The John Report: AEW Dynamite 07/28/21 Review (Fight for the Fallen)

Welcome to the AEW Dynamite review here on TJRWrestling. It’s Fight for the Fallen week. I apologize in advance if I don’t mention every CM Punk reference. There’s a lot of them. Please don’t give me a GTS. I look forward to his AEW debut, whenever it is.

This is AEW Dynamite from the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Here’s my AEW Dynamite TV review archive. Let’s get to it.

The AEW Dynamite introduction video aired. Jim Ross greeted us with the familiar phrase: “It’s Wednesday night and you know what that means.” The crowd was loud in Charlotte, the pyro went off and the announce team of JR, Excalibur & Tony Schiavone welcomed us to the show. They did a rundown of the matches coming up.

The ten-man tag team match was up first with “Hangman” Adam Page up first. They had a cool video about Hangman being a cowboy while showing the members of The Dark Order as well. This was cool. I’m a huge fan of Page and his rise in AEW is one of the best things they have going. They had spotlights on the Dark Order guys on the stage. I think there was one spotlight on nobody because it was for the late Brodie Lee. That’s a nice tribute. Adam Page made his entrance with the Dark Order guys.

The five-man team of The Elite was introduced like a basketball team. Kenny Omega is the AEW World Champion while the Young Bucks are the AEW Tag Team Champions. They were joined by Don Callis, Michael Nakazawa and Brandon Cutler. The Elite guys all had “The Elite Squad” shirts and logos while wrestling in that gear as well, so it was like they were in basketball gear. Callis joined commentary to bicker with the announcers.

Elimination Tag Team Match: The Elite (Kenny Omega, Nick Jackson, Matt Jackson, Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) vs. “Hangman” Adam Page, Stu Grayson, Evil Uno, John Silver & Alex Reynolds

It’s an elimination tag team match. If Page and Dark Order lose then Page is out of the top five rankings for an AEW World Title shot while Dark Order is out of the rankings for a Tag Team Title shot.

Page hit a fallaway slam on Anderson, then Omega hit Page from behind and the ten guys got into a brawl. Four of the Dark Order guys hit suplexes on The Elite guys at the same time. Reynolds suplexed Nick onto a pile of wrestlers and everybody bumped, even the guys that were not even touched. The match reset with Page chopping Anderson and Reynolds tagged in while The Elite guys all ran into the ring illegally with clotheslines and splashes. Gallows missed his charge, so the Dark Order guys took turns going after Gallows. Silver and Reynolds hit a Stunner into German Suplex combo on Gallows for two because Anderson made the save. Anderson got a rollup on Reynolds while pulling the tights to eliminate Reynolds.

Alex Reynolds eliminated

Anderson was alone in the ring with four Dark Order guys as the four guys all did strikes. Grayson and Uno did their Fatality double team move on Anderson to pin him. I don’t know why The Elite guys were unable to save there.

Karl Anderson eliminated

It’s 4 on 4 now with Silver tossing Matt across the ring two times. They went to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Grayson working over Gallows, he lifted up Doc and Grayson managed to hit an impressive jumping back kick. Grayson hit a 450 Splash on Gallows, but Omega made the save. They did another sequence where random guys got into the ring to do moves and Grayson sent Gallows out of the ring. Grayson did a twisting dive off the top onto a bunch of guys, but nobody caught him! Catch the guy! I think Grayson jumped over some of them and Grayson hit hard on the floor. Gallows fought Grayson into the crowd with a boot to the face. Grayson went up top to a barricade and jumped onto Gallows. The referee claimed both guys were counted out. Referees in AEW count? That’s new.

Stu Grayson and Doc Gallows eliminated

That means it is three to three now with Page, Uno & Silver vs. Omega, Matt & Nick. Uno with a running headscissors followed by a swinging slam on Omega for a two count. Uno jumped off the top with a senton bomb, Omega with a V-Trigger knee and Omega hit a One Winged Angel on Uno to pin him.

Evil Uno eliminated

It’s three on two for The Elite. Silver charged at Matt with a running Spear followed by punches. Matt did some eye gouging on Silver. Nick tagged in with a running knee in the corner along with a bulldog. I believe that’s a CM Punk reference. Nick with a spinning leg lariat leading to a break.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Silver on fire hitting running kicks on all three opponents. Silver with an airplane spin into a slam on Nick for a two count. The crowd reacted big to that nearfall. During the break, Page was Powerbombed by the Young Bucks on the apron. Omega was back in with a German Suplex. The referee lost control as usual. Nick and Matt hit an Indytaker double team piledriver on the floor while Nick tried to dunk a basketball on a mini net, but he missed. Nick dunked after he landed on the floor. The fans chanted “you still missed” on Nick. Matt and Nick hit their BTE Trigger double knee on Silver to pin him and eliminate him.

John Silver eliminated

Page was the last guy left on his team against Omega, Matt & Nick Jackson. Page was Powerbombed on the apron, but he wasn’t selling a back injury at all as he got in the face of Omega, who spit on Page. That led to a brawl, Omega with a V-Trigger, Page with an elbow and both Young Bucks in illegally with a double superkick, Omega with a Snapdragon Suplex and then Omega joined in for a triple superkick for a two count. The fans chanted “Cowboy Shit” for Page as Nick hit a springboard 450 Splash on Page, who was held against the ropes by two guys. Omega charged, but Page fought back against him and Page hit a double clothesline on both Bucks. Page went up top and hit a moonsault on the three guys on the floor. At least they caught him for the landing. Omega with a chop to Omega, but Omega hit a Powerbomb into a pin for two as Nick broke up the pin attempt. Page with a boot to Matt, a boot to Nick and Page hit a Buckshot Lariat on both Young Bucks at the same time with Page pinning Matt.

Matt Jackson eliminated

Omega had the AEW World Title in his hands, the referee Rick Knox actually did something by taking away the title. Omega grabbed another title, Page avoided it and Page hit the Deadeye slam for a two count. Nick was holding Page’s leg, Page tried a Buckshot Lariat, Omega grabbed another title and Omega did a belt shot to the face for two. Great nearfall. Omega with two V-Trigger knees to the face. Omega hit the One Winged Angel for the pinfall win after 26 minutes.

Winners: The Elite – Kenny Omega & Nick Jackson

Analysis: ***3/4 A very good tag team match with a hot crowd. The result was not what I expected because I figured that Page would win to set up the AEW World Title match against Omega, but that didn’t happen. It has likely led to some confusion among AEW fans wondering who might get the title shot. They still have over a month to go until All Out, so there is still time to set it up so that Page is the one getting the title shot because it should be him. There were a lot of interesting spots in the match, but also things that hurt like guys not being caught on dives, the usual awful refereeing that remains a problem in AEW and some of the falls were weak. I still enjoyed the match. It is rare to see a 5 on 5 elimination tag team match in AEW, so I appreciate them doing something different and the action was strong. Omega continues to look strong like he has been all year. Page put up a great fight as a babyface that kept on fighting back, but it was a painful loss for him.

Pac was interviewed by Alex Marvez, who said that Fenix and Penta were supposed to be there. Pac said that some anonymous individual canceled their car at the airport. Andrade showed up with Chavo and another random guy with Chavo saying that they sent a limo for Fenix and Penta. Andrade told Pac to treat his friends better or they will find somebody who will treat them better.

Let’s Hear from Ricky Starks and Taz

Ricky Starks was introduced by Taz as the new FTW Champion. Starks beat his former ally Brian Cage for that title two weeks ago. Starks entered with Hook (Taz’s son) and there was a band at ringside playing music for Stark. There were roses for Starks.

Starks said that Hobbs would have loved it, but he’s out recruiting. Starks said two weeks ago they made history when he became FTW Champion. Starks said that he has been the glue and anchor in this group since he knew his part. Starks said that he covered up for the problems that Cage caused. Starks said that when he hurt his neck, Cage didn’t check up on him because Cage is selfish. Starks said he knows how to be a star while trashing Cage not being a star after 17 years and he has no charisma like Starks.

Brian Cage showed up in his ring gear and he decked some of the guys in the band at ringside. Cage smashed a bass drum over a guy. Cage broke a trombone over his knee. Starks left the ring and Cage didn’t chase him because wrestlers rarely chase.

Analysis: They are clearly setting up another Starks vs. Cage match now that Cage is a face on his own.

Hiroshi Tanahashi did a promo saying he was going to face the winner of the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship match. Tanahashi said he’s won a lot of titles, but not that tile.

Analysis: That’s awesome! Tanahashi is outstanding. The match will be on an NJPW show, but I’d love to see Tanahashi wrestling in AEW at some point. The fans would go crazy for him.

The Pinnacle group entered for FTR’s match. They had matching jumpsuits as FTR entered for match with Tully Blanchard joining them at ringside. The Inner Circle’s Santana & Ortiz entered with Konnan, who is their unofficial manager that has a close bond with them.

Santana & Ortiz (w/Konnan) vs. FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) (w/Tully Blanchard)

Ortiz with a side headlock takeover. Wheeler with a shoulder tackle, Ortiz did a monkey flip and Wheeler bumped out of the ring. Santana and Harwood got into an exchange of punches, chops and Santana hit a suplex. Santana hit two vertical suplex leading to Ortiz tagging in for a double suplex, so it was the Three Amigos like Eddie Guerrero. Santana/Ortiz hit a double team Powerbomb on Wheeler as well. Harwood hit a spinebuster on Ortiz for two.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Ortiz hitting an enziguri kick on Wheler and then a clothesline on Harwood, who was legal for his team. Santana with a clothesline, then a double chop to the throat and Santana with a corner whip leading to a spinebuster. Santana sent Harwood into the ringpost leading to a somersault dive over the top on Wheeler on the floor. Ortiz got the blind tag with a rollup on Dawson and then Ortiz jumped on Wheeler on the floor. Santana with a boot to the face of Harwood, Ortiz with a Powerbomb and Santana went up top and hit a Frog Splash for two on Harwood, who got his shoulder up. Harwood and Santana exchanged clotheslines and Santana hit a German Suplex. Harwood got up quickly with a clothesline. Ortiz with another Powerbomb on Harwood. Wheeler with swinging DDT on Ortiz, Santana with a boot and Santana with a Powerbomb on Harwood for two. Ortiz tagged in with Harwood getting an inside cradle. Harwood set up Ortiz on the turnbuckle. Wheeler was on the top turnbuckle, Santana shoved him down and Wheeler hit his right elbow hard against the turnbuckle steel. The referee immediately called for a doctor as Wheeler walked in the other direction. Harwood was left alone with a superplex off the top as they hooked legs leading to a two count. You could tell they were trying to improvise a finish. Harwood kicked Santana on the floor and then Harwood hit a brainbuster on Ortiz for three. It went 11 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood)

Analysis: *** It was a good match that unfortunately wasn’t the great match I was expecting mainly because of Wheeler getting hurt, so they had to go to the finish quicker than they wanted to. Due to that, there was no reaction to the finish with Harwood hitting a brainbuster for the win. I assume the finish was going to be a double move by FTR, but with Wheeler hurt, they had to improvise and that led to the simple brainbuster finish. Hopefully we get a rematch soon.

Harwood checked on Wheeler, who was holding his right arm while being checked on by doctors. Ortiz was down selling in the ring as if it was the deadliest brainbuster in the history of wrestling.

Analysis: I hope Wheeler is okay. Obviously, the arm was cut and he was bleeding. I hope there’s not too much damage.

Dr. Britt Baker did an interview earlier in the day with Tony Schiavone. Baker has a right arm injury. Baker bragged about beating Nyla Rose and did a cocky promo as usual with the fans chanting along “DMD” part. She’s good at what she does.

(Commercial)

There was a video announcing that the Friday, August 20th edition will come to Chicago’s United Center for “The First Dance” show. There were “CM Punk” chants from the crowd.

Analysis: I think the crowd is right about the “CM Punk” chants. Punk is from Chicago, they’re calling it “The First Dance” and it’s the Friday night that is one night before SummerSlam. Rampage also airs at 10pm ET on Fridays right after Smackdown. I think they are clearly setting up Punk’s debut on that episode of Rampage in Chicago.

Darby Allin and Sting were interviewed by Alex Marvez. Allin said he’s been around a lot of men that claim they are the greatest and he said there’s only one place to prove that – right here in AEW “even if you think you’re the best in the world.” Sting didn’t say a word.

Analysis: The “Best in the World” line was yet another CM Punk reference because it’s a phrase that Punk used a lot in his career. Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan), who is also AEW bound most likely, also used it during his ROH run, but I think Punk’s more known for using the phrase since he said it in WWE a lot. This could mean they will do Punk vs. Allin at AEW All Out on September 5. How much money does Sting to make fly in to this show to stand there to do nothing? Nice job if you can get it.

Hikuleo from New Japan made his entrance. He’s an NJPW wrestler from the Bullet Club group and he brought out his dad, the legendary King Haku (or Meng). Nice pop for Haku, who has a reputation as one of the toughest guys in pro wrestling history. Lance Archer entered as the new IWGP US Champion that won the title last week.

IWGP United States Champion: Lance Archer vs. Hikuleo (w/King Haku)

Archer sent Hikuleo into the corner, then he did multiple corner splashes and punches. Hikuleo picked up Archer with a sitout Powerbomb. Hikuleo went for a slam, but Archer slipped out of that leading to punches. Archer charged into Hikuleo, who hit a powerslam. Hikuleo with a clothesline that sent Archer over the top to the floor.

(Commercial)

The show was back with Hikuleo hitting a chop, but Archer hit a clothesline to the back. They showed a spot during the break where Haku hit Archer in the face. Archer with a boot, two clotheslines and JR did his “bowling shoe ugly” line to describe a match that isn’t that exciting. Archer did a rope walk leading to a moonsault onto a standing Hikuleo. Archer wanted the Blackout, Hikuleo elbowed out of that and then they went up top with Archer hitting a superplex. Archer set up Hikuleo on the top rope and hit the Blackout slam for the pinfall win after about eight minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Lance Archer

Analysis: *1/2 I know AEW has picture in picture for the matches, but I think they should time it better where you get to see the whole match. Anyway, this was just a simple match to put over Archer. I would have timed the Haku interference better so that it was shown full screen instead of during the break.

Archer celebrated the win with JR saying “it wasn’t pretty” after his “bowling shoe ugly” comment earlier. Guess JR might rate the match even lower than I did. Just saying.

Cody Rhodes was shown sitting under an EVP sign in the backstage area. I think there were boos for him. Marvez tried to interview him, but Malakai Black attacked Cody in the backstage area. Cody got an uppercut punch and was booed. When Black hit a jumping knee on Cody on the stage the fans cheered that. Black kneeled down over Cody and said: “Welcome to the House of Black.” Some wrestlers checked on Black, so Black hit Fuego del Sol with a Black Mass kick. They went to break.

Analysis: It’s Cody vs. Black next week on Dynamite. There were louder boos for Cody on the stage. They should turn Cody heel soon because some fans just don’t like the guy.

(Commercial)

Miro, the TNT Champion, did a promo saying that nobody can take his title. Miro talked trash about Lee Johnson, who he will destroy in that match next week. Excalibur: “Could history be made next week?” No.

Private Party (Marq Quen & Isaiah Kassidy) & Angelico (w/Matt Hardy) vs. Christian Cage, Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy (w/Marko Stunt)

Christian with an uppercut on Angelico, Jungle Boy tagged in and hit a double team armdrag on Angelico. Boy with an impressive armdrag on Angelico followed by a dropkick. Jungle Boy was out on the floor with Hardy getting in a cheap shot. Christian chased Hardy up the ramp to the back. Kassidy choked Boy while the referee wasn’t looking. Quen and Kassidy sent Boy into the turnbuckle, Boy broke free and Luchasaurus entered to a good pop. Luchasaurus with a double clothesline. They did a ridiculous spot where Luchasaurus hit a German Suplex on the three opponents at the same time. That was silly, but it drew a pop of course. Christian blocked a punch and got a punch in on his own. Boy was back with a clothesline on Kassidy. Luchasaurus got a hold of Quen, Boy hit a dive on the floor, Luchasaurus hit a Chokeslam and Christian tagged in for a Frog Splash for the pinfall win. It went five minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Christian Cage, Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy

Analysis: ** It was fine for a tag team match under five minutes. Christian’s feud with Matt isn’t that exciting, but the announcers try to put it over as a big deal. Matt Hardy’s group are there to put people over mostly even though I think Private Party should be used better. Jungle Boy needs to be featured more going into the All Out PPV.

Christian Cage and friends celebrated the win while pointing out that Christian is undefeated in AEW. The Blade went up to Christian and punched Christian with the brass knuckles. The Blade is part of the Hardy Family Office, so that’s why it happened. Matt Hardy celebrated with The Blade on the stage.

Analysis: That should set up Christian vs. The Blade with Christian getting another win.

(Commercial)

There was a video about Nick Gage, who is facing Chris Jericho later in the show. They showed highlights of the hardcore matches that Gage has gone through in his career. Gage said “MDK All Day” as if that is supposed to be impressive to me. Sure.

Thunder Rosa vs. Julia Hart (w/Brian Pillman Jr. & Griff Garrison)

Pillman should be doing so much more in this company. Just saying. Anyway, Thunder Rosa got a big pop for her entrance. Thunder is officially an AEW wrestler now. Julia did a move and celebrated briefly, so Rosa grabbed a hold of the leg. Rosa with a corner clothesline followed by a double knee attack. Rosa went for a corner dropkick, Julia moved and Julia did a cartwheel into a clothesline. Rosa tripped the leg and turned it into a kneebar submission with Julia getting to the bottom rope to force the break. Rosa connected with the corner dropkick this time. Rosa hit the Fire Thunder Driver for the pinfall win after four minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Thunder Rosa

Analysis: *1/4 Another short match that was basically a squash to put over Rosa now that she’s under AEW contract. This kind of thing belongs on the Dark show that I don’t normally watch, but I get that they want to put over Rosa. I think it would make sense to have her face Britt Baker at AEW All Out considering their great match a few months ago.

Next week on AEW Dynamite in Jacksonville:

* Malakai Black vs. Cody Rhodes – That is Black’s AEW debut match.

* TNT Championship: Miro vs. Lee Johnson

* The Bunny vs. Leyla Hirsch

* Christian Cage vs. The Blade

I’m really looking forward to Black vs. Rhodes.

The Jericho/Gage main event match was next.

(Commercial)

There was a Jon Moxley promo talking about how the last time we saw him he was crawling out of a pit of barbed wire. Moxley said he’s got business in Tokyo and his calls have been unanswered. Moxley ripped on Tanahashi saying he was dodging him for months. Moxley said “screw you” and Tanahashi can’t face him. Moxley said that he sent contracts to Japanese and we’ll see who comes to the “forbidden door.” Moxley said that the forbidden door, but there is nothing good waiting for them on the other side, referring to himself.

Analysis: This will apparently lead to Moxley vs. Tanahashi at AEW All Out (that’s the plan anyway), so that’s going to be amazing. Tanahashi is one of my favorite wrestlers of the last 20 years and to have him in AEW will be so great for the company. I’m sure incoming guys like CM Punk and Bryan Danielson want to work with him at some point too.

Chris Jericho was introduced as “The Painmaker” Chris Jericho for this match since he was in Painmaker attire with face paint. The fans sang along with the “Judas” song as usual. Nick Gage made his entrance as the opponent with a bandana with his “MDK” letters representing “Murder Death Kill.” Fun guy.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman made his entrance to join commentary. MJF had popcorn in hand on the stage.

No Rules Match: Chris Jericho vs. Nick Gage

This is part of the Five Labours of Jericho where MJF picks Jericho’s opponents for five weeks. Jericho has to beat them all to earn a match against MJF…likely at AEW All Out.

Gage swiped the pizza cutter on the right arm, so Jericho was bleeding on the right arm. Gage hit a spinebuster. Gage with a running kick that knocked Jericho out of the ring. Jericho with a punch followed by a whip into the barricade. They were back in the ring with Gage hitting a superplex off the top followed by a Falcon Arrow slam. Excalibur mentioned that Gage was legally dead for eight minutes in a Deathmatch and when he was airlifted to the hospital, he wanted to get back into the ring. Jericho applied the Walls of Jericho submission, Gage to the ropes, but that doesn’t work in a No Rules match and then Gage rolled out to the floor. Jericho with punches to the head. Gage shoved Jericho right into the ring post. Gage grabbed five light tubes from under the ring while Jericho brought his bat “Floyd” into the ring. Gage walked around like a dumbass as Jericho hit Gage with multiple bat shots to the body. Jericho was a bloody mess, so he did a blade job after hitting the ring post. Gage with a lifting backbreaker. Gage took out the pizza cutter and they turned to face the hard camera with Gage grinding the pizza cutter in Jericho’s face. JR: “Stop it! For God’s sake stop it!” Good thing they didn’t do a close up on that shot. They went to picture in picture break. I saw on Twitter there was a Domino’s Pizza commercial in the US, which was good timing.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Gage setting up a pane of glass across two chairs in the ring while Jericho was laying in the ring “selling” while waiting for Gage to set up the glass. Jericho set up Jericho under the glass, then took way too long on the ropes, Jericho was back up and Jericho hit a hurricanrana that sent Gage through the pane of glass. MJF was screaming on commentary while the fans chanted “holy shit” for that huge spot. That spot could have been the finish, but Jericho got a two count. Jericho went for the Codebreaker, Gage blocked it and slammed Jericho onto the glass. Gage hit Jericho with a light tube on the upper back. Gage hit Jericho in the head with a light tube. Gage gave Jericho a piledriver on the ring filled with glass for a two count. Jericho was a bloody mess. Gage grabbed a broken light tube and jabbed it into the head of Jericho. Gage used the end of a broken light tube to grind it against Jericho’s head again. MJF said that this is fun and “just desserts for Chris Jericho.” JR sarcastically said that this is fun. JR is not a fan of this. Gage tried to attack with the light tube, but Jericho sprayed some green mist in the eyes! Jericho with a light tube attack and a Judas Effect elbow for the pinfall win after 14 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Chris Jericho

Analysis: ** It was a violent match with some ridiculous spots, but the fans seemed to like it, so they had that going for them. I admire the toughness shown by both guys. I can’t sit here and say that I love this type of wrestling. It was a violent match with a lot of weapons used that you don’t see in a typical American wrestling show. I realize it’s big in some indies. It’s not what I want to see. Last week’s main event with Archer/Moxley had a lot of violence too, but it had better structure while doing violence to add to the match rather than make it the main story. Anyway, I’ll give Gage credit for executing wrestling moves the right way when he did them, but this style of wrestling isn’t for me. Also, I’m sure Jericho will be proud that he got through the match okay. He should be happy with his performance. I just don’t think this style of wrestling is that interesting overall. I’m sure that in Chris Jericho’s mind this makes him a badass and shows how tough he is at 50 years old, but his best matches are ones without light tubes, pizza cutters, and glass. That stuff isn’t necessary for a guy like him. I get it if he wants to show that he can hang with people of different styles, but I don’t think the biggest Jericho fans (like me) really care to see him in these kinds of matches. That’s just my opinion on it.

There were two minutes left for a promo from MJF. MJF: “As you sit there in more pain than you’ve ever been in your entire life, I need you to listen to me.” (There’s a CM Punk reference from June 2011 during the famous “Pipe bomb Promo” that Punk did.) MJF said that next week for Labour #3 is Jericho has to hit a move off the top rope to win. MJF cued up a tape of November 13 with Jericho mentioning Juventud Guerrera in a promo. MJF said he did Google him, so Labour #3 is Jericho facing Juventud Guerrero.

MJF remained on the ramp while Jericho was getting looked at by a doctor at ringside. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: That means Jericho has to go from winning No Rules Match to winning a regular match against a guy that’s 46 years old like Juvi. I like Juvi a lot, but he’s far from his prime years. Anyway, Jericho will win that match too.

Three Stars of the Show

1. “Hangman” Adam Page
2. Kenny Omega
3. Nick Jackson

The Scoreboard

This Week: 7.25 out of 10

Last Week: 7.5

2021 Average: 7.36

Final Thoughts

It was a pretty good show this week as usual. The crowd is on fire for most things, so that always helps and most of the stories make sense. I think the first hour was better than the second hour. The second hour several short matches with predictable outcomes. There are going to be some people that loved the No Rules Match with Jericho and Gage, but I didn’t love it. Some people like heavy metal music too and I don’t care for that. It’s all a personal choice. I get the story that MJF picked Gage to make it tough on Jericho. I just think the style of wrestling with the pizza cutter as well as light tubes is too over the top even for pro wrestling. I preferred the violent Archer/Moxley that was in the main event last week. I also hope that Cash Wheeler is okay after the injury he suffered in the tag team match between FTR and Santana/Ortiz that ended abruptly.

The 10-man elimination tag team match to open the show was very good. Best match of the night. I think most people assumed “Hangman” Adam Page would win to set the AEW World Title shot with Kenny Omega, but instead, it was Kenny and Nick Jackson as the winners. There’s still over a month until All Out, so there’s plenty of time to see where they are going with things.

They are obviously bringing in CM Punk soon (probably August 20 on Rampage in Chicago) and you could tell based on all the references they made to him. I tried to mention all the references in the review, but I’m sure some slipped by. I’m excited to see what he (as well as Bryan Danielson) will do in AEW. Things are getting very interesting.

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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

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