The John Report: AEW Dynamite 10/30/24 Review (Fright Night)

This week’s AEW Dynamite featured Private Party going for Tag Team gold against the Young Bucks, Swerve Strickland facing Shelton Benjamin, and more.

This was AEW Dynamite episode #265 from the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

A video package aired setting up the key matches on this show as if it’s some bigger-than-usual episode.

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

Jon Moxley’s group including Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Pac and Marin Shafir were shown walking out of the building last week. Claudio said that Moxley built this place and they won’t let some punks ruin it.

The ropes were orange due to the Halloween theme of the night.

Let’s Hear from Orange Cassidy

Orange Cassidy showed up for an in-ring promo and told the production team to turn it off. Orange said that normally he doesn’t do this and this is not who he is. Orange said he is not a leader because that’s not who he is. Orange talked about how he watched Chuck Taylor get his neck crushed by a steel chair. Orange spoke about how he was surrounded by people he shouldn’t have been. Orange talked about how he was surrounded by the future of AEW. Orange said that they have no idea of the danger they are in and they don’t know how dangerous Jon Moxley is.

Orange said he knew what he needed to do. Orange said there’s no future AEW if Jon Moxley has his way. Orange talked about how Moxley doesn’t need AEW, but Orange needs AEW and Orange doesn’t exist without AEW. Orange claimed there is no us without AEW. Orange talked about how he had to cut the head off the snake and stop this. Orange said he’ll do it alone to protect everybody. Orange said he’s going to do that by challenging Jon Moxley for that AEW World Championship. Orange said he’ll take the symbol of this company and what it represents by taking it out of Moxley’s bag and put it in Orange’s backpack. Orange told Jon to let him know because he’s not hard to find because he’s here in the AEW ring every single week because he’s “Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy. Orange claimed he would be the next AEW World Champion and he still doesn’t need a catchphrase.

Analysis: It was a decent promo from Orange Cassidy, who has finally stepped up as a leader for AEW. I don’t really like how Orange can just challenge for the AEW World Title without winning a significant match lately. They need to do a better job of giving a reason why instead of just because Moxley’s group beat up Chuck Taylor. I get it that Moxley gets to decide and we know he’ll say yes, but I think Orange should have done more to get the title shot.

The TBS Champion Mercedes Mone and Kamille were interviewed by Renee Paquette about Kamille’s match later. Mone was very rude to Renee and said Kamille would beat Kris Statlander. When Renee wished Kamille good luck, Mone said she didn’t need good luck when you’re with the CEO referring to Mone herself.

Adam Cole vs. Buddy Matthews

This is Adam Cole’s first match in 14 months since suffering a broken ankle and a lengthy rehab process. It is Cole’s second lengthy absence in his AEW career since he had a concussion issue in the past as well. It’s good to see Cole back.

Cole and Buddy shook hands before the match. They spent the first few minutes trying some moves, but neither guy was really getting the advantage. It was a slow pace. Cole teased a superkick, but Buddy backed away to avoid it. Cole was on the apron, he avoided a move from Buddy and Cole jumped to the floor, which led to Cole selling his left foot as if it was hurting when he hit the mat. Buddy hit a running kick on Cole by the apron.

(Commercial)

Buddy was in control with a superplex off the top rope. Cole got right back up and hit a suplex onto the knee for a neckbreaker-type move. They battled on the apron where they exchanged strikes and Cole gave Buddy a DDT on the apron, so they were both down on the floor. Cole gave Buddy a pendulum DDT by the ropes like MJF does and it got a two count. The announcers didn’t mention that it was an MJF move. Cole went for Panama Sunrise, but Buddy blocked it and Buddy wrenched on the left leg three times leading to Cole selling the ankle/foot injury. Buddy stomped on Cole’s foot right on the steel steps. The referee Bryce Remsburg admonished Buddy for it while ringside physical Dr. Michael Sampson checked on Cole on the floor, so the referee wasn’t issuing a countout. The fans were doing the countout and reached ten, but the referee waved the fans off. That was funny. The doctor tried to help Cole to the back so Buddy did a promo saying that Cole is fragile and he said the old Adam Cole wouldn’t walk away. Buddy said that the new Adam Cole is a little bitch.

Cole limped his way back into the ring, which led to an exchange of punches. Buddy knocked Cole down and Buddy stomped on the left foot repeatedly. Cole lured Buddy in leading to two consecutive superkicks. Buddy came back with a jumping knee followed by The Stomp for two. Buddy grabbed a towel from Doc Sampson and told Cole to throw in the towel, so Cole threw the towel at Buddy. Cole hit a few superkicks and an enziguri kick. Cole hit a running knee that is not the same as the running knee he uses as a finisher. Cole jumped off the turnbuckle, but Buddy hit a knee to the face again. Buddy hit The Stomp again and Cole kicked out at one. They showed MJF looking on from wherever he was, which was a weird camera cut. Buddy hit Cole with forearms, but Cole kicked him again. Cole hit the Panama Sunrise, which led to Buddy rolling out of the ring. Cole jumped off the apron and gave Buddy the Panama Sunrise on the floor. It was Cole’s butt taking a bump there. Anyway, back in the ring, Cole hit the running knee called The Boom (with a loud leg slap) for the pinfall win. It went 16 minutes. It showed Cole’s buddy Kyle O’Reilly watching on a TV backstage and nodding approvingly.

Winner by pinfall: Adam Cole

Analysis: ***1/4 It was a solid match with an obvious result. It went longer than it needed to be because nobody watching this thought that Buddy had a shot to win. I think if Cole won more decisively in about 10 minutes it would have helped. Instead, it was slow-paced early on and dragged before it really picked up. I understand the story with Buddy being smart by going after the left ankle throughout the match and Cole found a way to come back from it. I just think it went on a bit too long.

After the match, Cole said he knew what Buddy did and he appreciated it. Cole said Buddy reminded him who the real Adam Cole is. Cole thanked him. Cole wanted a handshake with Buddy so Buddy shook his hands. The lights went out. Malakai Black appeared in the ring to shake hands with Cole even though Cole was shaking hands with Buddy. Later in the show, we found out Black will face Cole next week on Dynamite. Cole was helped to the back by Doc Sampson.

Analysis: That should be a great match next week between Cole and Black, who is one of the most poorly booked wrestlers in this company.

Private Party was backstage with interim EVP Christopher Daniels and Renee Paquette was there for an interview. Daniels mentioned his team with Frankie Kazarian put it all on the line and lost three years ago. They were never the same after that. Daniels told Private Party they could be the champions. Daniels said that the Bucks will do everything they can to win. Quen and Kassidy were confident that they would win the AEW Tag Team Titles. Daniels shook hands with Kassidy.

(Commercial)

Adam Cole was in the trainer’s room with Doc Sampson checking on him and Cole said he was fine. The Undisputed Kingdom’s Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett were also there. Cole did a promo saying that it was a tough match and now it seems like Malakai Black is on his radar. Cole said he doesn’t blame MJF for shattering the ankle or being a bad friend. Cole said that he blamed MJF for pretending that they were friends. Cole mentioned MJF turning on guys like Wardlow, Sammy Guevara and Daniel Garcia. Cole said that MJF needed to be taught a lesson, but it needed to happen. Cole said he cares about the AEW locker room and cares about this company. Cole said he is going to get his hands on MJF at Full Gear and “we” will get their hands on him. Cole said that when he gets his hands on him, he’ll teach MJF a lesson. Cole said one down, two to go. That’s a reference to MJF telling Cole and Roderick Strong they needed to win three matches to face MJF.

Analysis: The problem with the storyline is that Adam Cole and the Undisputed Kingdom manipulated and turned on MJF. We all saw it. I get what they are trying to do by making Cole a sympathetic babyface because he was injured for a long time, but it was one of the biggest angles in the history of the company when Cole stole MJF’s mask to turn on him as “The Devil.” Anyway, it will get better when MJF is back to do promos because he’s the best talker in the company. I like Cole more as a heel, but they are going the sympathetic babyface route with him now.

Let’s Hear from Kyle Fletcher with Don Callis

Kyle Fletcher arrived on the stage along with Don Callis. Kyle had a short haircut after cutting his longer hair last week. Fletcher and his manager Callis called out Will Ospreay. There was no Ospreay. The United Empire logo appeared and Mark Davis appeared on the stage. Dave is Fletcher’s tag team partner while Davis has been out for a long time with an injury. Fletcher wanted a hug, but Davis pushed him back.

Davis said that Will was laid up at home because of what Kyle did to him. Davis said they considered Will a brother and he doesn’t know who he’s looking at now. Kyle said that he had opened his eyes to the truth. Kyle said that Ospreay never cared about Fletcher & Davis. Kyle claimed Will used them to help Will’s career. Kyle tried to get Davis to join him in the Don Callis Family, but Davis wasn’t interested and said Fletcher destroyed their United Empire. Davis walked away. Kyle said the day would come when Davis has to make a hard decision and Kyle said he has proven he has no problem cutting the past loose.

Analysis: It furthers the story of Kyle Fletcher as a heel with Don Callis as his manager while Mark Davis probably won’t be a tag team partner of Fletcher when he returns to action. The fans barely reacted to Davis and most of them probably forgot who he was.

“Hangman” Adam Page was interviewed by Renee Paquette, who mentioned Page will face Jay White at Full Gear. Page bragged about hurting White so bad that he spent three months at home. Page said that White beat him at WrestleDream and he’ll give them credit for that. Page said there’s no redemption because there are only wins and losses. Page said that he knows White will go for his head. Page said that White doesn’t know what Page will do like hitting him in the head with a steel chair, strangle your friends, light your house fire, or break your ankle. Page said that at the end of Full Gear, when Page beats him he will stand over White with his hand raised. Page said that he would leave White hurt and with less than what he had before. Page said he’ll leave White behind.

Analysis: I think Hangman is my favorite performer in AEW right now or at least one of them. Hangman is killing it as a heel character who doesn’t give a damn and he has done it for the past year.

The members of the Jon Moxley group were shown walking backstage. It was Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Pac, Wheeler Yuta and Marina Shafir.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from Jon Moxley And Friends

The AEW World Champion Jon Moxley made his entrance in the back part of the arena joined by Marina Shafir, who had a briefcase that likely holds the AEW World Title. They were joined by Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta and Pac who looks out of place in his wrestling gear, but that’s what Pac does. I still don’t know the official name of this group and I don’t think they are using the Blackpool Combat Club name for it.

Jon Moxley was in the ring with his group. Moxley said he knows Orange Cassidy won’t appreciate what they are trying to do right now, but one day you will understand. Moxley said that you think Orange Cassidy challenged him, but Moxley said he is the one that challenged Orange. Moxley said that he freed Orange from distractions so he could focus on his goals. Moxley said that he set this up when they took out Orange’s best friend Chuck Taylor. Moxley said that the people in AEW think they are something they are not. Moxley said that if Orange wants him at Full Gear, that’s fine. Moxley said that Orange won’t fight him in the mountaintop because they will fight in the valley. Moxley said that this is the valley that he is willing to die in.

Moxley said that Orange thinks he is pulling the strings, but let’s see about that right now. Moxley told Claudio to do anything. Pac and Shafir took down Yuta by holding his arms. Claudio put a steel chair around Yuta’s neck even though Yuta is their ally. That led to Orange Cassidy rushing the ring and the group let go of Yuta. The trio of Claudio, Moxley, and Pac beat up Orange. Shafir yelled at Yuta to attack his buddy Orange, so Yuta attacked. The Dark Order nerds tried to attack, but Moxley’s group easily beat them up. What a shocker. Moxley gave John Silver an armbar and threw him into the steel steps. Yuta smashed a chair on Evil Uno. Pac put the chair on Orange’s throat and they teased a stomp on the chair, but Darby Allin was lowered from the rafters. Darby got into a fight with Claudio, which broke the commentary table. That made me laugh. Alex Reynolds helped Allin get free from the harness and Claudio threw Allin onto the table. Allin went after Claudio. The Top Flight guys went out at ringside along with Lio Rush to fight off Moxley’s group. Daniel Garcia and Private Party went into the ring as well. The Moxley group finally left through the crowd along with the babyfaces that were fighting them.

Analysis: It was more of the same for Jon Moxley’s group fighting against the AEW midcarders. It is such a weird thing to see these two skinny guys Darby Allin and Orange Cassidy out there trying to fight for AEW’s honor while most of the rest of the locker room doesn’t seem to care. I like the idea of the angle as a long-term thing, but there is a logical flaw because we don’t get to hear from Tony Khan about this, and we don’t know why Roderick’s Strong wife Marina Shafir is hanging out with Jon Moxley. There is also Renee Paquette on the show, who is married to MOxley, who is a lunatic heel, yet nobody seems to want her thoughts on it. That’s pro wrestling where there are always going to be logic holes. I do like the idea of a long-term story although there are also a lot of heel groups in AEW right now.

The Young Bucks made their entrance as the AEW Tag Team Champions because Private Party was already in the ring, so it was time for the title match. Excalibur called the Bucks cowards for not helping in this fight against Moxley’s group. The Bucks spoke into the camera as if they were the ones that stopped Moxley’s group.

AEW Tag Team Championships: The Young Bucks – Matthew & Nicholas Jackson vs. Private Party – Isiah Kassidy (Zay) & Marq Quen

If Private Party loses then they must split up. The ring announcer Justin Roberts did the in-ring introductions. The Young Bucks were heavily booed.

The match started with Nick and Zay doing some pinfall attempts that didn’t really work, but they did it to show off their speed. Matt tagged in for a double team dropkick on Zay to knock him down. Quen made the tag, Zayn hit an armdrag takedown on both Bucks and Quen hit a hurricanrana on both opponents. Zay jumped off of Quen’s back and hit a dive over the top onto both Bucks on the floor. Nick sent Quen out of the ring so Zay was legal and Matt tripped up Zay. Matt tried to hit Zay with the ring bell, but Zay avoided it. Quen got the ring bell, he charged at Matt, who ducked and Quen hit Zay with the ring bell in the head. The referee never saw it. Matt sent Quen into the steel steps. Nick hit a running kick on Quen on the floor. Nick worked over Quen with punches. Matt picked up Zay, who was bleeding from the forehead although it wasn’t a lot of blood. Matt sent Zay into the steel steps. Matt rammed Zay into the steel steps a few times. The Bucks tried a double team attack on Quen, but Quen moved and Nick kicked Matt by accident. Matt was back up with a clothesline on Quen. Nick hit a Falcon Arrow on Zay off the steel steps to the floor. Matt hit a superplex on Quen for two.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Zay getting the hot tag against the Bucks. Zay was bleeding from the forehead. Private Party hit double superkicks on both Bucks. The fans were getting into it more as both members of Private Party hit 450 Splashes off the top rope for two. All four guys remained in the ring illegally as Nick hit a Destroyer on Zay. Matt hit Sliced Bread on Quen and Nick hit a running kick. The Bucks did a foot stomp into a Pendulum Powerbomb by Matt for two. Nick finally left the ring after more than two minutes of illegal action. The Bucks hit their Risky Business double team splash combo. Quen sent Matt out of the ring and hit a springboard moonsault onto Matt on the floor. Quen hit a suicide dive on Nick. Quen continued the attack with a somersault dive over the top onto Matt. Nick came back with a kick to Quen and Nick kicked Quen off of Matt’s shoulders. The Bucks dragged Quen to the entrance area. Kazuchika Okada appeared in a suit and he gave Quen a Tombstone piledriver by the staging area. The referee was distracted because he was looking at the Bucks. The Bucks hit a Powerbomb/enziguri combo on Zay. Nick gave Zay a hurricanrana into a Cutter by Matt, who got a two count on Zay. The Bucks took turns hitting superkicks on Zay including a double superkick that got Nick a two count. The Bucks tried the EVP Trigger, but Zay avoided it and the Bucks hit eachother with their knees. Zay got an inside cradle on Matt for two. Nick came back with a jumping kick to the head and the Bucks hit the EVP Trigger double knee attack for one…two…no. Zay kicked out. Nick hit a running knee to the back of Zay. Matt picked up Zay and hit the One Winged Angel (Kenny Omega’s move) for a two count because Marq Quen ran back into the ring to break up the pin. Nick hit a suicide dive onto Quen on the floor. Zay hit a Reverse Rana on Matt. Quen and Zay hit the Gin N Juice (Hurricanrana into a Cutter) on Nick for the one…two… and three! New AEW World Tag Team Champions. It went about 18 minutes.

Winners by pinfall AND NEW AEW Tag Team Champions: Private Party – Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen

Analysis: ****1/4 It was an excellent tag team match. I like that it was given a lot of time, there were a lot of twists and turns and in the end, it had a finish that was very satisfying because the Private Party guys finally won the titles. They really did a nice job of making it look like The Young Bucks might win the match a few times. That spot with Okada giving Quen a Tombstone on the stage (without the referee seeing it) was clever because it took Quen out and made us think that Zay had to fight on his own. As for the rating, it was an excellent match that this show needed. I would have rated the match higher but there were too many instances of four guys in the ring for too long. I’m sure some people will ignore those things. To me, it hurts a match when it’s a tag team match and two guys are standing in the ring for several minutes at a time without even attempting to make tags, which is the most of tag team wrestling. If you don’t want to make tags, book a Tornado Tag. It’s an easy out. Anyway, it was still a lot of fun to watch.

After the match, The Young Bucks put the Tag Team Titles on the shoulders of Private Party as a sign of respect. That led to Private Party going into the crowd and celebrating with the fans. Cool moment.

Analysis: With that said, AEW has used Private Party poorly for most of the last five years. I know Quen missed a year of action, but even when he was healthy I doubt they were on 10% of AEW PPVs. I’m happy for Private Party as the Tag Team Champions.

It was announced that Jon Moxley will defend the AEW World Championship against Orange Cassidy at Full Gera on November 23rd.

Analysis: I pick Jon Moxley to win there. That seems obvious.

Penelope Ford and Jamie Hayter were interviewed by Renee Paquette backstage. Ford said that after two years, she’s going to take what she deserves. Hayter said that you’re lucky that they agreed to no physicality. Hayter said she would mop the floor with Ford next week.

A video aired about the Swerve Strickland-Shelton Benjamin match still to come.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho was standing in the aisle with Big Bill and Bryan Keith. Bill spoke about how teamwork makes the dream work. Chris Jericho had the ROH World Title and bragged about his win over Mark Briscoe last week. Jericho mentioned that Dave Meltzer rated it four stars (higher than me). Jericho said he’s now a 9-time World Champion and is now the Nueve. Jericho talked about being an ROH World Champion while mentioning Jay Briscoe as a shot at Mark because Mark doesn’t like it when his late brother’s name is mentioned. Jericho got cheap heat by saying Cincinnati rather than Cleveland. Jericho claimed he’s going to take ROH to the biggest stage and the biggest success that it has ever seen. Jericho will do that because he can. Jericho said that if you underestimate him then you’re underestimating him. Keith told us to never underestimate Jericho, which drew a laugh. Jericho said he’s going to take ROH to places and heights you’ve never, ever been before.

Analysis: It’s a bold proclamation by Chris Jericho saying that he’ll elevate ROH as the champion. I don’t think he did much in the way of elevating in the past when he was the champion, so good luck to Chris doing that. I assume it will lead to Jericho defending the ROH World Title on shows in Mexico and/or Japan and AEW will think that elevates the title. Then again, Jericho is a heel and heels lie, so maybe it won’t be a long title reign after all.

A video aired about Anna Jay talking about how she has grown a lot in the business over the last few years. Mariah May also spoke in the video while Jay said she’ll beat May for the AEW Women’s Title on Collision.

Analysis: I’ll pick Mariah May to win that. Admittedly, I don’t watch Collision.

They showed Alex Marvez trying to interview The Young Bucks, but Jack Perry prevented that from happening. Daniel Garcia got in Jack’s face and they argued a bit. Perry mocked Garcia for his dancing past. Garcia left. Perry went into The Young Bucks room with the Bucks in there along with Kazuchika Okada and the Bucks buddy Brandon Cutler. The Bucks were shredding documents for some reason. The door was shut at that point.

Analysis: I don’t know what that was all about, but hopefully there’s some follow up to it.

Kris Statlander vs. Kamille (w/Mercedes Mone)

Kamille knocked down Kris with a shoulder tackle. Kris hit a dropkick. Kamille did a necksnap across the top rope followed by a clothesline. They went to a picture-in-picture break.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Kris and Kamille going for clotheslines, but neither woman connected. Kris hit a powerslam. Kris slammed Kamille off her shoulders like an F5 for a two count. Kris went up top and jumped off with a 450 Splash, but Kamille left. Kamille hit a running leg lariat for two. Kamille hit a Torture Rack Bomb off the shoulders for a two count. Kris countered a Tombstone piledriver attempt by Kamille and Kris hit a Tombstone of her own called Wednesday Night Fever for the pinfall win. It lasted about seven minutes. That was Kamille’s first loss after a 5-0 start in AEW.

Winner by pinfall: Kris Statlander

Analysis: ** So much for Kamille being an unbeatable, dominant force. They wanted to put over Kris as a babyface after she turned back that way following her heel run, so this was an easy win for Kris. This match went just seven minutes meaning just four minutes were shown on the full screen. I would have liked to see them get more time.

After the match, a barefoot Mone went into the ring and hit Kris in the back with the TBS Title. Mone told Kamille to go to the back. Mone said when you want something done right, you do it yourself. Mone trash talked Kris a bit and then Mone’s music played to end it.

Analysis: I assume that will set up Mone against Statlander at Full Gear.

A video package aired about the story involving Christian Cage and his group dealing with Taz while Kip Sabian has been trying to be an ally of Christian. It was also revealed that Christian’s group attacked Hook’s dad Taz.

Christian Cage was backstage with his stable of Mother Wayne, Nick Wayne & Kip Sabian. Cage said he would explain himself next week on Dynamite.

The main event of Swerve Strickland facing Shelton Benjamin was after the break.

(Commercial)

The Conglomeration’s Mark Briscoe, Kyle O’Reilly and Tomohiro Ishii were interviewed by Renee Paquette. They challenged Jericho’s group to a six-man tag next week on Dynamite.

The Young Bucks were shown with their suitcases and were leaving. Christopher Daniels walked up to them saying they needed them. The Young Bucks weren’t listening to that and left. Brandon Cutler was backstage and that’s when Jon Moxley’s group showed up. Moxley held Christopher Daniels while Marina Shafir held Cutler’s arm and Claudio Castagnoli used a hammer to hit Cutler’s hand. Cutler was screaming in pain on the floor while Daniels checked on him. Moxley’s group left.

Analysis: Poor Brandon Cutler, who is almost never on this show most weeks. It’s a way to show that Moxley’s group is willing to take out anybody.

It was main event time with the former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland up first joined by the dancing man Prince Nana. Shelton Benjamin, who is 2-0 so far in AEW, was up next as the opponent and Benjamin had MVP with him.

Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) vs. Shelton Benjamin (w/MVP)

Swerve used his speed to hit a headscissors that sent Shelton to the mat. Shelton got a hold of Swerve and gave him a belly-to-belly suplex over the top to the floor. Shelton tried to send Swerve into the ring post, but Swerve avoided that. Swerve did a finger snap. Shelton blocked a kick and sent Swerve into the ring apron and barricade. Back in the ring, Shelton gave Swerve an overhead suplex across the ring. Shelton charged, Swerve avoided it and hit a spinning kick. Swerve went for a springboard attack, but Shelton hit a jumping knee smash to knock Swerve out of the ring.

(Commercial)

The show was right at the two-hour mark, so they were going past the top of the hour, which has become the norm. Shelton was in control with a German Suplex across the ring. Swerve countered a move going for a submission, but Benjamin avoided it. Swerve hit a spinning kick to the head. Swerve hit an uppercut followed by a snapmare and Swerve jumped off the turnbuckle with an uppercut to the back. Swerve hit a running kick while on the apron. Back in the ring, Swerve hit a missile dropkick to the back of the head for two. Shelton had Swerve grounded with a Kimura Lock. Shelton let go of that and hit a suplex. Swerve charged, Shelton caught him and Shelton hit a DDT for a two count. Swerve came back with a punch to the jaw while the fans were chanting “Swerve’s House” for Swerve. They did a spot where they both went for a kick, Swerve connected with a kick and Swerve jumped off the top with a 450 Splash. Shelton kicked out of that and hit a suplex across the ring. Shelton hit another running knee to the head. Swerve came back with a roll through into a flatliner. Swerve slowly got back up to the top rope, so Shelton popped up and Swerve was able to connect with a Powerbomb out of that. Swerve jumped off the top with a Swerve Stomp (double foot stomp) for the pinfall win after 14 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Swerve Strickland

Analysis: ***1/4 It was a pretty good match. Shelton was on offense for most of it, but Swerve was able to make the comeback and finish him off. Shelton was really impressive with his offense including all of the suplexes, the knee lifts, and everything else. Swerve sold it so well and I like how the finish was set up. I’m not surprised by the result of Swerve getting the win.

After the match, MVP was on his phone and he called somebody. MVP said something into the phone.

The lights went out briefly and then they came back on. That led to the lights going out again.

Bobby Lashley made his AEW debut wearing a suit while the lights were out in the building. The lights came back on and Lashley was in a red leather suit. The fans popped for Lashley while Tony mentioned it was the first time we are seeing this man on TBS. Lashley hugged MVP.

Bobby Lashley went into the ring and had a staredown with Swerve Strickland. Shelton went on the apron, so Swerve went after him and that allowed Lashley to clothesline Swerve down. MVP hit Nana in the gut with his cane. Lashley and Shelton beat up Swerve with punches. Lashley hit a huge spinebuster on Swerve. Shelton kicked Nana to knock him down. Lashley gave Swerve a Full Nelson. I could hear somebody shouting “90 seconds” so that was when the show would end. The trio of Lashley, Shelton and MVP beat up some security guys. Somebody shouted “35” likely as a time cue in seconds.

The trio of Lashley, MVP and Shelton stood over Swerve and Nana. MVP: “Guess who’s back in business?” That was the end of the show at 11 minutes past the top of the hour.

Analysis: It is the AEW version of The Hurt Business group that is going to have a different name which will likely be The Hurt Syndicate. The thing is that there are already other heel stables in AEW like Moxley’s group and The Elite, so it’s hard for these groups to stand out when there are so many of them. With that said, I am a big fan of Lashley, MVP & Benjamin as individuals and as a group, so I’m excited for all of them. I think WWE could have used them better in their last year there, so I am looking forward to seeing what they do in AEW now. Good ending to the show.

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Three Stars of the Show

1. Private Party
2. The Young Bucks
3. Adam Cole – Welcome back after missing over one year of in-ring action.

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The Scoreboard

This Week: 7.25 out of 10

Last Week: 6.5

2024 Average: 7.48

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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite

A good show that was a lot better than last week. The Private Party match with The Young Bucks was very entertaining and I am happy about the title change. They did a nice job of teasing the idea that the Bucks would retain, but it was the right time and the right team for a title change.

There are some things on the show that are confusing a bit like why there aren’t more people in AEW trying to stop Jon Moxley’s group, which includes the boss of the company. Also, the Adam Cole thing is flawed since he was the guy who turned on MJF in the story, yet they want us to forget that because MJF is a bad guy now.

I think they are doing a solid job of building up the Full Gear card. I don’t think Orange Cassidy has a shot to beat Jon Moxley, but at least it’s a likable babyface challenger. I’m happy to see Bobby Lashley in AEW with MVP & Shelton Benjamin. Swerve Strickland trying to fight back against them should be a good storyline. I assume they go with Lashley against Swerve at Full Gear and it will be interesting to see if Lashley is booked like a heel monster. As I said, though, they might have too many heel groups right now so maybe some people need to change.

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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