Reviews

The John Report: AEW Dynamite (Grand Slam) 09/25/24 Review

By John Canton • Published 25th September 2024
AEW Dynamite Grand Slam September 25

This week’s AEW Dynamite featured Jon Moxley taking on Darby Allin, Bryan Danielson against Nigel McGuinness, The Young Bucks facing Ospreay/Fletcher, and more.

It’s the biggest AEW Dynamite of the year in terms of crowd size most likely at Arthur Ashe Stadium in NYC. According to Wrestletix, they should have over 8,000 fans there, which is a lot better than most Dynamite and Collision episodes. However, it’s about 1/3 what they used to get for Dynamite Grand Slam in NYC with over 20,000 fans, so that’s a bad sign. They are taping Collision right after Dynamite as well. The good news is they won’t have to turn the lights off like the last few weeks to hide the smaller crowds, so that’s a positive sign. See that? I’m a positive guy. I do like the card. It feels like a PPV lineup. Next week is the fifth anniversary of Dynamite as well, so that should be a big one too.

This was AEW Dynamite episode #260 from Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City (Queens), New York. 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. It’s good to hear JR there for the first match. The commentary table was at ringside instead of by the stage.

Nigel McGuinness entered first for his first singles match in AEW and his first singles match in 13 years. Nigel wrestled at All In last month in a Casino Gauntlet Match, but this is a singles match. There was no ramp as part of the entrance. You can tell they were only using a part of the stadium and not the full thing like they used to in past years. Bryan Danielson’s music played for the AEW World Champion, but there was no sign of him.

Nigel said that he hadn’t seen Danielson all day. Nigel called Danielson the “American Coward” and Nigel said he wanted the referee to do a ten count. Nigel said that Danielson should be stripped of the AEW World Title. Referee Paul Turner did the ten count, but here comes Danielson walking out to the “Final Countdown” song. The AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson got a big ovation as usual.

Analysis: The story was that we didn’t know if Bryan would compete since we hadn’t seen him since All Out when Jon Moxley tried to suffocate him with a plastic bag on his head. It was obvious that Bryan would be there, but AEW tried to push the idea that he might not be there.

Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness

This was not for Bryan’s AEW World Title. Bryan had kinesio tape on his upper back/neck area. Excalibur mentioned it was 18 years ago when Bryan and Nigel first wrestled and had a legendary rivalry in ROH. Nigel hit a forearm so Bryan hit a forearm back. Excalibur mentioned it was 15 years ago when Nigel last faced Bryan, who won that match. Bryan did a snapmare leading to a kick to the back. They battled over an armbar and then Nigel kicked Bryan in the back. Bryan came back with a hard slap. They exchanged forearms followed by Bryan kicking the thigh, but Nigel sold it like it was like a low blow. Nigel came back with some punches and Bryan delivered punches as well. Bryan countered a move Nigel attempted, which led to Bryan applying the LeBell Lock, but Nigel got to the ropes to break the hold. They left the ring where Nigel rammed Bryan’s right arm into the steel steps. Nigel did a drop toe hold into the steps. Nigel tried to slam the steps on Bryan’s right arm, but Bryan moved out of the way. Bryan sent Nigel into the ring post and then Nigel sent the right arm into the ring post. Back in the ring, Bryan charged at Nigel with a running dropkick. Bryan hit a double underhook suplex. Nigel hit a back elbow, then he tried a charge and Bryan hit a Busaiko Knee to the head. No cover by Bryan because he was selling the arm injury. Bryan worked over Nigel with kicks to the body and a roundhouse kick to the head for two. They did a spot where Bryan tried to attack Nigel on the turnbuckle, but Nigel got out of it and hit a forearm to the chest for two. Bryan went for a submission again, so Nigel rammed Bryan’s right arm into the mat again. Nigel with an uppercut, Bryan with an uppercut and Bryan sold the right arm injury. They exchanged strikes again, Nigel bounced off the ropes and hit a lefty clothesline for just a one count. The fans were fired up.

Nigel did an eye poke and hit a ripcord lariat for a two count. Nigel worked over Bryan with the hammer elbows to the side of the head although it was very gentle. Nigel hit a draping neckbreaker off the top rope for a two count. Nigel applied an armbar, Bryan flipped out of that and Bryan used his left arm for hammer elbows of his own. Those looked better than when Nigel did it. There were more strikes exchanged and Nigel went after the right arm again. Nigel sent Bryan into the ropes, Bryan bounced off the ropes and Nigel hit another big lefty lariat for two. Bryan went for the LeBell Lock again, but Nigel fought the grip, so Bryan punched Nigel with his left hand to the side of the jaw. A fan had a “Nigel Can’t Wrestle” sign, which is pretty stupid. Bryan pulled back on Nigel’s head in the LeBell Lock and Nigel tapped out. JR mentioned that Nigel said “thank you” as he tapped out. This match went 19 minutes.

Winner by submission: Bryan Danielson

Analysis: **** That was an excellent wrestling match, which is not a surprise considering the caliber of performers that Danielson and McGuinness are. I know that McGuinness hasn’t wrestled a singles match in over a decade, but he is in great shape and obviously can still go in the ring. I hope that Nigel wrestles again in the future. I know he’s locked in as an announcer on Collision, but I want to see more Nigel matches. It was interesting how Nigel said “thank you” at the end to thank Bryan for giving him this match because Nigel wanted it for a long time. I’m glad it happened.

Christian Cage appeared with his contract that guarantees him an AEW World Title match. Cage was about to sign it, but Kip Sabian stole the pen. Cage went running to the back after Sabian, saw Claudio Castagnoli & Pac standing there and Cage ran away in the other direction.

Analysis: A nice tease, but no “cash in” if you want to call it that.

(Commercial)

FTW Championship: Hook vs. Roderick Strong (w/Matt Taven & Mike Bennett)

Hook is a NYC guy, so he’s on his home turf. FTW Championship matches have no rules, so weapons are allowed here.

Hook did a trip going for a submission, but Strong got near the ropes where Taven & Bennett pulled Strong out of the ring. Hook went after Strong with punches. Strong sent Hook into the barricade. Strong got a kendo stick, Hook managed to get it from him and Hook hit Strong, Bennett and Taven with the kendo stick. Hook gave Strong a legsweep into the barricade. Hook suplexed Bennett and clotheslined Taven on the floor. Strong tossed Hook into the ring post. That led to a picture-in-picture break.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Hook hitting an overhead suplex. Hook did a hiptoss across the ring. Hook hit a bridging Northern Lights Suplex for two. Strong got some offense going with a clothesline. Taven gave Strong a chair, Strong put the chair against the turnbuckle and Strong sent Hook face first into the chair. Strong hit a jumping knee attack followed by a lifting slam into the mat for two. Strong set up two chairs, so Hook hiptossed Strong onto the chairs. Strong gave Hook a gutbuster into the top of a chair and Strong hit a running kick for a two count. Strong went for a move, Hook countered it and Hook applied the Red Rum submission, so Strong tapped out. It went about nine minutes.

Winner by submission: Hook

Analysis: **3/4 The match was okay with a decisive clean win for the babyface Hook. Strong didn’t have enough moments where it looked like he might win, but there were a few good nearfalls for him. The crowd was dead quiet for a lot of this match. They were into the previous match, but didn’t care about this that much.

After the match, Roderick Strong shook hands with Hook. Taven and Bennett shook Hook’s hand too.

Hook was interviewed by Tony Schiavone at ringside. Schiavone said that 26 years ago, the FTW Title was born by his father Taz right here in New York City. Hook said that with all that being said, all good things must come to an end. Hook said on behalf of his family, he’d like to thank every wrestler who has ever competed for this title right here. Hook thanked the fans for supporting this FTW Championship. Hook said now from this very moment, the FTW Championship is officially retired. Hook gave the FTW Title to his father Taz and they hugged at ringside. Taz was emotional about it while Hook left to the back.

Analysis: That’s all for the FTW Title. I don’t mind it. Since AEW made a point in saying that it was not a recognized title, I think it lasted longer than it should have. There were some solid matches, but not any great feuds or anything like that. I did like seeing Taz get the FTW Title back from his son Hook. That was a cool moment for that family and doing it in NYC is the right place to retire the title as well.

The AEW Tag Team Title match was up next.

(Commercial)

There was a big ovation for the AEW International Champion Will Ospreay, who was teaming up with best friend Kyle Fletcher. They had matching green attire and were known as the United Empire stable in the past. Don Callis was on commentary since Fletcher is in the Don Callis Family stable. The Young Bucks were up next as the AEW Tag Team Champions, who were booed by the fans as usual.

AEW Tag Team Championships: The Young Bucks – Matthew & Nicholas Jackson vs. United Empire – Will Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher

There were two Bucks in the ring right after the match started because it’s AEW. Nick hit a hurricanrana on Will and the Bucks hit a double elbow on Kyle. The challengers did some double team moves after Kyle got the tag and Will did a moonsault onto both Bucks. Kyle and Will each hit moonsaults off the turnbuckles onto the Bucks on the floor. That was cool.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Kyle taking down both Bucks at the same time with flatliners. Will tagged in with a backflip off the ropes leading to a kick. Will hit a spinning splash on Nick for a two count Nick came back with a corkscrew kick on Nick and Matt tagged in with a superkick. Matt hit a neckbreaker followed by Nick’s knee leading to Matt getting a two count. The Bucks hit a senton/Powerbomb combo for two on Will because Kyle made the save. Will broke free from a double team move leading to a double Oscutter on both Bucks for a two count because Matt broke up the pin attempt. Nick reversed Will with a Reverse Rana. Kyle hit a double clothesline on both Bucks, but Nick hit a facebuster on Will and Will hit a splash off the top on Nick. There was a Destroyer by Matt on Will and then Will hit a Hidden Blade elbow on Matt. All four guys laid down to sell it for a bit. The fans loved it. Matt pulled Kyle out of the ring and Nick capitalized with a running kick. Nick gave Will a hurricanrana on the floor. The Bucks gave Kyle a TK Driver on the ring apron. The referee counted Kyle out, but Kyle was back in before the ten count. Nick hit a running knee to the head. They went to PIP again.

(Commercial)

The match continued with both Bucks going for moves, but Will and Kyle each hit the Styles Clash on each of the Bucks. Kyle covered Matt for a two count. Will tagged in with a Hidden Blade and Stormbreaker on Matt, but Nick made the save at two. Will teased a move, Nick was in illegally of course and hit a superkick. Kyle hit Snapdragon Suplexes on both Bucks. Nick came back with a running knee and a bulldog. Will stopped Nick on the top rope, so Nick superkicked Kyle. Matt set up Kyle for a piledriver, but Will jumped off the top to hit a Cutter on Nick! Will and Kyle hit the TK Driver for just two. Will and Kill hit Coriolis on Matt for just a two count because Matt kicked out. Kyle hit a turnbuckle brainbuster on Matt, but Nick managed to break up the pin attempt for two. Kyle hit a running kick on Nick off the apron. Kyle hit a suicide dive on Nick on the floor so Nick went into the commentary table. Callis wanted Kyle to use a screwdriver while the referee never saw it. Callis went on the apron, Kyle teased using the sledgehammer, but Will stopped his friend from using it. Will took the screwdriver away. Matt hit Will with an AEW Tag Team Title to the head. Nick hit Kyle with a Tag Team Title to the head (the referee didn’t see it) for just two. The Bucks hit a double superkick and a BTE Trigger double knee on Kyle. Nick covered Kyle for the win after 20 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Young Bucks – Matthew & Nicholas Jackson

Analysis: ****3/4 It was an incredible match as usual when Ospreay was involved while everybody else in the match certainly did their part as well. I’m not going five stars for it due to all the illegal man action that took place in the match, but I really enjoyed this match. This was a lot of fun to watch. I liked the story involving the screwdriver with Ospreay preventing Fletcher from using it, which led right into the Bucks using the Tag Team Titles as a weapon, and that led to them winning the match. Going into the match I didn’t think a title change was coming, but then as the match was going on, I almost bought into it after some of the moves that Will and Kyle did. The Young Bucks duo work so well together although as I say often, I think their matches are hurt by both guys being in the ring at the same time for too long. It just looks silly to me. Other than that, I enjoyed it a lot.

The Young Bucks celebrated the win with both of them saying they were the best team of this generation. Fletcher looked frustrated with Ospreay about the loss.

The Conglomeration (Mark Briscoe, Orange Cassidy & Kyle O’Reilly) was backstage with Renee Paquette. Orange officially welcomed Rocky Romero to the group with a shirt. Mark Briscoe, the ROH World Champion, said he was wearing a classic #DemBoys shirt because this city is where the Briscoes had their last tag team match ever. Mark was fired up saying they were coming for them. Mark was fired up as usual about beating up The Learning Tree on Collision.

Let’s Hear from Prince Nana

Prince Nana was interviewed by Tony Schiavone at the entrance area. Nana had his coffee that he was selling. Nana said that mentally there is nothing that can stop Swerve, who is the most dangerous man in AEW. Nana said that physically, he was not cleared to come back, but he was fighting hard to come back and Nana kept yelling “Whose House?” for Swerve.

It’s MVP (Montel Vontavious Porter) making his AEW debut with a cane in his hand. MVP was in a suit. MVP said that Swerve Strickland is the most dangerous man in AEW and there’s no question about it. MVP said Swerve Strickland is the most phenomenal athlete in AEW while talking about his eight month run without being pinned or submitted. MVP mentioned some of the guys that Swerve beat. MVP said he saw Swerve lose the AEW World Championship at All In and saw Swerve lose at All Out. MVP trashed Prince Nana for being more concerned about selling coffee and dancing for these people. MVP told Nana when Swerve is ready to be taken seriously again, please give MVP’s business card to Swerve because MVP will be ready to talk business.

Analysis: There’s the AEW debut of MVP. That has been rumored for a while, so it’s official now. I think a lot of us are anticipating Bobby Lashley coming with MVP to AEW as well, but there was no sign of that yet. Build up to yet. The key word is “business” at the end there since it could be an AEW version of The Hurt Business group.

(Commercial)

A bus was shown driving in New York City. It’s the Jack Perry “Scapegoat” bus that he drives. That must have been filmed late at night because the road was empty.

AEW Women’s Championship: Mariah May vs. Yuka Sakazaki

Yuka dove onto May as May was making her entrance. May and Yuka exchanged slaps to the face until Yuka connected with a forearm smash. May tripped up Yuka and pulled her out of the ring. May hit a running dropkick on Yuka on the floor. May hit a spinning sidewalk slam for two. May hit a running dropkick to Yuka’s back. May went for a hurricanrana out of the corner, but Yuka blocked it and Yuka applied a headscissors around the neck. Yuka got a sunset flip for two along with a rollup for two. Yuka did a backslide pin attempt for two. Yuka spun May around the ring leading to Yuka using her legs to cover for a two count. May came back with a headbutt followed by a high angle German Suplex for two. May went for a spinning slam for two. Yuka came back with a superkick and a Northern Lights Bomb with no pin attempt. Yuka went for the Magical Girl Splash off the ropes, but May blocked it with a knee. May hit a knee smash to the face. May hit Storm Zero for the pinfall win after about six minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Mariah May

Analysis: **3/4 It was an easy win for Mariah May in a match where the fans were not into the match for most of it. Yuka moves around the ring well and has some decent moves. I just don’t think the fans see her as much of a star, so they barely reacted to her. It was also tough to follow the match that came before it.

After the match, May teased an attack on Yuka with the EAEW Women’s Title. Willow Nightingale went into the ring, May confronted her, Mina Shirakawa showed up and May hugged her friend Mina. Mina reacted like she wasn’t sure she was happy to see May do what she did. May ran away to the back.

Analysis: This post match segment felt rushed. Some of these people need to learn how to slow down.

The Jon Moxley-Darby Allin main event match was next.

(Commercial)

Jon Moxley made his entrance from the back part of the arena with Marina Shafir by his side. Darby Allin was up next with his skateboard in hand. Jim Ross joined commentary for this match.

AEW World Title #1 Contender’s Match: Jon Moxley (w/Marina Shafir) vs. Darby Allin

This is Moxley’s first match in three months. Allin charged and Moxley hit him with a boot to the head. Moxley tossed Allin hard into the turnbuckle. Moxley put Allin’s mouth against the middle rope and then kicked the rope. Allin was bleeding from the mouth. I don’t know if he used a capsule or how they did that. Moxley bodyslammed Allin so that Allin’s legs hit the ropes. Moxley stomped on Allin’s left knee. Moxley sent Allin threw the turnbuckle so that Allin bumped into the ring post and crashing to the floor. Allin was able to come back with a running dropkick on the floor. Allin put Moxley’s left arm on the top of the ring post that was open on the top. Shafir helped Moxley break free. Allin hit a Coffin Drop dive off the ropes onto Moxley on the floor. Allin hit a running suicide dive on Moxley on the floor. Shafir stared at Allin on the floor This allowed Moxley to give Allin a hard body slam on the apron. Shafir stomped on Allin on the floor while Moxley was distracting the referee. Moxley put his boot against Allin’s head that was against the ring post. They went to a PIP break.

(Commercial)

Moxley remained in control with a clothesline. Moxley worked over Allin with elbows and kicks to the body. Allin flipped over Moxley leading to a Stunner-like move. Moxley sat on the chair on the floor, so Allin jumped off the top with a missile dropkick for two. Allin hit Code Red for two. The director missed it. Allin threw a turnbuckle pad off to expose the steel. Moxley elbowed Allin back followed by a running dropkick. Allin got a rollup for two and then a springboard cross body block for two. Allin applied a Guillotine choke, Moxley put him on the turnbuckle and Moxley delivered a hard palm strike to knock Allin off the top to the floor. Moxley and Shafir pulled off padding on the floor to reveal a wooden covering on top of the tennis court underneath. Moxley said that this is what Allin wanted. Moxley tried a move on the wood, but Allin slipped out of that and Allin sent Moxley into the steel steps. Allin kicked Moxley. Allin charged and dove, but Moxley moved, so Allin went hard onto the wooden floor. Moxley suplexed Allin onto the steel steps. Ouch. Referee Bryce Remsburg counted Allin out, but Allin got back in before the ten count. The fans were chanting “you can’t kill him” about Allin. There were slaps from Allin, Moxley no sold them and Moxley hit a slap to the face. Allin avoided Moxley, who hit the turnbuckle and Allin got a rollup for two. Allin went for a Coffin Drop off the top, but Moxley caught him with the sleeper hold on the mat along with a body scissors. Allin turned out of it, which led to Moxley applying a Bulldog Choke. Allin was selling it like he was fading, but then Allin grit his teeth to show that he was okay and Allin crawled to the bottom rope to break the hold. Moxley tried to choke out Allin by the turnbuckle, but Allin got out of that. Allin bit Moxley’s head. Shafir was on the apron, Allin looked at her and then Moxley hit an impressive Avalanche Death Rider DDT on Allin for the pinfall win after 19 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Jon Moxley

Analysis: ***1/2 Poor Darby Allin gave away his guaranteed AEW World Title shot for this match with Moxley and now Allin won’t get a title shot at all. That finisher was great because you don’t see that kind of DDT off the top rope very often, so as soon as Moxley hit it, that should be the end of the match and it was. I’m not surprised by the result since I expected Moxley to win to set up the match with Danielson, which makes sense after Moxley turned on his friend Bryan. If you want to nitpick, Moxley shouldn’t get a World Title match for winning one match in three months, but AEW doesn’t care that much about their precious win-loss records anymore.

At AEW WrestleDream on October 12th, Jon Moxley will challenge Bryan Danielson for the AEW World Title.

After the match, Bryan Danielson went into the ring with a necktie and Bryan tried to choke Moxley with it. Shafir jumped on Bryan’s back, so Claudio Castagnoli and Pac went into the ring to save Moxley. The trio of Private Party and Komander went into the ring to fight with the heels, but that didn’t work out that well. Danielson set up for the running kick against Moxley, so Claudio pulled Moxley out of the ring.

Danielson said that Moxley wanted war, so Bryan was declaring war. Danielson said that Moxley has got his AEW World Title match at WrestleDream and Bryan is going to kick his f**king head in. The graphic was shown for Danielson-Moxley at WrestleDream. Danielson celebrated in the ring while Moxley and his group left. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: It should be a great match at WrestleDream. I don’t expect Danielson to have a long AEW World Title reign, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see Moxley win. Just saying. Anyway, I don’t have an official prediction yet.

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Three Stars of the Show

  1. Bryan Danielson/Jon Moxley
  2. The Young Bucks
  3. Will Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher

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The Scoreboard

This Week: 8 out of 10

Last Week: 7.5

2024 Average: 7.51

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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite

It was a very good wrestling show in terms of in-ring action. If you watched for promos or major story development there wasn’t much of that, but the match quality was very strong. It was almost like a PPV format in terms of just doing match after match without much in between. I certainly don’t mind that because the match quality was strong and three of the matches really stood out for being long matches that were outstanding.

The Young Bucks and Will Ospreay/Kyle Fletcher was an awesome match. I don’t love the random spots where guys run in to do double teams constantly, but I thought the finish was great and there were a lot of nearfalls that worked very well. The Bryan Danielson-Nigel McGuinness match was also a lot of fun with Nigel working on the right hand for most of it, but Bryan found a way to come back to win. I hope Nigel keeps wrestling.

I liked the Jon Moxley/Darby Allin main event as well. Moxley’s finisher off the top looked brutal and a great way to end the match. I feel bad for Allin losing his guaranteed AEW World Title match while Moxley won this match, his first match in three months, and now he’s getting a World Title shot at a PPV. It makes Allin look like a dumbass, but I also think that’s the appeal of Allin as a character since he’s a risk taker. Anyway, I enjoyed the show quite a bit.

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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