wasn’t a regular tag team match. I hope that Page/Sky can get some regular tag team wins soon.
There was another plug for matches still to come.
(Commercial)
Orange Cassidy (w/Trent, Chuck Taylor & Kris Statlander) vs. Cezar Bononi (w/Peter Avalon, JD Drake & Ryan Nemeth)
Cassidy’s part of the Best Friends group and Bononi is part of the Wing Men jobber group. Six people at ringside because it’s AEW, land of the stables. Cassidy was sent out of the ring where the jobbers sprayed spray tanner on him. Thrilling. Bononi sent Cassidy out of the ring, so the jobbers on the floor put a jacket on Cassidy and combed his hair. Cassidy managed to send Bononi out of the ring and then his diving attempt failed. The babyfaces went into the ring and launched Cassidy over the top onto the heels standing there. Cassidy hit the Stundog Millionaire and a Tornado DDT. The ringside people got knocked down as well. Cassidy with the Orange Punch on Bononi for the pinfall win after about four minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Orange Cassidy
Analysis: *1/4 I feel bad for the agent having to put the match together with eight people involved in such a short match. There was so much goofy shit happening. I understand it might make some fans laugh, but it’s not that entertaining to me. Just my take. Anyway, easy win for Cassidy.
Jungle Boy was about to be interviewed by Alex Marvez, but AEW World Champion Kenny Omega showed up on a golf cart with Don Callis and Michael Nakazawa. Omega didn’t like Jungle Boy embarrassing him last week. Omega wanted to fight right there. Jungle Boy said he’d rather beat him next week in the ring for the championship. Omega gave him a free punch opportunity, but then Nakazawa hit Boy in the back with a laptop. Omega beat up Boy punches, then Nakazawa saved Kenny when Boy got some offense. Omega left with Callis.
Analysis: That was silly, but it was effective enough I guess.
Next week: Kenny Omega defends the AEW World Title against Boy next Saturday, July 26 at 8pm ET. It’s a live show.
(Commercial)
Matt Hardy and his stable was standing backstage. Matt talked about how Christian Cage was retired for seven years, but if he keeps coming or Matt, then Matt’s going to take care of him. Matt’s trapped Christian behind…a cage. Matt told him to retire and handed him a check, but Christian refused. Matt left.
Cody Rhodes & Brock Anderson (w/Arn Anderson) vs. QT Marshall & Aaron Solow (w/Nick Comoroto)
Congratulations to Cody Rhodes and his wife Brandi on the birth of their daughter Liberty earlier this week. This was taped a few weeks earlier. This is Brock’s debut match and he is Arn Anderson’s son. Marshall’s group is called The Factory.
Brock started with Solow with Brock getting an armdrag into a stomp on the arm. Cody was on fire with a suicide dive, but then Solow stomped on Cody’s back. Brock hit repeated shoulder tackles on Marshall and a back body drop. Brock hit a gutwrench suplex on Solow, but then Marshall hit a spinebuster (Arn’s most famous move) for a two count.
(Commercial)
The heels were still in control of Brock as the face in peril. They did a classic spot where the referee didn’t see the tag, so Marshall and Solow did a double team neckbreaker on Brock for two. Brock hit a great counter on QT leading to a DDT for Brock. Cody got the hot tag against Solow and was on fire against both opponents. Cody applied a Figure Four Leglock leading to Solow grabbing the bottom rope. Cody hit a Destroyer on Marshall, who wasn’t legal and Solow rolled up Cody for two. Anderson made the save after a pin attempt by Solow. Cody hit a cross body block off the top on Marshall on the ramp and Brock got a jackknife cover on Solow for the pinfall win for his team. It went about 10 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Cody Rhodes & Brock Anderson
Analysis: **3/4 There were some fun moments here. Brock doesn’t have a special look and he doesn’t stand out physically, but he definitely has a good grasp of the basics. I would have liked to see Brock hit a spinebuster like Arn. How long until Brock turns on Cody? I give it three months. Marshall and Solow don’t have much credibility as a team.
Post match, Arn gave his son Brock a big hug as the winner of the match.
There was a promo from Lance Archer and Jake Roberts in some abandoned building. Archer was just walking around going crazy while Roberts spoke. It didn’t last very long.
Andrade El Idolo Interview
Jim Ross talked to Andrade earlier in the day. Andrade talked about how there is a lot of talent and many stars in AEW, but Andrade is a superstar. As Andrade spoke in English, the captions were on the screen. Andrade said he deserved an opportunity for the TNT and AEW World Title – he said those are his next step. Andrade said that Vickie understands the business, she’s very smart and they have a great connection. Andrade said that he and Vickie have a surprise. That was it.
Analysis: It was a fine interview for a guy that is still learning English (and I don’t mean JR) with a nice tease at the end. I’m surprised he didn’t say the word “flair” in the interview. Just saying.
(Commercial)
There was a backstage scene with “Hangman” Adam Page hanging with the Dark Order drinking a beer. Alex Marvez asked Page if he’ll face Powerhouse Hobbs next week and he said yeah. Page put over other Dark Order guys during his speech.
Penelope Ford vs. Julia Hart (w/Griff Garrison and Brian Pillman Jr.)
Ford was in control early with a shoulder tackle. Loud boos for her likely piped in. Hart is apparently only 19 years old and Ford hit her with a double stomp.
(Commercial)
They returned from picture in picture with Hart getting two clotheslines. Ford got out of a sunset flip and hit a clothesline. Ford hit a gutbuster into the double knees. Ford missed a moonsault off the top when Hart moved. Hart missed a split legdrop and Ford applied an Indian Deathlock submission for the win after about six minutes.
Winner by submission: Penelope Ford
Analysis: * A dominant win by Ford. They only showed about three minutes when it wasn’t in a break.
Miro showed up as the TNT Champion saying that Kip Sabian is out injured, so Penelope is outnumbered, but Miro is here. Miro decked Garrison with a clothesline and sent Garrison out of the ring. Pillman with a springboard clothesline and then punches while referees broke it up. Miro went after Pillman as referees tried to break it up.
Analysis: That was done to set up a match between Miro and Pillman.
Dr. Britt Baker, the AEW Women’s Champion was with Rebel and they were about to be interviewed by Tony Schiavone. Vickie Guerrero showed up saying that she wants the title around Nyla Rose’s waist. Vickie said that Tony Khan is letting her set up a match since Vickie brought in Andrade El Idolo, so Vickie set up Britt Baker/Rebel vs. Nyla Rose/Vickie next week.
Analysis: That would set up a match as well.
The June 30 Dynamite has Britt Baker/Rebel vs. Nyla Rose/Vickie Guerrero, Miro defending the TNT Title vs. Brian Pillman Jr. and MJF vs. Sammy Guevara in the main event.
The June 26 Dynamite will have AEW World Champion Kenny Omega defending the title against Jungle Boy. Also, Hangman Page vs. Powerhouse Hobbs.
There was a video package about the FTR rivalry with Santana/Ortiz. Both teams had similar stories about having long journeys to get where they are and they think they are the best.
Analysis: What the video failed to mention is that these teams barely wrestle in tag team matches on Dynamite. The last time FTR had a regular 2 on 2 tag team match on Dynamite it was February 17. I don’t know why it’s been so long. They have wrestled several times since then. I miss seeing them in tag team matches. The last time Santana/Ortiz were in a regular 2 on 2 tag team match on Dynamite was also February 17 (thanks Profightdb) when they lost to The Young Bucks. These teams need to be featured more often.
(Commercial)
There was a mention of the huge AEW Dynamite show in New York City on September 22. It’s at Arthur Ashe Stadium. That should be awesome.
Jade Cargill did a promo with lawyer Smart Mark Sterling. They talked about deals for Cargill, who barely wrestles, but gets to do promos about how awesome she is. Cargill reminded us that she is “Dat Bitch.” What amazing dialogue.
The Elite – Matt Jackson, Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows (w/Don Callis & Brandon Cutler) vs. Eddie Kingston, Penta El Zero Miedo & Frankie Kazarian
The Elite “injured” Pac (maybe went home to England during this run of tapings), Rey Fenix (a legit injury) and Jon Moxley (to give him time off to be home for the birth of his daughter this past week) recently. Kingston is Moxley’s friend, Penta is Fenix’s brother and Frankie considers himself the “Elite Hunter” that’s trying to take out The Elite. Don Callis was on commentary.
Kazarian started with Anderson and got a knockdown with a clothesline. Penta and Kingston did some double team moves on Matt with Penta kicking Matt in the face. Matt did some comedic bumping after Kingston sent him into a turnbuckle. Gallows tagged in as the big man in the match, then Kingston was pulled out of the ring by Anderson and the six guys got into a brawl on the floor. The referee Rick Knox lost control as he does in every match and there was no countout enforced as usual. Matt hit a cross body block on Kingston on the floor.
(Commercial)
The show returned with G&A lifting up Matt for a double kick to the face of Kingston. Eddie powered back up with chops while Callis had a funny line on commentary there was 200 years of experience against him and that’s just Schiavone! Kazarian got the tag after Kingston broke free. Kazarian was on fire going after all three opponents including a springboard leg drop for two. Gallows saved Anderson from a submission attempt, so Frankie kicked Gallows off the apron. Anderson hit a great spinebuster on Kazarian. Penta was on fire with a backbreaker, a kick to the head and Penta hit a somersault dive onto the Good Brothers on the floor. Penta with a DDT off the bottom rope. Jackson took a beating including a piledriver from Penta, a back suplex from Kingston and Angel’s Wings from Kazarian. Callis said that the referee lost control, which is usual for the worst referee. Anderson countered a Penta move with a neckbreaker. Good Brothers hit a double team neckbreaker on Penta and Matt hit an elbow drop off the top for two. There was more chaos with everybody running in the ring for spots, Kingston with a suplex on Matt and Anderson with a jumping kick on Kingston. Penta with a backstabber on Anderson. Penta went up top, then Nick Jackson showed up and used the dreaded “aerosol spray” to blind Penta by spraying it in his eyes and Anderson jumped off the top with a Super Cutter for the pinfall win after 14 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Elite – Matt Jackson, Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows
Analysis: ***1/2 This was a really good tag team match. It’s a typical six-man tag team match in AEW where it’s full of action, they built up to the finish well and the heels got the big win. The refereeing sucked as usual, but I have gotten used to it during any match featuring the Young Bucks. I still think it sucks and when you have the announcers calling it out multiple times during the match, it should lead to changes, but nothing ever happens. It was a cheap win with Nick getting involved for the heels without the referee seeing it. I thought Karl Anderson was impressive for his team, Penta really stood out on the other side and it was an enjoyable match overall. The Elite managed to leave with the victory as is usual for them as they continue to be booked in a strong manner.
The Elite celebrated the win on the stage while the announcers plugged next week’s live show on Saturday. That was all for this week’s Dynamite.
Three Stars of the Show
- The Elite – Matt Jackson, Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows
- Eddie Kingston, Penta El Zero Miedo & Frankie Kazarian
- Ethan Page/Scorpio Sky and Darby Allin
The Scoreboard
This Week: 6.25 out of 10
Last Week: 7
2021 Average: 7.28
Final Thoughts
It was a weaker show with some good in-ring action top to bottom although nothing that really stood out. I enjoyed the six-man tag team main event match the most. Typical AEW chaotic tag team match. The Elite continues to be booked as a dominant force. The Cage Fight with Hager/Wardlow was different with creative moments and a finish that made sense for a worked MMA fight. The post match stuff with Pinnacle/Inner Circle brawling after the fight was better than the actual fight. I’m looking forward to Sammy vs. MJF in a few weeks.
Darby Allin lost because it was a handicap match with Ethan Page/Scorpio Sky looking impressive. It was only Allin’s second loss this year since he is booked so strongly. The debut of Brock Anderson (the son of Arn Anderson) was decent. I’m surprised he didn’t do a spinebuster like his father. Just an average tag team match with Cody where they beat Marshall and Solow.
This was the last of their taped shows, which is a good thing because the taped Friday shows have not been as good. Dynamite is live next Saturday (with a strong main event of Kenny Omega defending the AEW World Title against Jungle Boy) and then back to live on Wednesdays after that. I’m not sure why they cranked up the fake crowd noise this week. I know other wrestling companies do it, but AEW hasn’t done it this much. It was a bit distracting. Anyway, I look forward to the return of a live show next Saturday.
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Thanks for reading. Go Toronto Blue Jays. You can contact me using any of the methods below.
John Canton
Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter: @johnreport