The John Report: AEW Dynamite 08/18/21 Review
Welcome to the AEW Dynamite review here on TJRWrestling. The last Dynamite before CM Punk debuts this Friday on Rampage.
This is AEW Dynamite from the Fertitta Center in Houston, Texas. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Here’s my AEW Dynamite TV review archive. Let’s get to it.
The show began with the AEW Dynamite opening video. It was a packed house in Houston. Jim Ross welcomed us to the show with the classic line: “It’s Wednesday night and you know what that means.” JR was joined by Excalibur and Tony Schiavone on commentary as they did a rundown of the matches coming up this week. This week’s arena setup had a ramp from the backstage area to the ring. They do that sometimes, but not all the time.
Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston made their entrance to the “Wild Thing” song that Moxley uses. The fans popped big for them while singing “Wild Thing” as they entered from a back part of the arena. While they were making their entrance, Daniel Garcia and the tag team 2.0 attacked Moxley & Kingston from behind. The announcers said that they had a lead pipe as if they knew since we couldn’t actually see it.
Matt Lee and Jeff Parker (generic name duo) aka 2.0 entered with Daniel Garcia. Matt did a promo saying they just took out Sting and Darby’s boys and if they want a taste they can have that match right now.
Sting made his entrance first to a huge ovation. This is Sting’s first match on TNT TV since March 2001 when WCW died. The 62-year-old Stinger was in great shape as usual. Darby Allin started from behind the 2.0 guys and he hit Garcia with a skateboard.
Tornado Tag Team Match: Sting & Darby Allin vs. 2.0 (Matt Lee & Jeff Parker)
Tornado Tag Team rules mean you don’t have to tag in and out. All four men are legal.
Sting and Allin took turns hitting running splashes on their opponents. Lee and Parker left the ring so Sting went brawling with Parker in the crowd. The fans chanted “you still got it” for Sting as Allin brawled with Lee in the same part of the building. Allin and Parker went up the stairs while Sting and Lee followed. Garcia showed up as well to help his 2.0 buddies. The 2.0 guys lifted up Allin to send him face first into a concrete wall. The 2.0 guys were in control as they punched Sting repeatedly. Allin walked across some concrete railing and jumped off it with a cross body block onto the three bad guys on the floor. Eddie Kingston returned to take Garcia to the backstage area.
They were back in the ringside area with Allin pulling out a table. The table was brought into the ring. The 2.0 guys did a chop block to Sting’s left knee. Lee and Parker gave Allin a suplex on the ramp with the skateboard on the ramp. That meant that Allin’s back hit the wheels/bars of the skateboard. Parker set up the table in the ring as Sting fought off both guys. 2.0 picked up Sting by the turnbuckle and gave him a double team Powerbomb through the table. The crowd gasped at the sight of Sting going through the table, but Sting no-sold it and was back up. Allin wit ha double drop. Sting hit a Scorpion Death Drop on both 2.0 guys. The fans chanted “holy shit” at that point. Sting applied the Scorpion Death Lock to both opponents at the same time. Lee was holding Parker around the waist to make it easier. That’s so nice of him. Anyway, Sting applied the Scorpion Death Lock on both guys at the same time, both 2.0 guys tapped and that was it after about seven minutes. The referee did this stupid arm windup thing to signal the submission.
Winners by submission: Sting & Darby Allin
Analysis: **3/4 It was a fun tag team match with Sting and Allin looking dominant to win the match. Sting no selling the table spot was a bit of a surprise, but I doubt people are going to complain about it. I think it made 2.0 look very weak by having Sting stand up so quickly. However, 2.0 is not booked like a strong tag team, so they can look weak like that. Sting did well in the match, which is amazing for a guy his age. Allin was fine in the match, yet it just felt like he was a role player and this was all about putting over Sting. At some point, Sting should probably lose a match in AEW to put over younger talent, but it hasn’t happened yet.
They showed a clip from before the show with Sammy Guevara proposing to his girlfriend Pam, who is now his fiancée Pam since she said yes.
Shawn Spears and Tully Blanchard did a promo with Spears saying: “Slim picking in Houston.” Ouch. Spears said he’ll make Pam an honorary member of The Pinnacle and for one night only, he’ll let her be on top.
Analysis: Some good lines there.
(Commercial)
Sammy Guevara got a huge pop from his hometown crowd in Houston. Shawn Spears attacked Sammy from behind, but Sammy was ready for him. Sammy hit a running attack off the stage with a somersault dive onto Spears on the floor. Sammy kissed fiancée Pam at ringside. They brawled on the floor some more with Sammy sending Spears into the barricade. Spears avoided a charging Sammy by sending him into the steel steps. Spears with an assisted piledriver with Tully joining him for the spike piledriver on the floor. Referee Aubrey Edwards didn’t eject Tully for that. They went into the ring and Edwards call for the bell.
Sammy Guevara vs. Shawn Spears (w/Tully Blanchard)
Spears wanted another spike piledriver with Tully, but referee Edwards ejected Tully for trying to do it again. The crowd chanted for the referee. Spears worked over Sammy with repeated knees to the face. Spears taunted Pam (Sammy’s fiancée) at ringside. Sammy with a kick and he wanted a springboard Cutter, but Spears moved out of the way. They went to picture in picture break.
(Commercial)
The match continued as they battled by the turnbuckle. There was a security railing bridged from the railing to the barricade. Sammy and Spears each jumped up to the top rope at the same time, Spears gave him a middle finger and Sammy delivered a Cutter off the top rope for a two count. That should be a finisher, but this is AEW. Spears was on the turnbuckle, Sammy charged, Spears caught him on his shoulder and hit an Avalanche C4 off the middle rope for a two count. Sammy with a superkick while on the apron and Sammy gave Spears an Attitude Adjustment (basically that’s what it was) off the apron onto the barricade. That should probably be a DQ since it’s not like hitting the steps. They set up a weapon and used it. Sammy went up top again and hit the 630 Splash for the pinfall win for the two count. There’s another move that should have been a finisher. Only two for that? It’s a bit silly. Sammy delivered three knees to the face and Sammy hit the GTH (rising knee to the face ends it) for the pinfall win after nine minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Sammy Guevara
Analysis: ***1/2 The younger guy Sammy got the win over the older guy Spears, who almost never wins on Dynamite. It was a lot of spot, spot, spot for each guy hitting big moves without the little things to make it a more entertaining match. The spots were good for sure, but it just didn’t feel like a big deal because they would do them and kick out of big moves that could have been finishers. They shouldn’t do a barricade spot because it should be a DQ based on rules, so it makes the referee look inept. I also think that they minimize the impact of moves like a 630 Splash if it only gets a two count in a random Dynamite match. It was still a very good match. The right guy won.
Post match, Sammy got a congratulatory kiss from fiancée Pam at ringside. The fans chanted “Sammy” again.
Christian Cage was about to be interviewed by Tony Schiavone as Christian held both of Impact Wrestling’s World Titles that he won on Rampage last week. Don Callis interrupted before Christian could say a word. Callis sucked up to Christian since they have known eachother for 25 years with Don claiming he helped get Christian his start in the wrestling business. Callis said that Christian will take the One Winged Angel at All Out and have a five star match. Callis claimed that he was on top of the wrestling business while Christian was still…having matches. Christian said he’s so far in Kenny’s head that it isn’t even funny. Christian said he took the Impact World Title and at All Out, Kenny is terrified because Christian will take what Kenny cares about the most, the AEW World Title. Christian: “You think you are the smartest guy in the room, but you are and always will be a carny piece of shit.” Christian left while Tony laughed about it.
Analysis: Great line at the end by Christian there.
They showed highlights from last week’s Dynamite when the young man Dante Martin impressed a lot of people. It was just a brief video.
Let’s Hear from Dan Lambert
Dan Lambert from the American Top Team group was in the ring. Lambert complained about how AEW has jumped aboard the cancel culture train and they sent Lance Archer out to punch him in the face because it was hurting your feelings. Lambert said he had two former UFC Heavyweight Champions Junior Dos Santos and Andrei Arlovski. Lambert dared somebody to come after him. Lambert said that AEW is not the answer to your pro wrestling prayers. Lambert complained about “AEW” chants so that led to “AEW” chants of course. Lambert said that AEW had wannabe tough guys who couldn’t wrestle out of a paper bag if their lives depended on it. Lambert said that you make it loud because your other options in life are playing Dungeons & Dragons and looking things up on the dark web. Lambert said that you’re not hardcore, you’re hard up.
Lance Archer showed up for an interruption, but he was attacked from behind by Ethan Page and Scorpio Sky. Archer was double-teamed by Page and Sky with punches/kicks while nobody tried to help Archer. That was it.
Analysis: That was a random way to start a new feud. Ethan lost his rivalry to Darby Allin, so now he has somebody new to feud with. Lambert’s promo was very over the top and a bit silly, but I like his delivery at least.
Chris Jericho talked about how for the last four weeks he has endured the Labours of Jericho. Chris talked about how he survived and he won over the last four weeks. Jericho said finally tonight it’s Jericho vs. MJF right here in Houston (cheap pop). Jericho said he’s got the momentum and 5,000 friends to sing him to the ring in Houston. Jericho told MJF he’s not as good as he thinks he is. Jericho said he’ll kick MJF’s bitchy little ass and he’ll beat him tonight. Jericho: “Jericho up and my jerkoff friend down.”
Analysis: A strong promo from Jericho. They gave him about one minute to talk and he knows what to do from there.
Jurassic Express entered for a tag team match. They are 9-1 in 2021 in AEW. The Young Bucks made their entrance as the AEW Tag Team Champions along with their entourage. Don Callis joined commentary for this match.
AEW Tag Team Championships: Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) (w/Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows & Brandon Cutler) vs. Jurassic Express (Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy) (w/Marko Stunt)
Nick with a shoulder tackle on Boy. Nick celebrated when he avoided Boy, then Nick got his boot up and jumped to the floor to avoid Boy. Boy with a slingshot dive over the top onto Nick on the floor. Boy with an armdrag and Nick bounced over to Luchasaurus, who decked him with a punch. Matt tagged in, Luchasaurus with a chop, punch to Nick and Luchasaurus hit a spinning powerslam for a two count. Boy jumped off the top with a senton splash for a two count. Boy decked Nick with a punch and Boy jumped over the top rope leading to a hurricanrana. Matt dropkicked Boy to the floor. Matt knocked Luchasaurus off the apron and hit a cross body block on Luchasaurus on the floor. They went to picture in picture break.
(Commercial)
The match continued with Boy isolated by the heels, but then Boy hit a clothesline on Nick and avoided Matt. Luchasaurus was on fire with punches, then Nick hit a rising knee, but Luchasaurus used his power to deliver multiple clotheslines on the Bucks. Nick with a jumping kick on Luchasaurus and then Luchasaurus kicked Nick off the apron. Jungle Boy did a superplex off the shoulders of Luchasaurus for a two count as Matt broke up the pin. Luchasaurus tossed Nick into Cutler on the apron. Luchasaurus avoided a double superkick, then a spin kick and Luchasaurus hit a double Chokeslam on both Bucks. Double team sitout slam by Jurassic Express on Matt and Boy hit a suicide dive on Nick while Luchasaurus covered Matt for just a two count. Young Bucks came back with a double superkick on Luchasaurus and a double superkick on Boy as well. Nick up top with a missile dropkick on Boy and landed on Luchasaurus for an Assisted Indytaker for a two count. Great nearfall. Stunt was on the apron urging on Boy, but Kenny Omega showed up with a steel chair to the back of Stunt to take him out! Nice. The referee was distracted. Christian Cage made the save with a Spear on Omega on the ramp and they went to the back. JR said that they had a “five star match” last week on Rampage. No, it was not that level. AEW announcers overrate everything. Boy hit a brainbuster on the steel chair for one…two…and Nick made the save. Great nearfall! Luchasaurus launched Matt in the air for a spinning sitout Powerbomb for two because Nick made the save again. Luchasaurus and Boy had to fight off the guys on the floor, so then Luchasaurus hit a dive onto the guys on the floor. Boy with a backslide on Matt, Nick saved Matt and Bucks hit the BTE Trigger double team knee for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson)
Analysis: **** That was great, especially in the last few minutes. I loved all the nearfalls in the match that made it look like Jurassic Express might find a way to get the win. They came up short, but they looked very impressive doing it. The Young Bucks didn’t, so as many illegal things as usual in terms of taking advantage of the bad referee, so I was able to enjoy the match a lot. Jungle Boy was able to show off his athleticism a lot while Luchasaurus hit a bunch of power moves that really got the crowd. I think if Jurassic Express ever got the push to win the Tag Team Titles then the fans would absolutely love it as much as any title change in AEW. Those guys are really well-liked and it’s deserved. I like heel Young Bucks a lot more than the face version, for the record.
Post match, Doc Gallows carried Christian Cage down to the ring. Kenny Omega, the AEW World Champion, was wearing a “Chick Magnet” shirt so there’s the CM Punk reference. Omega worked over Christian with punches and choking. The Young Bucks and others were standing tall as well. Omega hit the One Winged Angel on Christian in the ring and Omega went for the pin with Callis counting the pinfall. There were no referees or officials trying to help the guys that were beaten up.
Analysis: Another heel beatdown. The faces in this company are idiots in a lot of cases since they don’t seem to care to save people when they are attacked in a cheap way. I know I keep mentioning that. It’s AEW. They love heel beatdowns while faces apparently have no friends to help them.
Dr. Britt Baker with Rebel was interviewed by Tony Schiavone. Britt’s friend Jamie Hayter joined the promo as well. Hayter said when her friend Britt asked her to come back to AEW, she was happy to be there. Hayter dared Red Velvet to face her. Baker did her “DMD” bit to end it. I assume they go with Baker vs. Statlander at All Out, but it’s not official yet.
(Commercial)
There was a video promo from Matt Hardy talking about his issues with the Best Friends group. There was a reply by Orange Cassidy saying maybe they should find out if Matt Hardy can kick his ass.
Let’s Hear from Paul Wight
Well, it’s a big Paul! Sorry, force of habit. Wight was in the ring with Tony Schiavone for an interview. Tony thanked Wight for helping Tony and his son last week. Wight said no problem since they have been friends for a long time leading to Wight yelling about how it was amazing being back in the ring. Wight said it felt so good to give Aaron Solow for a ride he’ll never forget. Wight claimed he had a huge announcement to share.
QT Marshall made his entrance with Nick Comoroto and Aaron Solow. Marshall did the lame “Houston, we have a problem” line. Marshall said that in AEW they don’t let the fans down while Wight invited them into the ring. Marshall said that there’s a reason why Tony Khan hired Wight as an announcer, not a wrestler chasing after titles. Marshall said that they didn’t think they would go down this road, but it seems like they are. Marshall called the fans “morons” to get cheap heat. Marshall said that in his backstage role in AEW, he knows some privileged information. Marshall showed an image of three different metal images in Paul’s hip. Marshall said that Paul has had five operations in the last 18 months. Marshall said that Paul is a miracle before our eyes. Wight said you thought it was a good idea to show pictures of his hip and big, beautiful ass. Wight said that he’s not embarrassed about having metal in his hip. Wight told Marshall he doesn’t know anything. Wight said he had a talk with Tony Khan last week while adding it felt so good being in front of the AEW crowd (cheap pop). Wight informed us that he has a match at AEW All Out with Wight facing QT Marshall in a singles match. Wight celebrated while Marshall looked scared.
Analysis: It’s smart to save Paul Wight’s first match for a PPV match although it’s not like we haven’t seen him wrestle over the last 25 years. I assume that will be a short match with Wight beating Marshall. There’s no reason for it to be a longer match. Side note: I wrote “Show” instead of “Wight” at least four times in the above paragraph. Force of habit! I edited it.
There was a video with Jade Cargill and her lawyer Mark Sterling, who spoke about Kiera Hogan. They announced that Cargill will face Hogan in a match on Rampage this Friday. Cargill didn’t call herself a bitch this time, so that’s character progress.
(Commercial)
The Elite guys were interviewed backstage by Tony Schiavone. They were about to do their usual bragging promo, but then Tony informed them that Tony Khan has booked a Tag Team Title Eliminator match with a bunch of teams and the winners will challenge The Young Bucks for the Tag Team Titles at All Out in a Steel Cage Match.
Taz was in the ring with his son Hook. Taz introduced us to the FTW Champion Ricky Starks. Starks did a promo from the ramp saying he wanted to talk to Brian Cage. There was a camera backstage showing that Powerhouse Hobbs was standing on top of Cage. When Cage got back up, he was punching Hobbs and Starks said that they gotta go. Hook and Taz left the ring.
Analysis: That was rushed. It’s AEW trying to get more people on the show in segments that don’t really mean anything. Starks is a guy that needs to be featured in matches more often, I think. They barely put him in the ring. If he’s healthy, use him.
Pac was interviewed with Lucha Brothers standing by. Pac said that facing Andrade El Idolo at All Out is fine with him. Pac said that he wonders what chance does a man like Andrade stand against a bastard like Pac. Andrade El Idolo walked in with Chavo Guerrero and random suit guy. Andrade said if you want this match you must agree to his conditions. There was a stack of papers. Chavo said that if Lucha Brothers win the eliminator tournament, they will never win the titles with a boss like Pac and told them to remember that.
Analysis: Pac vs. Andrade should be an awesome match. That will be one of my favorite matches at All Out.
Penelope Ford entered for a singles match. This is the usual spot in the show for their women’s match. Thunder Rosa got a nice ovation from the crowd with an impressive 23-2 record in AEW.
Thunder Rosa vs. Penelope Ford
It seemed like they messed up some spots early as they took turns whipping eachother into the turnbuckle. Rosa was kicking Ford against the turnbuckle. Rose with a back body drop onto the apron, Ford was standing on the apron and Rosa hit a dropkick to knock Ford off the apron to the floor. They battled on the floor a bit with Ford shoving Rosa into the ring post and Ford hit a Cutter on the floor. It’s AEW. The Cutter is a popular move. They went to PIP break.
(Commercial)
Ford went for a running kick, Rosa moved and Rosa followed with a running clothesline. Rosa with a double knee attack against the turnbuckle. Rosa with a running dropkick against the ropes followed by a butterfly suplex for two. Ford countered a move into a pin attempt for two. Ford applied a Muta Lock bridging back with a submission, but Rosa fought out of it. Rosa applied a single leg crab submission, but Ford got to the ropes to break. Rosa hit a Death Valley Driver for a two count. Ford with a slam off the shoulders into the double knees to the ribs. Rosa countered into her own position hooking the legs and then pulling back on the arms. Ford tapped out for the loss after eight minutes.
Winner by submission: Thunder Rosa
Analysis: ** The finisher looked a bit sloppy because I don’t know what Rosa was going for and it just looked like she was just pulling on Ford’s limbs. It was just a way to put over Rosa although I thought Ford did a nice job when she was on offense for part of the match. As I said earlier, this was the usual spot in the show for AEW to have a women’s match.
Arn and Brock Anderson were interviewed backstage by Tony Schiavone. Arn said in AEW things happen fast. Arn said that Malakai Black appeared, kicked his head off, kicked Cody’s head off and the world was moving fast. Arn said that he got the word that his son Brock has a match against Malakai Black. Arn told Brock he appreciated him stepping up for his dad and he loved him. Brock said that the match is signed and that was it.
Analysis: That means it took Brock Anderson over a month to try to get payback for his dad and he hasn’t been since in several weeks. Weird booking.
Next Wednesday on AEW Dynamite in Milwaukee.
* Varsity Blonds vs. Lucha Brothers
* Red Velvet vs. Jamie Hayter
* Orange Cassidy vs. Matt Hardy
* Malakai Black vs. Brock Anderson
This Friday on AEW Rampage in Chicago. The fans chanted “CM Punk” as the graphics were shown.
* Private Party vs. Jurassic Express
* Jade Cargill vs. Kiera Hogan
* Jon Moxley vs. Daniel Garcia
That’s a weak lineup. They showed a video promoting “The First Dance” on Rampage this Friday at United Center in Chicago.
Analysis: I’m looking forward to the CM Punk debut on Friday. Good job by AEW leaking that info out to the media and then booking a show in his hometown of Chicago. If you don’t think they leaked it on purpose then you don’t know pro wrestling well enough. I’m not being critical at all. It’s smart by them.
A video aired showing TNT Champion Miro saying he wanted Fuego del Sol to earn his contract, but it was just given to him. Miro said if they don’t come to him then he will come for them. Miro called out Eddie Kingston and said that “The Redeemer” (Miro’s name for himself) wants to talk.
Analysis: That’s cool if they go with Miro vs. Eddie Kingston as a feud. Put that match at All Out. Miro needs a feud.
The Jericho vs. MJF main event match is next.
(Commercial)
Jon Moxley did a promo in a hallway. Moxley said that everybody wants a piece of AEW these days. Moxley wondered what makes them think it’s so easy. Moxley ripped on Kenny Omega getting help with goofs. Moxley talked about Hangman Page having high school issues. Moxley said he would take care of Christian Cage. Moxley said that he’s the guy that carried this company through hard times when there were no crowds. Moxley said if young Mr. Garcia wants the taste of the main event he’ll give him that on Rampage. Moxley suggested he should ask himself if this is what he really wants. Moxley told him to protect his neck and ask himself if this is where he really wants to be.
Analysis: That was intense from Moxley. He was right that he carried the company during hard times with no crowds. Now they don’t even have a feud for the guy. Let’s get Moxley something good for AEW All Out.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman made his entrance as the leader of The Pinnacle. MJF was by himself. Chris Jericho made his entrance alone with no theme music because of MJF’s stipulations. The crowd still sang Jericho’s “Judas” theme song. It wasn’t in perfect harmony, but they got better as it went on. Jericho had a big smile on his face. The crowd sang most of the song and Jericho applauded them when they were down.
Analysis: That was cool to hear the crowd singing along like that. The announcers try so hard to put over everything as the greatest thing ever, which feels repetitive, but I mean it was cool. Great effort by the crowd in Houston. That was fun.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Chris Jericho
The stipulation for the match is that Jericho can’t use the Judas Effect elbow in the match. There’s a big age difference here since Jericho is 50 years old while MJF is 25 years old.
Jericho went for a leg trip leading to a Walls of Jericho, but MJF left the ring. Jericho hit a springboard dropkick on MJF on the apron. Jericho with a slingshot attack over the top onto MJF on the floor. MJF shoved Jericho into the barricade. MJF grabbed the camera from a ringside camera guy, MJF gave the middle finger to the crowd while using the camera, Jericho punched MJF down to knock him on his ass and Jericho gave the camera back to the camera guy. I can remember The Rock doing that spot over 20 years ago. Just saying. Anyway, back in the ring, Jericho with punches, then MJF used the referee to get in a cheap shot punch and MJF sent Jericho shoulder first into the turnbuckle. MJF stomped on Jericho’s left arm. The show went to PIP break.
(Commercial)
There were about ten minutes left in the show as MJF sent Jericho into the ropes leading to a double clothesline to knock both guys down. Jericho worked over MJF with punches, then a chop and shoulder tackles. Jericho was sent over the top to the apron, Jericho up top and he hit a double axehandle. The fans were cheering loudly for Jericho. MJF came back with an arm wringer that sent Jericho into the turnbuckle. Jericho ripped off Jericho’s arm brace and tossed it into the crowd. MJF stomped on the left arm of Jericho leading to an armbar. Jericho with a forearm to the face to knock down MJF and Jericho hit the Lionsault for the two count. The fans popped big for nearfall thinking that could be it even though Jericho usually does not win with that move. The fans chanted “this is awesome” for them. Jericho worked over MJF with chops, then a corner clothesline. Jericho with ten clotheslines against the turnbuckle, which was a babyface Roman Reigns spot. Jericho with chops to MJF while on the turnbuckle. Jericho punched MJF while standing on the top rope, MJF held him and Jericho hit a hurricanrana off the top for a two count. MJF had a ridiculous sell of that move, which made it look silly. MJF applied the Salt of the Earth armbar on the left arm, but Jericho rolled out of it and went for the Walls of Jericho. MJF countered by grabbing the foot and MJF kicked Jericho in the face. They got into a slugfest, the punches looked weaker as they got going and MJF pulled on the arm against the top rope. MJF hit the Heatseeker pendulum piledriver by the ropes for a two count. The fans chanted “Jericho” to rally Chris. MJF stalled way too long, he charged in and Jericho applied the sleeper. MJF blinded the referee and hit a low blow back kick to the groin. MJF applied the Walls of Jericho submission, the fans chanted “Jericho” and Chris was crawling towards the ropes until he finally made it to the bottom rope to break the hold. Jericho grabbed Floyd the bat while MJF put the Dynamite Diamond Ring on his finger. Referee Aubrey Edwards saw MJF and took it away from him. Jericho hit MJF with Floyd the bat in the ribs. Jericho wanted to hit Judas Effect but couldn’t do it, MJF hit his own version of the Judas Effect and MJF applied the Salt of the Earth armbar again. Jericho turned it into a pin for two. MJF held onto the Salt of the Earth armbar again and Jericho tapped out to give MJF the win. It went about 15 minutes.
Winner by submission: Maxwell Jacob Friedman
Analysis: ***3/4 This was a pretty good match that had a hot crowd that made it feel even bigger than it was. I thought they could have had a few more moments where it looked like Jericho might win. I would have liked a spot where Jericho hit a Codebreaker for a two count because MJF kicked out or got to the ropes. It would have been a smart spot to do to show how close Jericho came to winning. I liked most of it with Jericho showing a lot of resilience while MJF was relentless in working on the left arm for most of it. It would have been nice if MJF sold the bat shot to the ribs because he barely sold it and then they went right to the finish. Good job Jericho tapping out to MJF. They don’t put MJF in the ring that much, but he does win most of his matches and it’s the right call to have Jericho put him over. One guy is 50, the other is 25. Common sense booking.
MJF celebrated the win with the scarf around his neck while Jericho was selling in the ring. The announcers plugged Rampage on Friday and Dynamite next Wednesday. That was it.
Analysis: I know based on the storyline, Jericho beating MJF could have happened there, but Jericho has always been smart about putting people over at the right time and he knows his role in AEW. Giving MJF the bragging rights over Jericho like that is big for MJF.
Three Stars of the Show
- Young Bucks
- Jungle Boy/Luchasaurus
- MJF/Chris Jericho
The Scoreboard
This Week: 8.25 out of 10
Last Week: 6.75
2021 Average: 7.36
Final Thoughts
This was a great show from top to bottom carried by some awesome in-ring action. MJF beating Jericho in the main event was the right call even though some fans might disagree with that. The Young Bucks match with Jurassic Express was the best of the night and really delivered to put over the titles. The Guevara/Spears match was good as well, but I still think it was too reliant on spots and not enough of a story for the match. It was also cool to see Sting in action even though he wasn’t involved in the match that much.
Kudos to the Houston crowd as well. They made a lot of noise and were into everything. Bring on Rampage in Chicago. AEW could use more punks after all.
The next AEW pay-per-view is All Out on Sunday, September 5 at the Now Arena in Chicago. Here’s what we know so far.
AEW World Championship: Kenny Omega (c) vs. Christian Cage
AEW Tag Team Championships: The Young Bucks (c) vs. Winners of Tag Team Eliminator
Andrade El Idolo vs. Pac
Paul Wight vs. QT Marshall
—
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