The John Report: AEW Dynamite 08/03/22 Review
This week’s AEW Dynamite featured Chris Jericho in action against Wheeler Yuta, The Acclaimed vs. Gunn Club in a Dumpster Match and Orange Cassidy facing Jay Lethal as well.
This was AEW Dynamite episode #148 at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio. Check out the AEW PPV listing archive only on TJRWrestling as well. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
It’s Wednesday night and you know what that means. Excalibur welcomed us to the show with Taz and Tony Schiavone joining him on commentary.
Orange Cassidy vs. Jay Lethal
Jay Lethal told his buddies Sonjay Dutt and Satnam Singh to go to the back during his entrance. Orange got a rollup followed by a side headlock, Lethal with a shoulder tackle and then they exchanged arm drags leading to Orange avoiding it, so Orange put his hands in his pockets. Orange with a dropkick to the back to send Lethal out of the ring. Orange hit a suicide dive on Lethal on the floor. Lethal went up the ramp where Satnam Singh was standing. If referee Bryce Remsburg was counting then it would be a countout, but there was no count. Chuck Taylor had Trent on his shoulders to match up to Satnam in terms of height. Back in the ring, Lethal did a dragon screw leg whip on the left leg. Lethal stomped on Orange’s left leg on the steel steps. Orange with a dropkick into the steel steps while Orange’s leg was trapped under the steps. That led to a picture in picture break.
(Commercial)
Lethal continued working on the left leg with a kick to the knee. Cassidy kicked Lethal down, then Cassidy sent Lethal into the turnbuckle and Lethal came back with a dragon screw leg whip off the ropes. Lethal with a Figure Four Leglock, but Orange was able to get to the ropes quickly. Orange countered Lethal with a Stundog Millionaire and Lethal hit a backbreaker into a flatliner for the Lethal Combination for two. Cassidy sent Lethal into the middle turnbuckle. Cassidy fought off Lethal while on the turnbuckle and Orange jumped off with a jumping DDT. Orange hit another jumping DDT on Lethal. Orange stumbled while taking a step because his left knee was hurt, so Lethal taunted Orange about it. Orange hit the Beach Break slam that looks like a back body drop for a two count. Orange charged, Lethal clipped the left knee and Orange got an inside cradle. Lethal avoided the Orange Punch, then Lethal kicked the knee and Lethal hit the Lethal Injection off the ropes for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Jay Lethal
Analysis: ***3/4 This was a pretty good match that saw Lethal control most of the action by working on the injured left leg. Orange sold it really well throughout the match. Orange’s gimmick isn’t my favorite thing, but the guy can have some great matches when given the chance. It made sense for Lethal to get the win since he’s feuding with Wardlow now.
Post match, Sonjay Dutt celebrated Jay’s win with Satnam Singh joining them in the ring. Dutt asked Lethal for his thoughts on Wardlow. Lethal said Wardlow stuck his nose in their business while Lethal said he was going to put the Figure Four Leglock on Cassidy and break his leg. Chuck Taylor and Trent Beretta ran out there while Wardlow, the TNT Champion, was next. Wardlow went into the ring, so the heels retreated. Dutt said they should do it at Battle of the Belts III this coming Saturday (taped on Friday). Wardlow welcomed Columbus to “Wardlow’s World.” Wardlow accepted the challenge while saying that the end result is he’s going to whoop that ass.
Analysis: Pick Wardlow to win. Safe bet.
They showed a replay of last week when Hook beat Ricky Starks to win the FTW Title.
Let’s Hear from The Undisputed Elite
The Undisputed Elite group entered to Adam Cole’s music. It was Cole, The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson), Bobby Fish, Kyle O’Reilly and the stooge with the camera, Brandon Cutler. Cole said it felt great being back in this ring with his friends. Cole said that he is still not medically cleared, but he’s taken this time to think and process a lot of things. Cole said that as a great leader, you figure out what you can fix. Cole talked about how they had great chemistry while also adding that they had talent and most importantly it’s about loyalty. Cole said that they had that too. Cole said that he came to AEW because of the Young Bucks and that is loyalty. Cole talked about spending his career traveling with Kyle and Bobby while adding that loyalty is everything. Cole mentioned the trios tournament. Cole spoke about how there was nothing he would love more than for the Undisputed Elite to be the winners of this tournament. Cole told The Young Bucks if he’s not cleared, if Kyle isn’t cleared and they don’t pick Fish then they will be unable to do the tournament. Fish choked Nick and kicked him in the head. Kyle chop blocked Matt’s left knee and Cole hit Matt with a superkick. They even found a video of a kid crying in the crowd. Fish put a chair around Matt’s neck and Cole was about to stomp on it, but “Hangman” Adam Page ran out there with a pipe in hand. Page was wearing a white tank top and jeans with butterflies on them for some reason.
Page was alone in the ring with the Young Bucks with Excalibur wondering if this was the reunion that fans were clamoring for. Matt was down on the mat holding his knee, so Page lifted him up and Matt nodded at him. Page left on his own while The Young Bucks were in the ring with Cutler.
Analysis: It was a way to turn The Young Bucks face while teasing their reunion with Hangman Page, so that’s probably the trio that will be the first Trios Champions in AEW. That’s why The Young Bucks lost the Tag Team Titles after only holding them for one month because the plan was in motion to reunite them with Page. I like the Bucks a lot more as heels, but I can understand wanting them in a face role too. It was an effective segment overall with Cole speaking well as usual and Fish/Kyle continuing to be loyal to Cole like they have been for many years.
Jon Moxley did a promo holding the interim AEW World Title in the backstage area. Moxley said he didn’t care who won the match between Chris Jericho or Wheeler Yuta. Moxley talked about how when the bell rings, he’s trying to hurt his opponent, break them and spill their blood. Moxley said he won’t stop. Moxley said that he gets no days off, which is why he’s the best at this. Moxley said that maybe Jericho wins or maybe Yuta wins, but whoever wins better be ready to face him next week. Moxley said when you step in the ring with him, this is not a game.
Analysis: When wrestlers say they have no days off I always find it strange because they sure do get a lot of days off especially in AEW. To Moxley’s credit, he does wrestle a few times per month in other promotions as well, but he also has a lot of days off. It just sounds good to say he has no days off. Anyway, good intensity shown by Moxley as usual.
(Commercial)
There was a clip from earlier today when Christian Cage was being interviewed. Christian said that he never tried to make things personal, which was a lie (because heels lie!). Jungle Boy showed up driving a BMW, Christian ran away while security guys easily held Jungle Boy back.
Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. & Jamie Hayter (w/Rebel) vs. Thunderstorm – Thunder Rosa & Toni Storm
The lone women’s match on the show is usually put in the middle part of the second hour. This week it’s in the middle part of the first hour. Baker got a hiptoss into a submission, Rosa countered it and Rosa gave Baker a belly to back suplex. Hayter tagged in, Rosa with two clothesline and a dropkick to the back. Rosa hit a running kick by the ropes. Rosa chopped Hayter a few times, Storm tagged in with a corner elbow and Rosa hit a dropkick. Storm and Rosa hit a double team suplex on Hayter. Rosa kicked Hayter in the lower back for another two count. Baker grabbed Rosa while Hayter distracted the referee, so Hayter hit Rosa with a forearm. Baker sent Rosa into the turnbuckle followed by Hayter hitting double knees to the back. Baker stood on Rosa’s back by the ropes as the show went to break.
(Commercial)
The heel team of Baker/Hayter was still in control while Rosa was the face in peril. Rosa hit an enziguri kick on Baker, Hayter back in and Rosa hit a kick to the gut followed by a Stunner. Storm tagged in with a cross body block off the top. Storm with a DDT on Baker on the floor and Storm knocked Rebel down. Storm back in the ring with a cross body block. Storm hit a weak-looking Alabama Slam. Hayter blocked a double team suplex and hit a double suplex of her own. Baker with a forearm, but Rosa came back with a Death Valley Driver. Storm up top, Baker raked Rosa’s eyes and Rebel yelled at Storm while the referee was looking away. Baker hit the Air Raid Cash off the middle rope. Hayter with a sliding lariat, Baker hit a Stomp and Rosa broke up the pin after Hayter made a cover. Baker and Rosa were illegally in the ring as they exchanged strike, Rosa hit a forearm and Baker hit a move looking like a back body drop. Storm hit a DDT on Baker. Hayter hit a backbreaker on Storm. I think Baker and Rosa were in the ring illegally for over a minute at this point s the fans chanted “this is awesome” for them. Rosa and Storm hit double German Suplexes, Storm hit running hip attacks on Baker twice and Hayter once. Storm hit Rosa by accident with a hip attack after Baker moved. Tony asked who was legal as if it matters in AEW. Hayter hit a clothesline on Storm for the pinfall win after 12 minutes. I believe Baker and Rosa were in the ring illegally for over two minutes at the end of the match.
Winners by pinfall: Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. & Jamie Hayter
Analysis: ***1/4 I liked the match, but it was sloppy at the end with all four women in the ring for way too long. I realize that a lot of AEW fans that don’t ever criticize the product will ignore stuff like that, but I say it because it looks dumb. It’s not a tornado tag. It makes the referee look inferior. Anyway, having Storm take the pin wasn’t a surprise since Rosa in the champion and AEW typically books champions to avoid being pinned in a situation like that. Hayter getting the win was a bit of a surprise because it’s usually Baker who gets the glory. We found out later that Hayter getting the win leads to her getting the next title shot.
There was a video featuring Sammy Guevara and Tay Conti talking about they were getting married. They were in Paris.
Eddie Kingston interrupted the video saying nobody cares. Eddie said he’s got the contract for their match and wanted Sammy to sign the contract. Eddie said he’ll see him at the pay-per-view, so that will be at All Out on Sunday, September 4.
They showed what happened on AEW Dynamite last week when Powerhouse Hobbs turned on Starks with a clothesline and spinebuster. Taz said he didn’t know what was going to happen. Taz said that as of this moment, Team Taz is done and it’s dead. Taz said he wishes nothing but the best for all of them.
Analysis: It makes sense for Team Taz to end because AEW has smartly moved Taz into an announcer’s role that he did very well in WWE and TNA/Impact, so he’s not a manager anymore. I think Taz as an announcer on Dynamite and PPVs is the right call.
Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Ren Jones
Hobbs hit a running splash into the corner, then the stampede into the corner and a running powerslam. Hobbs hit Jones with a stiff clothesline followed by Hobbs pinning with his knee on the chest. It was done in less than one minute.
Winner by pinfall: Powerhouse Hobbs
Analysis: 1/4* That was quick. Match of the year.
Post match, Ricky Starks ran down to the ring. They got into a slugfest right away, the referee tried to break it up and Starks shoved the referee. That allowed Hobbs to hit a spinebuster. Hobbs left while Starks was down in the ring.
Analysis: I’m a fan of both guys and I hope this rivalry benefits both of them in the long run. Hopefully their big match is saved for All Out rather than just putting on TV before that.
Miro did a pre-tape promo talking about Malakai Black saying that in the end, everybody redeems themselves and you know The Redeemer will too.
(Commercial)
Darby Allin did a promo in black and white saying that Brody King knows that Darby was the one that told Tony Khan to hire him. Allin said that you asked for this match and said that his hand will be the last thing Brody sees when Allin shuts the coffin. Allin’s hand says: “The Coffin Drops On Brody King.”
New tattoo. pic.twitter.com/vrXO4IFTSI
— DARBY ALLIN (@DarbyAllin) August 4, 2022
Next week on AEW Dynamite “Quate By the Lake” is Darby Allin vs. Brody King in a Coffin Match.
Jim Ross was introduced to join the commentary team of Excalibur and Taz for the second hour of the show.
Christian Cage vs. Matt Hardy
They are two of the oldest guys in AEW since Christian is 48 years old and Matt is 47 years old. I have also been writing about their matches for over 20 years at this point, so that makes me feel old too. Thanks, guys. Matt tackled Christian followed by some punches while he backed Christian into the corner. Christian got in some punches of his own, then he was on the turnbuckle and Matt shoved him to the apron to the floor. Christian with back elbows to the head to prevent Matt from doing a move on the table. Back in the ring, Matt drove Christian’s head into the three levels of the turnbuckle repeatedly. They were out on the floor again, Christian sent Matt into the steel steps and Christian hit a running knee attack against the steps. That led to a break.
(Commercial)
The show returned with Matt hitting a superplex while Matt was on the middle rope. Matt with a back body drop followed by punches and Matt hit an elbow smash off the middle ropes. Christian countered a Twist of Fate with a shove, Christian with boots to the face and Christian went up top where Matt gave him a back body drop off the top. Hardy hit an elbow drop off the middle rope for two. Christian pulled on the back of Matt’s head for a necksnap against the ropes. Christian jumped off the top with a headbutt and Christian stepped on Matt’s back against the ropes. Matt avoided a punch, Christian charged and Matt hit a Side Effect for two, which is what that move has gotten for decades now. Matt with a Side Effect on the apron. Matt moved a table closer to the ring, Matt put Christian off the table and Matt jumped off the apron with an elbow drop, but Christian moved, so Matt went crashing through the table. Christian hit the Killswitch (or Unprettier at times in his career) for the pinfall win after about 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Christian Cage
Analysis: ***1/4 It was an entertaining match by two veterans that have worked together a lot in their careers. Hardy went for the big move by the table, Christian moved and Matt took the big bump. That led to Christian finishing off Matt shortly after that. The fans were into it the whole way. Christian getting the win made sense since he’ll probably have a big match against Jungle Boy soon while Matt Hardy has had nothing going on in terms of storylines.
Post match, Christian teased a Conchairto to Matt. Luchasaurus made his entrance, then Jungle Boy ran into the ring and Christian ran away. Jungle Boy stared at Christian from a distance.
Daniel Garcia was interviewed by Tony Schiavone, who mentioned Garcia’s big win over Bryan Danielson last week. Garcia said he’s the Dragon Slayer because he beat Bryan Danielson (American Dragon). Garcia wanted Bryan to come for him again because he’s the dragon killer.
Analysis: A rematch between Danielson and Garcia would be cool to see because it was a great match last week. What wasn’t mentioned is Garcia cheated to win thanks to Jake Hager grabbing Bryan’s foot and then Garcia finished off Bryan after that.
(Commercial)
They showed highlights of Pac retaining his All-Atlantic Championship over the last week.
Let’s Hear from Ethan Page
Ethan Page was in the ring wearing a dress shirt and slacks. Page asked why isn’t he on TV every week, why doesn’t he have an action figure and why isn’t he on the bus? Stokely Hathaway got into the ring. Page said that he deserves better. The fans cheered that, so Page asked why they were cheering. Page said that you don’t buy his merch, you buy stuff from Orange Cassidy, CM Punk or Eddie Kingston. Page said that every week that he’s not on TV, this company and these fans are leaving money on the table. Stokely Hathaway was in the ring, he spoke into Page’s ear and Hathaway gave Page his card. Hathaway left with Page together.
Analysis: I am all for Page getting more TV time. He’s my fellow Canadian that I think is one of the most poorly booked guys in AEW. It’s time for that to change.
The trio of Matt Menard, Angelo Parker and Anna Jay were interviewed by Tony Schiavone. Menard talked about Jericho becoming AEW World Champion next week and Parker spoke about how the JAS is the greatest group in wrestling history. Jay said she’s the sexiest and toughest and she doesn’t mind proving it. Jay threatened to choke people out. Jay choked out some random security guy that was standing nearby.
It was time for the first-ever Dumpster Match in AEW history. There were dumpsters all around the building. The Gunn Club made their entrance first. The Acclaimed duo of Anthony Bowens and Max Caster attacked Billy Gunn with a trash can. They sent Billy into the side of a dumpster. Bowens hit both Gunn Club members with a trash can. Max Caster did a rap including this line: “No filter, we ain’t Instagram, we’ll make the Ass Boys retire like Vince McMahon.” There were some other things. Caster saying Vince’s name drew a big reaction from the crowd.
Dumpster Match: The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) vs. Gunn Club (Colten & Austin Gunn)
Bowens suplexed both Gunns on the floor and then he went into the ring to start the match. Bowens with a superkick on Austin. Colten went after Bowens on the apron so that Bowens was leaning into the dumpster and Austin slammed the lid onto Bowens a few times. Colten kicked Caster to knock him down. Colten gave Bowens a Powerbomb onto the dumpster. Colten gave Caster a back body drop into the dumpster while Bowens was already in there. Bowens and Caster fought back to get out of the dumpster.
(Commercial)
The show returned with Bowens fighting Austin while on the dumpster and JR busted out his “bowling shoe ugly” phrase. Austin tossed Bowens off a dumpster and onto some trash cans. The Ass Boys sent Caster into the side of a dumpster that was on the stage. Colten hit a suplex on Caster on some steel ramp that was by the entrance. Colten hit the Colt 45 suplex on Bowens on the stage area. A table was set up on the stage, Austin climbed the top of the entrance tunnel and Bowens left the table that he was on. Bowens hit Colten with something, but the director missed the shot. Anyway, Caster was on the entrance tunnel with Austin, so Caster tossed Austin off the entrance tunnel into the dumpster. Bowens put Colten onto a table on the stage, so Caster jumped off the tunnel with the Mic Drop elbow on Colten through the table. Bowens put Colten into the dumpster and The Acclaimed closed the lid for the win. This went about eight minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Acclaimed
Analysis: **3/4 It wasn’t a great match or anything like that, but it had some fun moments and some big bumps as well. The Acclaimed getting the win was the right call since they are a new babyface team that is building momentum while The Ass Boys really don’t get pushed that much. I assume it’s the end of the feud.
After the match, The Acclaimed tied the top of the dumpster with some zip-ties. Caster and Bowens tried to set up the dumpster to push it off the stage. They wheeled it into position, then they shoved it and the dumpster was pushed off the stage. The drop was only about three feet, so it wasn’t a big bump, but it still flipped the dumpster over. They didn’t show the Gunn Club after the dumpster was flipped.
Analysis: It was more payback for The Acclaimed. The fans liked them a lot and it was good in terms of putting over The Acclaimed during the match as well as the post match attack.
They showed Mance Warner winning the Bunkhouse Battle Royal during the broadcast of Ric Flair’s Last Match on Sunday.
This Friday on Rampage (it’s live this week):
* Jon Moxley vs. Mance Warner.
* The debut of Madison Rayne.
* Friday Night Street Fight: Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland vs. Tony Nese & Josh Woods.
This Saturday on Battle of the Belts III (taped on Friday):
* ROH World Championship: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Konosuke Takeshita.
* AEW Women’s Championship: Thunder Rosa vs. Jamie Hayter.
* TNT Championship: Wardlow vs. Jay Lethal.
I don’t expect a title change on that show.
Next Wednesday on AEW Dynamite Quake By The Lake:
* Coffin Match: Brody King vs. Darby Allin.
* Tornado Tag Team Match: Lucha Brothers vs. Andrade El Idolo & Rush.
* Jade Cargill’s Open Challenge for the TBS Championship.
* AEW Interim World Championship: Jon Moxley vs. Chris Jericho or Wheeler Yuta.
That Jericho/Yuta main event was up next.
(Commercial)
Wheeler Yuta made his entrance as the ROH Pure Champion. William Regal joined commentary to support Yuta of the Blackpool Combat Club. Chris Jericho made his entrance with Matt Menard and Angelo Parker. Claudio Castagnoli joined Yuta at ringside.
Chris Jericho (w/Matt Menard & Angelo Parker) vs. Wheeler Yuta (w/Claudio Castagnoli)
The winner gets to challenge Jon Moxley for the Interim AEW World Championship next week. If you think Yuta was going to win then you haven’t watched enough pro wrestling in your life. Big age difference here with Jericho at 52 years old while Yuta is 26 years old. The first time I saw Jericho wrestle in person was in WCW In 1997 and Yuta was just one year old at that point, so I’m old too!
They had a staredown at the start with Yuta hitting Jericho in the news since Jericho had a “broken nose” from his match with Eddie Kingston a few weeks ago. Jericho bailed to the floor, Yuta followed him there and he whipped Jericho into the barricade. Parker and Menard got involved, so referee Aubrey Edwards ejected them from ringside. Jericho got a rollup, Yuta went back to hitting Jericho in the face and Jericho charged right into a boot. Yuta went up top, Jericho hit the ropes, so Yuta crotched on the top rope. That led to a picture in picture break.
(Commercial)
The match returned with Yuta hitting an atomic drop, kick to the head and Yuta jumped off the top with a forearm smash. They ran the ropes leading to a double cross body block to knock them both down. They got into a slap fest that looked like they were barely touching eachother and Yuta hit five German Suplexes in a row leading to a bridging pin for a two count. Jericho countered Yuta leading to the Walls of Jericho submission although it looked more like a Boston Crab style move in this instance as Yuta got to the ropes to break the hold. Jericho charged leading to Yuta hitting a back body drop over the top to the floor. Yuta hit a suicide dive onto Jericho. Yuta back in leading to another suicide dive. Yuta hit a third suicide dive. Back in the ring, Yuta went up top and hit a cross body block for two. Jericho hit a double underhook into a backbreaker. Jericho went for a Lionsault, Yuta got the knees up to block and Yuta was up top again. Yuta jumped off the top, but Jericho was ready for it with a Codebreaker for just two. Jericho with some light elbows to the head, Yuta raked the injured nose of Jericho and Yuta applied a submission wrenching on the head while having the legs tied up. Jericho grabbed Floyd the bat, referee Edwards took it away and Jericho did a low blow kick! Nice. The fans booed that. Jericho went for the Judas Effect, Yuta moved and Yuta got a pin for two. Jericho went for the Walls of Jericho, but then he did it more like a Liontamer submission. Yuta tapped out to give Jericho the win after 13 minutes.
Winner by submission: Chris Jericho
Analysis: ***1/2 A good match as you would expect in this spot from these guys. Jericho getting the victory by applying his deadly submission is how I would have ended it too. Yuta liked to repeat moves in the match with multiple German Suplexes and suicide dives. The fans get behind Yuta for being a hard worker. He’s also very likable. I don’t know if I would say it was a big draw as a main event match or just something to fill that spot this week.
After the match, Jericho kept Yuta in the Liontamer submission. Jon Moxley made his entrance coming in from the crowd with the Interim AEW World Title. When Moxley got into the ring, Jericho left, so Moxley didn’t chase after him because wrestlers must stay in the ring as if there’s some forcefield.
Jericho did a promo saying that Moxley opened up Pandora’s box. Jericho told Moxley that if he wants Lionheart Chris Jericho, Moxley has got it and Jericho said he’s going to stretch the shit out of him. Jericho said you’re looking at the new AEW World Champion, he guarantees it. The announcers plugged future events. Jericho and Moxley exchanged stares from a long distance. End show.
Analysis: I think Moxley should win and will win. If he doesn’t, I’ll be surprised by that.
Three Stars of the Show
- Jay Lethal/Orange Cassidy
- Chris Jericho
- The Acclaimed
The Scoreboard
This Week: 7.5 out of 10
Last Week: 7.75
Final Thoughts
It was a good show this week as usual. I liked several of the matches with Jay Lethal-Orange Cassidy working very well together to have the best match on the show. Chris Jericho’s win over Yuta Wheeler was predictable, but it was an entertaining match. The Dumpster Match wasn’t great, but the right team won (The Acclaimed) and it made the fans happy.
The big storyline development was Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish turning on The Young Bucks, so that means the Bucks will be faces now. They were saved by “Hangman” Adam Page with a tease that The Young Bucks and Hangman are probably going to be the first Trios Champions in AEW.
This was also the only wrestling show I watched this week that mentioned Vince McMahon by name. Thanks for that, Max Caster.
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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