The John Report: AEW Dynamite 08/21/24 Review

This week’s AEW Dynamite featured Kazuchika Okada facing Claudio Castagnoli, an MJF-Will Ospreay segment, and more.

This was AEW Dynamite episode #255 from the Utilita Arena Cardiff in Cardiff, Wales. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

It’s Wednesday and you know what that means. It’s Excalibur on commentary with Tony Schiavone and Taz. This was taped earlier in Cardiff due to the time difference. I didn’t read any spoilers before watching this show. It’s the first Dynamite event outside of North America.

TBS Championship Contract Signing

The challenger Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. was out first for the contract signing. Mercedes Mone was up next as the TBS Champion and NJPW Strong Women’s Champion and she was joined by her bodyguard/friend Kamille. Tony Schiavone was in the ring moderating this contract signing. There were two chairs and a table in the ring along with the contract. Tony said that the ladies agreed to no physicality.

Mercedes Mone said that she would make Britt Baker tap out because Britt’s the past while Mone will forever be the future. Mone signed the contract.

Britt Baker said that last year, Mone hobbled in on crutches to watch Baker at All In last year. Baker said before there was a CEO, there was a DMD. Baker signed the contract.

Mone said that the fans only like Baker because they think they are like her. Fans chanted “shut the f**k up” at Mone. That led to Mone saying that Mone inspired Baker to be a wrestler while saying Baker got a “little degree” and wondered if Baker was All In. Mone said that she has been putting wrestling on the map so she’s all in. Mone was adamant that Baker won’t beat her.

Baker said that she never had a Plan B because she had two Plan A’s. Baker said that Mone was one of four (horsewomen) while Baker was one of one. Baker called herself the baddest bitch on the block. Baker told Mone she admired him and wanted to be like her. Baker reminded Mone that she was the first female in the company you’re sitting in right now. That led to “AEW” chants. Mone said that Mone made a different, but that person is gone. Baker called Mone a smug, arrogant ass that cared more about being the highest paid female instead of her own legacy. Baker wants to be able to say she beat the best of Mone. Baker said she’ll follow the rules that they agreed to saying that she won’t hit Mercedes, but this bitch is getting on her nerves, so Baker hit Kamille with the microphone to the head. Baker jumped on Kamille and Mone on the chair. Mone and Kamille bailed while Baker posed with the TBS Title.

Analysis: I don’t think the dialogue was that strong for Mone, but Baker’s longer speech was good. Most of Mone’s speeches are the same thing about being rich and successful. There’s not much depth to his promos. Baker is easy to like and root for. With that said, I’ll go with Mone getting the win at All In most likely.

The FTW Champion Chris Jericho was interviewed by Renee Paquette while Big Bill and Bryan Keith were standing by. Jericho got heat saying it was Cardiff, England not Wales, so the fans booed. Jericho blasted Tommy Billington for calling himself the Dynamite Kid, who is Tommy’s uncle. Jericho wanted to make sure Hook was watching to see what Jericho would do to him at Wembley Stadium. Keith: “Big ass Wembley Stadium.” Thanks for that.

Chris Jericho (w/Big Bill & Bryan Keith) vs. “Dynamite Kid” Tommy Billington

This was not for Jericho’s FTW Title. Tommy took down Jericho with two arm drags. Tommy ran the ropes a few times to knock Jericho down with a shoulder tackle. Tommy hit a body slam followed by a missile dropkick off the top. They left the ring where Tommy sent Jericho into the barricade. When Tommy sent Jericho into the ring, the referee looked at him, so Keith tripped up Tommy and Bill sent Tommy into the ring post.

(Commercial)

The match returned with a cross body block collision. Tommy hit a body slam. Jericho came back with a move to knock down Tommy leading to a Lionsault for two. Tommy countered a Jericho move and hit a German Suplex. Jericho applied the Walls of Jericho submission move, which led to Tommy crawling to the bottom rope to break the hold. Tommy came back with a kick to the gut along with a snap suplex like his uncle used to do. Tommy countered a Jericho move into a Tombstone piledriver with no cover attempted. Tommy went up and dove onto Keith with a cross body block on the floor. Bill charged, Tommy avoided it and sent Bill into the barricade. Tommy jumped off the top, but Jericho was able to counter it with a Codebreaker double knee attack for the pinfall win after 10 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Chris Jericho

Analysis: **3/4 A good match with Tommy Billington getting plenty of offense. The numbers game helped Jericho since Keith and Bill caused Tommy to try to take them out, so Jericho was able to recover and hit his Codebreaker for the win. The result wasn’t a surprise.

Chris Jericho did a post match promo saying he hoped Hook was watching. Jericho said if Hook was there in Cardiff, England (said it wrong on purpose to get booed) then Jericho would rip him up branch by branch.

Hook made his way down to the ring with a bandage over his left eye. Hook had a staredown with Jericho, so Bill hit Hook in the back to knock him down. Bill gave Hook a Chokeslam. Jericho’s group stood over a fallen Hook.

Analysis: I think the story at All In will be Hook gets some backup likely from Katsuyori Shibata, which will help against Jericho’s allies and I think Hook will win

(Commercial)

AEW Women’s World Championship: “Timeless” Toni Storm vs. Saraya (w/Harley Cameron)

Storm and Saraya each got pin attempts early on. They did some comedy old school wrestling leading to pin attempts for each woman again. Saraya and Storm took turns screaming at eachother. Saraya snapped the neck across the middle turnbuckle and then Saraya hit Storm with repeated knees. Cameron sent Storm hard into the barricade. Saraya jumped onto Storm with a cannonball off the apron and onto Storm on the floor. That led to a picture-in-picture break.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Storm hitting a punch combo followed by a DDT. Storm hit a fisherman’s suplex for two. Saraya hit her Nightcap neckbreaker for a two count. Saraya hit a sunset flip Powerbomb off the turnbuckle for a two count. Saraya hit an Implant DDT for two because Storm’s left hand was on the bottom rope. They were right by the ropes, so it was obvious that was coming. Saraya was angry about the two count, so Storm was back up with a Sky High spinebuster for two. Cameron went on the apron, Storm kissed her and then Saraya accidentally knocked Cameron off the ropes to the floor because Storm avoided an attack from Saraya. Storm kissed Saraya and then Storm hit the Storm Zero piledriver for the pinfall win after about nine minutes.

Winner by pinfall: “Timeless” Toni Storm

Analysis: **3/4 This was pretty good with Saraya getting more offense than I expected. That’s not a knock on her, but I thought Storm would win more decisively. They did a nice job with a couple of the nearfalls for Saraya. Storm coming back with the kisses of death so to speak led to the Storm Zero for the win. Saraya really hasn’t been booked well for most of this year. She was a bigger deal last year.

After the match, Toni Storm celebrated the win. While Storm was celebrating, Mariah May attacked Storm from behind with the dreaded high heel shoe to the head. May kissed Storm on the head. Nobody checked on Storm or tried to save her. May left with a smile on her face.

Analysis: This was okay. They had better interactions in the past, though. I have enjoyed the Storm-May feud and story. I think they’ll have a great match. I also think May winning is very likely.

The Conglomeration group (Mark Briscoe, Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly, Tomohiro Ishii with Willow Nightingale) was interviewed by Renee Paquette. Mark Briscoe did a rant about how the group is fired up about AEW All In. Kyle O’Reilly did a poor UK accent saying they were going to be in action on Collision. Briscoe took over to rant about what they were going to do on Collision. Orange Cassidy spoke silently to end it.

(Commercial)

Face To Face: Will Ospreay and MJF

Will Ospreay made his entrance to a huge pop, which is no surprise since he is one of AEW’s biggest babyfaces and he’s from England while standing in the ring in front of a United Kingdom crowd in Wales. There was security surrounding the ring while Excalibur said there was to be no physicality. Loud “Ospreay” chanting and singing from the crowd.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman, the AEW American Champion, walked out wearing a USA-colored suit along with a scarf and he was booed by the crowd. When MJF got in the ring, the fans kept on singing for Ospreay.

Will told Cardiff to give MJF a warm welcome, which led to loud boos and angry chanting. Will said it’s unusual for an English man to be this loved in Wales. Will spoke about some BBC show that he thinks is similar to his career while talking about different venues in Wales that he has wrestled in. Will said Sunday is about cleaning up the mess that MJF has made here. Will made some local reference that I didn’t get. I feel like my UK friends who don’t get the America-Canada sports talk. Anyway, it doesn’t matter.

MJF said that jam-packed arenas have chanted his name twice as loud as they have chanted Will’s name. MJF said that he didn’t have to be a “flip merchant” to get the job done. MJF said all he had to do was this and it was his “kangaroo kick” pose. The fans chanted “shut the f**k up” at MJF, who said “no” to that. MJF said that he was called back early from injury because of the mess that Will created. MJF called Will arrogant, so Will responded that MJF is the arrogant one while calling him a bellend, which the crowd loved.

Will spoke about AEW while saying that everybody was laughing at MJF as the World Champion. Will said that we were laughing at the double clothesline and all that, but it lasted too long. Will said that at All In last year they didn’t talk about this great match, they talked about two friends jerking off. Will said that he wasn’t even employed by AEW. Will said that Tony had 3,000 people employed back there and he called Will to be on the show. Will claimed that Tony told Will to not put on a good wrestling match since he can’t count on MJF to do it. Will spoke about how this is not only about restoring the International Championship, it’s about restoring the feeling and Will said he’s the feeling.

MJF said that Will is right because MJF doesn’t care about catering to these people because these people are meaningless. MJF said that all that matters is what Americans do best – they win. MJF called Tony Khan a dork saying that the company would be safe in Will’s capable hands. MJF asked who the hell are you? That led to “Ospreay” singing again. MJF claimed that everybody loved him. MJF spoke about how analysts, pundits, wrestlers, legends and Hall of Famers all agree that MJF is the best in the world. MJF wondered who told Will he was the best in the world? The fans cheered, so MJF mocked the fans.

MJF said that the facts are that he is the youngest AEW World Champion of all time. MJF bragged about how he headlined and won the biggest show of all time. MJF said that when they talk about this generation of pro wrestling, he’s the Ace and Will be second place. MJF said that he hails from the only place that matters, the United States of America. MJF told Will he only had one move to defeat him – the Tiger Driver, but Will ain’t man enough to pull the trigger. MJF said that he’s the facts because facts don’t care about humans.

Will spoke about how the wrestling books can be re-written, but what can’t be re-written is how people feel. Will said that MJF hasn’t inspired anybody to be a wrestler. Will told MJF to ask fans in Europe, Australia/New Zealand, Japan, United States of America and they will say Will is the best wrestler in the world. Will said that he can’t lose in front of his family, his wife and his kid. Will said that they loved MJF until he ruined and then MJF said that they loved him until Will showed up and ruined it. That’s the reason why MJF hates him.

MJF spoke about how Will is a great husband, father and a great professional wrestler. MJF congratulated on Will being a successful pro wrestler. MJF talked about how before the show he got to spend some time with his wife and his so-called kid of yours. MJF spoke about his wife had the kid with another man, but Will stepped into the picture and raised that kid as his own. MJF said that he had a feeling after the conversation MJF had with his wife tonight, the next kid she has won’t be Will’s either. That led to MJF and Will going face to face with a staredown.

Will asked Tony Schiavone to ask Tony Khan how much is the fine if Will hits MJF right now. Tony S. replied that it was 100,000 Pounds Sterling or $127,000 US. Will said it’s worth it, so Will punched MJF a few times. Security went into the ring to try to break it up. Will beat up some of the security guys and then kicked MJF a few times. MJF put the Dynamite Diamond Ring on his hand and he punched Ospreay while using the diamond ring. MJF punched some security guys too. MJF beat up Ospreay with punches while Will was bleeding from the forehead. MJF hit a brainbuster and covered Will for one…two…and three. MJF shouted Tiger Driver, but security and Christopher Daniels showed up to stop the attack. MJF left with his American Title.

Analysis: I thought it was a great segment thanks mostly to MJF, but Will did a nice job too. The part where MJF admitted that the reason the fans don’t like him anymore is because Will showed up and ruined it. Things got personal when MJF mentioned Will’s wife and son, which led to MJF teasing the idea that he was going to knock up Will’s wife in the future. This has been one of the most personal rivalries in AEW this year, so this promo segment did a nice job of adding to that story. I think I’m going to pick Ospreay to win at All In and bring back the International Title to replace MJF’s American Title. It should be an outstanding match.

(Commercial)

Renee Paquette was shown backstage saying “Hangman” Adam Page was ejected from the building because of something he did in the office. Page said that he did what he had to do because he was in the Casino Gauntlet Match at AEW All In. Page spoke to Evil Uno, who was walking by and Uno said he was in the Casino Gauntlet Match. Page hit dumbass Uno with a chair to the back. Page said there is nothing more than he wants in this life to make his life hell. Page left angrily.

Analysis: Adam Page was referring to his rival Swerve Strickland of course. I think Page certainly could win the Casino Gauntlet Match at All In.

AEW Continental Championship: Kazuchika Okada vs. Claudio Castagnoli

I am looking forward to this match between two talented wrestlers. The announcers made a good point about how they have similar body types while Claudio is more powerful and they both have over two decades of experience.

Claudio set up Okada against the ropes, but stopped from doing a forearm while Okada was in the ropes. Claudio hit a shoulder tackle on Okada along with an uppercut. Okada tried a move, but Claudio flipped over and landed on his feet. They exchanged kicks and strikes to the body. Okada ran the ropes leading to a back elbow to the chest. They went to a PIP break.

(Commercial)

Okada and Claudio exchanged suplex attempts leading to Claudio hitting a suplex. The effort that it took to hit that move led to a big pop while Okada sold it very well. Claudio hit Okada with multiple uppercuts. Okada bailed to the floor, so Claudio followed up with a running uppercut to the chest. Back in the ring, Claudio hit an elbow drop to the chest for two. They did the “stand and throw forearms” spot that ended after Claudio hit three straight forearms. Okada came back with a DDT. Okada hit a neckbreaker for two. Claudio blocked a kick followed by Claudio clotheslining Okada over the top to the floor. The fans were chanting “this is awesome” for them. When they got back up, Okada sent Claudio into the ring post. Okada broke the referee’s slow count and put Claudio back into the ring. That led to another PIP break.

(Commercial)

Claudio was in control with a gutwrench suplex followed by a running double foot stomp for two. Claudio went up top, so Okada hit a dropkick to knock Claudio off the top to the floor. Back in the ring, Okada hit a body slam. Okada went up top, but Claudio stopped that with an uppercut. They exchanged punches while on the top rope, and Okada with a headbutt. Okada jumped over Claudio followed by a dropkick into the turnbuckle. Okada hit body slam followed by top rope elbow drop. It’s a soft landing with that elbow drop. Okada did a middle finger salute to the camera. Okada stepped on Claudio, who sat up like a certain Deadman. Claudio picked up Okada and spun him around with the Giant Swing for about 20 revolutions with the fans counting along with it. Claudio ran the ropes and Okada countered that move attempt with a great dropkick. Claudio hit a springboard uppercut. Okada countered Claudio leading to a neckbreaker onto the knee. The fans were cheering and chanting “AEW” as both guys were down.

It was announced by the ring announcer Bobby Cruise that there’s just one minute left in the time limit. It was 19 minutes into a 20-minute match. Okada got a backslide pin for two. Claudio came back with a popup uppercut, but Okada went to the apron. Okada held onto the bottom rope, so Claudio stomped on the chest. Claudio got a two count out of that. Okada avoided being pinned again and that was it. The match went 20 minutes.

Match Result: Time-Limit Draw (Kazuchika Okada remains AEW Continental Champion)

Analysis: **** This was an awesome match as you would expect from wrestlers who are this good. There were so many nearfalls in the match, but neither guy hit their finisher during the 20-minute battle. I assume the rematch is coming probably at the All Out PPV in September. The thing about Claudio and Okada is they are such good athletes for taller guys, so they can make everything look so easy. I have always thought Okada’s selling was great in his career and it was excellent in this match. Claudio’s power offense is always fun to watch too. Perhaps the announcers or the ring announcer could have mentioned the time limit thing a few minutes earlier because it was almost like a surprise when it was brought up with one minute left, but I get why it’s done that way to avoid having a winner. Anyway, bring on the rematch at some point soon.

The fans chanted “five more minutes” after the match.

The AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks and TNT Champion Jack Perry of The Elite made their entrance since they are in a tag team match. Nicholas Jackson said that was a phenomenal match. Matthew Jackson asked the fans if these two gentlemen should go five more minutes. Matt said that’s not going to happen tonight, which drew boos. Matt said that the contract said that his man Okada had to wrestle for 20 minutes, not 25. Matt claimed they were sticklers for the rules since they are EVPs. Matt told Claudio to remove himself from the ring because they have a match.

The trio of Darby Allin and FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) made their entrance as the opponents in this six-man tag team match.

Claudio and Okada went fighting to the back as the six-man tag began.

Darby Allin and FTR – Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler vs. The Elite – Jack Perry and The Young Bucks – Matthew Jackson & Nicholas Jackson

They were brawling on the floor for about a minute before the match officially began. Dax started with Jack and nothing really happened. Allin tagged in, so he ran the ropes and dove onto Perry on the floor. The Bucks clotheslined both FTR guys out of the ring. The Bucks dove onto FTR on the floor. Allin went up top and hit a Coffin Drop off the top turnbuckle onto both Bucks on the floor. Matt had Allin on his shoulders, so Nick was on the apron and he kicked Allin to knock Allin down on the floor. They went to a PIP break.

(Commercial)

Perry gave Allin a Buckle Bomb while both Bucks kicked Allin at the same time. Allin managed to break free to bring in Dax the Ax, who unloaded with punches on all three opponents. Dax jumped off the turnbuckle onto Matt and clotheslined Nick out of the ring. Dax hit two German Suplexed on Perry. Matt ran illegally, Dax kicked him and Dax hit Perry with a brainbuster for two. Cash back in with a back body drop on Perry. Cash knocked down both Bucks as well. Both Bucks back in illegally with a double superkick and Jack did a backslide pin on Cash for two. Cash avoided an EVP Trigger by the Bucks, who hit eachother. All six guys were in the ring doing moves, so FTR and Allin all applied Sharpshooters/Scorpion Death Lock at the same time. The Elite looked like they were leaving, so Cash dove onto them on the floor. Dax sent Matt over the top to the apron. Nick was in illegally with two superkicks and Allin hit Code Red on Nick. Perry hit a Scorpion Death Drop on Allin. Perry charged, Allin avoided the running knee and FTR hit Shatter Machine on Perry. Dax gave Matt a superplex off the top, Cash hit a top rope splash for some Power & Glory and then Allin had tagged himself in, so Allin jumped off the top with a Coffin Drop on Matt Jackson for the pinfall win. It went 10 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Darby Allin and FTR – Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler

Analysis: ***1/4 There was a lot of fast paced action here with the babyfaces picking up the decisive win. We only got about seven minutes full screen, so that’s not a lot. Since it’s a Young Bucks match, there was also a lot of illegal offense, which is a bad thing in my mind. The finish was good although it also involved Matt Jackson sitting on the top rope for about 30 seconds doing nothing while he waited for the other spots to get done. The babyfaces getting the win was the right call.

After the match, The Acclaimed’s Max Caster & Anthony Bowens (with Billy Gunn) did a promo trashing The Young Bucks and FTR. Max keeps calling himself the best wrestler alive, which is a stretch. Max said that FTR and Bucks are considered the best teams of all time, yet they couldn’t beat The Acclaimed last week. Caster said they were bringing the AEW Tag Team Titles home. Bowens said that FTR and The Young Bucks can’t beat The Acclaimed because they will fight until The Acclaimed are the next Tag Team Champions. Why? Because everyone loves The Acclaimed. Gunn said if you’re not down with that, we’ve got two words for ya…suck it? In 2024? Okay. I guess it’s sort of a thing.

Analysis: A basic promo from The Acclaimed I think that triple threat tag team match is hard to predict.

There was a backstage scene with Will Ospreay, who was bloody, getting checked on by a trainer. Will was about to be interviewed by Renee Paquette. Bryan Danielson walked in and told Ospreay: “Do it! I mean it. Do it!” It is believed that Bryan was telling Ospreay to use the Tiger Driver 91 move on MJF. Ospreay didn’t say anything, but he had a serious look on his face.

Analysis: I think Ospreay beating MJF with the Tiger Driver 91 is the absolute right finish for their match. It has to be that.

(Commercial)

The Final Showdown: Swerve Strickland and Bryan Danielson

Nigel McGuinness, an AEW announcer on Collision, was in the ring to host this segment. Nigel did a great introduction for the AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland, who made his entrance joined by dancing Prince Nana. Schiavone mentioned how biased Nigel is against Danielson, so let’s see how this plays out for the championship. A lot of “Swerve’s House” chants from the fans after Nana encouraged him. Nigel teased like he would introduce Bryan and said it was an honor to have Swerve there. Nigel said people have called Danielson “Brittle Bryan” and the “Neckbreak Kid” among other things. Nigel asked how Swerve felt about being an overwhelming favorite.

Swerve said that he’s the most dangerous man in AEW. Swerve said it’s because of the pain he endures and inflicts. Swerve spoke about the people he has defeated: Hangman Page twice, Jay White, Konosuke Takeshita, Samoa Joe, Claudio Castagnoli, Christian Cage, and the man who put Bryan Danielson’s neck in jeopardy, Will Ospreay. Swerve said he’ll dissect Bryan from head to toe in that ring. Swerve said he’d do it purposefully, menacingly, and scientifically. Swerve said as much as he appreciates Bryan as a generational wrestler, they are both Washington state born wrestlers. Swerve spoke about how he heard Bryan saying that he is ready for retirement and ready to become a family man. Swerve thinks that’s a slap in the face to him. Swerve said he’s going to be the one to take it from Bryan. Swerve told Bryan he’ll make sure that he’s not capable of getting back in the ring after All In. Swerve said maybe Bryan will get that fighting spirit that wakes back up and thinks that you can do it again. Swerve said maybe Bryan wants to wrestle again, then Swerve will be there to beat him down whether it’s in Washington state or in Mexico. Swerve said maybe Bryan will think that he wants to do it again, guess where Swerve will be? Here comes Bryan Danielson.

Bryan Danielson ran into the ring, ducked a Swerve attack and Bryan hit a Busaiko Knee to the face to knock Swerve out of the ring.

Bryan said that maybe you were confused while Swerve was on the floor. Bryan said that he doesn’t come out here every week to talk about himself for 20 minutes. Bryan claimed he knew who he was. Bryan said that this is the truth, you know it and he knows it – “I’m the best f**king wrestler in the world!” The fans popped huge for that. Bryan: “And I have been for the last 20 years!” Bryan said that Swerve thinks he is going to retire him and cripple Bryan in front of his daughter. Bryan said this Sunday in Wembley Stadium in front of the fans for the past 25 years, his peers who he has traveled with for 25 and in front of his family – his wife, son and daughter – Bryan said you will have to damn near kill him. Bryan said that he would leave his soul in this ring. Excalibur said that’s what Jarrett, Kingston and the world wants to see – that fire in his eyes.

Bryan said there was only one question left: “Can Bryan Danielson, the American F**king Dragon, beat Swerve Strickland for the AEW World Championship?” That led to “YES” chants from the crowd. Bryan: “They know the answer and you know the answer.” Bryan led the crowd in “YES” chants. The announcers put over how Bryan seems like he has awoken now. Bryan posed on the ropes to cheers from the fans. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: Great ending with Bryan Danielson delivering a fiery promo just as he should have done. They have spent weeks wondering if Bryan still had that fire left in him and this promo shows that Bryan is absolutely mentally in the right space to have this match. I think the Swerve/Bryan match is going to be amazing and I’m probably going to pick Bryan to win, but I’ll wait to make an official prediction for when I post the AEW All In preview on Saturday morning. Bryan’s line about how he has been humble for his career is true, so then when he said that he knows he has been the “best f**king wrestler in the world for 20 years” it was really cool to have him say that. The fans exploded for it because it’s not something he said publicly in the past, which is why it so smart to say it here. Did this segment get some fans more excited for this match? I think so. It was very well done.

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Three Stars of the Show

1. Bryan Danielson – He was only on for a few minutes, but I loved that speech.
2. Kazuchika Okada/Claudio Castagnoli
3. MJF/Will Ospreay

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The Scoreboard

This Week: 7.75 out of 10

Last Week: 7.25

2024 Average: 7.49

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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite

I thought this was a very good episode of Dynamite that did a great job of featuring the key talent competing at AEW All In. An AEW Dynamite episode with just four matches over two hours is rare because they usually have more. There was a promo to start, a promo in the middle and a promo in the main event. I don’t mind that strategy because the promo segments involving MJF/Ospreay and Swerve/Danielson were outstanding while the Mone/Baker wasn’t that interesting.

The Danielson speech was terrific because he’s been so humble his whole career, so to hear him say that he knows he’s been the “best f**king wrestler in the world” for 20 years is awesome. The fans popped for that because we hadn’t heard it from him before, which his why it felt like a big deal. I enjoyed the heel work of MJF in his segment with Ospreay too. Max is so great.

That match between Okada & Claudio was terrific, which is expected from guys like that. Okada really hasn’t had enough great singles matches in his AEW run so far, so it was nice to see him in a longer match. They didn’t even mention the time limit until there was one minute left and then suddenly it’s a draw. Other matches were okay. This show was mostly about building to All In and I thought they did a nice job of that most of the night. Bring on AEW All In from Wembley this coming Sunday. I’m looking forward to it.

The next AEW pay-per-view is All In taking place at Wembley Stadium in London, England on August 25th. Here’s the lineup so far.

* AEW World Championship: Swerve Strickland (c) vs. Bryan Danielson – If Danielson loses then he will retire.

* AEW American Championship: Maxwell Jacob Friedman (c) vs. Will Ospreay

* AEW Women’s World Championship: “Timeless” Toni Storm (c) vs. Mariah May

* TNT Championship Coffin Match: Jack Perry (c) vs. Darby Allin

* AEW World Tag Team Championships: The Young Bucks (Matthew Jackson and Nicholas Jackson) (c) vs. FTR (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood) vs. The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens and Max Caster)

* TBS Championship: Mercedes Mone (c) vs. Britt Baker

* FTW Championship: Chris Jericho (c) vs. Hook

* Casino Gauntlet Match – Winner receives AEW World Title match.

* London Ladder Match for the AEW World Trios Championships: The Patriarchy (Christian Cage, Killswitch, and Nick Wayne) (c) (with Mother Wayne) vs. Bang Bang Gang (Juice Robinson, Austin Gunn, and Colten Gunn) vs. House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews) vs. ??? – Team to be determined on Collision.

* Willow Nightingale & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Kris Statlander & Stokely Hathaway (ZERO HOUR PRE-SHOW)

There will be more matches added to the show.

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Thanks for reading. Go Los Angeles Rams. You can contact me using any of the methods below.

John Canton

Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter/X: @johnreport