The John Report: AEW Dynamite (Beach Break) 07/03/24 Review
This week’s AEW Dynamite featured Will Ospreay defending the International Title against Daniel Garcia, Mercedes Mone celebrating, and more.
The AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door PPV took place last Sunday. It was a solid show, but I think AEW has had better PPVs this year.
This was AEW Dynamite episode #248 from the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. 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.
Daniel Garcia was backstage for an interview when Maxwell Jacob Friedman approached to say that he wanted to be in Garcia’s corner for DG’s match later. Garcia was cool with that. Matt Menard, who is Garcia’s buddy, said that he thought MJF was full of it, but after what he’s done for Danny in the last few weeks, MJF is alright with Menard.
Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Semifinals: Pac vs. Bryan Danielson
Pac did an armdrag followed by Bryan doing an armdrag. Pac did a backflip followed by a dropkick to the chest. The fans were vocal as they chanted for both guys. Bryan had kinesio tape on his neck and upper back. They ran the ropes leading to a double cross body block that knocked down both guys. Pac nailed Bryan with a few forearms to the head, the referee checked on him and Pac kicked Bryan out of the ring. Pac hit a moonsault off the top rope onto a standing Bryan on the floor. Back in the ring, Pac applied the Brutalizer submission hold and Bryan got his foot on the bottom rope to break the hold.
(Commercial)
Pac went for a German Suplex, Bryan landed on his feet and Bryan hit a roundhouse kick to the head. Pac bailed to the floor, Bryan went to the apron and Bryan hit a running knee strike to knock Pac down on the floor. Bryan charged at Pac, who nailed him with a superkick. Pac jumped off the barricade and hit Bryan with an elbow drop. Back in the ring, Pac hit an elbow drop off the top. Pac hit a Tombstone piledriver for two. Bryan was able to come back with a LeBell Lock submission, but Pac got his foot on the rope to break the hold. Bryan chopped and kicked Pac a few times. Pac hit a running kick. Bryan came back with his own running kick. Bryan went up top, Pac got up and Pac crotched Bryan on the top rope. Pac gave Bryan a superplex off the top that was more like a brainbuster for a two count. Pac went up top, he went for the Black Arrow, Bryan moved and Pac hit the mat hard. Bryan hit a running Busaiko Knee to the head. Bryan was too hurt to make the cover right away. Bryan covered with his back on top so Pac applied the Brutalizer submission. Bryan countered it into a two count. Bryan went for the LeBell Lock, Pac got out of it and Pac tried a cover, but Bryan countered with a crucifix pin for the one…two…and three for the win! It went about 17 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Bryan Danielson
Analysis: **** It was an excellent match between two of my favorite wrestlers in AEW. Bryan sold the neck pain so well throughout the match while a lot of Pac’s offense made sense since he attacked the neck a lot with moves like a Tombstone. It was booked in a way that was very even with Bryan getting the counter win using the crucifix pin. That’s a finish that I’ve seen a few times in pro wrestling over the last month, but that’s because I also watch and review a lot of shows every week. Anyway, I figured Bryan would get the win here so that result didn’t surprise me at all. I would like to see Pac get more of a push, but it seems like he is a guy who remains stuck at a certain level in AEW and that never seems to change.
That win means that Bryan Danielson is in the finals of the Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament.
Willow Nightingale was interviewed by Renee Paquette backstage. Willow said that she enjoys looking on the bright side. Willow said that Kris Statlander and Stokely Hathaway mock her. Willow talked about how she may have lost the TBS Championship, but she put up the fight of her life. Willow said she’s going to become the first two-time Owen Hart Foundation Tournament winner. Willow told Statlander she’s going to kick her butt because nothing matters…smile anyway.
Analysis: Willow is easy to like and support. She is a natural babyface.
(Commercial)
A video aired about the TNT Championship Ladder Match at Forbidden Door that ended with Jack Perry becoming the TNT Champion.
Let’s Hear from Mark Briscoe
Mark Briscoe is the ROH World Champion. Mark said that he came close to becoming the TNT Champion, but Jack Perry got lucky and got the win. Mark said that was last week, but he’s worried about this week and this week is Shark Week. Mark said that when he thinks about sharks, he thinks about blood and right now Mark declares himself a participant on Team AEW in the Blood & Guts Match on July 24th.
Jack Perry interrupted the promo by hitting Mark with the TNT Title in the back of the head. Kyle O’Reilly went into the ring and Kyle worked over Jack with strikes. Kazuchika Okada, in a suit, made the save for Perry and hit Kyle with a Rainmaker clothesline.
The Young Bucks duo of Matthew & Nicholas Jackson, the AEW Tag Team Champions, hit the EVP Trigger double knee on Mark. The Elite foursome all held up their titles. The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn made their way down to the ring, so The Elite went over the barricade and walked to the back.
Analysis: We know The Acclaimed will get an AEW Tag Team Title match against The Young Bucks, so that’s why the Bucks ran away like cowards. Mark Briscoe being on Team AEW in the Blood & Guts Match is fine since he’s going to be fun to watch in a match like that.
“Timeless” Toni Storm the AEW Women’s Champion, was interviewed by Renee Paquette. Toni was hugging Mariah May against her chest while Luther was also there. Renee mentioned May facing Hikaru Shida in the Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament on Rampage. Storm told May that Hikaru Shida is still dangerous and if she loses then Storm will still love her. Storm said that there’s not a thing that can stop her. Storm told May to say the line: “Chin up, tits out and watch for the shoe.” Storm hugged May.
Analysis: I think Mariah May will win the Women’s Hart Foundation Tournament and then go on to beat Toni Storm for the AEW Women’s Title at All In. It makes sense to me.
Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale were fighting on the ramp before their match. Willow hit Kris with the Pounce to knock Kris down the ramp. Willow suplexed Kris on the floor.
Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Semifinals: Kris Statlander (w/Stokely Hathaway) vs. Willow Nightingale
When they went into the ring, the bell rang to start the match. Willow remained in control for the first minute, but Kris came back with a back elbow off the turnbuckle.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Willow hitting a side kick. Kris went to the apron and Willow followed her there. Kris tried a suplex off the apron, so Willow elbowed Kris to knock her down. Willow hit a cannonball off the apron onto Kris on the floor. Willow connected with a dropkick followed by a clothesline for two. Kris came back with a kick to the gut followed by a scissors kick for two. Kris hit a German Suplex that led to Willow having a rough landing on her head/neck. Kris went to the turnbuckle for nothing as Willow grabbed her and hit a German Suplex off the middle turnbuckle. Willow went to the middle turnbuckle for nothing and Kris hit a high boot. Willow came back with a pin attempt and then Kris countered for two of her own. Kris had Willow on her shoulder leading to a spinning slam almost like an F5 for a two count. Hathaway put a steel chain by the ring post, so Kris grabbed it while Hathaway distracted Willow. Kris charged with the chain, Will avoided it and Willow did a ROLUP OF DEATH~! for the pinfall win. Stokely had a stunned look on his face. It went about eight minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Willow Nightingale
Analysis: *** A good match for the time given. They were out there doing big moves right away and ended this match on a ROLLUP OF DEATH~! I didn’t like some of the spots like when the women went to the turnbuckles basically just so they could take German Suplexes off the middle rope. I thought Statlander would get the win since she recently turned heel and could use the momentum, but instead, it’s a Willow victory to make the fans happy. They worked well together.
That win means that Willow Nightingale is in the finals of the Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament.
Jeff Jarrett was backstage with Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, Satnam Singh & Karen Jarrett as Renee Paquette asked how he was doing. Jeff walked away without saying a word. Jay said that Jeff is prepared and said tonight is about honoring one of his best friends, Owen Hart.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from Britt Baker
Tony Schiavone was in the ring to introduce the returning Dr. Britt Baker D.M.DM, who got a big ovation from the fans and she looked like she was in great shape as usual. Britt has been out of the ring for 10 months and she made her return at Forbidden Door this past Sunday. Britt hugged Tony and Tony left the ring. The fans chanted “welcome back” for Britt.
Baker said she thought way too long about what she was going to say, so she’s going to talk to us. Baker said we all have a past, present and future. Baker said that our past is our lesson, our present is a gift and our future is our motivation. Baker said back in November, she was banged up and running on empty, but every time she looked in the mirror she said she was good. Baker said that was until one day she wasn’t. Baker said that one day she felt really sick, the room was spinning and her vision was blurry. Baker said that her right arm was tingling and she couldn’t open a bottle of water. Baker said she suffered something that was like a mini stroke. Baker said that she needed to stay home, she needed to get herself right and Tony Khan told her to let her know when she was good. Baker said that she is here, she’s cleared and she is healthy.
Baker said that she was never more nervous than she was on Sunday night at Forbidden Door. Baker admitted that she didn’t know if anybody would give a damn when she walked through that tunnel. Baker said that the fear of rejection is real. Baker said when she needed pro wrestling, AEW and the fans…they welcomed her back with open arms and “DMD” chants. Baker said that at the end of the day, she’s one of the fans.
Baker said that when you are going through a hard time, go through that shit, be present and feel all of it. Baker said it will feel that much better when you get to the other side. Baker said that we all possess the impulse to be elite. Baker said speaking of elite, she heard that we have a new female face of All Elite Wrestling. The fans booed. Baker said it must feel great for her to call herself that. Baker mentioned “CEO” saying that she is sure that she worked hard to earn those three letters and then she took a shot at piping in those letters in the entrance music. Baker said that the only letters that matter in this company are…DMD.
Analysis: Welcome back, Britt Baker. She was missed. I’m glad she’s doing a lot better after the health scare that she went through. It took a lot of courage to talk about it the way she did, so kudos to Britt for that.
A car was shown driving up to the building. Mercedes Mone emerged with the TBS Championship around her waist and the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship. The Young Bucks were there to greet her and told Mone that her championship celebration was ready. Matthew Jackson told the production team to get the celebration ready.
Mercedes Mone Celebration
Britt Baker was still in the ring as AEW staffers put balloons in the ring. There were also photos of Mone in the ring. That led to Mercedes Mone making her entrance with the fans booing her.
Mercedes Mone stood in the ring telling Chicago it was time to celebrate with your double champion Mercedes Mone. Baker said that she outshined Mone’s moment at Forbidden Door so Mone outshined Baker’s moment. Mone bragged about being a double champion. Mone said that she should have known that Britt would come out there to steal the spotlight. The fans chanted “shut the f**k up” as Mone said she was there to give Baker a look at what a star looks like.
Baker mentioned All In at Mone. Baker said that wrestled at the first All In right here in Chicago and she was the first female to sign with AEW. Baker said that she wrestled at All In last year while Mone’s ass was looking like a broken bitch in the stands with a broken leg in the stands. Baker said that she wants to face Mone at All In. Mone pushed Baker’s head away. Mone said that there is a long line of girls looking for a shot. Mone told Baker she needs to get to the back of the line…bitch. Baker asked what line? Mone said that there’s a price to pay when you mess with Mercedes Mone.
Analysis: There’s the official match challenge by Britt Baker for a match with Mercedes Mone at All In. That match is obviously going to happen there, but I would have Baker pick up some meaningful wins before making it official. Mone seems to be in full heel mode now since the fans hate her. That only took about three months since she arrived in AEW. I have always liked Mone more as a heel. She’s a lot more interesting as a heel than she is as a face. Plus, a woman who likes to brag about how rich and successful she is should be a heel.
The ending of the Swerve Strickland/Will Ospreay match at Forbidden Door was shown.
Will Ospreay was interviewed by Renee Paquette and Kyle Fletcher was there to support Will. Don Callis walked in while Paquette left. Will said he has loyalty to Don for some of the matches he had set up for Will in the past. Will said that things have changed and he wants out of the Don Callis Family. That led to Don saying that he’s so proud of Will and what he’s done with his life. Don said he’s happy to do him the favor. Don said maybe one day he’ll ask Will a favor. Callis hugged Will and then had a mean look on his face. Callis left with Fletcher while Will took a deep breath.
Analysis: It makes sense for Will Ospreay to want to ditch the Don Callis Family since Will is a popular face while Don’s group is full of heels. With that said, Callis is a heel and we know he’s not always honest when he speaks, so there will likely be a follow up to this later.
Let’s Hear from Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho was in the ring with the FTW Championship around his waist. Jericho was wearing a pink jacket. Jericho had security guys with him and they stood by Taz. Jericho said he was there to do commentary. Jericho trashed Hook for disrespecting him for stealing Jericho’s finish “and that doesn’t work for me, brother.” Jericho said that Taz stood and clapped for Hook like a mark. Jericho said that he spoke to Matthew & Nicholas Jackson, so The Young Bucks granted Jericho an executive order to relieve Taz from his announcing duties for the rest of the evening. Jericho said that Taz had to leave the Wintrust Arena immediately. Tony Schiavone said that of course he was going to cheer since Hook is Taz’s son. That led to Taz leaving the arena while security walked with Taz.
Analysis: That’s a unique way to get some heat on Jericho by having him remove Taz from commentary. Jericho using the Hogan “doesn’t work for me, brother” line is funny.
Samoa Joe, Hook & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Cage Of Agony – Brian Cage, Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun
Chris Jericho was on commentary doing his “Learning Tree” voice while he was out there. Joe and Toa exchanged strikes leading to Joe splashing Toa against the turnbuckle followed by Joe hitting a jumping kick on Toa. Shibata tagged in against Cage leading to a running boot to the face. Cage came back with a shoulder tackle on Shibata. After Shibata tripped up Cage, Hook tagged in and Cage backed Hook into the turnbuckle. Kaun hit a running splash on Hook followed by a neckbreaker. Kaun knocked Hook off the apron to the floor.
(Commercial)
The match returned with Shibata breaking free of Toa and sending Toa into the turnbuckle. Hook hit a clothesline and elbow strike. Hook hit an overhead belly-to-belly on Kaun. Toa was in the ring doing illegal offense and then Kaun hit double knees to the ribs. Kaun and Toa hit a double spinebuster on Hook, but Joe was there to break up the pin attempt. Toa hit a Pounce on Joe. Shibata kicked Toa out of the ring. Cage gave Shibata with an F5. Cage tried the same move to Hook, but Hook countered with a DDT. Joe tagged in with a powerslam on Kaun and Joe gave Toa a uranage. Joe with an atomic drop on Cage followed by a kick to send Cage out of the ring. Shibata hit a running dropkick on Toa. Shibata & Hook hit a double suplex on Toa and Joe hit a senton splash, but the pin was broken up. The trio of Hook, Joe & Shibata all had submission moves. The referee saw Joe choking out Toa so he called for the bell. It went about nine minutes.
Winners by submission: Samoa Joe, Hook & Katsuyori Shibata
Analysis: **3/4 An easy win for Joe’s team against a trio who usually lose on the main shows. The last two minutes had way too many in the ring doing spots while the referee lost total control because it’s AEW and that’s how they do tag team matches like this. I did like the finish with three submission moves at once just because of how rare that is. Joe getting the win for his team was the right move.
After the match, Big Bill and Bryan Keith attacked Joe & Shibata with chairs. Jericho worked over Hook with punches. Keith took the sling off to reveal he wasn’t really hurt. Shocking. Keith trapped Shibata’s left arm in a chair and Keith hit the chair with another chair. Big Bill hit Joe with a steel chair to the back two times in a row. Jericho put brass knuckles on his hand and punched Hook in the head so Hook sold it like he was out. A table was set up in the ring. Bill picked up Hook and Bill spiked Hook with a Chokeslam through the table. Jericho’s group was booed as the show went to break.
Analysis: This feud must continue apparently. The beating kept on going with nobody attempting to stop it except for one referee on the floor. I assume it leads to a rematch with Jericho, Bill & Keith (who is no longer faking an injury) against Joe, Hook & Shibata possibly in a Street Fight or some kind of gimmick match.
(Commercial)
It was the return of “Hangman” Adam Page as the “Wild Card” participant in the tournament. Hangman is back after being away for about four months. The story is that The Young Bucks picked the Wild Card participant. Page had new theme music. I liked his old theme better.
Analysis: I expected Hangman in that spot. I think most people did. There was a part of me that thought that it might be a debuting Ricochet, but I like Hangman being in the tournament.
Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinals: Jeff Jarrett vs. “Hangman” Adam Page
Tony mentioned Jeff Jarrett teamed with Owen Hart over 70 times so he had a close connection to Owen. Page was aggressive with some kicks to the body. Jeff punched Page into the ropes, then he hit a running splash to the back and Page came back with a vicious lariat. Page gave Jarrett a fallaway slam. Page gave Jarrett a Powerbomb on the ring apron with Jeff’s lower back hitting the apron hard. Page rammed Jeff’s head into the steel steps repeatedly.
(Commercial)
Page and Jeff were fighting on the apron where Page bit Jeff’s forehead. Jarrett avoided a move on the apron followed by Jeff hitting The Stroke on Page, which led to both guys bumping to the floor. Good spot. Back in the ring, Jarrett hit a Russian legsweep. Jeff followed up with an enziguri kick. Jeff rolled through to counter a move and went for a Sharpshooter, but Page punched his way out of it. Page hit the Deadeye slam. Page wanted the Buckshot Lariat and that led to Jericho collapsing to the mat. Jeff shoved Page into the ropes and Page punched Jeff. When Page went for a Buckshot Lariat, Jeff avoided it and applied a Sharpshooter submission until Page got to the ropes. It wasn’t a great Sharpshooter, but the fans popped for Jeff doing Owen’s finishing move. Page sent Jeff throat first into the top rope. Page hit a Buckshot Lariat followed by punches. Page hit another Deadeye for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: “Hangman” Adam Page
Analysis: ***1/4 A big win for Hangman in the heel role. Hangman was very aggressive, he didn’t play to the crowd and looked angry the whole way. That’s the right way to do it. Jarrett was the babyface in the match due to the history of being Owen Hart’s tag team partner so the fans popped big for the Sharpshooter spot. They had to do that spot. It made a lot of sense in that match. Jarrett can still have good matches while Hangman winning was never in doubt here.
The win by “Hangman” Adam Page means he’ll face Jay White on Collision in the semifinals of the Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament.
Analysis: I’ll go with Hangman winning there. I think Hangman will beat White and then beat Bryan Danielson in the finals of the tournament. That will set up Swerve Strickland-Adam Page at AEW All In. It’s a rematch of their great rivalry except they will be in different roles with Swerve as the face and Page as the heel.
They showed Hook getting checked on by the medical team backstage. The Learning Tree group of Jericho, Keith & Bill attacked Hook and threw a fireball in Hook’s face. Hook was down selling it while grabbing his eyes. Keith said they told him to respect Jericho. That led to a break.
(Commercial)
There was an attempted backstage interview with “Hangman” Adam Page. The Young Bucks walked in to excuse Renee Paquette from the interview. Matt mentioned how they brought Hangman back and asked Hangman if he wanted to team up with them in the Blood & Guts match. Page grabbed Matt by the collar, Hangman said that he is in the Owen and he is going to win the Owen. Page shoved Nick and left.
Analysis: That’s a decisive no from Hangman, so The Eltie will have to find somebody else as a fifth partner in the Blood & Guts Match.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman made his entrance for the main event because he’s in the corner of Daniel Garcia. The fans popped for Garcia while the graphic said that Garcia has won eight matches in a row. Excalibur said that Garcia’s only losses this year were to Swerve Strickland and Christian Cage.
Analysis: I like Garcia and I’m happy to see him get more TV time. It’s just weird that he wasn’t on the card at Forbidden Door when it was a 15-match show counting the pre-show. They should have featured Garcia on that PPV too.
Will Ospreay entered as the AEW International Champion with an impressive 18-1 record. The fans were on fire supporting Ospreay.
AEW International Championship: Will Ospreay vs. Daniel Garcia (w/Maxwell Jacob Friedman)
Will had kinesio tape on his upper back and the right arm. Will decked Garcia with a chop while MJF told Garcia that’s nothing and encouraged Garcia to keep going. Garcia kicked Will in the chest and they exchanged some holds on the mat. Garcia got a hold of Will leading to a quick piledriver. Garcia did a snapmare followed by a dropkick. Garcia hit a neckbreaker followed by a running clothesline. Will trapped Garcia against the turnbuckle leading to a superkick to send Garcia out of the ring. Will jumped over the top onto Garcia with a cross body block on the floor. Will and MJF had a staredown on the floor. Will tossed Garcia into the ring as the show went to break.
(Commercial)
The show was near the top of the hour but we were told they were going past the top of the hour. Will worked over Garcia with chops. Garcia came back with punches. Will kicked Garcia in the head, Garcia no sold that and Garcia hit a couple of neckbreakers. Garcia connected with a DDT and another neckbreaker for two. Will came back with a forearm smash for two. Will worked over Garcia with some short kicks to the head. Will gave Garcia a free shot so Garcia did his dance moves. They exchanged hard slaps to the head and Garcia hit a belly to back suplex. Will hit a Spanish Fly slam into a pin for two. Will went for a double underhook move, but Garcia countered it and Garcia hit his own version of a Deadeye for two. Will leaned forward for pain attempt on Garcia. Will hit a step up enziguri and then Will hit a light Powerbomb. Will hit a Styles Clash for two. The fans were cheering the effort of both guys. Will set up for the Hidden Blade, but Garcia caught him and Garcia applied a sleeper briefly until Will got up. Garcia applied a front facelock and Will powered out of it. Ospreay went for Oscutter, Garcia caught him and Garcia hit a jumping piledriver for two. Great nearfall there. MJF put his Dynamite Diamond Ring on the apron to have Garcia use it, but when Garcia picked it up, Will countered and got a couple of nearfalls. Garcia hit a running clothesline. MJF told Garcia to use the ring, but instead, Garcia gave it back to MJF and MJF was like “okay.” This allowed Will to get back up and Will nailed Garcia with a Hidden Blade elbow smash for the pinfall win after 14 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Will Ospreay
Analysis: ***3/4 A good technical wrestling match that was exciting like most Ospreay matches. Garcia is a talented technical wrestler with a bright future. There really wasn’t a point in the match where I thought Garcia would win, but to his credit, he had a strong showing and put up a fight. The ending reminded me of a finish we have seen many times in wrestling. We saw it in Ospreay’s match with Swerve when Ospreay refused to use the Don Callis screwdriver and Swerve finished off Ospreay shortly after. In this case, it took just one Hidden Blade to beat Garcia after Garcia refused to use MJF’s ring. Ospreay’s reign as International Champion will continue and I doubt he will lose that title any time soon.
After the match, Garcia was sad about the loss while Ospreay spoke to Garcia to encourage him. MJF watched from a distance. Will encouraged the fans to clap for Garcia, so the fans cheered. Will left the ring while MJF checked on Garcia.
MJF told Garcia that was on him, not on Garcia. MJF said that the people still love him. MJF picked up Garcia and raised Garcia’s hand. The fans cheered that. MJF hugged Garcia followed by MJF kicking Garcia in the groin! Some fans chanted “he’s a scumbag” for MJF doing that. MJF put the Dynamite Diamond Ring on his hand and MJF punched Matt Menard off the apron when Menard was there to help his buddy Garcia. When Garcia got back up, MJF punched Garcia with the Dynamite Diamond Ring. MJF kissed the ring that was on his finger. MJF stood on Garcia’s neck while Garcia was bleeding from the forehead. MJF beat up security guys on the apron. MJF punched Garcia repeatedly while Garcia’s bloody head was going onto MJF’s white tank top. MJF punched Garcia several times. MJF teased doing a move to Garcia, but then he just shoved Garcia down instead. Menard at ringside did a blade job as well so he was bleeding. MJF picked up Garcia on the middle turnbuckle and MJF hit a Tombstone Piledriver off the middle turnbuckle. Christopher Daniels and referees were there to try to stop it. MJF kept on attacking Garcia with punches. Ospreay slowly made his way down the ramp and when Ospreay got into the ring, MJF left through the crowd. A fan was giving MJF a middle finger salute so MJF shoved the fan back. MJF got in the face of another fan. MJF walked to the back.
Back in the ring, Daniel Garcia was put on a stretcher by the EMTs. A graphic was shown promoting MJF kicking off AEW Collision this Saturday. Garcia was wheeled on the stretcher and that was the end of the show. The show ended at 10:13 p.m. ET so it was a long overrun.
Analysis: There’s the MJF we know and love. At least it’s the MJF that I like the best. I didn’t mind babyface MJF for most of the last year, but we know that MJF is at his best as a heel and now he’s back in that “scumbag” heel role again. I have to admit that I didn’t see it coming because I thought that MJF was genuine in wanting to help Garcia and I should have known better. When I think about it long term, this is a great thing for Garcia because it’s going to make him a lot more popular and I assume MJF will put him over as well, so Garcia will hopefully become a bigger star out of this storyline. You can also build up the natural MJF-Ospreay feud long term as well. I thought it was executed very well other than the fact that it took so long for people to try to stop MFJ from his attack. I get why it’s done that way to get the heat on Max and the sympathy for Garcia. Overall, I thought they pulled it off successfully. I liked it.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Bryan Danielson
- Will Ospreay
- MJF, Daniel Garcia, Pac
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The Scoreboard
This Week: 8 out of 10
Last Week: 6.75
2024 Average: 7.45
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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite
It felt like a great Dynamite to me. The heel side of the roster got a lot stronger in just one episode because MJF is back to his devilish ways after turning on poor Daniel Garcia. We saw the return of “Hangman” Adam Page as a cold-hearted, sadistic heel who beat up Jeff Jarrett to pick up a big win. There was also Mercedes Mone giving in to the boos from the fans who have turned her heel for the rivalry with Britt Baker. Those are three of the best overall performers in AEW and they are on the heel side, which is great for the company because I think that’s where AEW was lacking. Obviously, The Elite are around as heels as well and they continue to get a lot of heat everywhere they go.
The match quality was strong since they led off with the excellent Bryan Danielson/Pac match which was my favorite match on the show. The main event between Will Ospreay and Daniel Garcia was very good as well. Most of the other matches were solid like Willow Nightingale & Kris Statlander having an intense match that ended with the dreaded ROLLUP OF DEATH~! The six-man tag team match with Joe’s team getting the win was okay, but it was also done to set up the cheap attack by Chris Jericho’s group.
Lastly, I’m happy to see Britt Baker back in an AEW ring saying that she is cleared to return to the ring. She has been out for ten months. She had a health issue that put her on the sideline and there wasn’t much known about it, so good for her sharing that with the AEW audience. It sounds like it was a challenging time for her. I’m glad she has been able to overcome it. That Baker-Mone rivalry should be good over the next two months leading to All In when they meet for the first time. That should be fun to watch. Overall, I enjoyed this episode of Dynamite.
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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