The John Report: AEW Dynamite 11/18/20 Review
Welcome to another AEW Dynamite review here on TJRWrestling. It’s another live show as they build up to a big episode of Dynamite on December 2 when Jon Moxley defends the AEW World Title against Kenny Omega. That’s going to be great. This review is late by a day. My apologies for that. I’ll use a summary style for most of the show and then play by play in the main event.
This is episode #59 of AEW Dynamite from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, FL. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Here’s my AEW Dynamite TV review archive. Let’s get to it.
The announce team was Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone and Excalibur the masked man as usual. There were wrestlers surrounding the ring and a few hundred fans in the crowd.
The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) vs. Top Flight (Darius and Daunte Martin)
This is not for the AEW Tag Team Titles held by The Young Bucks. There was a video introducing us to Top Flight. Darius and Daunte Martin are brothers from Minnesota making their Dynamite debut. They reached out to Matt Jackson on social media, which is what led to this. They’re young guys at 21 (Darius) and 19 (Daunte) years old. The Young Bucks are also brothers as you probably know.
It was fast-paced right away with Darius and Daunte showing their athleticism with a series of kicks that sent both Young Bucks out of the ring to regroup. Nick hit an impressive superkick, then a dropkick on the other brother, and there was a bulldog/dropkick combination from Young Bucks on Daunte. Young Bucks did a spot where Matt hit a Powerbomb on Daunte into Darius against the turnbuckle. Nick hit a double stomp off the top and a backstabber on Darius, who was seated against the turnbuckle for about 20 seconds, which is ridiculous. Daunte hit a sweet move where it looked like a dropkick that became a headscissors. Darius hit a standing Spanish Fly slam on Matt for two with Nick making the save. Darius hit a suicide dive and Daunte followed up with a somersault dive onto the Young Bucks on the floor. Daunte did a somersault into a headscissors off the top on Matt. Nick with a hard kick to Darius while on the apron. Young Bucks hit a double team Sliced Bread neckbreaker off the top for two. Daunte got a rollup for two. Young Bucks hit their double team BTE Trigger knees to the face/neck combo for the pinfall win after about nine minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson)
Analysis: *** A fast-paced match to show what Top Flight can do with Young Bucks picking up the win as you would expect. There’s a lot of room to grow from Top Flight, but they have already shown a lot in their first match on Dynamite. Young Bucks need a feud with a heel tag team, so hopefully that’s something that develops in the weeks ahead. Top Flight got more offense in because I think Young Bucks wanted to give them a shot to impress. The finish could have been better. It was not as exciting as some Young Bucks match finishes.
Post match, the TH2 team of Jack Evans and Angelico stomped on Top Flight at ringside, so Young Bucks chased them off and TH2 ran away. Young Bucks shook the hands of Top Flight.
The December 2 episode of Dynamite is called Winter is Coming with Jon Moxley defending the AEW World Title against Kenny Omega.
The Inner Circle Slays Vegas Part 1
There were clips of The Inner Circle in Las Vegas. It was Chris Jericho, Jake Hager, Santana, Ortiz, Jake Hager, MJF and Wardlow. The casino was pretty empty. There were comedy skits with Sammy being dumb at the blackjack table. MJF and Jericho bickered over what to order at the bar by trying to top eachother. They drank something really strong called Everclear, which led to overacting. Santana and Ortiz brought in wrestling legend Konnan, who said he’s got the best stuff. They got out of the limo with a lot of smoke to show that they were doing some drugs and there was a guy dressed as a dragon. There was also a random shirtless guy with tattoos. Sammy told MJF that he hates him, then they laughed. Hager and Wardlow beat up random dudes to try to prove who is tougher. There’s more to be continued.
Analysis: There’s some Hangover parody stuff in there. A few mildly funny moments, but it’s not as funny as they probably think it was when they were making it. Maybe part two is better.
(Commercial)
Jon Moxley did a promo from a darkened room with the AEW World Title on his shoulder. Moxley talked about how his dad was 6’3” and 250 pounds and a scary guy that picked him up from the police station. His dad told him that they are the good guys. Moxley said that people have tried to steal the championship from him, but he always knows what to do and he always has because they’re the good guys. Moxley said the whole world is bearing down on him, he can barely get up in the morning, he’s got a pregnant wife at home (!), he’s got two titles on two different continents (he’s still US Champion in NJPW) and said he knows what to do because they’re the good guys. Moxley said he’ll sign the contract without any hesitation and let Kenny Omega know that Moxley is the best wrestler in the world because he’s the AEW World Champion, he is his dad’s son and he is Jon Damn Moxley and that’s never going to change.
Analysis: The big news here is that Jon and his wife Renee (Paquette, formerly Renee Young in WWE) are having a baby! That’s awesome. I’m so happy for them. I’ve known her for over a decade and while I don’t know him at all, I know they’re a great couple that will be wonderful parents. I don’t know the due date, but I wish them the best with it.
Orange Cassidy vs. Kip Sabian (w/Penelope Ford)
Miro was on commentary for the match to support his buddy Sabian. Cassidy was in control, then he left the ring and when he came back, Sabian hit the double knees to the ribs. They went to a picture in picture commercial break after that.
(Commercial)
Cassidy got some momentum going with a Tornado DDT. Sabian missed a springboard kick, Cassidy sent him into the turnbuckle and Cassidy jumped off the top with a diving DDT for a two count. Great nearfall. Sabian went for some springboard move, he slipped and then Sabian hit a suplex. Sabian hit a cradle front suplex for two for a nice nearfall for him. Cassidy got a two count after an inside cradle. Sabian with a knee, then a punch and Cassidy came back with the Mousetrap pin for the win after 11 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Orange Cassidy
Analysis: **3/4 This was okay. The early part was slow, but then they had some nice nearfalls in the second half including the DDT nearfalls. Cassidy picking up the win is expected since he’s pushed more while Sabian almost never wins singles matches on Dynamite. The finish was more of a counter than a finisher, but that’s because they wanted to have the post match attack.
Post match, Miro ran into the ring and hit a clothesline on Cassidy. The Best Friends duo of Trent and Chuck Taylor ran out for the save with Miro and Sabian running away. Best Friends did their hug while Cassidy collapsed to the mat, so good job of selling by the lazy guy.
Analysis: This should set up a tag team match between them. Miro continues to be booked in a way that doesn’t make him look like a big star at all. At least his wife isn’t there to make out with another guy? I guess that’s a positive thing. I just don’t think the video game feud has been interesting at all.
(Commercial)
Moxley/Omega Contract Signing
Kenny Omega made his entrance with Justin Roberts doing a ridiculous introduction for him as part of Kenny’s egotistical gimmick. They mentioned Kenny being in the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame. I’m a voter and I voted for him, for the record. Tony Schiavone was in the ring with a table with Omega, wearing a jacket and dress shirt, sat at the table.
Jon Moxley’s music played, but the AEW World Champion did not appear at all. Tony said that something happened to Jon in the backstage area. They showed Moxley laid out on the floor with AEW’s doctor there along with referees. Moxley had a bloody nose.
Omega said he’s not one for this psychology type stuff. Omega said that Jon is not going to be able to avoid him. Omega signed the contract for the AEW World Title match in two weeks on December 2.
Analysis: It’s the infamous mystery attacker storyline. This company does mystery attacker storylines every month or so. They must really think it’s a cool, fresh idea. Anyway, it will likely be revealed that Omega did it since Kenny is more of a heelish character, so Moxley will try for payback. I think Omega is going to win the AEW World Title on December 2. We’ll see if it happens, though.
The Inner Circle Slays Las Vegas Part 2
The Inner Circle was shown drunk and potentially on drugs while on a hotel roof. They had an Elvis impersonator that Jericho said was part of the Inner Circle now. It’s just a joke. MJF did a Hangover style “Wolfpack” speech with Sammy threatening to cut his hand like Alan in The Hangover, but they stopped him. There was another scene in the future where they all looked wasted in their hotel suite. Jericho walked around the room with Elvis saying he didn’t know what happened. MJF woke up from a hot tub. Sammy was laying in some fountain. MJF had words on his face like “Sammy Waz Here” along with the word “soft” repeatedly and Sammy woke up to find out he’s got three wives. Ortiz was working out a lot saying “the best” as usual. Santana was tossing some food to some chickens. A door opened to show Hornswoggle in a diaper. Jericho: “Guys, we got a problem!” That ended it.
Analysis: That part was a bit better than the first part in terms of comedy. It was more of the Hangover parody stuff as expected. On a positive note, I’m glad that they didn’t do a singing routine that I thought they might do.
Chris Jericho joined commentary saying that the Inner Circle is together and now it’s time for them to beat people up and win. Jericho and Hager will face SCU next week. Jericho said MJF paid for the trip to Vegas.
(Commercial)
It was time for Eddie Kingston to join commentary. Jericho was only there briefly. Kingston called Tony a “lowlife” so that was funny.
The Blade (w/The Butcher and The Bunny) vs. PAC
This is Pac’s first match in eight months with Excalibur noting it was March 11 since he was in England during the pandemic. Blade had a bandage on his head after the bloody match last week. Kingston supported his buddy Blade as Pac whipped Blade into the barricade two times. Pac went up top and hit a missile dropkick. Pac got in Butcher’s face, so Blade kicked Pac and threw him into the barricade as payback. Back in the ring, Blade hit a suplex into the top rope. Pac hit a DDT jumping from the apron into the ring and that was a bit sloppy, but it worked. Bunny grabbed Pac’s foot, Pac got in her face, Butcher hit Pac in the back and then in the ring, Blade hit a Doctor Bomb for two.
(Commercial)
The match returned as the wrestlers exchanged forearm strikes and Pac hit a running kick. Pac with a superkick leading into a powerslam with Blade while Kingston complained about referee Bryce Remsburg being slow on the count. Pac hit an impressive superplex off the top. He does that move as well as anybody. Pac hit the running uppercut against the turnbuckle. Pac went up top, Bunny got on the apron, Pac with a superkick on Butcher who went into the ring and Blade got a rollup with tights for two. Pac hit a boot to the face. Pac went up top and hit the Shooting Star Press to the back followed by the Brutalizer submission for the win after 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Pac
Analysis: **3/4 Good match. I missed Pac. Welcome back. He looked pretty good considering it was his first match in eight months. The result was never in doubt since Blade is usually there to lose matches, especially in singles and it makes sense for AEW to book Pac strong in his return. I hope Pac remains a heel, but the story may call for him to be a face.
Pac did a promo looking at Eddie Kingston, but The Butcher attacked Pac from behind. Kingston walked into the ring with Butcher and Blade with Eddie laughing about it. Eddie did a promo saying it’s been eight long months for Pac and Eddie is going to put him through the gauntlet. Rey Fenix ran out to the ring to go after Butcher, Blade and Eddie, but the heels outnumbered him. Penta showed up with a chair with Eddie looking happy to see his best friend. Penta went to hit Eddie, Butcher and Blade, but they got out of the ring. That means Penta was with his brother Fenix and Pac so the Death Triangle trio is back.
Analysis: It’s a bit of a confusing situation with a mix of heels and faces, but at least it was sorted out a bit here. This should lead to a six-man tag team match at some point in the near future, plus regular tags along with a heated feud between Pac and Kingston.
There was a backstage scene with Jade Cargill stepping on a chair on Brandy Rhodes’ arm. Other women showed up to break it up.
(Commercial)
NWA Women’s Title: Serena Deeb vs. Thunder Rosa
Serena is the current champion while Rosa is the former champion. They did some mat wrestling in the first few minutes with submission attempts along with counters. Rosa got a two count after a running senton splash along with a running splash across the back of Serena. That led to Serena taking control with a leg wrench across the ropes and a whip into the turnbuckle.
(Commercial)
Rosa was in control with repeated clotheslines against the turnbuckle. Rosa hit a dropkick and butterfly suplex that was good for a two count. Serena hit a neckbreaker against the ropes along with a Spear on the apron. Rosa came back with a German Suplex along with a missile dropkick that sent Serena to the floor. Reba/Rebel yelled at ringside, so Britt Baker randomly attacked Rosa on the ramp with a DDT. Serna capitalized on that with a high stack Powerbomb for two. That should have been the finish after the spot on the ramp, but it only got a two count. Serena went for a submission hooking the arms, Rosa got out of it and hit a double stomp to the ribs. Rosa grabbed Serena on her back and slammed her into the mat for two. They each got two counts. Serena hooked the arms and planted Rosa into the mat face first, which led to the pinfall win after 14 minutes.
Winner by submission: Serena Deeb
Analysis: ***1/4 This was pretty good with a lot of intensity shown by both women. I would have ended it after Baker’s spot because having Rosa continue after that makes Baker’s attack look like it was pointless. I’m glad that Serena has found a passion for wrestling again because she was coaching for the last few years, but clearly she has a lot left in the ring at 34. Thunder Rosa is extremely talented and can work many different styles in the ring. I still find it strange that AEW keeps pushing the NWA Women’s Title while not focusing more on their own women’s division, which is lacking in terms of interesting stories.
Post match, Thunder Rosa saw Britt Baker at ringside and hit her with a forearm. Rosa whipped Baker into the barricade and attacked her with punches until referees showed up to break it up.
Analysis: There’s a women’s feud they can do now. It’s been a long time since AEW had a meaningful women’s rivalry. Apparently it started on Twitter, so that’s why Baker attacked her here.
There was a Dark Order segment with John Silver doing his over the top promo about Anna Jay on a winning streak after winning four straight matches. Silver said that Brodie Lee demanded she gets a title shot. Anna said she’s going to beat Hikaru Shida to become the champion. Silver did more yelling.
Next week on AEW Dynamite:
* AEW Women’s Championship: Hikaru Shida (c) vs. Anna Jay
* Pac and Rey Fenix vs. The Butcher and The Blade
* Will Hobbs in action
* Chris Jericho and Jake Hager vs. SCU’s Frankie Kazarian and Christopher Daniels
That’s not a strong lineup. It’s just decent. Next week’s show taped on Thursday, so the talent gets two weeks off before the December 2 live episode of Dynamite. There are spoilers out. I’m not going to look at them.
Brian Cage and Ricky Starks of Team Taz made their entrance for the main event.
(Commercial)
There was some black and white video showing Darby Allin on fire on a skateboard for some reason. He’s weird. The TNT Champion Darby Allin made his entrance. Cody Rhodes was up next as Darby’s partner. Cody did not have his 27-person stable joining him, but there was “coach” Arn Anderson with him.
Darby Allin and Cody Rhodes (w/Arn Anderson vs. Brian Cage and Ricky Starks
Taz was on commentary ripping on Cody for the ridiculous entrance. Allin used his speed to get away from Starks in the early going with Allin hit a hard palm strike to the face to knock Starks down. Cage battled Cody with a hiptoss into a backbreaker. Cody with a leapfrog leading to a dropkick. Cody hit a moonsault press onto a standing Cage for a two count as Taz left commentary to join his guys Cage and Starks at ringside.
(Commercial)
During the break, Arn Anderson threw a chair into the ring since he saw Taz cheating, so referee Paul Turner sent Arn to the back. Cage was working over Cody as Starks pulled Allin off the apron. Cage with a leaping kick to Cody leading to a German Suplex for a two count. Starks slapped on a chinlock of Cody. There was a back body drop by Cody leading to Allin getting the hot tag. Allin with corner splashes on Starks leading to a pin attempt for two. Allin went after Starks against the turnbuckle and Cage hit a German Suplex on both guys. Cody was back into it with a Disaster Kick on Cage and Starks hit a Spear on Cody, who was in there illegally. Allin with a dropkick on Starks. Cage with a Powerbomb that had no effect apparently because Allin hit a Sunset Bomb for two. That was really good. Starks blocked a Stunner attempt, Cody went back in and hit a Cross Rhodes on Starks. Cage with a discus clothesline on Allin and a lifting slam on Cody almost like an Olympic Slam although it was a bit different than that. Cage went for a move off the top, Allin shoved him off, Starks grabbed Allin’s foot and Cage hit a rising kick on Allin. Cage hit the Drillclaw off the middle ropes, so it was like an Avalanche Drillclaw for the pinfall win after about 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Brian Cage and Ricky Starks
Analysis: ***1/4 A pretty good tag team match. It’s classic wrestling booking to have the champion Allin get beat in a tag team match in order to set up a title match down the road. This didn’t feel like a special match or anything that interesting overall, but in terms of storyline, it continued Allin’s issues with Cage and Starks. Great finishing move by Cage by hitting his finisher off the middle ropes. Cody was a part of this match, but really didn’t have a major role and had no part of the finish. This was a nice showcase of Cage to show off his power and remind people of what a talented wrestler he is.
Post match, Team Taz celebrated with Cage and Starks with Cage holding the FTW Title. Starks beat on Allin with punches, then Cage went after Cody with punches and the heels were in control. There were no referees attempting to break it up unlike the women’s segment earlier when referees were right there. Will Hobbs ran out with a steel chair, so Cage and Starks left the ring. Hobbs picked up the FTW Title, Cody got up, put his hands on Will’s left shoulder and that was the cue for Hobbs to hit Cody with the FTW Title. Team Taz went into the ring with Hobbs to show that Hobbs has joined the stable. Taz trash-talked Cody, who was down on the mat. Taz spoke into the camera saying they were just getting started. The heel group stood tall to end the show.
Analysis: There’s the Will Hobbs heel turn I expected. Last week in my Dynamite review I wrote: “The fact that Hobbs showed up late makes me think he might be going heel to join Team Taz, but I don’t know that. It just feels that way based on when he showed up.” You’re welcome. I think it was rushed a bit because Hobbs could have been used more as a face before turning because I don’t think Hobbs has wrestled even five times on Dynamite. I can see why they did it now to put over this heel group and I like the Team Taz group. The concern is that AEW has a lot of groups, so it’s hard to really stand out, but I think they can do well.
Three Stars of the Show
- Brian Cage
- Pac – I missed the guy.
- Serena Deeb/Thunder Rosa
The Scoreboard
This week: 6.75 (out of 10)
Last week: 7
2020 Average: 7.16
Final Thoughts
The show was good, but not really great at any point. The match quality was down compared to their better shows although there were several good matches. Welcome back to Pac, who I missed and he had a nice showing in his return match. Brian Cage pinning Darby Allin in the main event tag should set up a TNT Title match. The Will Hobbs heel turn in the main event was something I predicted last week. I hope it works out for Team Taz because they are a good team, but there are so many teams in AEW that it’s hard to keep track sometimes. The women’s match with Serena/Rosa was great and Young Bucks did a nice job of showcasing the younger Top Flight tag team.
I don’t think the Inner Circle Las Vegas videos were that funny or interesting, but I’m sure the guys that were in it thought they were hilarious. It certainly wasn’t as funny as The Hangover movie that they were trying to parody for most of it.
The next big AEW show is December 2 with Moxley vs. Omega for the AEW World Title. That should be awesome.
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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: @johnreport