The John Report: AEW Dynamite 11/27/24 Review

This week’s AEW Dynamite featured the beginning of the Continental Classic tournament.

The AEW Full Gear PPV took place last Saturday and it was a pretty good show, but I thought it was their weakest PPV this year. The one thing that resonated throughout the show was how dead the crowd was for a lot of the event. Having great matches is cool, but the stories need to be better and I think AEW fans are telling the company that.

Happy Thanksgiving Eve to those of you in the United States. I’m Canadian, so no Thanksgiving on Thursday for me because we had our Thanksgiving in early October. For me, it’s a day off and I’ll spend most of it watching and betting on football. I wish all of my American friends a Happy Thanksgiving on Thursday.

This was AEW Dynamite episode #269 from the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

A video package aired showing highlights of Full Gear. It ended with Darby Allin crashing his car into a truck into Jon Moxley’s AEW World Title.

It’s Wednesday and you know what that means. Excalibur was on commentary with Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness.

Let’s Hear from The Hurt Syndicate

The Hurt Syndicate’s Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin entered the arena along with MVP, who still has a cane with him. MVP handled the in-ring promo as usual. MVP praised Lashley and Benjamin as incredible athletes like having Walter Payton and Michael Jordan – both of whom are Chicago legends. MVP went on to trash Swerve Strickland for turning down The Hurt Syndicate’s business card. The fans chanted “Swerve’s House” so MVP reminded the fans that Lashley beat the snot out of Swerve at Full Gear. They showed highlights of Lashley beating Swerve.

MVP said that Lashley is the greatest athlete in AEW and he’s a walking Armageddon. MVP said that they are about winning championships and turn those titles into money. MVP said that the “Standard of Excellence” Shelton Benjamin will kick off the Continental Classic tournament. MVP said that they are the best at absolute misery and they are there to hurt people.

Analysis: It was fine as a mission statement kind of promo. Lashley dominating Swerve at Full Gear certainly gives The Hurt Syndicate a lot of credibility as a group.

Mark Briscoe made his entrance and Bobby Lashley got right in his face for a staredown.

The AEW Continental Classic match rules were shown on the screen.

• 20-Minute Time Limit
• 3 Points For A Win
• 1 Point For A Draw
• Everyone Is Banned From Ringside

The winner of this whole thing gets a shot at the Continental Championship held by Kazuchika Okada.

AEW Continental Classic Blue League – Mark Briscoe vs. Shelton Benjamin

The rules for the Continental Classic are that nobody is allowed at ringside for the match, so MVP and Lashley had to go to the back.

Mark was in control early with a running kick that sent Shelton out of the ring. When they left the ring, Shelton hit a suplex on the floor. Shelton sent Mark hard into the barricade as well as the side of the ring. Shelton whipped Mark hard into the steel steps. As they continued to battle on the floor, Mark was in control and he hit a somersault dive over the top onto Shelton on the floor. When Mark went up top, Shelton jumped to the top and hit a superplex into the ring.

(Commercial)

The action continued with Shelton hitting a knee to the ribs for a two count. Shelton worked over Mark with punches by the turnbuckle, but Mark came back with punches of his own. Mark did some redneck kung fu strikes. Mark hit a rolling senton on Shelton followed by a running clothesline. Mark went up top and hit a Froggy Bow elbow off the top, but there was no pin because Shelton rolled out of the ring. Mark hit a running elbow drop off the apron onto Shelton on the floor. Back in the ring, Mark tried an elbow drop, but Shelton got his knees up to block. Shelton hit two release German Suplexes across the ring. Mark blocked a third suplex attempt leading to a jumping kick to the head. Mark got a rollup for two. Shelton came back with a spinning kick to the head. Shelton hit a running knee followed by a superkick for two. Shelton hit another superkick. Shelton hit a T-Bone Suplex for the pinfall win after about 11 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Shelton Benjamin

Analysis: *** It was a pretty good match between two veterans who have wrestled before in tag team matches, so it was a different look to see them in singles action. Mark Briscoe got plenty of offense, but a lot of the match felt like Shelton was in control and he wore down Mark to pick up the win.

After the match, The Hurt Syndicate’s MVP and Bobby Lashley went into the ring to celebrate with Shelton.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from Mercedes Mone

Mercedes Mone, the TBS Champion & NJPW Strong Women’s Champion, was interviewed on the stage by Tony Schiavone. Mone was joined by Kamille, who had her left arm in a sling. Tony claimed people thought Mone’s match against Kris Statlander at Full Gear was a match of the year contender and Mone said it was money. Mercedes praised Statlander for being a tough opponent, but Mone proved she was the best. Mone was about to fire Kamille for not getting the job done and Kamille cut her off. Kamille said you can’t fire her because she quits. Kamille walked away, Mone was angry about it and the fans chanted “you deserve it” at Mone.

Analysis: The Mercedes Mone-Kamille association wasn’t working very well anyway, so they might as well end it. That’s a good booking decision.

There was a video package about Big Boom AJ beating QT Marshall at the Full Gear Zero Hour pre-show. It did get a lot of attention for AEW, so good for them.

ROH World Championship: Chris Jericho (w/Big Bill & Bryan Keith) vs. Tomohiro Ishii

This is billed as “Jericho vs. Ishii 2” because Jericho beat Ishii two years ago, so now they are having a match again. Big Bill and Bryan Keith joined commentary.

It started out as a chop fest as the two veterans exchanged chops for about two minutes. I was yawning after about a minute of it and then Ishii hit a German Suplex. Jericho hit a German Suplex, which was no sold. Ishii and Jericho each hit clotheslines. Jericho kicked Ishii in the face followed by Ishii connecting with a clothesline. Bill claimed that the three guys in the Learning Tree group are equals, which I don’t think Jericho would agree with. They battled on the apron where Ishii chopped Jericho and Jericho did an eye gouge. Jericho gave Ishii a DDT on the floor. They were back in the ring for more chops being exchanged by Jericho and Ishii. Jericho slapped Ishii, so Ishii slapped back and they did an exchange of slaps. After both guys staggered a bit, Jericho and Ishii slapped eachother at the same time. Jericho was bleeding from the mouth. Ishii hit Jericho hard in the face as the show went to a picture-in-picture break.

(Commercial)

During the break, they were slapping eachother in the face for three minutes and then they collapsed to the mat. They actually started wrestling a bit with Jericho hitting a superplex off the middle turnbuckle. Ishii was back up so Jericho hit him with elbows to the jaw and Ishii hit an elbow. Ishii hit a lefty lariat to knock Jericho into the turnbuckle. They exchanged slaps yet again leading to Jericho hitting a release German Suplex. Ishii knocked Jericho down with a clothesline to the back of the head. Jericho came back with a fireaman’s carry slam (Attitude Adjustment almost) followed by a springboard moonsault for two count. Jericho hit a Judas Effect and Codebreaker for just a one count because Ishii popped right up. Ishii countered the Walls of Jericho and hit a headbutt. Ishii hit a running Spear for a two count because Jericho got his left shoulder up. Ishii hit his own version of a Codebreaker with a knee to the face. Ishii hit a running lariat for two. Ishii hit an enziguri kick to the head. Ishii ran the ropes and Jericho hit a Judas Effect elbow. Jericho hit another Judas Effect and laid on top of Ishii for the pinfall win. It lasted about 13 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Chris Jericho

Analysis: ***1/2 It was a very physical match that really picked up in the final few minutes. If you like chops and punches then this is the match for you because there was a lot of that. To me, it was watching the same moves being done so much in the first half of the show, but it did get better in the second half. Jericho getting the win was the obvious result since they aren’t going to put the ROH World Title on Ishii, so there wasn’t that much drama in terms of the result.

Swerve Strickland, with Prince Nana, was interviewed by Renee Paquette. Swerve said he’ll bounce back from his loss and said he has never been hit so hard by somebody the way he got hit Bobby Lashley. Max Caster was laughing in the background, so Swerve wondered what he was laughing about. Max reminded Swerve that he beat him for the Tag Team Titles, Max called himself the best wrestler alive again (that’s a stretch) and Max mentioned Swerve’s house being put on fire. Swerve tackled Max against the wall and then Swerve hit a running kick to the face of Max. Caster was down on the ground holding his nose.

Analysis: That could set them up for a match with Swerve beating Caster.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from “Hangman” Adam Page

It was interview time with “Hangman” Adam Page, who was limping a bit on his way to the ring. Page lost to Jay White at Full Gear and sold a left knee injury throughout the match. Tony Schiavone mentioned that Page lost to Jay White, then he attacked Christopher Daniels and attacked Wheeler Yuta. Tony mentioned Page helped Christian Cage secure his World Title match.

Page said if Daniels gets in his way again then he will make sure he doesn’t get back up. Page said that if Christian held up his end of the deal then Page would be having stuffing on Thanksgiving with the World Title around his waist. Page said that Christian failed. Page said that his intention has always been to be the AEW World Champion. Page said that it should have never been Swerve, Bryan’s, or Moxley’s and it shouldn’t be Christian’s because that championship has always been his.

Analysis: It was theorized that Excalibur that Page had a deal with Christian for when Christian cashes in the title match contract, Page gets a match with him. I like how Page has lost his mind as a heel and he’s still focused on being the AEW World Champion.

Jay White interrupted the promo to remind Page that he lost his match against White the last two times they faced eachother. White said he beat the Hangman again so if anybody deserves a shot at the AEW World Championship it will not be the Hangman because it will be the Switchblade. White claimed said he’ll give Page another taste of the Switchblade right here tonight. Pac from the Death Riders attacked White from ringside and threw White into the barricade.

Adam Page was in the ring when Wheeler Yuta showed up with a chop block on White. White got back in the ring and he sent Yuta out of the ring. White gave Pac suplex to send Pac out of the ring. Page decked White with a clothesline. Marina Shafir was in the ring with the briefcase and she hit Page in the head with it. White avoided a briefcase shot from Shafir and then Jon Moxley showed up and put White to sleep with a sleeper. Shafir applied a tight headlock on White to cause White to pass out. Moxley’s Death Riders group stomped on White. Pac hit White in the head with the briefcase that had the AEW World Title in it. Page was down on the floor. The Death Riders left the ring while White was down face first in the ring.

Analysis: It was another ass kicking from the Death Riders group. More of the same. Nobody tried to help Jay White, who certainly could be the next challenger for Moxley’s AEW World Title.

Claudio Castagnoli made his entrance from the back of the arena for his Continental Classic match.

A video aired about the Worlds End PPV on December 28th and it featured the Death Riders group.

AEW Continental Classic Gold League – Claudio Castagnoli vs. Ricochet

Claudio hit a body slam to start the match. Ricochet hit a headscissors takedown followed by a step up hurricanrana. Claudio went for a power move, but Ricochet countered with a hurricanrana that sent Claudio out of the ring. Ricochet teased a dive, but then Claudio moved, so Ricochet did a backflip into the ring. Ricochet tried to leap onto Claudio, who caught him and Claudio sent Ricochet throat first onto the top of the barricade. Claudio sent Ricochet hard into the barricade followed by a running uppercut. They were back in the ring when Ricochet sent Claudio out of the ring and Ricochet hit a suicide dive onto Claudio on the floor. Back in the ring, Ricochet tried a springboard attack, but Claudio hit the ropes to stop that. Claudio hit a running uppercut for two as the show went to a picture-in-picture break.

(Commercial)

It was Ricochet in control with a suicide dive onto Claudio on the floor. Back in the ring, Ricochet jumped onto Claudio, who caught him with a backbreaker followed by Ricochet hitting a high boot to the head. They did a unique spot where Ricochet jumped off Claudio’s shoulders followed by a hurricanrana. Claudio was on the floor, so Ricochet hit a twisting splash over the top onto Claudio on the floor. Back in the ring, Ricochet hit a springboard clothesline and springboard moonsault for two. Ricochet hit two kicks to the head followed by a springboard attack, but Claudio stopped that with an uppercut to the jaw. Claudio applied the Sharpshooter submission in the middle of the ring and then Claudio released it leading to a Crossface submission until Ricochet countered it into a two count. Claudio hit an uppercut for two. Ricochet countered a move into a hurricanrana pin for two. Claudio ran over Ricochet with a double axhandle to the head. They left the ring where Claudio sent Ricochet hard into the barricade. Claudio crotched Ricochet’s groin onto the top of the barricade. The referee was counting, so Ricochet managed to get back in before the ten count. Claudio hit a running lariat for the pinfall win after 13 minutes. There was barely a reaction for that finish.

Winner by pinfall: Claudio Castagnoli

Analysis: ***1/4 This was pretty good with Claudio dominating most of it. Some of Ricochet’s high flying moves looked cool, but it didn’t feel like he was going to win. The ending was flat because it was just a running lariat that didn’t elicit a reaction from the fans. Ricochet sold the move on the barricade well, but there wasn’t much drama in terms of having him go back into the ring. I just don’t think that finish worked very well.

Kyle Fletcher and Don Callis were interviewed backstage by Renee Paquette. Callis said they leave no stone unturned while saying they didn’t just beat Will Ospreay, they decimated him and left him in a heap. Callis said Kyle is better than Will and they are just getting started. Kyle bragged about his win over Will. Kyle said that the Continental Classic is another way to prove he’s better than Will and he’ll show prove it in the Continental Classic on Saturday’s Collision.

Let’s Hear from Adam Cole And The United Kingdom

Adam Cole was joined by Matt Taven and Mike Bennett in the ring for a promo. They are the United Kingdom group with Roderick Strong. Cole said he’s sick and tired of playing this game. Cole said that MJF is not a man because he’s a little bitch. Cole said after what Max did to Roddy, when he gets his hands on him, he swears he’ll beat MJF within an inch of his pathetic life.

Kyle O’Reilly interrupted the promo and got into the ring with Cole. Kyle told Cole that he fought Max and it didn’t work out. Kyle suggested that he should fight Max. Cole told Kyle to stop. Cole said that he doesn’t want his friends to fight his battles because Cole wants to be the one to fight MJF. Kyle said he’s not doing this for Cole because he’s doing this for Roddy.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman appeared in a video playing a piano…sort of. MJF said that next week is the Dynamite Dozen Battle Royal and said that he wasn’t thinking about them. MJF played the piano a bit more to end it.

Cole said that he was going to be the first guy to enter that damn battle royal, and Kyle said he’ll be the second guy to enter the battle royal. Kyle left.

Analysis: It continued the story of Adam Cole wanting to face MJF, but Kyle O’Reilly was right to say it’s about Roderick Strong, who was injured by MJF. The Dynamite Dozen Battle Royal next week is something that MJF has won every time it has happened, so we’ll see if he can do it again. I think MJF will win it again.

(Commercial)

It was announced that “Hangman” Adam Page will face Wheeler Yuta on Collision. That’s being taped after Dynamite and airing on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET to avoid WWE Survivor Series.

Jamie Hayter vs. Queen Aminata

This is a semifinal match in the Wrestle Dynasty International Women’s Cup tournament. I don’t think I’ve seen Queen Aminata win a match. I only watch Dynamite, so I’m sure she has won matches on the shows I don’t watch. I’m just saying when she’s on Dynamite she’s there to lose.

Hayter was dominant early on with elbow strikes along with a hard whip into the turnbuckle. Hayter and Queen exchanged chops against the turnbuckle. Queen chopped Hayter some more, but Hayter came back with a suplex into the turnbuckle.

(Commercial)

They took turns hitting running forearm smashes. Hayter hit a running back elbow to the jaw. They did a pinfall exchange sequence leading to Queen hitting a suplex. Queen hit a running kick to knock Hayter out of the ring and it got a two count when they were back in the ring. Hayter went for a boot, Queen blocked it and Queen slammed Hayter across the ring. Queen went up top, jumped off with a double foot stomp, Hayter moved and Hayter hit a backbreaker. Queen countered Hayter with an inside cradle. Hayter went for a crucifix pin for a two count. Hayter applied a rear naked choke on the mat and Queen countered it. Hayter hit a boot to the head for two. Hayter hit a Hayterade lariat for the pinfall win after about 9 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Jamie Hayter

Analysis: **1/4 It was the second straight match on this show with a clothesline for the win. At least in Hayter’s case, it is her finishing move. Queen put up a fight and I liked some of her moves. However, this was an easy win for Hayter.

After the match, the lights went out in the building and a spotlight was by the entrance. Jamie Hayter called out for Julia Hart since there were videos by Julia after Hayter interviews in the past couple of weeks. No sign of Julia.

Mina Shirakawa was interviewed by Renee Paquette earlier in the day. Mina said she knew the day would come because she was waiting for a long time. Mina said Mariah could do it to her since Mariah did it to Toni Storm. Mina said that this was the real Mariah May. Mina said that May is so selfish and she has to kill anybody that comes close to her. Mina said that if that’s the real Mariah May then she’ll introduce May to the real Mina. Mariah May attacked May from behind with a bottle to the head. May: “I want Mina.” May stood tall over her fallen former friend.

It was announced that in two weeks on AEW Dynamite Winter is Coming, Mariah May will defend the AEW Women’s World Title against Mina Shirakawa.

Analysis: It would be nice if Mina Shirakawa won some big matches to get a title shot, but doing it because of the story is fine too. I like both women a lot.

This Saturday on Collision will have Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada in action against new TNT Champion Daniel Garcia.

The Darby Allin-Brody King main event was next.

(Commercial)

AEW Continental Classic Gold League – Brody King vs. Darby Allin

These guys have wrestled many times and know eachother well. Allin got the win at WrestleDream last month, but King has won more matches in their rivalry. I missed the first few minutes of the match and when I got back to my seat, Allin was in pain on the floor as the show went to a picture-in-picture break.

(Commercial)

The match returned with both guys getting back into the ring. The announcer’s audio was out as the action continued. Allin went up top and King knocked down him. King set up Allin upside down against the turnbuckle leading to King hitting a cannonball splash for two. Allin’s ribs were taped and so was his right knee. Excalibur said they restored audio. They were on the turnbuckle when Allin hit a sunset flip Powerbomb off the top turnbuckle for a two count. King left the ring, so Allin hit a suicide dive. Allin went up top and hit a Coffin Drop onto a standing King on the floor. Allin went up top again and Allin hit a Coffin Drop onto King on the floor while King was on the ground. The announcers talked about a possible countout, but the referee wasn’t even counting while the two guys were on the floor. Back in the ring, Allin tried a Coffin Drop off the top again, but King caught him with a sleeper. King hit a Gonzo Bomb for the pinfall win. The match lasted about 10 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Brody King

Analysis: *** I always enjoy their matches together, but this was not a classic by any means. Since Allin had injuries coming into the match, the story was about how he was trying to fight through it. Allin hit those Coffin Drops on the floor so it looked like he might win, but once they got back into the ring, King used his power to dominate and he finished off Allin shortly after that.

After the match, Claudio Castagnoli had a steel chair in hand and he was on the apron. Brody King stood in the ring with a steel chain. Claudio tossed the chair down and backed away. It was announced that Claudio will face Brody in the Continental Classic next week. The show ended there right at 10 p.m. ET so there was no extra time for Dynamite this week.

Analysis: That should be an awesome match next week between King and Claudio.

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Three Stars of the Show

1. Chris Jericho
2. Claudio Castagnoli
3. Brody King and Shelton Benjamin

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The Scoreboard

This Week: 7.25 out of 10

Last Week: No review

2024 Average: 7.45

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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite

This show was all about the in-ring action because the Continental Classic matches were pretty good (but not great) as usual. Every match was a singles match, so there wasn’t much variety this week. A lot of matches were predictable, but that’s pro wrestling sometimes. There really wasn’t a match that I’d call excellent or anything. The Jericho-Ishii match got my highest rating even though I thought it was boring early on. Most of the rest of the guys matches were about the same in terms of quality. The women’s match wasn’t that interesting at all.

There wasn’t much of Jon Moxley’s Death Riders group other than their attack on Jay White and Adam Page. Some weeks there is unity in AEW with people wanting to fight together, yet nobody cared about helping White. I assume White goes after Moxley next, but there could be other options.

The Chicago crowd was okay most of the night although it certainly wasn’t an electric and loud crowd like in AEW’s best days. Some of the finishes were flat, so that hurt the crowd in terms of reactions to the matches.

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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