The John Report: AEW Dynamite 10/23/24 Review

This week’s AEW Dynamite featured Mark Briscoe facing Chris Jericho for the ROH World Title, a big six-man tag main event, and more.

I am continuing to try different formats for my Dynamite reviews. I think for this week I’ll do summary style for most of it and then I’ll do full play-by-play for at least two matches.

This was AEW Dynamite episode #264 from the Maverik Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

It’s Wednesday and you know what that means. Excalibur was on commentary with Excalibur, Tony Schiavone & “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard.

Jon Moxley was featured in a promo outside the arena referring to his group as the New Paradigm and he made it clear that the people in AEW work for him now. Moxley advised them to stand down. Moxley was shown in some desert talking about how tonight at AEW Dynamite, a little piece of somebody will be destroyed forever and it’s for their own good because it’s for the greater good. Moxley jumped into the back of the truck with his group. Moxley said: “Always for the greater good.”

Analysis: There’s finally a name for the group since Moxley referred to them as the New Paradigm. Since Moxley used a move called the Paradigm Shift I guess it fits for this group.

There were members of the AEW babyface roster standing outside in the parking lot waiting for Jon Moxley and friends.

A clip was shown of last week’s AEW Dynamite when “Hangman” Adam Page cost Jay White his match with Christian Cage. The referee couldn’t hear the interference that was two feet behind him apparently.

Let’s Hear from “Hangman” Adam Page

Tony Schiavone brought out “Hangman” Adam Page for an in-ring interview. Tony mentioned Page losing to Jay White at WrestleDream and then he cost White’s match last week, so where is Page’s head at? Page said that last week he took White’s head off and nearly took Juice Robinson’s life. Page said he took out Austin Gunn so badly that he probably doesn’t remember his own brother’s name. Colten Gunn attacked Page from behind and knocked Page out of the ring. Colten celebrated like a dumbass, so Page recovered and avoided a charge that led to Colten diving over the barricade at ringside. Page took off his belt to start choking Colten, but here comes Jay White and Juice Robinson for the save. White managed to take down Page leading to punches, so Page broke free and Page rolled out of the ring. White stopped attacking because if somebody leaves the ring, suddenly the anger that existed is no more.

White said that Hangman can hobble away, but he can’t hide from White and White knows how much Hangman’s leg is hurting. White said that Page can try to cover up his shortcomings, but it will not change the fact that when the bell rings, Page will never be able to measure up to White. White said he knew he hadn’t seen the last of Page, so he told him to ice his leg and they’ll see eachother soon.

Analysis: It was a quick segment where Page didn’t get to say that much before he was attacked by Colten. White saving his buddy Colten makes sense since they are in the Bang Bang Gang group. White beat Page at WrestleDream as they mentioned, but I think we’ll get a rematch at Full Gear (or sooner) and I think Page will win that match.

A quick video was shown about Sammy Guevara has been in AEW for over five years and he has a lot of pride as an AEW Original. Sammy mentioned that AEW has given him a lot since he met his wife Tay Melo there and they have a daughter now. Sammy showed the pic of himself with Shelton Benjamin from when Sammy was a kid. Shelton Benjamin and MVP were shown backstage talking about how they were all about that business, not making friends. MVP said Benjamin is gifted at hurting people.

Sammy Guevara vs. Shelton Benjamin (w/MVP)

This is Benjamin’s second AEW match after beating Lio Rush last week. Sammy is one half of the ROH Tag Team Champions with Dustin Rhodes.

Shelton tossed Sammy in the air across the ring to show Sammy’s power. Sammy got some offense going with a dropkick. They left the ring where Sammy hit a springboard moonsault off the top onto Shelton on the floor. When Sammy tried a dive, Shelton blocked and hit an overhead belly-to-belly suplex on the ramp. Ouch.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Shelton in control after hitting a release German Suplex followed by another one of those German Suplexes. Sammy came back with dropkicks along with a jumping knee that knocked Shelton out of the ring. Sammy hit a twisting dive over the top onto Shelton on the floor. When they got back into the ring, Sammy hit a jumping Cutter that only got a one count. Sammy kicked Shelton to stagger him, so Sammy jumped off the top right into a superkick. Nice recreation of the spot where Shawn Michaels did that to Shelton about 20 years ago. Shelton hit another superkick along with a jumping knee. Shelton hit a T-Bone Suplex for the win after 10 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Shelton Benjamin

Analysis: ***1/4 An impressive win by Shelton in his second AEW match. Sammy was the right kind of opponent like Lio Rush last week because he’s an athletic guy who will make Shelton look strong. Sammy is not being booked well by AEW since he was a former TNT Champion and a near main event level guy, but he’s been pushed down the card this year. Shelton is being pushed as a motivated powerhouse. Even though Shelton isn’t a tall guy, he is a legit badass who is strong, so booking him in a strong way is a smart move by AEW.

Next week on Dynamite, Shelton Benjamin faces Swerve Strickland on “Fright Night Dynamite.”

Mariah May, the AEW Women’s World Champion, was backstage where Renee Paquette tried to talk to her. May had a suitcase and tossed it down. May said Anna Jay didn’t belong in the ring or in the locker room, so it was Anna’s stuff. Jay went after May, but Christopher Daniels was there to break it up.

Analysis: I’m fine with Anna Jay getting a bit of a push, but I don’t think Jay will beat May (it rhymes) for the title.

A video package aired about Kyle Fletcher on his best friend Will Ospreay.

Let’s Hear from Kyle Fletcher and Don Callis

Kyle Fletcher entered the ring for an interview with Tony Schiavone and Kyle was joined by his manager Don Callis, who took the microphone from Tony. Callis said that Kyle Fletcher had something important to say.

Kyle Fletcher said that the fans can boo him all he wants, but he only wants to talk to Will Ospreay as Kyle looked at the main camera. Fletcher bragged about hurting Ospreay 11 days ago and putting him in the hospital while mentioning Ospreay had a herniated disc that he doesn’t like talking about. Fletcher told the fans that they are as much to blame for this as Ospreay. Fletcher claimed instead of being called the next big thing, they called him the next Will Ospreay. Fletcher claimed that people thought he looked, wrestled and sounded like Will. Fletcher claimed he is stronger, faster and better than Will in every single way.

Fletcher spoke about leaving New Japan for AEW. Fletcher mentioned Ospreay using a screwdriver and hit a Tiger Driver on Kenny Omega while claiming that it was the lesson that Ospreay taught Fletcher. Fletcher said that Ospreay was selfish and he didn’t want to let Fletcher become a bigger star. Fletcher told Ospreay he would give him one chance. The fans chanted “shut the f**k up” at Fletcher. Fletcher said Ospreay will face him in the ring next week. Fletcher said he’s going to hit Ospreay with Tiger Driver after Tiger Driver. Fletcher said if he wants to take this company to new heights then he can never be nothing like Ospreay. Fletcher said from this day forward he’s nothing like Ospreay, so then Fletcher shaved some of his hair off. Fletcher said he was nothing like Ospreay.

Analysis: I thought Kyle Fletcher did a good job with that promo. I believe the head shaving is supposed to symbolize a fresh start for Fletcher as a heel even though he was already a heel other than being a friend of Ospreay. Anyway, they are obviously going to push Fletcher by having him go against Ospreay in a feud that hopefully makes Fletcher a bigger star. I like that because it’s using a top guy like Ospreay to try to elevate Fletcher, who does have untapped potential as a singles star.

(Commercial)

Ricochet was interviewed backstage pointing out that Konosuke Takeshita cost him the AEW International Title. Ricochet wanted Takeshita to see him on Rampage to find out why Ricochet is out of this world. MVP walked up to Ricochet and MVP handed Ricochet his card.

Brian Cage & Lance Archer vs. Two Guys With No Chance

Archer worked over one of the dudes with punches. The second guy went into the ring illegally, so Cage went into the ring illegally too and Cage hit a spinebuster. Cage also hit a German Suplex. Archer clotheslined a dude out of the ring. Cage & Archer did a Powerbomb/Chokeslam combo and Archer made the pin to win. It was under one minute.

Winners by pinfall: Brian Cage & Lance Archer

Analysis: A squash match to put over the new team of Cage & Archer, who are a part of the Don Callis Family stable.

(Commercial)

The AEW babyface roster was shown outside of the arena. Chuck Taylor works on the AEW staff now and he spoke to Orange Cassidy. Chuck said they have known eachother for 20 years and they lived together because they couldn’t afford their own places. Then AEW came along. Chuck said he knows Orange has seen what they are doing. Chuck mentioned that Orange has beaten those guys, so it’s time for Orange to step up.

Analysis: They are pushing the story that Orange Cassidy doesn’t see himself as a leader, but he is being pushed into that kind of role, so it’s something he will have to learn to embrace.

ROH World Championship Ladder War: Mark Briscoe vs. Chris Jericho

A Ladder War match is something they used in ROH for a lot of years and there were weapons all around the ring. The winner of the match has to climb a ladder to retrieve the ROH World Title above the ring.

Mark tossed a ladder into the ring and then he tackled Jericho as soon as he got in the ring. Mark sent Jericho into the turnbuckles a few times. Mark ran into Jericho on the apron, which led to Jericho taking a back bump through two tables on the floor. A table bump one minute into the match. Mark set up a ladder against the railing on the floor, but Jericho hit a suplex on the floor. Jericho threw a piece of a table at Mark. Jericho tried using a ladder as a weapon, but Mark blocked that. Mark set up Jericho onto a ladder that was against the railing, Mark did a somersault dive over the top and Jericho moved, so Mark went crashing through the broken ladder. Ouch. That was painful. Jericho tried to climb a ladder, Mark was back in and Jericho knocked him down. Jericho hit Mark with a ladder shot to the head. Mark rolled over to his stomach and was seen cutting his head so the director showed blading on camera. Oops. That should not be shown. They need to coordinate better.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Mark bleeding from the forehead as usual for a lot of his big matches. Jericho tried a climb, Mark got a hold of him and Mark gave Jericho a Death Valley Driver into a ladder that was against the turnbuckle. Mark went up top, Jericho tried using a ladder and Mark knocked him down. Mark hit a Senton Bomb off the top onto Jericho, who didn’t have the ladder on him. The small crowd chanted ‘AEW” briefly. The two guys were fighting on opposite sides of a ladder and they were near the top. Jericho knocked Mark down and had to wait for Mark to get back up so Mark shoved the ladder over. The fans chanted “this is awesome” and that sounded a bit better. They did a spot where Jericho charged at Mark, who put the ladder in front of him so Jericho splashed the ladder and hurt his knee. Mark put Jericho on a table while Mark climbed a ladder. Bryan Keith ran down to the ring, he climbed the ladder and Rocky Romero of The Conglomeration went out there with a kendo stick to chase Keith from the ringside area. Mark jumped off the ladder with a Froggy Bow through the table. Mark hit a Jay Driller. Mark tried a climb so Big Bill showed up and Bill gave Mark a Chokeslam over the top and through two tables through the floor. Big Bill picked up Jericho, climbed the ladder with Jericho on his shoulders and Jericho was at the top of the ladder where he retrieved the title. It went about 16 minutes.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW ROH World Champion: Mark Briscoe

Analysis: ***1/2 It was a pretty good ladder match with the cheap ending, which was not a huge surprise since Jericho has the Learning Tree group on his side. I think when you do a table bump one minute into a match it takes away from the other table bumps in the match. I understand why it’s done because fans pop for the table bumps and have done so for decades. I can’t say I really care that much either way about the title change since I barely pay attention to the ROH brand unless the matches are Dynamite. Whether Jericho holds this title or Mark, I really can’t say it affects me especially because there are so many titles on AEW and in ROH as well. Jericho put over Hook for the FTW Title, then they retired that title (that’s a good thing) and now Jericho has another title. When there are too many titles, winning and losing them doesn’t mean that much. Just saying.

After the match, Tomohiro Ishii arrived with Rocky Romero and Ishii had a long-distance staredown with Jericho. The fans barely reacted to this.

A video aired about Kris Statlander’s issues with Kamille, who is the bodyguard of Mercedes Mone. It’s about how they are both powerful athletes. The Statlander-Kamille match is on the October 30th Fright Night Dynamite.

Let’s Hear from Adam Cole

Adam Cole was in the ring doing a promo. Roderick Strong did a promo yelling “ADAM” to start, which used to draw a reaction, but not so much here. Cole had Mike Bennett & Matt Taven together. Strong said that MJF used the Adam Cole brand to make the fans care about him and MJF is just a user. Strong mentioned that they checked on Cole when he was injured but MJF did not. Bennett said this is bigger than MJF and said that they will finish this together. Taven said that they said yes when Cole pitched this idea for a group to them. Taven said that the best moments of his career and life are when they are together. Strong said that he is proud of Cole for coming back from the serious ankle injury. Strong said he’s proud of Cole for coming back to finish MJF together. Strong told Cole he wanted Max first. Cole said that they should finish it tonight, so he called out MJF so they could fight him.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman appeared in a video getting a message from an attractive woman. MJF said he is literally telling Cole he will never get his hands on him. MJF said whoever wins three matches in a row first between Strong and Cole, that’s who will face MJF first. MJF said that he won’t be showing up in person until Full Gear and he hopes they get the happy ending they are looking for because lord knows he will.

Cole and Strong shook hands. Cole hugged the three guys as a group. Kyle O’Reilly was shown watching on a TV backstage.

Analysis: The Undisputed Kingdom group will go down as one of the worst stables in AEW because of Cole’s injury preventing them from having much of an impact. Anyway, I wouldn’t be shocked if MJF became the leader of a group with Strong, Taven & Bennett going against Cole. Then again, MJF is better on his own.

(Commercial)

A video aired featuring Penelope Ford talking trash about Jamie Hayter. Ford called Hayter a backstabbing bitch while Ford was out for two years. Ford said she won’t let anybody forget her.

Jamie Hayter was interviewed by Renee Paquette backstage. Hayter spoke about how she wasn’t handed anything and she worked for this. Hayter challenged Ford to a match on Dynamite in two weeks.

Analysis: It’s nice of AEW to try to create more rivalries in the women’s division, but I wouldn’t say it’s that interesting.

House of Black – Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews vs. Kevin Koa, Jaden Monroe, & Pirata De La Muerte

I could call the guys Three Guys With No Chance, but they actually put the names on the screen. Black hit his The End kick on one of the guys. Buddy tagged in with a double foot stomp to the arm. The HOB guys took turns hitting moves including a King splash. The three HOB guys hit kicks and a cannonball splash. King hit a Powerbomb followed by Buddy doing The Stomp for the win.

Winners by pinfall: House of Black – Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews

Analysis: * Squash city.

After the match, Buddy Matthews said now that he’s clear, next week on Dynamite it’s Buddy against Adam Cole. HOB left.

Adam Cole and his friends were interviewed by Renee Paquette backstage. Cole left the interview to approach Buddy Matthews. Cole wondered if Buddy had a problem with him. Buddy said he wanted to prove one point…that Cole is fragile. Buddy left while Cole said nothing.

Analysis: That’s a good match that Cole should win. That’s a lock.

Kamille (w/Mercedes Mone) vs. Queen Aminata

There was a stiff clothesline from Kamille for a one count. Aminata hit a running knee strike for one. Kamille caught Aminata leading to a backbreaker.

(Commercial)

Aminata was in control with a chop block and a running elbow strike to the face. Aminata hit a running kick for two. Aminata countered a powerbomb and sat on top for two. Kamille applied the Torture Rack and then a Rack Bomb for two. Mone told Kamille to finish her. Kamille hit a spinning reverse neckbreaker for the pinfall win after eight minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Kamille

Analysis: **1/2 An average match or maybe I’m being generous in saying that. This was about giving Kamille a win because she’s against a tougher opponent like Kris Statlander next week. I understand wanting to give Aminata some offense, but I think this should have been a win for Kamillie in five minutes or less. The crowd was dead for most of this.

Kris Statlander made her entrance to confront Kamille in the ring. Mone tried a cheap shot, but Kris fought back. Kamille hit her spinning neckbreaker on Statlander to end it.

Analysis: They did nothing to turn Statlander a face after she was a disrespectful heel, but now she’s against heels, so we are supposed to cheer Kris now. Statlander will likely beat Kamille next week.

The midcard babyface brigade was in the parking lot when Christian Cage arrived with Nick Wayne & Mother Wayne. Kip Sabian was nearby, so Cage went running after him.

Christian Cage Confronted By Hook

Christian Cage went into the ring chasing Kip Sabian into there while Christian had Nick Wayne & Mother Wayne with him. Hook was shown walking backstage. Hook told Renee Paquette that the scumbags in the ring are the ones who attacked his dad Taz, so he’s going to kick their ass.

When Hook got into the ring, Nick Wayne approached him and Nick hit an overhead suplex on Hook. When Hook approached Christian, Sabian hit Hook with a low blow. Christian spoke to Sabian saying he knows why he has done what he has done lately and Christian said he’ll deal with him later. Hook grabbed Nick, so Christian hit Hook in the back with a metal case that Christian had the title match contract in. Wayne hit his Wayne’s World cutter on Hook. Christian gave Hook the Killswitch move into the metal case and told “Tyler” (aka Hook) that this isn’t what he thinks this is. Christian left while Kip Sabian left with the group.

Analysis: Poor Hook. Nobody tried to help. It’s another feud for Hook against an old guy since he just finished beating Chris Jericho in a feud and now he’s against Christian Cage in this rivalry. I don’t mind Kip Sabian being in Cage’s group since Sabian has been doing nothing in AEW for years.

(Commercial)

It was main event time with Private Party up first for the babyface time and Daniel Garcia was their partner. The AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks and TNT Champion Jack Perry were up next as the heels. The Elite is still a group even though Moxley’s group gets way more TV time these days.

The Elite – Matthew Jackson, Nicholas Jackson & Jack Perry vs. Daniel Garcia, Zay & Quen

There was some fast-paced action out of the ring to start the match. Garcia and Perry started the actual match in the ring. There were four guys in the ring from the two tag teams so they did a double clothesline followed by a double kip up. Perry went into the ring, so Garcia tackled Perry followed by punches. The babyface team all hit corner splashes on the heels followed by Garcia hitting Matt with a clothesline. The midcard babyface brigade was shown in the parking lot still waiting. Both Bucks were in the ring doing superkicks and the referee lost complete control because it’s AEW. Perry gave Garcia a DDT from the apron to the floor while Nick hit a senton bomb on Zay. They went to a PIP break.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Zay sending Matt into the steel steps and Nick accidentally kicked Matt because Zay moved. Perry tagged, held onto Zay’s foot and Zay nailed an enziguri kick. Matt pulled Garcia off the apron to prevent a tag. Perry gave Garcia a Powerbomb through a table at ringside. Menard: “Why?” Because heels are mean. The Bucks hit their Risky Business double team splash move on Zay for two. Zay took down both bucks with an arm drag and headscissors. Quen got the hot tag to barely a reaction and he hit some kicks on both Bucks. Perry charged into a powerslam by Quen. Quen hit a double hurricanrana on both Bucks and the Bucks hit a double superkick. Zay was back in, he ate a double superkick from the Bucks and Perry did a Reverse Rana leading to Nick getting a two count. Both Bucks kicked Zay again on a Powerbomb into the turnbuckle. The Bucks hit a double stomp into a Powerbomb combination on Zay but Quen made the save. Garcia pulled Perry out of the ring and Garcia kicked Perry into the crowd. Both Bucks were in the ring again (because AEW where the rules don’t matter) and Zay tried to fight off both Bucks. Quen pulled Nick out of the ring to make a save. Zayn caught Matt with an inside cradle for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Daniel Garcia, Zay & Quen

Analysis: ***1/4 The match was good, but nothing that special like some Young Bucks matches. There was a lot of illegal offense in the match, which is a big problem for me, but AEW does it all the time. I think both Bucks were in the ring for about three minutes straight toward the end of the match. Anyway, the finish was obviously done that way to give Private Party a big win to set them up for another Tag Team Title match. It was a surprise pin rather than a decisive win.

After the match, Zay of Private Party said that they proved they had their number and they could beat the Young Bucks. Zay said they want a rematch for the Bucks’ AEW Tag Team Titles. The Bucks were not interested so they left the ring. Zay had an offer that they won’t turn down. Zay said if they lose the AEW Tag Team Title match then Private Party will split up. Quen didn’t seem to like it, but Zay told him it was okay. The Bucks accepted it. Zay recapped that it’s on for next week.

Analysis: That should be a win for Private Party finally becoming AEW Tag Team Champions next week on Dynamite.

A truck was shown arriving in the parking lot. It was just Marina Shafir walking out of the truck. Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta were in the ring and they attacked Private Party with steel chairs. The PP guys and Garcia were sent out of the ring to sell the attack.

Jon Moxley arrived dressed in all black including with a hat on. Moxley sent Chuck Taylor, who is retired from AEW as a wrestler but works backstage, down to the ring. Claudio put a steel chair around Taylor’s throat and Claudio stomped on the chair that was around Taylor’s neck. Right after the stomp, Orange Cassidy got into the ring and then Moxley’s crew left through the crowd. The Young Bucks and Perry were watching from the stage. Orange Cassidy was sad because he’s good friends with Taylor. The medical staff checked on Taylor in the ring. They kept on showing Orange Cassidy reacting to it with a sad look on his face. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: It was a good angle to get some heat on Jon Moxley’s group again. They are obviously trying to build up Orange Cassidy as a locker room leader who needs to try to fight back against these heels and now that they injured Chuck Taylor, maybe Orange will step up even more. We have seen them use Darby Allin similarly to Orange in previous weeks as well, so I’m sure it’s building up to some kind of tag team match or having one of those guys go after Moxley. Anyway, I do like the focus on Moxley’s New Paradigm group. I hope it’s a good angle long-term, but we won’t know how it turns out for a few months at least, most likely.

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Three Stars of the Show

1. Chris Jericho/Mark Briscoe
2. Kyle Fletcher
3. Private Party & Daniel Garcia

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The Scoreboard

This Week: 6.5 out of 10

Last Week: 6.75

2024 Average: 7.48

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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite

It was an okay edition of AEW Dynamite, but I lost interest throughout the episode. I think the babyfaces are booked like massive idiots far too often. I understand that AEW wants Jon Moxley’s New Paradigm group to look like badasses who outsmart everybody. However, the babyfaces are constantly outsmarted and beaten up while looking like morons.

The Chris Jericho-Mark Briscoe Ladder War match was the best match of the night with a very cheap ending because Big Bill gave Jericho the win to become the ROH World Champion. The title change doesn’t really mean that much when there are so many titles around. They relied on props too much since they did a table bump one minute into the match. The main event six-man tag was okay but had both Young Bucks in the ring for half the match, which hurts my interest level in it. Private Party winning sets them up for a title shot against the Bucks.

There was a lot of talking, which hurt the match quality for some of the show. The Kyle Fletcher promo was strong. I will give AEW credit for trying to feature younger talent more often lately. That’s what they have to keep doing and hopefully some of them break out to be bigger stars.

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Thanks for reading. Go Los Angeles Rams, Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs. You can contact me using any of the methods below.

John Canton

Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter/X: @johnreport