The John Report: AEW Dynamite 08/11/21 Review
Welcome to the AEW Dynamite review here on TJRWrestling. It’s a big week for AEW since they are debuting Rampage this week as well. Rampage will air on Friday night at 10pm ET/9pm CT for one hour. I will be reviewing Rampage as well, so my review of that show will probably be posted on Saturday mornings.
This is AEW Dynamite from Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Here’s my AEW Dynamite TV review archive. Let’s get to it.
The show began with a graphic in honor of the late, great “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton 1958-2021. Awesome wrestler. Gone too soon. Rest in peace, Bobby. The AEW Dynamite intro video aired after that.
The show began with fireworks as Jim Ross welcomed us with the familiar line: “It’s Wednesday night and you know what that means.” JR was joined on commentary by Excalibur and Tony Schiavone.
There was a promo from MJF and Wardlow with MJF talking about how he has beaten Chris Jericho twice while Jericho has never beaten him. MJF talked about the physical toll that Chris Jericho has gone through over the labours of Jericho over the last month. MJF talked about how tough Wardlow is. MJF said if Jericho can get by Wardlow and get his shot at MJF, Jericho would still find out that MJF is still better than him and he knows it. Wardlow said something about how he was going to win and MJF reminded him of when Wardlow lost to Cody in a cage. MJF told Wardlow to get the job done tonight.
There were shots of the crowd with the announcers running down the card.
The Elite trio of AEW World Champion Kenny Omega, AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks aka Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson made their entrance with their cronies joining them. During the entrance, they said that Omega will defend the AEW World Title against Christian Cage at All Out on August 5th.
Matt & Mike Sydal entered with Dante Martin to lose this match. There should be lots of flips.
Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson vs. Matt Sydal, Mike Sydal & Dante Martin
To avoid confusion I’ll refer to Matt Sydal as Evan and just use Matt for Matt Jackson as usual. Matt was getting worked over by Evan and Mike a bit, but then Matt did some eye gouging on Dante to break free. Nick tagged in with a shoulder tackle, Dante with an impressive leapfrog and a dropkick. Martin with a headscissors to send Matt out of the ring. Omega with a cheap shot on Martin and both Sydal’s kicked Omega in the head. The Sydals and Martin did a baseball slide dropkick to the three guys on the floor. Martin hit a springboard cross body on the three guys on the floor. Martin went back in and hit a cross body block on Matt. Mike hit a standing moonsault press on Matt for a two count. Matt with a jawbreaker, Omega tagged in and swatted away a dropkick from Mike. Omega with a running push on the head for a two count after Nick got in a cheap shot knee to the back. Nick with a body slam for a two count. Omega back in and hit an elbow drop for two. Matt worked over Matt with stomps. The Elite guys hit some triple team moves with Omega hit a bulldog variation for a two count. Mike fought out of the heel corner and brought in Evan with a jumping kicks on all three opponents. Evan with a cradle Fisherman’s Buster for a two count. Evan with a double hurricanrana on both Bucks and a submission on the mat, Nick tried a save and Mike joined in for a double team submission. Omega saved Matt with a Snapdragon Suplex on Mike and Evan back to back. Martin stood on his feet after a suplex, then a back flip and an enziguri kick. Martin got the hot tag to a huge pop. Martin was on fire with punches as the fans popped huge and Martin dropkicked Nick into Matt against the turnbuckle. Dante jumped off the top rope onto Omega on the floor wit ha hurricanrana for two. Martin was back in with a springboard attack on Matt. Nick went in illegally with a rising knee, Matt with a DDT on Mike, Evan with a knee, Omega with a knee and Omega legally tagged in as if AEW tags have rules. Omega hit an Ushigoroshi suplex onto the knee. Omega with a V-Trigger knee on Martin. Martin flipped out of a One Winged Angel attempt with a kick, but then Omega got a V-Trigger knee. Martin got a rollup for two. Omega with another V-Trigger knee to the face. Omega hit a One Winged Angel as Young Bucks superkicked both Sydals on the floor. Omega and Bucks all hit knees to the face for the BTE Trigger and Omega pinned Martin to win after 14 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson
Analysis: **** That was a great opening match. I don’t think anybody really thought that The Elite guys were going to lose, but the fans really got into it because of how exciting Dante Martin is to watch. That kid has such a bright future and this could have been a breakout match for him depending on what they do next. Omega and The Young Bucks sold really well for Martin too, so that was cool to see because it shows that he belongs in there with them. I know Martin’s brother is out with injury, but I’d like to see more of Martin in featured matches. Anyway, the final minutes were really good with the fans believing in the faces a bit before the heels got the win. Since Omega and Young Bucks were involved, certain people will overrate this match. That’s okay. It’s still a really good match to me.
There was going to be a post match interview, but Don Callis took the microphone from Tony Schiavone to say that Pittsburgh has not seen a team this good before. Christian Cage showed up to a decent pop and Callis called him the “Stamford Stooge.” Callis pointed out that Christian was all alone, so the Jurassic Express duo of Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy joined Christian on the stage. They went to a commercial about 20 minutes into the show.
(Commercial)
Christian Cage, Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy were in the ring with Callis talking about how Christian gets the AEW World Title shot at All Out. I think the fans were chanting “CM Punk” there. It was loud. Callis told Christian that he can always have the five star match he’s always wanted. Callis laughed at the thought of Kenny Omega wrestling Christian in a place like Pittsburgh.
Christian called Callis a “carny piece of shit” and Christian said since they are in Pittsburgh he’s a “carny jagoff.” Christian said that it’s locked in for All Out with Christian challenging Omega for the AEW World Championship. Christian said that Kenny has more than one championship. Christian talked about how he’s talked to Tony Khan and Impact Wrestling’s Scott D’Amore. Christian informed Kenny that he’s going to wrestle this Friday on the debut of Rampage in the opening match against Christian Cage and it’s going to be for the Impact World Championship. Omega tried to speak, but Christian’s music played.
Jungle Boy also spoke up saying that he also talked to Tony Khan. Jungle Boy said that next week on Dynamite, him and Luchasaurus are wrestling The Young Bucks for the AEW Tag Team Titles. Jungle Boy’s music played with the fans chanting along. Omega and friends weren’t happy about it.
Analysis: It’s a bit of a surprise that they are going to do Kenny Omega this Friday at Rampage along with their match at AEW All Out.
Malakai Black did a promo saying that he did everything he said he was going to do. Black said that he’s lonely because he chooses solitude. Black held up the boot of Cody Rhodes that Black stole last week. Black said that whoever he faces in the future, he’ll make them feel desolate and alone.
The announcers spoke about Cody Rhodes not being there now because of last week’s match with Malakai Black. They threw to a preview of Cody’s reality show with wife Brandi, but here in Canada it just went to commercial. I wasn’t going to watch the reality show anyway. I’m into those shows.
(Commercial)
Miro did a backstage promo with the TNT Title on his shoulder. Miro is going to face Fuego del Sol on Rampage on Friday in a TNT Title match, so that’s going to be a quick match. Miro did a promo about how dominant he is and he’s The Redeemer.
Daniel Garcia (w/Matt Lee & Jeff Parker) vs. Darby Allin (w/Sting)
Big pop for Allin and Sting on their entrance. Excalibur mentioned some indy matches Garcia was in so he might be tired. Sure. You’re on TV. Don’t talk about the indies. Garcia drove Allin into the turnbuckle to start the match. Allin grabbed a side headlock, Garcia into the ropes leading to a shoulder tackle and armbar on the left arm. They did a sequence where they exchanged pin attempts for nearfalls. Allin with a trip into an armbar, but Garcia got to the bottom rope to break the hold. Lee got in Sting’s face, so the referee was distracted, Parker tripped up Allin and then Garcia flipped Allin into the turnbuckle. They went to picture in picture break with Garcia in control.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Garcia working Allin’s left arm. Garcia with a hard chop to the chest. Garcia charged at Allin, who moved and Garcia hit the corner with a dropkick attempt. Allin went to the top rope, so Lee and Parker distracted and Garcia tripped up Allin. Sting isn’t very helpful at ringside, I guess. Garcia with a slam for two. Garcia sat on Allin’s back while pulling back on both arms and Allin got his foot on the ropes. Allin came back with palm strikes, Garcia with an uppercut and Allin jumped off the middle ropes, Garcia caught him and Allin got out of that. Allin hit a flipping Stunner. Allin went up top and hit the Coffin Drop on Garcia for the pinfall win after ten minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Darby Allin
Analysis: **3/4 A solid match between two guys that look so small out there, but Allin has a lot of star power, so he makes it work. Garcia got a lot of offense working on the arm with Allin doing a nice job of selling it. I don’t think anybody really thought Garcia had a shot of winning this match. A lot of times AEW puts these matches out there that are very predictable and it’s tough to get into it.
Post match, Lee and Parker attacked Allin, so Sting did something by making a save. Sting punched both guys. Allin tackled Parker with punches and Sting gave Lee a suplex on the ramp. Parker said he’s sorry, but Sting decked him with a couple of punches.
Analysis: Good to see Sting doing something since he does nothing most weeks. I’m not mocking the guy. Good for him making big money.
Pac was standing backstage with Fenix, Penta and Alex. Penta said he wants Andrade first. Pac told them not to worry about Andrade and he said he’ll worry about Andrade. Pac said that Fenix and Penta are the best tag team in AEW that deserves gold. Pac said that they don’t know him, they don’t like Andrade and they have no idea why Andrade is obsessed with them. Pac told Andrade to come after him anywhere at any time because Pac is easy to find.
Analysis: I’m all for Pac facing Andrade in a match. That would be awesome.
Best Friends – Orange Cassidy, Chuck Taylor & Wheeler Yuta (w/Kris Statlander) vs. Hardy Family Office – Matt Hardy, Isaiah Kassidy & Marq Quen (w/The Blade, The Bunny & Angelico)
Orange did his hand in the pocket tease, so Hardy did the “DELETE” hand signal and Orange put Hardy’s hand in Cassidy’s pocket. Hardy hit a Side Effect slam for a two count. Hardy teased a move off the turnbuckle, Orange moved and Hardy hit the ring post on a charge. Orange hit a falling splash off the bottom rope for two. Quen and Kassidy tagged in, Orange took care of them and Wheeler jumped off Orange’s back on Kassidy. Taylor with a rising boot to the face of Kassidy and Yuta with a slam off the shoulders for two. Quen with a cheap shot knee and then Private Party did a Silly String double team move with Kassidy hitting a DDT on Wheeler for two. They went to PIP break three minutes into it.
(Commercial)
Yuta hit a double dropkick on both Private Party guys. The Bunny argued with Statlander on the floor, so Nyla Rose showed up and knocked down Statlander at ringside since they have a match coming up. Taylor took down both Private Party guys in the ring and hit a dive on the floor. I don’t know who is on the floor that is in the match and who is just standing there at this point. Taylor hit two Powerbombs in a row including a spinning version for two as Matt made the save. Orange hit a DDT on Matt. Orange hit a suicide dive on Matt on the floor. Yuta tagged in and hit a Superfly Splash off the top on Quen for two. Quen with a boot to the face, then a weak punch attempt that Yuta turned into a waistlock and Kassidy got the tag. Yuta with a German Suplex on Quen, but Kassidy was the legal man with a Senton Bomb off the top for two. Taylor saved Yuta from a double team attack, but then Matt Hardy tossed Taylor over the barricade into the crowd. Private Party hit their Gin N Juice double team move, but Orange saved his buddy. Orange with an Orange Punch on Quen. Hardy shoved Kassidy into Orange and Hardy hit a Twist of Fate on Wheeler Yuta for the pinfall win after ten minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Hardy Family Office – Matt Hardy, Isaiah Kassidy & Marq Quen
Analysis: **1/4 It was chaotic match with about a dozen people at ringside at one point. It looked ridiculous. It was hard to keep track of who was in the match and who was just standing out there to take a break. Matt Hardy really hasn’t won much, so they had him beat the loser of the Best Friends group here, which is fine because Yuta is still new in AEW. The fans reacted strongly to Orange and Taylor, but not much to Yuta. I like the Private Party guys a lot as a young team on the rise. They just don’t get enough of a chance in a regular tag team match in AEW. There was a triple team spot by Matt and Private Party that is being shared on Twitter because they missed the guy they were doing a move to. Not good, but I guess it’s better than hurting a guy.
Andrade, Chavo Guerrero and mystery guy were interviewed by Dasha backstage. Andrade and Chavo thought Pac was being disrespectful. Chavo suggested that Andrade teaches who the boss is at All Out. Andrade says he’s the boss and Chavo said that Pac will find out at All Out.
Analysis: That should be a great match at All Out. Andrade El Idolo hasn’t wrestled much, but I think he should win.
(Commercial)
There was a video featuring promos with Santana/Ortiz talking to FTR about how they are coming for FTR. Santana talked about Cash Wheeler’s arm injury saying he should wrap that shit up and keep coming. In other words, the feud isn’t over. That’s good.
Nyla Rose (w/Vickie Guerrero) vs. Kris Statlander (w/Orange Cassidy)
Statlander the alien girl is 12-0 in 2021, so why doesn’t she get a title shot? How many matches do you need to win with no losses before a title shot? I assume it’s coming soon.
Rose ran over Statlander right away with Kris selling an injury to her side. Rose hit a pounce like tackle to knock Kris down. Kris with punches, but Rose came back with a German Suplex. Kris came back with a move where she tripped up Rose on the apron and then a moonsault off the apron to Rose on the floor. Cassidy gave the thumbs up for that, so Vickie got in Orange’s face and screamed at him. That allowed Rose to a hit a Chokeslam on the apron for a two count. Rose set up Kris by the ropes, Kris walked on her hands and then Rose hit a running Spear. Good spot there. Kris countered a Rose move with a huge Powerbomb. Kris went up top and hit the 450 Splash known as Area 451 for the pinfall win after about three minutes. The announcers were shocked about the finish.
Winner by pinfall: Kris Statlander
Analysis: *3/4 They are clearly pushing Statlander and the fans like her, so that’s fine. They had some cool spots in the match like that Spear from Rose, but then Statlander came back with the Powerbomb and the 450 Splash looked impressive. I think Statlander has looked great since coming back from her knee injury and since she’s 13-0 in 2021 now, she’s probably going to get a title match perhaps at All Out. Anyway, it was a short match for the women’s division, which happens most weeks on Dynamite.
The Young Bucks did a promo with the stooge Brandon Cutler standing behind them. Matt Jackson talked about how they have dominated and they’re the best of all time and nobody is in their league. They were in front of a mini basketball net, Luchasaurus showed up and blocked Nick’s dunk attempt. Jungle Boy showed up to grab the ball and dunk it on the short net. Nick claimed it was a foul so Cutler said it was all ball and Nick told him to main event.
Analysis: Riveting promo. Now that’s sarcasm.
(Commercial)
There was a video about Britt Baker defending the AEW Women’s Championship against Red Velvet as the main event of the first episode of Rampage on Friday.
Let’s Hear from Britt Baker
Britt Baker DMD, the AEW Women’s Champion from Pittsburgh, made her entrance to a huge pop from the hometown crowd. She loves Pittsburgh so much that she lives in Orlando bay bay. Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Anyway, the crowd had yellow Terrible Towels like the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers. Britt’s parents and brother were at ringside. Baker was interviewed by Tony Schiavone in the ring.
Britt Baker said she can’t relate to Red Velvet’s rise. Baker said she’s always been at the top of AEW, always been at the top of this division and she’s always been the baddest bitch on the block. Baker said that she wasn’t afraid to step up when this company needed a new Women’s Champion. Baker said she wasn’t afraid to step up when this city needed a champion. The fans chanted “DMD” for her. Baker said she bleeds black and gold like anybody in here. Baker held up the title saying she presents hope to Pittsburgh. Baker said that Red Velvet might have had a glimmer of hope if she was wrestling her in any other city, but not here in “Brittsburgh.” Britt said that this Friday on Rampage, it’s her against Red Velvet in the main event. Britt: “And still your AEW Women’s Champion, Dr. Britt Baker…DMD.”
That led to Red Velvet running out to the ring and she tackled Baker along with punches. Referees quickly showed up to break it up. Baker held up the title when they were separated.
Analysis: It was fine for a hometown promo to suck up to the crowd. Red Velvet has no chance to win the title there. Baker will be in her hometown of Pittsburgh and the crowd will be fully behind her. Baker still acts like a heel, but maybe this will be the start of her being more of a face. Then again, with Kris Statlander likely as the next challenger in the face role, they might keep Britt a heel. It doesn’t matter that much in AEW. The fans cheer for a lot of the heels anyway.
There was a video about FTW Champion Ricky Starks and Brian Cage. Starks said that you can find him next week on Dynamite. Cage somehow responded to this promo (so we have to assume it was taped earlier than Cage’s promo?) and said he’s not a man, he’s a machine.
The Impact World Tag Team Titles were up next with Impact Wrestling’s Executive Vice President Scott D’Amore was on commentary for it. Scott is the main guy in charge of Impact these days.
Impact Wrestling Tag Team Championships: The Good Brothers – Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson (w/Brandon Cutler) vs. The Dark Order’s Evil Uno & Stu Grayson (w/Colt Cabana)
Grayson hit a somersault dive over the top onto both champions on the floor before they got into the ring. Grayson got a pin attempt on Anderson and then Uno was back in with a rollup on Anderson. Uno sent Anderson face first into the top turnbuckle. Cutler tripped up Uno while the referee was looking the other way, so Cabana punched Cutler, who stumbled to the back. Frankie Kazarian the Elite Hunter beat up Cutler and carried him to the back. Gallows worked over the challengers with a kick and punches on the floor. They went to a picture in picture break.
(Commercial)
Uno hit a running headscissors on Anderson, Grayson got the tag and he jumped over Anderson onto Gallows for a DDT. Grayson hit a uranage on Anderson for a two count, but Gallows broke up the pin. Grayson hit a jumping back kick on both guys. Uno tagged back in with jumping boot, Grayson with a knee to Anderson and Grayson suplexed Anderson onto Gallows against the turnbuckle. Grayson hit a 450 Splash on Anderson at the same time as Uno hitting a cannonball on Gallows, but that kind of move isn’t enough to win this match because Anderson kicked out. Gallows hit an uppercut on Grayson, Uno saved Grayson from a double team move and then Uno launched Grayson into Gallows. Uno hit a flatliner on Anderson. Gallows slid a title in the ring, then he tripped up Grayson when the referee was taking the title out, Anderson hit the Gun Stun (Cutter) on Uno and G&A hit a double team Magic Killer on Grayson for the pinfall win. The move didn’t look that great and JR goes “it wasn’t pretty and it wasn’t easy.” Yeah. The finish was not pretty. Anyway, it went about eight minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows
Analysis: **1/2 It was fine tag team wrestling. Grayson was the most impressive in the match. They went eight minutes and only five minutes was shown full screen. It’s like I say every week, people don’t have 50-inch TVs to watch nearly half a match in picture in picture. They need to time it better and if a match is going eight minutes then show the whole thing. Do the entrances before the match, go to a break and show the whole match. It’s not that difficult, is it? I think it can be done. Anyway, Grayson & Uno got a lot of offense here. I like them as a team, but they never seem to break through or win any big matches. Anderson & Gallows keep their Impact Wrestling Tag Team Titles once again.
They showed a video about NWA Women’s Champion Kamille talking about how she’s hard-hitting and doesn’t give a f**k. Kamille said that Leyla Hirsch is the underdog against her at NWA Empowerrr on Saturday, August 28. Kamille said that the whole world is going to watch Kamille beat her.
Analysis: That’s a nice plug for the NWA Women’s PPV. I will review that too. I might have a vested interest in it.
(Commercial)
Let’s Hear from QT Marshall
QT Marshall and Aaron Solow of The Factory were in the ring with Tony Schiavone. This group is still a thing? Sure. This isn’t AEW Dark. Marshall did a promo saying there was going to be an apology because Tony should be apologizing to him instead of QT apologizing for dumping a drink on Tony. Marshall said that he’ll apologize for what they are going to do to Chris Schiavone. Chris is an adult with a full beard that was brought into the ring by Nick Comoroto. Marshall said that Tony’s kid wants to be a wrestler and Marshall punched Chris in the ribs. Tony was freaking out saying he apologized and called Marshall a son of a bitch. Marshall said apology not accepted, then Marshall hit a Diamond Cutter, which JR called a Stunner, which was wrong. A lot of Cutters on this show.
That led to Paul Wight making the save. He was pretty slow to make the save. Maybe he was in catering. Anyway, Wight slowly walked down to the ring wearing his “No More BS” sweatshirt. Tony checked on Chris in the ring while big Wight got into the ring. Marshall shoved Solow into Wight while Marshall and Comoroto left the ring. Wight delivered a huge Chokeslam to Solow while Marshall left. The fans popped for it. Wight checked on Tony and Chris to end it.
Analysis: Wight is the broadcast partner of Tony Schiavone on Dark Elevation, so there’s the story reason for the save. Maybe this will lead to Wight facing Marshall in a match soon, which would be Wight’s AEW debut. If that happens then I predict it would be a short match. On another note, I nearly wrote “Big Show” about 15 times in the above two paragraphs. I can’t help it. I wrote about that guy for over 20 years with that name! Anyway, it was effective as a segment to make people happy. I just don’t think Marshall’s group is very impressive at this point.
This Friday on AEW Rampage in Pittsburgh:
* Kenny Omega defends the Impact World Championship vs. Christian Cage.
* Miro defends the TNT Championship vs. Fuego del Sol. I predict a short match.
* Britt Baker defends the AEW Women’s Championship vs. Red Velvet
Next Wednesday on AEW Dynamite in Houston:
* The Young Bucks defend the AEW Tag Team Championships vs. Jurassic Express
* Shawn Spears vs. Sammy Guevara. That will be Sammy’s third singles match on Dynamite this year. Yes, it’s true. I looked it up. Use Sammy more. Anyway, Sammy has a “major announcement” too.
* Darby Allin & Sting vs. 2.0 in a Texas Tornado Match
The main event is up next.
(Commercial)
They showed this past Monday on Dark Elevation when Joey Janela turned heel on Sonny Kiss with a superkick and piledriver. I don’t remember the last time that either of them were on Dynamite.
Chris Jericho made his entrance for the Fourth Labour of Jericho. It’s the fourth straight week of Jericho in action on Dynamite. It’s the second time in the last three weeks with a Jericho match in the main event. Anyway, the fans sang along with the “Judas” song as usual.
Wardlow made his entrance with a 15-3 record in AEW. That’s in two years. He has only had 18 singles matches in two years? Weird. Anyway, this is only Wardlow’s third singles match on Dynamite this year and the last one was a loss in an MMA Cage against Jake Hager. Wardlow’s only singles win on the first Dynamite of the year against Hager. Maxwell Jacob Friedman made his entrance to join Wardlow.
Analysis: I don’t know why they barely use Wardlow. The guy is 33 years old, so it’s not like he’s that young. I get wanting to save him for an eventual feud with MJF because we can all tell that’s coming, but in general, I think he needs to be utilized more. The fans are supposed to buy Wardlow as a threat? Fine. Use him more. Get him wins since they are supposed to matter so much.
Chris Jericho vs. Wardlow (w/MJF)
This is the fourth labour in the Labours of Jericho to earn a match against MJF.
Wardlow sent Jericho into the turnbuckle and stomped away on him. Jericho got the boots up to stop a charging Wardlow and Jericho jumped off the top with a punch. Jericho hit the Codebreaker on Wardlow for a one count. The announcers were shocked by that nearfall although Jericho doesn’t use that as a finisher in AEW. Wardlow tossed Jericho across the ring. Wardlow with a suplex into a slam two times in a row. Wardlow with a clothesline over the top to the floor. Wardlow tossed Jericho into the barricade at ringside. Wardlow drove Jericho back first into the ringpost. They messed up the first attempt at that spot. Wardlow hit back to back Powerbombs and didn’t go for a pin attempt as they went to a picture in picture break.
(Commercial)
The match returned with Wardlow hitting another Powerbomb. There were clips on social media shared about Jericho fixing his pants after taking a Powerbomb, so he wasn’t selling them that well because he was concerned about the pants. The announcers didn’t know if he had hit eight or ten Powerbombs by this point. Wardlow picked up Jericho on his shoulders and Wardlow hit the F10 that led to a rough landing for Jericho. Wardlow went for the rising knee by the turnbuckle, but Jericho tripped him up and Jericho applied the Walls of Jericho, then he turned closer to MJF for some reason and MJF did an eye gouge while the referee was on the other side. I didn’t like Jericho turning his body towards where MJF was. It looked ridiculous. MJF slid into the ring, so referee Aubrey Edwards ejected him. JR: “Get the little bastard out of there.” Jericho grabbed his bat Floyd from ringside and hit Wardlow in the head with Floyd (with Jericho’s hand at the end of the bat) while the referee wasn’t looking. Jericho hit a Judas Effect elbow on Wardlow for the pin. It went ten minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Chris Jericho
Analysis: **1/4 It was just an average match. Wardlow hit repeated moves, stood around posing and kept on doing it. It wasn’t that exciting to watch. It also made Wardlow look like a dumbass. I know somebody is going to say the story was that Wardlow was there to punish Jericho, but he should also be going for nearfalls because the deal is if Jericho lost then he would not be able to face MJF, so Wardlow should try to win more. Anyway, the finish made sense with Jericho going for the desperation method to get the win. Chris Jericho is legitimately one of my favorite wrestlers ever, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for 50-year-old Jericho to wrestle in matches every week. Jericho is showing his age. It’s time to slow down.
MJF was shocked by the result of the match while everybody watching was not shocked by the result at all.
After the match, Shawn Spears went into the ring with a cheap attack on Jericho from behind. Sammy Guevara made the save for Jericho. Sammy went after Spears with punches and then Wardlow shoved Sammy down. Wardlow hit a spinebuster on Sammy. MJF applied the Salt of the Earth armbar on the left arm of Jericho and Jericho tapped out. Jake Hager ran into the ring, so the three heels left as if one guy is too much for them.
MJF delivered a promo on the stage. MJF told Jericho he may have got to Labour #5 which means he gets to face MJF. MJF told Jericho that next week he’ll take something away from Jericho that has helped him win every match. MJF told Jericho there’s no Judas Effect elbow and there’s no “Judas” theme song. MJF said that if Jericho hits MJF with Judas Effect then MJF automatically wins. MJF had a prediction for next week: Jericho will find out he hasn’t just met his match, he’s met his successor. MJF said that he is the new king in town and his name is Maxwell Jacob Friedman.
Jericho had his left arm checked on by the doctor at ringside. The announcers shilled Rampage on Friday night. MJF did some staring from the stage. That was it for Dynamite this week.
Analysis: That’s a big match for Dynamite next week. I figured they would do the MJF/Jericho match at All Out, but I guess if they do a cheap finish next week then they can have a stipulation match when they do it at All Out. Anyway, Jericho’s run of facing four different opponents is over now. He has a match next week with MJF and then I hope he gets some rest because he looks like he needs it.
Three Stars of the Show
- Dante Martin
- Kenny Omega & Young Bucks
- Chris Jericho
The Scoreboard
This Week: 6.75 out of 10
Last Week: 7
2021 Average: 7.33
Final Thoughts
It was a good show, but not as good as an average Dynamite in 2021 as you can tell from my ratings above. The first match was terrific and I enjoyed it although the other matches didn’t really come close to that. Some of the promos were fine although hardly anything that was very interesting unless you get excited about a near 50-year-old Paul Wight doing a Chokeslam to save an announcer.
What makes Dynamite a fun show to watch most of the time is the energy of the crowd. They are great and treat everything like a big deal, so that helps a lot. When I sit back to watch the show while also reviewing it, I have a tough time saying this was some great show. Yes, I liked the opener a lot. Other than that? It just didn’t really deliver that much excitement to me.
I’ll be back on Saturday with the next AEW review for the AEW Rampage debut on Friday night.
The next AEW pay-per-view is All Out on Sunday, September 5. Here’s what we know so far.
AEW World Championship: Kenny Omega (c) vs. Christian Cage
Andrade El Idolo vs. Pac
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Thanks for reading. Go Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Rams. You can contact me using any of the methods below.
John Canton
Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter: @johnreport