Reviews

The John Report: AEW Dynamite 07/13/22 Review

By John Canton • Published 14th July 2022
aew dynamite july 13

This week’s AEW Dynamite featured Wardlow defending the TNT Title while the Young Bucks defended the AEW Tag Team Titles in a triple threat match.

I did not review last week’s Dynamite since I was on vacation last week. I did see highlights of the show, so I know what happened including Wardlow winning the TNT Title. Good for him. Well deserved.

This was AEW Dynamite episode #145 at the Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia.

It’s Wednesday night and you know what that means. Excalibur and Tony Schiavone were on commentary with Taz. This is a Fyter Fest episode. Whatever that means.

Orange Cassidy made his entrance with his Best Friends Chuck Taylor and Trent Beretta. I don’t remember the last time Chuck has been in a match on Dynamite. In a pre-tape interview, Chuck and Trent said they had manager’s licenses, so they said they will cheat a lot. Orange said he didn’t care. Wardlow was shown making his entrance with the TNT Championship around his waist. Wardlow won that title last week.

TNT Championship: Wardlow vs. Orange Cassidy

Orange put his hands in his pockets, then Wardlow pulled Orange’s hands out and ripped the pockets. Wardlow pulled the straps down, so Orange put the straps back up. Wardlow blocked a DDT, then he wanted a Powerbomb and Orange went for a takedown, but Wardlow cartwheeled out of that. Looks like they practiced that dance move before the show. Trent and Chuck tried to cheat with comedy gimmicks, but the referee caught them and sent them to the back. Orange did his comedy kicks, Wardlow was sent out of the ring and Wardlow put on the brakes with Orange trying to send Wardlow into the ring post. Wardlow found Danhausen under the ring and Danhausen was too scared to curse Wardlow. Orange hit an Orange Punch on the floor. Back in the ring, Wardlow hit a belly to belly suplex. Wardlow rolled out of the ring for a Picture-In-Picture break.

(Commercial)

Orange tried a cross body block off the top, Wardlow caught him, Orange broke free and hit two chop blocks to the back of the left knee. Wardlow tried a Powerbomb, but Orange countered with a DDT. Orange with another spinning DDT. Wardlow got a hold of Orange and gave him the F10 toss across the ring. Wardlow covered with his foot for a two count. The announcers were shocked that Orange kicked out. Orange fought out of a Powerbomb attempt with a hurricanrana. Orange hit a suicide dive out of the ring. Orange sent Wardlow into the ring post two times. Orange went up top, Wardlow caught him and Orange hit a Stundog Millionaire. Orange with the Orange Punch and the Beach Break slam for a two count. Orange went for the Orange Punch again, but Wardlow caught him with a Powerbomb for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Wardlow

Analysis: ***1/2 A competitive match that was pretty good. They barely did anything in the first five minutes. The part of the match after the commercial was great. Orange hit Wardlow with everything, Wardlow kept kicking out and Wardlow finished him off with one Powerbomb from there. We have seen Wardlow destroy 20 guys in a single match and destroy others easily, but this 200-pound guy that does comedy stuff was able to hang with Wardlow. Personally I’d rather see Wardlow win in dominant fashion for a few months before he’s put to the test like this, but I guess AEW wants and needs a guy like Orange to come close to winning.

Post match, Wardlow and Orange touched knuckles to show there was mutual respect since they are both babyfaces.

They showed highlights Pac retaining the All-Atlantic Title against Shota Umino at Rev Pro show on Sunday. They showed it on AEW Dark on Tuesday.

Let’s Hear from Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho made his entrance wearing a red suit with a black shirt. Jericho faces Eddie Kingston next week in a barbed wire match against Eddie Kingston next week on Dynamite. Jericho’s friends will be in a shark cage above the ring. The fans sang along with “Judas” for Jericho’s entrance.

Jericho said that he’s not there as the sports entertainer, The Wizard or rock star – he stands there as the Living Legend. Jericho said he is Eddie Kingston’s superior. Jericho said that Kingston is not a liar, but he is a little bit confused. Jericho said that Kingston challenged Jericho to a Barbed Wire Everywhere match next week. Jericho talked about how being friends with Kingston is a worst curse than Danhausen could ever conjure up. Jericho mentioned shaving Ortiz’s head while taking his dignity, they took out Santana at Blood & Guts, Jericho said that he took out Bryan Danielson at Anarchy in the Arena and he added that we don’t know when he’s coming back. Jericho mentioned Ruby Soho has a mangled hand is because she is Eddie’s Ruby. Jericho told him to take better care of his chicks.

Jericho said Eddie challenge him to a barbed wire match because Eddie is a mark for Funk, Onita and Sabu, but how many barbed wire matches has Eddie had and won? Jericho said he won a barbed wire match in Canada at the tender age of 22 years old. Jericho said that even though the pain was unbearable, he felt pleasure. Jericho added that he’s just as sadistic and maniacal that Kingston is. Jericho said that next week, Eddie isn’t just facing Jericho, he’s facing the Painmaker, who is undefeated in AEW. Jericho said that this is the final fight in the Kingston-Jericho saga and once Jericho beats him, Eddie can continue his drinking, drugging, depression, mind problems, mental issues and every other excuse he has. Jericho said that Kingston will never be at Jericho’s level…ever. Jericho talked about how if you want blood, he’s got it. Jericho said Kingston isn’t a liar, he’s a loser.

Analysis: Strong promo by Jericho as usual. He was in serious mode without cracking jokes this week, which was the right way to go into it. Since Jericho hasn’t lost as the “Painmaker” character then there might be people thinking he’ll win. I think Kingston should win and will win. It should be a bloodbath next week between Jericho and Kingston. I wouldn’t expect anything less from them.

Jon Moxley in action up next.

(Commercial)

Eddie Kingston was backstage for a promo with his friends Ortiz and Ruby Soho standing beside him. Kingston said it’s not going to matter what Jericho brings. Eddie said that he’s going to make Jericho pay for what he did to Ruby’s arm and shaving Ortiz’s head. Eddie said he’s going to hurt Jericho and enjoy it while adding he’ll see him at Barbed Wire Everywhere. I guess that’s the name of the match.

Konosuke Takeshita made his entrance to a nice ovation. Jon Moxley, the interim AEW World Champion, got a huge pop as usual as he made his entrance from the back part of the arena. Moxley is 52-4-1 in singles matches in AEW. William Regal was on commentary to support Moxley.

Jon Moxley vs. Konosuke Takeshita

This is an “AEW Interim World Championship Eliminator Match” which is another way of saying if Takeshita wins then he gets a title match against Jon Moxley.

They did a sequence where they exchanged shoulder tackles, then Moxley with a hard chop and a side headlock takeover. Takeshita with a jumping leg lariat followed by a chop. That turned into a chop fest until Takeshita ran the ropes and Moxley hit him with a clothesline. Moxley hit a piledriver for two. They battled on the apron where they exchanged forearms and Takeshita hit a German Suplex on the apron. Moxley put his hand up to prevent his head from hitting the apron first. They exchanged strikes on the floor, Takeshita sent Moxley into the ring and then Moxley kicked Takeshita off the apron to the floor.

(Commercial)

Takeshita was bleeding from the forehead because it’s a Moxley match where somebody must do a blade job. Moxley was in control with a German Suplex. Takeshita with some strikes, then he ran the ropes and hit a leaping clothesline. Regal said he was spectacular. Takeshita with a running boot to the face (like the Helluva Kick that Sami Zayn uses), no sold by Moxley, who hit a running forearm to the head. Takeshita hit a brainbuster for two. Takeshita went up top with a splash, but Moxley got the knees up to block. Moxley applied a cross armbreaker on the left arm, but Takeshita got to the ropes to break the hold. The fans chanted “this is awesome” as Takeshita hit a hurricanrana. Moxley went to the floor, so Takeshita hit a somersault dive over the top onto Moxley on the floor. Back in the ring, Takeshita went up top and hit a Frog Splash for two. They each hit clotheslines, then Moxley went for a sleeper, but Takeshita hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Takeshita hit the Helluva Kick from Sami Zayn earlier and then the Blue Thunder Bomb, so I guess he’s a Sami Zayn fan. Moxley blocked a jumping knee, then he hit a Paradigm Shift and hit elbows to the head. Takeshita got out of a lifting move, he hit a forearm to the face and a bridging German Suplex for two. That was nearly a three count. Moxley with headbutts followed by the Death Rider (high angle Paradigm Shift) and elbows to the head. Moxley with the Bully Choke for the tapout win. It went 14 minutes. Moxley was bleeding by the nose and forehead a bit as well.

Winner by submission: Jon Moxley

Analysis: **** This was a great brawl with Moxley surviving a tough test from Takeshita. The fans were really behind Takeshita as the match went on even though they like Moxley as well. Since Takeshita was busted open, it made the fans feel sympathetic towards him while he was making his comebacks and getting nearfalls throughout the match. There were a couple of times when Takeshita looked very close to winning, but in the end it was Moxley hitting his big moves and making him tap out to win. I don’t expect Moxley to lose a match before he faces CM Punk to unify the AEW World Titles, perhaps at All Out in September or later than that.

Moxley had the Interim AEW World Title with him as he sat against the turnbuckle with the announcers putting the match over with compliments.

This is where I think AEW is faulty a bit in terms of production. That match was outstanding. Instead of showing replays of the action, they cut away to the next part of the show. You need to put over the talent that put on a great match. Show the fans the nearfalls. They also do a bad job of not replaying stuff from the previous week when there’s a big angle or match. You can’t assume everybody watching right now watched last week or remembers every little thing.

The House of Black group did a promo talking about Darby Allin. It was Malakai Black, Julia Hart and Brody King with no Buddy Matthews. Brody King said that he didn’t need Darby’s praise. King said for years he watched Darby ascend, but now King is getting “mine by taking yours.” That was it.

Analysis: King attacked Allin at a live event signing over the past week, so that’s what furthered the feud.

Christian Cage made his entrance for a promo with his buddy Luchasaurus joining him. Christian did a promo about the Varsity Blonds duo of Brian Pillman Jr. and Griff Garrison. Christian ripped on Pillman’s mullet saying he’d fit in with the imbeciles in Georgia. Christian said that just like Jungle Boy, Pillman had a father, but your father was a legend in this business. Christian said that in his opinion, Brian Pillman was average at best because he wasn’t a living legend, multi-time World Champion like Christian is. Christian said that he respected Pillman for spending his time in that ring. Christian claimed that Pillman would be appalled knowing his final contribution to this business was Pillman Jr. Ouch. Christian made fun of Griff Garrison’s look while asking Luchasaurus if he looked like Jungle Boy, so that led to the match.

Analysis: Christian continues to be a jerk ripping on dead fathers like he does towards Jungle Boy’s dad Luke Perry and now he took a shot at the late Brian Pillman as well. Christian has reminded us that he is a great talker. I never forgot it, but it’s nice to hear Christian delivering memorable promos again.

Luchasaurus vs. Griff Garrison

Luchasaurus with a corner clothesline and a release German Suplex across the ring. Luchasaurus kicked Garrison’s head against the ring post. Luchasaurus with a Chokeslam. Luchasaurus hit another Chokeslam. Luchasaurus with a submission move called the Tarpit for the tapout win in under two minutes.

Winner by submission: Luchasaurus

Analysis: 1/2* A squash match with Luchasaurus getting the easy win.

Post match, Luchasaurus wanted to do more to Garrison, so Pillman got in his face. Luchasaurus with a headbutt. Luchasaurus gave Garrison a Chokeslam onto Pillman on a table at ringside. The table didn’t break, so Luchasaurus did it again and this time Garrison was slammed onto Pillman to break the table.

Analysis: More dominance by Luchasaurus. Jungle Boy has had a nice vacation for the past month, but when he comes back he’ll be more popular than ever.

The JAS members Angelo Parker, Matt Menard and Daniel Garcia were interviewed by Tony Schiavone, who mentioned they’ll be in a shark cage for next week’s Jericho-Kingston match. Parker and Menard complained about it. Garcia had some trash talk for Wheeler Yuta ahead of their match at ROH Death Before Dishonor.

A video aired about AEW All Out will take place in Chicago. There will be AEW Dynamite on Wednesday, August 31 at the Now Arena in Chicago, then a live Rampage on Friday, September 2 at the Now Arena in Chicago and then AEW All out on Sunday, September 4 at the Now Arena in Chicago.

Analysis: Finally an AEW show in Chicago. I’m kidding. They are always there. They just had Forbidden Door in Chicago in late June and now Chicago gets yet another PPV show. It’s weird how much they keep going to the same city. I get that it’s good for their business, but they really should spread it out more. A PPV would do well in a lot of other markets too.

(Commercial)

They showed “Hangman” Adam Page, who was interviewed by Tony Schiavone. Page was interrupted by his friends John Silver and Alex Reynolds. Silver and Reynolds issued a challenge for House of Black. Page was fine with that.

Jim Ross made his entrance to join the commentary team for the second half of Dynamite. They demoted JR to only half of Dynamite a few weeks ago. Poor JR.

Jake Hager made his entrance with an 19-14 record in AEW. That’s not very good. He has only wrestled 33 matches in three years of being in AEW? That’s a light schedule. Claudio Castagnoli got a big pop with William Regal joining him. Claudio is 2-0 in AEW with Regal joining commentary again.

Jake Hager vs. Claudio Castagnoli

Claudio with a running uppercut. Hager avoided a swing attempt. Claudio kicked Hager off the apron. The fans chanted “We The People” for them as a reference to a stable they were in about a decade ago. Hager was on the floor, Claudio went after him and Hager hit him with a clothesline. Claudio avoided a Hager Bomb leading to Claudio hitting a 619 kick for two. Hager with a corner clothesline, then he hit more clotheslines and Claudio hit a couple of running uppercuts. Claudio with a dropkick to the knee along with a bulldog. Claudio sent Hager into the top turnbuckle repeatedly. Hager picked up Claudio with double leg slam. Hager tossed Claudio across the ring followed by the Hager Bomb off the ropes for two. They went to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

Hager was in control with a belly to belly suplex across the ring for a two count. Claudio came back with an impressive springboard uppercut. Claudio with a running uppercut two times in a row followed by a dropkick that sent Hager out of the ring. Claudio with a running uppercut on Hager on the floor. Claudio was on the top rope and jumped off the top with a cross body block for a two count. Claudio did the Giant Swing on Hager leading right into the Sharpshooter submission. Hager was signalling for help, so Angelo Parker and Matt Menard showed up to distract Claudio. Hager with a uranage slam for two. Claudio came back with a belly to back suplex. Claudio knocked Parker off the apron, then a lifting uppercut on Hager and Claudio hit the Ricola Bomb for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Claudio Castagnoli

Analysis: *** A good match with Claudio continuing his positive momentum with a win. There was one moment with Hager looking like he might win after the distraction from his friends, but then Claudio put him away easily. I don’t think the announcers said “Cesaro” this time during his match, so that’s a first for his AEW run.

Hook was interviewed by Lexi Nair, but he never answered when she asked if there would be a title shot in his future. What a gimmick.

(Commercial)

They showed a clip of Thunder Rosa losing a non-title match in Japan. That will lead to a title match.

Thunder Rosa and Toni Storm were interviewed by Tony Schiavone. Rosa enjoyed teaming with Toni as Thunderstorm and they’re ready to take on anybody. Dr. Britt Baker DMD arrived with Jamie Hayter with Britt saying that this place is a disaster without her – a natural disaster referencing Thunderstorm. They were prepared to handle a Thunderstorm and then Rebel brought in a sandbag. Britt handed the sandbag to Thunder with Britt saying: “You try carrying her for a month.” Rosa said she can’t wait “bury” her with it.

Analysis: It’s all about the insider references in AEW. The sandbag referenced Rosa’s bad match with Marina Shafir where they didn’t sell for eachother well. Then Rosa used the term bury at the end of the promo. AEW assumes everybody watching knows all the insider terms, but I’m sure a lot of people are confused.

Serena Deeb vs. Anna Jay

This is the usual spot for the women’s match on the show midway through the second hour. Jay got a mild pop since she is from Georgia and greeted some family at ringside. Oh yeah, Jay is part of the failure of a group called the Dark Order as well. Jay with a flatliner into the mat followed by a neckbreaker. Serena got a takedown into an armbar, but Jay got out of it. Jay went for the Queen Slayer submission, then Serena went to the ropes and used the ropes to hit a neckbreaker. Serena with a twisting neckbreaker for a two count. They went to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Jay hitting two back elbows and a running elbow smash. Jay hit a release Northern Lights Suplex for a two count. JR said Anna Jay is 23-2 in 2022, but I think most of those matches are on the youtube shows because she has barely been on TV this year. Anyway, Serena got control teasing a backslide and turned Jay around a lot. Jay with a back body drop, Serena turned it into a sunset flip pin and then Serena applied a submission move sitting on the neck while pulling on the arms. Jay turned it into a pin. That was a sloppy exchange. Jay with a standing side kick to the head. Jay missed a kick in the corner, Serena with a leg whip takedown and Jay managed the Queen Slayer submission. Serena got out if it and applied the Serenity Lock submission after about eight minutes. JR called it a “great match” which is a stretch, but it’s AEW where they say every match is great.

Winner by submission: Serena Deeb

Analysis: **1/2 It was just an average match. A few weak spots in the match, but it ended up okay by the end. The crowd did pop for Jay’s Queen Slayer submission near the finish at least, so that’s good for her. Deeb winning is what I expected. Deeb is pushed mildly ahead of her ROH Title match while Jay is barely featured in TV matches.

After the match, Mercedes Martinez made the save with the ROH Women’s Title in her hands since she’s against Serena at Death Before Dishonor. I guess Mercedes is a face in their match. Anyway, Serena and Mercedes exchanged words from a distance. That was it.

Jade Cargill, the TBS Champion, was shown backstage with The Baddies (Kiera Hogan) and Stokely Hathaway, who was beside Leila Gray. Cargill told Tony to cut the shit, which is also funny. Stokely said he’s for The Baddies the same way that Wu-Tang is for the children. Stokely said they’ll be watching Kris and Athena on Rampage. Kiera Hogan told Leila Grey she’ll never be a Baddie.

Analysis: Are we really supposed to care if a woman is part of The Baddies or not? I don’t get it. I assume she’ll help Jade win a match in the future to earn her spot. Whatever. I like “cut the shit” part always at least.

This Friday on AEW Rampage (it was taped after Dynamite):

* ROH World Championship: Jonathan Gresham vs. Lee Moriarty

* The Gunns explain why they turned on The Acclaimed

* Private Party vs. Lucha Brothers. Poor Private Party. They are booked so poorly for so long. Those guys should be on TV way more.

Next Wednesday on Dynamite for Fyter Fest Week 2. I still don’t know what the point of Fyter Fest Week 1 is.

* Barbed Wire Everywhere Death Match: Eddie Kingston vs. “The Painmaker” Chris Jericho. Jericho Appreciation Society will be suspended in a shark cage.

Ring of Honor Death Before Dishonor PPV on Saturday, July 23:

* ROH Pure Championship: Wheeler Yuta vs. Daniel Garcia.

* ROH World Tag Team Championships: FTR vs. The Briscoes. That should be the main event.

* ROH TV Championship: Samoa Joe vs. Jay Lethal.

Jay Lethal appeared with Sonjay Dutt and Satnam Singh. Jay said he’ll singlehandedly remove the TV Title from Samoa Joe. Lethal said that he is going to embarrass Joe.

The main event was up next.

(Commercial)

More matches announced for Dynamite next week in addition to Kingston vs. Jericho:

* Luchasaurus & Christian Cage vs. Varsity Blonds.

* Brody King vs. Darby Allin.

Anna Jay was shown in the trainer’s room with Tony Schiavone there for an interview. Tay Conti interrupted to mock Anna for her first match on TV for months and then this happens. Anna ripped on Tay for slamming Ruby’s hand into a car door. Tay said if you did then you’d be on TV more often. Tay said she liked Anna, but she had to make better choices for her career.

Analysis: They were former friends, but Tay turned heel with fiancé Sammy Guevara, so they are no longer allies. Somehow, we’ll try to survive.

It was time for the main event triple threat match that they are calling “Triple or Nothing” for something. Ricky Starks and Powerhouse Hobbs were up first as the #2 ranked tag team. Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee were next as the #3 ranked tag team with the name Swerve In Our Glory for them. The #1 ranked tag team has been FTR for many months, but they haven’t got a title shot for a very long time while these two challenger teams have had multiple title shots. The Young Bucks were up next as the AEW Tag Team Champions. They won the title four weeks ago on Dynamite on June 15th.

AEW Tag Team Championships: The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) vs. Swerve In Our Glory (Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland) vs. Ricky Starks & Powerhouse Hobbs

The rules (as if they matter in an AEW tag team match) are that two guys start in the ring while the other four guys are on the apron. Lee started with Matt, who avoided a spin kick and Matt tagged out. Nick did an armdrag off the ropes, Swerve landed on his feet and then they did some moves that would work in a breakdancing competition. They both jumped out of the ring, went for dropkicks and had a staredown. Back in the ring, Nick got an armdrag takedown. Starks tagged in, there was a double ropewalk spot and Starks/Nick collapsed on the top rope. Matt tagged in with three Northern Lights Suplexes and then he did one to Swerve at the same time. I don’t know who was legal as Hobbs and Le suplexed Matt at the same time. All six guys were in the ring as Lee tossed Starks and Nick across the ring. Swerve tagged in against Matt while Lee did a hard two-handed chop to Matt and Swerve hit an elbow smash to the back of Matt. Lee was shoved into Swerve, who was on the top rope and Matt shoved Lee into the ring post. Starks and Hobbs each made tags leading to some double team moves including a dropkick from Starks. They went to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

The match continued with the Young Bucks doing a double armdrag to Swerve, but Swerve hit a double dropkick. Lee got the tag leading to shoulder tackles on three guys and then running corner splashes on three guys. The Bucks splashed eachother by accident and Lee launched Starks onto both Bucks. Lee was tripped up by Hobbs and Starks. Nick tried a dive onto Lee, but Lee caught him and gave Nick a Powerbomb into Matt. Back in the ring, Lee tried a move on Nick, but Hobbs tagged himself in against Lee. The power guys Lee and Hobbs faced off leading to a double cross body block spot. Lee and Hobbs battled in the corner, Hobbs shoved him down and Hobbs went up top with a Frog Splash for two. That was an impressive leap by Hobbs! They didn’t even replay it even though they should have. Nick was legal against Starks, Hobbs had Nick on his shoulders and Starks walked the top rope leading to a Cutter on Nick for a two count. Swerve tagged in against Matt with Swerve hitting a backbreaker and a clothesline on Matt. Nick may have tagged in although it wasn’t clear and Nick went into the ring with a superkick on Swerve. Lee into the ring illegally, the each Buck hit superkicks and a double superkick. Lee powered back up, Starks was also in the ring illegally and it was a triple superkick. Starks posed with the Bucks like a dumbass ate a double superkick. Hobbs hit a running corner splash on the referee in the corner because the Bucks moved. See, now it’s okay to do illegal things with the referee bumped, but the referee barely does anything in these matches anyway. The Bucks superkicked Hobbs onto referee Rick Knox in the corner. Matt had one of the AEW Tag Team Titles, he tried to use it as a weapon, but Starks hit Matt with a superkick. Swerve kicked Starks in the head. Swerve had the title, he thought about using it on Lee, but Matt hit a low blow on Swerve. Matt hit Lee, Hobbs and Swerve with the title while the referee woke up to count the two count. Great nearfall there. Bucks hit the BTE Trigger on Swerve, but Starks made the save. Bucks wanted a double team move, but Lee caught Nick leading to Lee/Swerve doing a forearm/kick combo on Nick. Lee picked up Swerve, who went up top and Swerve did the Swerve Stomp while Lee gave Matt a Powerbomb. Swerve covered Matt for the one…two…and no! Hobbs and Starks broke up the pin. Hobbs with a spinebuster on Lee, Hobbs with a spinebuster on Swerve onto Lee and Hobbs with two more spinebusters on both Young Bucks onto Lee. New Tag Team Champions! Starks tagged in with a rollup on Swerve. They’re legal? I guess. I lost track. Starks ran the ropes leading to a Spear for two because Nick made the save. Lee blocked a Matt kick, then hit Matt with his shoe and hit Nick with Matt’s shoe. Lee suplexed Hobbs over the top to the floor. Lee headbutted Starks, Swerve went up top and jumped off Lee’s chest leading to a moonsault onto three guys on the floor. Starks ran the ropes, but Lee stopped him with a Pounce. Lee with a running somersault dive over the top onto both Bucks and Hobbs on the floor. Great move by Lee! Swerve went up top, he jumped off with a Swerve Stomp on Starks for the one…two…and three! New Tag Team Champions! It went 18 minutes.

Winners by pinfall AND NEW AEW Tag Team Champions: Swerve In Our Glory – Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland

Analysis: ****1/2 It was an awesome match. Lots of exciting action. I was surprised by Lee and Swerve winning since they had issues as a team where it looked like they would split up if they lost this match, but instead, they got the win. I’m also surprised that The Young Bucks only had a four-week reign as Tag Team Champions because most tag team title reigns in AEW go a lot longer than that. I certainly don’t mind the title change because Lee/Strickland are an exciting team. As is the case with most AEW tag team matches, they basically through the tag team rules out of the window for the final few months so that all six guys could participate in the spotfest. To their credit, at least it made sense because you had Lee take out three guys with a dive so that Swerve could finish off Starks, who was laid out after Lee ran him over. There were times in the match where it looked like The Young Bucks would win, then I thought Swerve/Hobbs had it won, but in the end it was the likable team of Lee/Swerve that found a way to get the win. Going nearly 20 minutes in a triple threat tag team match isn’t easy because there’s so much action and it’s hard to keep track of everything. They all do an excellent job. I was impressed by some of the power spots of Hobbs just as much as Lee’s power moments and then Starks got to stand out too. The Bucks were great at double team moves as usual. Swerve getting the win shows that AEW has really gotten behind him since he joined the company a few months ago. I liked this match a lot.

They were past the top of the hour so they had to sign off quickly. Swerve celebrated in the ring, Keith Lee rolled into the ring with Swerve and they were handed the titles. That was the end of the show.

Post match, Keith Lee did a promo talking about how one of his best friends is dealing with cancer in stage four and Keith dedicated the match to him. Keith said he’ll visit his friend when he can. It was an emotional night for Keith. Here’s that video.

Three Stars of the Show

  1. Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland
  2. Jon Moxley/Konosuke Takeshita
  3. Young Bucks and Starks/Hobbs

The Scoreboard

This Week: 8.25 out of 10

Last Week: No review.

Final Thoughts

This was a very good wrestling show in terms of in-ring action. The main event triple threat tag team match was outstanding. It got a lot of time, plenty of nearfalls and it was full of action. I didn’t expect Lee & Swerve to get the win, so it’s nice to see that. It was an emotional night for Lee (that’s covered in the review as well) that ended in one of the biggest wins of his career. That tag team match could have gone either way with the Young Bucks coming close to retaining, then Starks/Hobbs almost won and then it was Swerve getting the win for his team with Lee. I’m a bit surprised that the Bucks only held the titles for four weeks, but that’s all it was. AEW has a lot of good tag teams. You can book some shorter title reigns sometimes, I guess.

I liked the Moxley/Takeshita match a lot. The crowd was really behind Takeshita by the end of it, but of course Moxley was going to win. Wardlow beating Orange Cassidy was good in the second half after they stopped doing comedy stuff. Claudio beating Hager was obvious as well.

I think in terms of storylines there are not a lot of interesting things going on other than the Kingston/Jericho feud that will end next week in a Barbed Wire match. Jericho did a nice job with a serious promo to build that up.

Lastly, I still don’t know what Fyter Fest means or why we should care about it. Just like the Road Rager thing a few weeks ago. It’s just random words that AEW adds to shows.

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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