The John Report: AEW Dynamite 08/25/21 Review

Welcome to the AEW Dynamite review here on TJRWrestling. It’s the AEW Dynamite debut of CM Punk.

This is AEW Dynamite from the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Here’s my AEW Dynamite TV review archive. Let’s get to it.

The AEW Dynamite introduction video aired. CM Punk is a new addition to the video.

The pyro went off on the stage with Jim Ross welcoming us to the show. They showed part of CM Punk’s speech from Rampage last Friday. JR is joined by Excalibur and Tony Schiavone on commentary. The announcers did the usual rundown of what’s coming up this week.

The opening match saw Orange Cassidy get a good pop for his entrance. Orange is 13-1-1 singles in 2021 somehow. Matt Hardy entered as the opponent.

Orange Cassidy vs. Matt Hardy

They did some comedy early on with the hands in the pockets and shin kicks leading to Matt pulling out some money. Orange sent Matt out of the ring, Matt caught Orange and hit a Side Effect slam on the floor. Matt pulled back on Orange’s limbs against the ring post. Back in the ring, Matt hit a belly to back suplex three times in a row. Matt put the money back in his pockets and did some Cassidy like weak kicks. Matt with a body slam leading into an elbow for two. Matt worked over Orange with a hard punch to the face. Matt delivered a suplex and then reached into Orange’s pocket for the $100 bill that Orange put in his pocket earlier. Matt with a back elbow and leg drop. Matt pulled Cassidy’s arms back, then a knee to the back and Matt whipped Cassidy into the turnbuckle. Orange came back after going to the apron, he sent Matt into the turnbuckle two times and Matt came back with a Splash Mountain powerbomb for a two count. Matt set up for a move, Orange went to the turnbuckle and Orange managed to send Matt out of the ring. Orange with a suicide dive that sent Matt into the barricade. Orange went up top, he jumped off and hit a cross body block for two. Orange with a DDT for two. Matt was bleeding heavily from the nose likely from the cross body block by Orange earlier in the match. Orange knocked Matt off the turnbuckle after some punches and a shove. Orange went up top, put his hands in his pockets and hit a Senton Bomb. No cover attempt as Orange did some “Delete” hand signals. Matt countered Orange attempting a Twist of Fate by sending him into the turnbuckle. Hardy with an elbow drop to the lower back of Cassidy. Orange countered Hardy by hitting a Twist of Fate for a two count. Matt avoided the Orange Punch, Orange blocked a submission and Orange sat on top of Matt with his hands in his pockets for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Orange Cassidy

Analysis: **3/4 Good match with a dumb finish. I don’t really like the Orange Cassidy comedy stuff as much as some people although I get why the fans like it. I’d rather see a decisive win rather than a guy sitting on top with hands in the pocket. When I saw how much offense Matt got in the match, it was obvious he was going to lose and that’s fine since he’s the older guy. It was just a match without much of a story. AEW does that often.

Malakai Black said that he’s going to give Brock Anderson a way out of the match. Black said they’ll start the match, then Brock will leave the ring and say he’s sorry. Black said Brock will take his dad to the locker room. Black said that if it goes any way differently then Black will take it out on Brock, Arn, Cody, Dustin or anybody associated with the Nightmare Family.

Chris Jericho was up next.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from Chris Jericho

The great Chris Jericho made his entrance to a big pop from the crowd and the fans sang the “Judas” song on his way to the ring as usual. Jericho waited for them to finish before he said a word. The crowd applauded when it was done.

Jericho said they sound great in Milwaukee (cheap pop) tonight. Jericho said that this has been one of the biggest weeks in AEW history, everybody has been celebrating…except for him. Jericho said that last week when he had the chance to end the Five Labours of Jericho, he lost to MJF for the third time. Jericho said even worse, he tapped out. Jericho said it’s been driving him crazy, he’s losing sleep and he was asked why it bothers him and he said it’s because he’s Chris Jericho. Chris said that the fact that he failed to beat MJF has driven him crazy. Jericho said “beat MJF” repeatedly because he’s been obsessing about it. Jericho said until this ends, he’ll attack MJF in the building, at his house or wherever until it’s over. Jericho said: “I don’t give a shit!” Jericho said he had a proposal for how they can end this, so if MJF comes out here then Jericho can fill you in.

Jericho said he’s proposing one more match, one final fight at All Out on September 5th. (I think we could all assume that was coming.) Jericho said he’s been thinking about this long and hard, if he can’t beat MJF then maybe he doesn’t belong in AEW anymore. The fans chanted “NO” to that. Jericho said that if MJF beats him then Jericho will never wrestle in AEW again. The fans booed that idea. Jericho said it again. Jericho said that if MJF wants to prove he’s better than Jericho then he has to get rid of Jericho, so what do you say?

Maxwell Jacob Friedman entered with a shirt that said MJF 3, Jeriblow 0. That’s funny. MJF said when he heard Jericho say his name, he thought Jericho should leave him alone and go away. MJF said he’s not an idiot like all these people in Milwaukee (cheap heat). MJF said that Jericho saw MJF’s rise to the top, Chris needed a rub from the youngest, rising star in the history of professional wrestling. MJF said that after last week when he tapped Chris out faster than somebody listening to a Fozzy CD – that he would never wrestle Chris again. MJF said he loves looking in the living room to say he tapped out Jericho, that’s cool. MJF said that being able to say that he ended Jericho, that’s legendary. MJF said if he wants the match then he’s got it. MJF said “BUT” repeatedly. MJF said he wanted Jericho to really mull this one over because he is putting the in-ring career on the line with the same man that mopped the floor with Jericho three times. MJF asked if Jericho was sure he wanted to this match because MJF is “better than you and you know it.” MJF left while Jericho had a serious look on his face.

Analysis: I thought Jericho did an awesome job with the promo. It was a mix of confidence, having a lot of self-doubt and then coming to a decision that you can live with whether you win or lose. MJF was his usual arrogant self pissing off the crowd and it worked very well as usual. I figured another match was coming. It’s a big stipulation. Jericho should get the win, but if he wants to retire then this is the way to do it.

The Varsity Blonds were shown in the locker room talking about their match tonight and going on to face The Young Bucks at All Out.

Lucha Brothers entered for tag team action with Alex. Jurassic Express were at ringside watching. They face the winners of this match. The Varsity Blonds entered as the opponent. The Young Bucks and friends were on the stage watching.

World Tag Team Championship Semifinals Eliminator: Lucha Brothers (Rey Fenix & Penta El Zero M) w/Alex Abrahantes vs. Varsity Blonds (Griff Garrison & Brian Pillman Jr.) w/Julia Hart

Garrison started with Fenix, which led to some cool moves from Fenix including a counter when he avoided a kick. Penta faced off with Pillman, who ran the ropes and Penta hit him with a superkick to the face. Pillman came back with a superkick of his own and Pillman hit a hurricanrana. Penta with a Slingblade neckbreaker. Penta with a chop leading to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

I missed about a minute when the match returned. Garrison was battling Penta on the apron, so Pillman hit a springboard dropkick onto Penta on the floor. Lucha Brothers came back with double superkicks. Fenix hit an impressive suicide dive on the Blonds with Penta helping Fenix go farther. Back in the ring, Pillman caught Fenix and stacked him with a Powerbomb. Pillman with a forearm and Garrison with a springboard forearm for two as Penta got the save. Penta back in with a superkick. Fenix and Penta each hit superkicks at the same time on Pillman. Lucha Bros hit an assisted package piledriver on Pillman for the pinfall win after eight minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Lucha Brothers (Rey Fenix & Penta El Zero M)

Analysis: **3/4 A pretty good tag team match. The more experienced team and the better team got the win, which is good to see. I think Varsity Blonds have long-term potential, but it was the right time to put over Lucha Brothers in an impressive way. I like how aggressive Lucha Brothers were towards the finish with the superkicks and other offense they were doing. Great finishing move too with a double team piledriver.

That means Lucha Brothers will face Jurassic Express on Rampage, which he taped after Dynamite this week. The winners of that will face The Young Bucks at All Out.

After the match, Jurassic Express went into the ring with Lucha Brothers. The Young Bucks went into the ring and shoved Jurassic Express into Lucha Brothers. Young Bucks were kicked off the apron to the floor. Jungle Boy and Fenix hit suicide dives onto Young Bucks, Gallows & Anderson on the floor. The faces celebrated.

Analysis: It was a way to pop the crowd by having the face teams work together to take out The Young Bucks on the floor.

There was a video package about Andrade El Idolo facing Pac at AEW All Out on September 5. That’s going to be great.

Jamie Hayter made her entrance with AEW Women’s Champion Dr. Britt Baker and Rebel. Red Velvet entered as the opponent.

Jamie Hayter (w/Dr. Britt Baker & Rebel) vs. Red Velvet

Hayter used her power early with a forearm to the face. Hayter whipped Velvet into the turnbuckle. Hayter with chops. Velvet avoided a charging Hayter, then Velvet hit a suicide dive into a tackle on the floor. Velvet ran the ropes with another suicide dive into a tackle on the floor. Hayter whipped Velvet into the turnbuckle and Baker tossed Velvet into the barricade. That led to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

Hayter remained on offense with repeated forearms to the face. Hayter charged with an uppercut, Velvet came back with her own uppercut. They did some sloppy spot leading to a clothesline, then they did something else that looked messed up and Velvet did a facebuster counter that Rey Mysterio has done many times. Red Velvet jumped over Hayter and hit the mat. She missed a standing moonsault? What? Hayter came back with a massive running clothesline for the pinfall. It went about eight minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Jamie Hayter

Analysis: * It was rough to watch. I don’t like to be too critical, but this was a tough one to get through. This was all about putting over Hayter in her return to AEW as a full-timer, so there was never any doubt about who was going to win. It was sloppy by the end of it as they messed up a few spots. Velvet missing that moonsault was a bit strange. I don’t know how that happens. Anyway, it ended up as an easy win for Hayter.

Post match, Hayter was joined in the ring by Britt Baker and Rebel for an attack, so alien girl Kris Statlander ran out for the save. Statlander sent Hayter and Rebel out of the ring. Statlander made Baker retreat and Statlander held the title.

Analysis: I think Baker vs. Statlander should be pretty good at All Out since Statlander has been booked in a strong way, but Baker should retain.

There was a promo featuring by six Dark Order guys. Evil Uno and Alex Reynolds argue about things with Uno saying that Alex should be in John Silver’s shadow. Alex fired back at Uno saying just because he had one in his name (Uno), that doesn’t make him the leader of the Dark Order. Reynolds left with Silver and everybody was sad.

Analysis: The Dark Order nerds are falling apart. Maybe this is where AEW brings in former Bray Wyatt and he leads the group that his good friend Brodie Lee once led. That would work well, I think.

CM Punk is up next at the top of hour two.

(Commercial)

There were clips shown from AEW Rampage last Friday during CM Punk’s AEW debut.

Let’s Hear from CM Punk

Tony Schiavone was in the ring saying he’s a wrestling announcer, but he’s a wrestling fan first and he wanted the crowd to do it again as they welcome CM Punk. That led to CM Punk making his entrance to “Cult of Personality” to a huge ovation once again.

CM Punk took his time making it down to the ring wearing his new t-shirt and a black jacket on top of it. A lot of fans in the crowd were wearing Punk’s new t-shirt too. Tony shook Punk’s hand in the ring. There were “CM Punk” chants so loud that it was tough for Tony to start the interview.

Punk was asked one thing that brought him back to AEW and Punk remarked that he can’t hear Tony. The fans cheered at the noise they were making. Punk again said that he couldn’t hear and Tony repeated his question asking what brought Punk to AEW. Punk said somebody out there said it. Punk mentioned Penta, Rey Fenix, Brian Pillman Jr., Jungle Boy and said before all of those names, there is one guy. They found a kid in the crowd with Darby Allin face paint. Punk said that he’s going to retire the nickname the Voice of the Voiceless saying this place has a voice and there’s people back there that listen. Punk said that Darby Allin is reckless to the point of destruction like he wants to end himself. Punk watches Allin and the other young talent in AEW, can CM Punk still go and does he have what it takes? Can Punk be the best in the world? Punk said if the answer is yes then he see Darby as a guy that would have been his favorite wrestler at 15 years old. Punk said that Darby is not the biggest, he’s not the strongest, but “Goddammit he’s got heart.” Punk said if he’s going to answer those questions to himself, can you still go, can you still be the best in the world? The fans chanted “yes” to that. Punk told them that is somebody else’s schtick and you might just need to be a bit more patient (hello Daniel Bryan aka Bryan Danielson). Punk said All Out it’s Punk and Allin. Punk said this is not about proving others wrong, it was about proving himself right. Punk gave a shoutout to his wife April (AJ Lee) at home, said he loved her and the fans popped for that too. That was it as the fans cheered some more while Punk thanked Schiavone for it. Punk hugged some friends at ringside since he has trained MMA in Milwaukee for a few years. Punk greeted fans at ringside as well and posed some more on the stage.

Analysis: First of all, good job by Punk giving the shoutout to Bryan Danielson there. It’s not like AEW is good at keeping secrets lately and the fans know it, so Punk acknowledging the “YES” chants while saying you need to be more patient is another way of telling the audience that Bryan is coming to AEW soon. I thought Punk’s promo was very good as usual. He spoke about wanting to face a lot of different guys in AEW, he talked about how the people in the back listen to the fans (there’s a shot at his former employer) and then Punk questioned himself. The match against Darby Allin isn’t about a good guy facing a bad guy. They are both good guys in that match. It’s about Punk putting himself in the ring against a guy that has really impressed him, a guy that Punk would like if he was a teenage fan of pro wrestling. I like how Punk said that because it tells the fans that a veteran wrestler like Punk thinks Darby is cool, so it’s great if you feel the same way about Darby. I think that match is going to be a lot of fun. I’m a bit surprised that they didn’t have Punk and Allin do a bit of a promo showdown, but I guess they could be saving that for next week.

There was a Miro promo with the TNT Title in the background. Miro talked about how God reminded him of an original sinner. Miro said he’ll find Eddie Kingston, he is the judgment, he is The Redeemer and his wife will love him because he is the champion. Miro said bring him the Mad King (that’s Kingston) before he burns this place to the ground.

A tag team match was up next.

(Commercial)

The entrances took place for Darby Allin with his “uncle” Sting. That was followed by Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston with the fans singing along with “Wild Thing” for Moxley. They entered from a back part of the arena with Moxley looking angry as he opened a guardrail. They were facing some jobber team that wrestles on the Youtube shows that most of us don’t watch. Gee, I wonder who will win this match.

Jon Moxley, Eddie Kingston & Darby Allin (w/Sting) vs. The Wingmen – Ryan Nemeth, JD Drake & Cezar Bononi (w/Peter Avalon)

Allin sent Drake out of the ring quickly and he wanted to hit a running dive, but Drake avoided it. Kingston faced off against Nemeth doing some stupid poses, so the fans cheered when Kingston chopped him. Bononi looks impressive physically. Kingston with shoulder tackles, then chops, Moxley tagged in and hit a double shoulder tackle on Bononi. They went to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

Bononi battled with Moxley in the ring with Moxley hitting a release belly to back suplex. Moxley with a forearm to legal man Drake, Kingston tagged in and hit a suplex. Drake with a backbreaker after Nemeth took a punch from Kingston. Drake to the apron, Moxley bit him while the referee wasn’t looking and Allin tagged in with a sunset flip powerbomb off the middle rope. Allin ran the ropes, Avalon tripped him and Sting got in Avalon’s face, so then Moxley and Kingston beat up Avalon. Bononi whipped Allin to the turnbuckle. Nemeth brought a chair like a dumbass, he did nothing and got beat up by Moxley/Kingston. Allin with a flipping Stunner on Drake. Allin up top and he hit a Coffin Drop on Drake for the pinfall win after about eight minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Jon Moxley, Eddie Kingston & Darby Allin

Analysis: ** It was fine for a glorified squash match. The heel team barely got any offense in and they were booked like idiots. I don’t know what the point was for Nemeth’s chair spot. I guess it was comedy, but it wasn’t even funny. Anyway, it was just a way to put over Allin ahead of his match against CM Punk in a few weeks.

Post match, Daniel Garcia went into the ring and stomped on Allin repeatedly. Garcia is so skinny that even the tiny referee Bryce Remsburg managed to push him out of the ring. Sting, Moxley and Kingston went back into the ring while Garcia left.

Analysis: That should lead to Allin beating Garcia soon. I don’t know why keep feeding Garcia to these guys, but that’s what they do. Anyway, I don’t think it’s smart to have Bryce Remsburg easily shoving Garcia out of the ring since it makes Garcia look weak. Referees shouldn’t be doing that.

The announcers mentioned the women’s Casino Battle Royal returns at the AEW All Out Buy-In (pre-show).

Tay Conti was about to be interviewed, but then The Bunny showed up asking why Conti is hanging out with The Dark Order. Bunny told Conti to join the HFO (Hardy Family Office). Conti ripped up the paper and then they got into a fight. Officials broke it up.

Analysis: This company loves random brawling.

Kenny Omega and stooges entered for a promo.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from Kenny Omega And Friends

The AEW World Champion Kenny Omega was in the ring with Don Callis (in a pink suit), Michael Nakazawa and Brandon Cutler with Tony Schiavone trying to conduct an interview. I say trying because Callis took the microphone. Callis said that at All Out, “we” are going to take down Christian Cage once and for all.

Christian Cage made his entrance as the Impact Wrestling World Champion that will challenge Kenny Omega at AEW All Out on September 5. Christian said even though the crowd in Milwaukee have had a few, it’s tough for them to believe the crap coming out of their mouth. A video aired about Don Callis booking Christian Cage in a match in 1996. It also mentioned Callis didn’t bring Christian back because he booked Kenny Omega at ten years old. Christian said that there it was right there with Callis being a carny piece of shit. That led to a “piece of shit” chant.

Omega said that this backfired extremely poorly against Christian. Kenny said that he’s a better athlete than Christian. Callis said that the video shows he favors his family over talent. Callis asked what that makes him and fans chanted “piece of shit” right on cue. Brilliant by Don, really. Don said it makes him like Bill Watts, Eddie Graham, Vince McMahon & Verne Gagne (Vince’s name drew boos). Callis said that this isn’t Erik Watts or Verne Gagne, it’s Kenny Omega. Christian joked that he just fell asleep saying he didn’t retain any of that. Christian didn’t know what was weirder – that Don manipulated a ten-year-old Kenny Omega or that Kenny keeps letting it happen. Kenny said “you think you know me” because AEW loves WWE references so that’s the Edge & Christian theme song. Callis told his guys to hold his scarf, which sounded funny just hearing it. Callis told Christian that when he stands next to Kenny Omega, he’ll be what he has been his career – second best. Omega got into a fight with Christian with Cutler spraying something in Christian’s face. Frankie Kazarian the Elite Hunter ran out for the save with a weapon, so the heels ran away.

Analysis: This was okay. Christian had some good lines and I thought Callis was tremendous reacting to the crowd. Omega was too silly for a guy that’s a World Champion, but that’s what he does. I expect Omega to retain against Christin at All Out.

Jon Moxley was in the backstage area sitting on equipment boxes. Moxley said that Satoshi Kojima signed the contract to face him at All Out. Moxley said that Satoshi wants to go out in a blaze of glory while adding that he’s trying to knock you senseless, break your neck and break your esophagus. Moxley said that All Out is the public execution of Satoshi Kojima.

Analysis: Moxley went from main eventer World Champion to wrestling a guy without a storyline. I was hoping for somebody from NJPW like Hiroshi Tanahashi. Kojima is not as interesting at 50 years old, but it’s a guy for Moxley to beat.

The Gunn Club of dad Billy Gun, Colten Gunn & Austin Gunn made their entrance. Apparently, they have a record of 12-0 as a trios team. Really? I don’t think I’ve seen any of those wins. Paul Wight was on commentary for the match. The opponents in The Factory didn’t even get an entrance.

The Gunn Club – Billy, Austin & Colten Gunn vs. The Factory – QT Marshall, Nick Comoroto & Aaron Solow

Comoroto hit Billy with an elbow, but then Billy tossed Comoroto out of the ring. Austin tagged in with a neckbreaker leading to Marshall getting a cheap shot. Marshall talked trash Big Show from a distance. They went to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Comoroto slamming Austin. Comoroto charged, Austin moved and sent Nick into the turnbuckle. Solow charged, Austin broke free and Colten tagged in with multiple clotheslines. Colten with corner splashes, then two straight dropkick and Comoroto was back in with a clothesline. Billy sent Nick out of the ring, Billy and Nick hit a double clothesline. Austin jumped on Solow on the floor. Marshall hit a backbreaker/flatliner combo. Marshall pointed at Wight, so Colten applied an inside cradle to pin Marshall. It went about six minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Gunn Club – Billy, Austin & Colten Gunn

Analysis: *1/2 A random tag team match. They went six minutes and half of it was shown in picture in picture. They need to time the commercials better. It wasn’t that interesting. This should have been on Dark rather than Dynamite. Also, why is Gunn Club winning when Marshall is on the All Out PPV while the Gunn Club is not? Marshall could use the win to build him up for Wight at All Out. Instead, Marshall lost the match. I don’t get the booking.

Post match, Paul Wight celebrated with The Gunn Club guys since Wight said that they were like family.

Dan Lambert was shown backstage with Ethan Page and Scorpio Sky. Lambert said he was blaming AEW for feeding you chicken shit thinking it was like chicken salad. Lambert ripped on guys like Sammy Guevara, Darby Allin and Orange Cassidy and how they appear. Lambert said that you don’t want to see tough guys because you don’t want to be tough. Lambert mocked people crying because your favorite wrestler showed up to work. Lambert talked about real men like Scorpio Sky and Ethan Page as Men of the Year that will fight for you, for your children and said there might be hope for you yet.

Analysis: Good promo work by Lambert, who continues to get TV time even though he’s ripping the company. It’s nice to see Scorpio and Ethan on the show as well although they rarely compete in matches.

Next week on AEW Dynamite from Chicago:

* Brian Cage vs. Powerhouse Hobbs – It’s been a while since either guy wrestled on Dynamite.

* Orange Cassidy vs. Jack Evans

* FTR vs. Santana & Ortiz – Finally!

* Chris Jericho will be interviewed by Jim Ross

* MJF will be interviewed by Tony Schiavone

This Friday on AEW Rampage taped after Dynamite this week:

* Tay Conti vs. The Bunny

* Jurassic Express vs. Lucha Brothers

* Kenny Omega & Brandon Cutler vs. Christian Cage & Frankie Kazarian

Spoilers are out there if you want them.

AEW All Out is on Sunday, September 5 with this lineup:

* Andrade El Idolo vs. Pac

* AEW Women’s Championship: Dr. Britt Baker (c) vs. Kris Statlander

* CM Punk vs. Darby Allin

* Chris Jericho vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman – If Jericho loses then he will not wrestle in AEW again.

* AEW World Championship: Kenny Omega (c) vs. Christian Cage

There are more matches, but that’s all they mentioned.

The main event of Malakai Black vs. Brock Anderson was up next.

Arn Anderson was interviewed saying that he tried to talk Brock out of this, but Brock is hard-head, he’s an Anderson and he has guts. Arn said that they’re in it now, but he’ll go down with Brock either way.

Malakai Black made his entrance for the main event match. It’s a cool entrance.

(Commercial)

Brock Anderson made his entrance with a generic theme song as well as his name on the screen. Brock is apparently 5-1 in AEW now. Those were all tag team matches according to Tony. This is his first singles match in AEW.

Malakai Black vs. Brock Anderson (w/Arn Anderson)

Brock did a double leg takedown leading to some punch. Black hit a jumping knee lift to stagger Brock a bit. Black worked over Brock with kicks to the body. Black with a couple of punches to the face. Brock was bleeding on the forehead for some reason. Arn teased throwing in the towel, but then he tossed it down. Brock with punches to the quads, Black broke free and hit an Exploder Suplex across the ring. Black hit the Black Mass spin kick (complete with leg slap for effect) to knock out Black. The fans cheered this even though Black is supposed to be a heel that is being mean to a rookie. The fans even chanted “one more time” for Black. That led to Black making the pinfall win after two minutes.

Winner by pinfall: 1/2* A squash match to put over Black over the unproven Brock, who did put up a fight at least.

Post match, Arn Anderson went into the ring with his son, so Black left the ring and brought a steel chair into the ring. Black confronted Arn with the chair while the referee left the ring like a coward. Black went for the spin kick, but Arn got the hands up to block the kick. Black with a kick to the groin and then a spin kick to the head known as the Black Mass although AEW is not calling it that.

Black sat on the turnbuckle. Lee Johnson, who is a member of Cody’s Nightmare Family, ran out there for the save leading to Black leaving the ring. There was almost no reaction for Johnson. Lee checked on Arn in the ring while Black backed up the ramp to the backstage area. The announcers plugged future events. The show signed off with Black and Johnson having a staredown.

Analysis: Why are there officials right there in the backstage area when two women start fighting after five seconds, yet nobody seems to give a shit when a man in his 60s like Arn Anderson gets beat up? I get it. They want to put Black over for being a mean heel. I just prefer consistency in my wrestling shows. Yes, WWE does it too. Every wrestling company does it. Anyway, I don’t see why I’m supposed to care about Lee Johnson and Malakai, but I guess Johnson is the next guy they are lining up for Black to beat.

Three Stars of the Show

1. CM Punk
2. Chris Jericho
3. Christian Cage/Don Callis

The Scoreboard

This Week: 6.25 out of 10

Last Week: 8.25

2021 Average: 7.33

Final Thoughts

This was a step back from last week’s great show. I don’t know why they put on a show without better matches than this considering what AEW is capable of in the ring. It’s like they wanted to rest the great talent so they could put some AEW Dark matches on Dynamite instead. I don’t really get it considering how good some of their matches are at times. The main event was something that should have happened earlier in the show.

It was a strong show for promos considering the CM Punk promo, the Chris Jericho/MJF exchange to set up Jericho’s potential retirement match and I liked the Christian Cage/Don Callis promo with Kenny Omega acting goofy during it. I’ll give them credit for the solid promos. I just think it was a letdown overall because of the matches.

Anyway, I’m glad most of the All Out lineup is coming together. Maybe the Punk vs. Allin match should go on last because it feels like the main event to me. I guess we’ll find out on September 5.

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

CM Punk vs. Darby Allin

Chris Jericho vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman – If Jericho loses then he will not wrestle in AEW again.

AEW Tag Team Championships: The Young Bucks (c) vs. Winners of Tag Team Eliminator

AEW Women’s Championship: Dr. Britt Baker (c) vs. Kris Statlander

Jon Moxley vs. Satoshi Kojima

Andrade El Idolo vs. Pac

Paul Wight vs. QT Marshall

Women’s Casino Battle Royal (Buy-In Pre-Show)

—

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

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