The John Report: AEW Dynamite 06/26/24 Review

This week’s AEW Dynamite featured Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland teaming in the main event, a six-woman tag team match, words from MJF, and more.

This was AEW Dynamite episode #247 from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

It’s Wednesday and you know what that means. Excalibur was on commentary with Taz and Tony Schiavone. Tony was only there for about 30 minutes of the show. He said on social media that he left because he lost his voice.

Let’s Hear from MJF and Daniel Garcia

Maxwell Jacob Friedman walked out for a promo, but Daniel Garcia interrupted it right away. Garcia got a big pop since he’s from Buffalo so he got the hometown pop. Garcia thanked MJF for saving him last week. Garcia shouted out his mom and family in the front row.

Garcia said he was going to say nice things about MJF, which led to MJF saying: “Go on.” Garcia said that MJF was the longest reigning and youngest AEW World Champion of all time main eventing PPVs and making history. Garcia said that MJF had a conversation with Garcia saying that Daniel could be a pillar of AEW rather than a guy in the background. Garcia claimed when he did challenge MJF for the AEW World Title, it was an embarrassing moment. Garcia said that loss led to him going on the run of a lifetime and being a part of the biggest moments and matches that AEW has ever seen. Garcia said that he’s somebody that these people can respect. Garcia said he’s not going to just be a pillar, but he can be a backbone and the foundation that AEW is built on in the future. Garcia thanked MJF for that. Garcia told MJF that if he talks shit now then he’ll be two-faced and Buffalo will be coming for his head tonight.

MJF said he didn’t come here to talk trash to these fine people in Buffalo (what a babyface). MJF shilled Forbidden Door on June 30 for his match with Hechicero while adding that he’s going to be on Collison on July 6th. MJF claimed he was going to ask Garcia to come out here. MJF said “thank you” and they shook hands.

MJF said that nobody has ever said nice things about the things he does in the back because MJF is young, rich, and handsome. MJF said none of them in the back are good enough to beat him, but he knows one guy that’s getting closer. MJF told Garcia he got an opportunity against MJF because unlike everybody else, Garcia earned it. MJF said that they are two undersized kids who are tough, cocky, arrogant, really talented and from New York. MJF spoke about how they are two New York Pitbulls with a lot of bark and a lot of bite. MJF reminded Garcia that he whopped his scrawny little ass without breaking a God damn sweat. MJF said that Garcia has gotten stronger, and smarter and he has ascended the ladder by busting his ass. MJF said that Garcia didn’t run from the grind because Garcia is the grind.

MJF added that maybe Garcia should get another shot at the king. MJF mentioned a match between Daniel Garcia and MJF at Wembley Stadium at All In. The fans cheered that.

Garcia said that is huge…but here’s an interruption from Will Ospreay, the AEW International Champion.

Will Ospreay joined MJF and Garcia in the ring while the fans were chanting “Ospreay” for him. Will said he appreciates Buffalo’s homeboy Daniel Garcia. Will talked about how Garcia has been racking up win after win and wanting a shot at the AEW International Title. Will told Garcia that next week on Dynamite, he gets a shot at the International Title. Will said he will put the AEW World Championship on the line. Garcia said next week in Chicago, let’s get it and they shook hands. Ospreay stared at MJF, who was against the turnbuckle and Ospreay left.

MJF told Garcia that it was a huge opportunity for him and told him to focus on that. MJF said he’s really proud of Garcia while wishing him the best of luck. MJF walked to the back while Garcia was left alone in the ring.

Analysis: There was a lot to digest there. It was a big spotlight on Daniel Garcia, who is a rising young star in his mid-20s and has a bright future. It’s good to try to build up younger stars. The Ospreay-Garcia match is a big one for next week. MJF wanting to face Garcia at All In is also a huge match for Garcia, who should probably be on the Forbidden Door card picking up a win. Instead, he’s not even on that show at this point.

Swerve Strickland, the AEW World Champion, was shown watching backstage on a TV with Prince Nana by his side. Swerve didn’t understand why Will Ospreay was offering a World Title match before winning the title. Swerve said that Will can’t carry two worlds on his shoulders. Swerve said that Will better focus on their match tonight. Swerve said that Will had a focus problem, which is not good for the mindset of a World Champion. Swerve left.

Blackpool Combat Club – Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon – Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi & Titan

Bryan Danielson was on commentary to support his BCC buddies. Moxley had a big bandage on his head.

Claudio and Shingo exchanged strikes to start the match. Claudio hit a couple of uppercuts along with a back elbow. Shingo came back with a hiptoss. Takahashi tagged in against Yuta with a running hurricanrana and a dropkick. Shingo was in the ring illegally for a double shoulder tackle. Titan tagged in with a running clothesline followed by a cross body block off the top. Titan dropkicked Yuta out of the ring followed by a suicide dive with a headbutt on Yuta on the floor. Yuta hit an atomic drop followed by an enziguri kick. Claudio was back in leading to Titan hitting him with a few kicks. Titan dove off the top, but Claudio caught him leading to a backbreaker. They went to the first break of the show about 24 minutes into the broadcast.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Titan doing a double stomp to Claudio’s back. Moxley tagged in leading to Titan hitting a jumping kick on him. Shingo tagged in with forearms to the jaw. Claudio went into the ring illegally and Shingo hit a double clothesline on Claudio & Moxley, but they didn’t go down. Shingo hit a double DDT on Moxley & Claudio. Shingo hit a brainbuster on Yuta, who also was in the ring illegally. Moxley decked Shingo with a clothesline, but Shingo came back with his own clothesline. Moxley bit Shingo’s forehead and Shingo came back with a forearm followed by a short clothesline to knock Moxley down. Yuta tagged in against Takahashi leading to strikes by both of them. Takahashi superkicked Yuta, who came back with a German Suplex. Takahashi hit a Death Valley Driver on Yuta for two. Takahashi was back up with a running lariat. Moxley brought a chair into the ring with a steel chair shot to Takahashi’s back. It was a disqualification finish. It went around 11 minutes.

Winners by disqualification: Los Ingobernables de Japon – Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi & Titan

Analysis: ***1/4 The action was pretty good the whole way and then they decided not to book a finish, so Moxley just used a chair for the DQ ending. I don’t think the action leading up to it was booked in a way that should lead to a guy using a chair. I think this was AEW’s way of saying that they didn’t want to beat any of these guys, so they went for the DQ finish. It’s an easy way out of booking a meaningful finish.

After the match, the BCC guys fought with LIJ some more. The music of Tetsuya Naito hit and Moxley waited in the ring for him. Naito slowly made his way out there so Moxley met him in the aisle and they exchanged punches ahead of their match at Forbidden Door on Sunday. Moxley did some eye-gouging on Naito as they went fighting to the back. Shingo went into the ring and did some hammer elbows to Yuta, so Bryan Danielson went into the ring to confront Shingo, his Forbidden Door opponent. Bryan had a staredown with Shingo as Bryan’s music played to end it.

Analysis: It was a nice tease of the Moxley/Naito match and the Danielson/Takagi match with both of those matches taking place at Forbidden Door on Sunday. I just think they could have done a lot more to tell fans about the Moxley/Naito match and try to build it up more. It’s not like everybody watching knows the history or Naito’s status in NJPW. It’s wrong of AEW to assume that all the fans know this stuff. You have to educate your audience better.

(Commercial)

Men’s Owen Hart Cup Foundation Tournament Quarterfinals: Jay White (w/Juice Robinson, Austin Gunn & Colten Gunn) vs. Rey Fenix (w/Penta El Zero Miedo & Alex Abrahantes)

The guys that were at ringside were all teasing a fight, so referee Rick Knox ejected everybody from ringside.

Fenix got a rollup for two. White delivered shoulder tackles to the ribs. Fenix went for a spin kick, White ducked it and White came back with elbow strikes. Fenix did a headscissors followed by a springboard armdrag. Fenix hit a dropkick that knocked White out of the ring. Fenix hit a suicide dive onto White on the floor. Fenix hit a superkick on the floor. White pulled Fenix’s leg to stop a leaping attack. White hit a neckbreaker for two. That led to a picture-in-picture break.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Fenix delivering some chops to the chest. White nailed a chop of his own as well. Fenix connected with a superkick followed by a rope walk kick. Fenix went up top and hit a Frog Splash for two. Fenix got a hurricanrana for two. White blocked a kick followed by a DDT. White connected with a brainbuster for two. Fenix countered a move leading to a rollup pin attempt for two. White came back with a uranage slam for two. Fenix countered White leading to a rollup for two. Fenix connected with a kick to the head. Fenix tried a move, White slipped out and White hit the Bladerunner for the pinfall win after about 10 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Jay White

Analysis: ***1/4 A pretty good match that saw the singles wrestler beating the tag team guy as you would expect. Rey Fenix is always going to put on a match that’s entertaining and this match was fun to watch, but it was all about giving White a victory so he can move on in the tournament.

Christian Cage walked out with his Patriarchy group meaning Killswitch, Nick Wayne & Shayna Wayne. Cage walked down to the ring, had a staredown with the Bang Bang Gang and there was no physicality. Cage and his group backed away.

Analysis: It will lead to Christian Cage’s group getting a Trios Tag Team Title match against the Bang Bang Gang soon.

The Young Bucks duo of Matthew & Nicholas Jackson were backstage with their AEW Tag Team Titles. Nick talked about how The Acclaimed beat them last week because The Young Bucks were distracted. Matt said that it’s okay because they are still the AEW Tag Team Titles while Kazuchika Okada is still the Continental Champion and Jack Perry will become the TNT Champion. Matt said that they are going to insert their very own Wild Card in the Owen Hart Cup. Matt said that man is going to win the tournament, so they will have all the power and all the gold.

Analysis: That makes me think that The Elite’s on-again, off-again friend “Hangman” Adam Page will be the Wild Card in the tournament. Page is expected to be back soon, so it makes sense. I know I mentioned Ricochet last week, but that clue from The Young Bucks makes me think that it will be Page, who will be a heel with The Elite group.

The Acclaimed made their entrance for a promo up next.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from The Acclaimed

The Acclaimed team of Max Caster, Anthony Bowens and old man Billy Gunn did an in-ring promo. Caster bragged about beating The Young Bucks, who he called the Young Cucks, last week. Caster said now they get an AEW Tag Team Title match. Max said that they proved that the Bucks can’t run the company right because The Acclaimed are getting those titles back.

Bowens said all they need to do is beat The Young Bucks one more time. Bowens talked about how they have been strategizing when is the best time to issue the challenge. Bowens said that when they do, they will be the next AEW Tag Team Champions. Bowens called for the “scissor me” moment, but there was an interruption.

The Elite’s Young Bucks and Kazuchika Okada interrupted. Okada: “Scissor me, bitch.” Okada loves saying bitch and it makes me laugh.

Matt Jackson told the fans to show respect for the EVPs, so the fans booed. Nick Jackson said they were to conduct some business. Nick said that at Forbidden Door, the three of them challenge The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn, who Nick called pricks. Gunn said he couldn’t hear because the fans were telling The Elite that they suck. Gunn said he knows how to deal with EVPs. Gunn said he happened to know a President and that led to Hiroshi Tanahashi appearing on the screen. Tanahashi said he’s coming to Forbidden Door to fight his old rival Okada at Forbidden Door. Tanahashi: “Scissor Ace is coming.” Okada was laughing about it.

That means it will be The Acclaimed & Hiroshi Tanahashi against The Young Bucks & Kazuchika Okada at Forbidden Door. A graphic appeared on screen to promote that match.

Analysis: It gets some big names on the Forbidden Door show. I like it as a fun tag team match to rekindle the classic Okada-Tanahashi rivalry while also putting The Acclaimed and The Young Bucks in the match. I assume they are going to save The Young Bucks-Acclaimed match for All In that’s taking place on August 25, but I’m not sure if AEW can wait that long for it.

The trio of Mark Briscoe, Orange Cassidy & Kyle O’Reilly were interviewed by Renee Paquette. They are called The Conglomeration by some people. Mark did a fired up promo. Kyle talked trash about beating up Zack Sabre Jr. and Mark kept on firing up. Mark shouted into the camera. Mark and Kyle left while Orange just stood there.

“Timeless” Toni Storm, Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa vs. Saraya, Anna Jay & Harley Cameron

Jay started with Mina, who did some dance moves early in the match. Mina punched Jay in the jaw followed by a kick while leaning off the ropes. Mina tagged in May instead of Storm, which led to an angry look from Storm. May and Mina hit a combo dropkick. Cameron worked over May with elbow strikes, but May came back with a spinning sidewalk slam. May couldn’t decide who to tag in, so Saraya and Jay took care of both partners on the apron. The heels were in control as the show went to break.

(Commercial)

May and Cameron did a double hair pull spot to knock eachother down. Storm tagged in leading to a German Suplex on Saraya. Storm hit a running hip attack on Saraya while Mina tagged herself in. Cameron tagged in leading to a Backstabber on Mina for two because May made the save. That led to all six women going in to do moves and then bumping to the floor. Mina nailed Saraya with a back fist to stop that. Mina hit a back fist to Cameron. Mina hit a lifting reverse suplex into a slam for the pinfall. It was Mina pinning Cameron to win in a match that went about seven minutes.

Winners by pinfall: “Timeless” Toni Storm, Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa

Analysis: **1/2 It was just an average women’s match. I thought that a six-woman tag team match might get more than the usual time for an AEW Dynamite women’s match, but nope. They only got seven minutes, which is about four minutes counting the commercial in the middle. Putting Mina over made sense.

After the match, the trio of Storm, May & Mina had some champagne. Mina grabbed a champagne bottle, tried to hit Storm with it, Storm moved and Mina hit May in the head. It was obvious that the attack would miss. May sold it like she was out while Storm checked on May while Storm told Mina to get out.

Analysis: Storm should win over Mina at Forbidden Door. May is my pick to win the Women’s Owen Hart Cup and she’ll beat Storm for the AEW Women’s Title at All In with May getting the win in her home country of England.

A video aired about Mercedes Mone facing Stephanie Vaquer at Forbidden Door. Mone was cocky as usual.

Mercedes Mone did a promo with the TBS Championship. Mone said that she’s going to be ringside for Stephanie Vaquer’s match on Collision. Mone said that said she’s going to be Two Belts Mone and she’ll change everything.

Analysis: I think Mone beating Vaquer is very likely.

Let’s Hear from Chris Jericho And Friends

Chris Jericho walked out to the ring joined by Big Bill and Bryan Keith, who had his right arm in a sling. Keith’s arm was attacked on Collision, so Keith was selling it.

Big Bill said that Samoa Joe, Hook & Shibata did this to Keith while knowing that Keith was injured. Bill said when one door closes, another door – perhaps a Forbidden Door – opens.

Chris Jericho did his over the top “Hi guys” greeting to start the promo. Jericho claimed he was just in AEW to help the young guys including Big Bill and Bryan Keith. Jericho said it wasn’t fair to hurt the Bad Apple which is Keith. Jericho said that they found another partner. Jericho said he had a video from their partner who knows from Japan.

Jericho said that this man is a Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Famer just like him – it’s Minoru Suzuki. That led to Suzuki saying (thanks to the translation on screen) he didn’t want to team up with Jericho, he wanted to wrestle him one on one. Suzuki said he would not team with Jericho while saying that he wanted to face Jericho for the FTW Championship. Bryan Keith shouted that Jericho is not a lame ass chicken like Suzuki called him.

Samoa Joe was up next joined by Hook and Katsuyori Shibata. Joe remarked that it was awkward while pointing out that Jericho has struck out again. Joe said that we learned that The Learning Tree just doesn’t have enough branches. Joe’s trio got in the ring. Joe said that Shibata summed up Jericho with his translation phone: “Oh brother, this guy sucks.” That led to fans chanting “this guy sucks” at Jericho.

Jericho slapped Joe in the head, so Joe headbutted Jericho. Hook and Shibata cleared the ring of Bill & Keith as well. Jericho’s group retreated.

Analysis: There was a lot going on there since the Chris Jericho team doesn’t have a third guy and instead it led to Minoru Suzuki challenging Jericho to a match instead. Joe shutting up Jericho was a smart way to end it.

(Commercial)

Kyle O’Reilly vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

Zack Sabre Jr. is against Orange Cassidy at Forbidden Door while Kyle O’Reilly isn’t on the show, so that tells you Zack is going to win. Roderick Strong was at ringside along with Matt Taven & Mike Bennett watching with NJPW’s Gabe Kidd. Orange Cassidy was on commentary.

They did some grappling as they went for holds on the mat, but neither guy could get control. Kyle and Zack each got an armbar submission although the other guy was able to counter it. Zack kept on breaking free when Kyle went for submission moves. Kyle jumped on Zack’s back going for a submission, but Zack broke free and Zack used his feet to twist the neck. Zack stomped on Kyle’s body. That led to a PIP break.

(Commercial)

Kyle got a hold of the foot leading to a lefty Ankle Lock. Kyle kicked Zack a few times so Zack went down selling the left leg injury. Kyle delivered strikes followed by a sweep kick. The fans were chanting “this is wrestling” for them. Yes, this is a form of wrestling. The other stuff on the show was too. Zack hit a jumping back kick to the left arm. Zack got an inside cradle for two. Kyle hit a suplex into an armbar. After Zack got out of that, Kyle applied an Ankle Lock again and when Zack got out of that, Kyle hit him with a German Suplex. They both hit kicks to the head at the same time. Kyle went for a double leg trip, but Kyle hit him with a knee to the face. Zack and Kyle exchanged slaps to the face. Zack applied a cross armbreaker. Zack got a hold of the right arm, sat on Kyle’s back and Zack pulled back on the right arm, so Kyle tapped out. It went 10 minutes.

Winner by submission: Zack Sabre Jr.

Analysis: **3/4 It was a good technical wrestling match of course, but I don’t think it’s that interesting of a match. I understand wanting to give Sabre a win before he faces Cassidy at Forbidden Door and that result is fine. It’s just hard to get into a cold match where you know O’Reilly has no chance to win. A bunch of armbar holds is not going to keep the interest of the casual fan.

After the match, Orange Cassidy checked on Kyle O’Reilly. That led to Roderick Strong and friends checking on Kyle. Zack Sabre Jr. had a staredown with Cassidy. Sabre’s buddies Robbie Eagles & Shane Haste stood beside him for a staredown with Orange. Tomohiro Ishii went down to the ring and stood beside Cassidy. There was a staredown in the ring as Robbie Eagles shoved Orange. Sabre got his guys to back off.

Analysis: A lot of staring and nothing happening.

The main event tag team match was up next.

(Commercial)

Next week’s Dynamite is Beach Break from Chicago. They didn’t mention any matches, but we know Will Ospreay facing Daniel Garcia is one of the matches.

Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) vs. Gates of Agony – Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun

Swerve is the AEW World Champion while Will is the AEW International Champion. They will face eachother at Forbidden Door on Sunday for Swerve’s AEW World Championship.

Will jumped over Kaun a few times followed by a monkey flip. Will hit a springboard forearm. Swerve was back in for a leaping flatliner while Will did a standing moonsault and Swerve got a two count. Toa went in illegally while Swerve and Will argued, so the Gates boys hit a double team slam on Swerve. They went to a PIP break.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Toa in control of Swerve with a vice grip on the shoulder. Kaun went into the ring illegally so Swerve dumped him out of the ring. That was done so that Kaun could pull Will off the apron to stop a tag from happening. Kaun was back in the ring illegally for a double team spinebuster for two. No reaction from the crowd. Swerve avoided a dropkick by Kaun, who was legal, and that kick hit Toa. Swerve hit a brainbuster on Kaun. Will got the tag with running forearm on Kaun. Toa was in illegally so Will could hit a somersault back kick to the head of both guys. Will hit a standing SSP for two. Will went up top, so Kaun met him up there with a Jackhammer off the top. Swerve headbutted Toa, who no sold it since he’s Samoan and Swerve stomped on Toa on the floor. Will hit a Spanish Fly on a charging Kaun for two. Will teased a Tiger Driver, then he didn’t do it because Kaun broke free and Will inadvertently kicked Swerve off the apron. Toa was in illegally again for a Pounce on Will and Kaun got a two count. Swerve was back in, he delivered a kick, Will moved and Swerve kicked Kaun. Swerve and Will each kicked Toa while Will hit a reverse rana thanks to an assist from Swerve. Will hit an Oscutter off the ropes for two. Swerve grounded Kaun and stomped on the left arm from a bad angle. Will hit the Hidden Blade elbow on Toa for the pinfall win after 10 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland

Analysis: **3/4 A decent match with an obvious result. It was the story about whether Will and Swerve could work together well enough to win, which they did. There was a lot of illegal offense in the match because it’s AEW and it was a way to try to make it look like Will and Swerve might lose, which was never going to happen. The last couple of minutes were good. Other than that, it was an average tag team match.

After the match, Swerve had his World Title while Will had his International Title. Will grabbed the World Title, so Swerve kicked Will in the back of the leg. Swerve hit the House Call kick to the head. Swerve stood tall with the AEW World Title on his shoulder over a fallen Ospreay. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: A bit of conflict to end the show. We saw Will take the title from Swerve previously so Swerve didn’t like Will doing it again here and made him pay the price with a kick to the head. It makes sense even though it also makes Swerve look a bit heelish going into their Forbidden Door match.

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Three Stars of the Show

1. Jay White
2. Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland
3. MJF

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The Scoreboard

This Week: 6.75 out of 10

Last Week: 8.25

2024 Average: 7.43

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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite

I praised last week’s show heavily for being exciting with some creative matches and a good build to Forbidden Door. This week was a below-average AEW show with predictable matches, promos were okay and a decent push for the Forbidden Door matches. Some of them have barely any build. The Swerve/Ospreay tag to main event felt like a midcard match against a team with no chance. At least the post match interaction was better. The finish of the BCC/LIJ tag was weak because it ended on a random chair shot to the back. It was AEW telling you that they didn’t want to pin anybody in the match, so here’s a DQ ending. Then it led to one minute of Moxley fighting with Naito to try to build one of the biggest matches at Forbidden Door.

An example of my disappointment in the show is this. I was hoping the six-woman tag would get more time than the usual AEW match, but it got the typical seven minutes with a commercial in the middle meaning we only got to see four minutes on the full screen. This came on the same day when Tony Khan claimed AEW had the best women’s division, which is complete bullshit.

The lineup for Forbidden Door is strong enough that the hardcore AEW fans will love it because they see no wrong anyway. However, the casual fans who don’t watch every show may be turned off by it because the build to some of the matches have been weak. I’ll have a preview up on Saturday and review it on Sunday night.

The AEW Forbidden Door PPV takes place on June 30th in Long Island, New York. Here’s the updated lineup so far.

* AEW World Championship: Swerve Strickland (c) vs. Will Ospreay

* IWGP World Championship: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Tetsuya Naito

* TBS Championship & NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Match: Mercedes Mone vs. Stephanie Vaquer

* TNT Championship Ladder Match: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Mark Briscoe vs. Jack Perry vs. Dante Martin vs. Lio Rush vs. one more wrestler.

* AEW Women’s Championship Match: Toni Storm (c) vs. Mina Shirakawa

* Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Championship Tournament Quarterfinals: Bryan Danielson vs. Shingo Takagi

* Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Hechicero

* The Elite – Kazuchika Okada & The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi & The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens)

* Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Orange Cassidy

* The Learning Tree – Chris Jericho, Big Bill, and Bryan Keith vs. Samoa Joe, Hook, and Katsuyori Shibata

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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/X: @johnreport