Reviews

The John Report: AEW Dynamite 11/30/22 Review

By John Canton • Published 30th November 2022
aew dynamite nov 30

This week’s AEW Dynamite featured MJF back on the show as the World Champion, the Best of 7 series for the Trios Tag Team Titles continued and more.

This was AEW Dynamite episode #165 at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis, Indiana. Check out the AEW PPV listing archive only on TJRWrestling as well. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

It’s Wednesday and you know what that means. Excalibur welcomed us to the show along with Taz and Tony Schiavone.

Let’s Hear from Jon Moxley

The former three-time AEW World Champion Jon Moxley made his entrance from the back part of the arena as he walked into the crowd a little bit before making his walk toward the ring. The crowd was signing along with “Wild Thing” as usual.

Moxley said he grew up near Indianapolis and mentioned wrestling there many times in the past. Moxley said there are three certainties: death, taxes and Jon Moxley. I think there might be more than that. Moxley claimed there was nobody that can outwork, outwrestle him and so on. He even said “outbleed” as if that was something to be proud of. Moxley shouted about how he is at the top of the food chain. Moxley said that this AEW ring belongs to him. Moxley talked about how there is not a man in the back or within 100 miles of here that can tell him anything different.

It’s “Hangman” Adam Page making his return after suffering a bad concussion in the ring. Hangman got right into the ring with Moxley while the fans chanted “Hangman” for him.

Moxley asked if you want to do this after what happened last time? Moxley asked if you don’t remember, so Page punched him and they left the ring as the fight began with Moxley sending Page into the barricade while Page fought back with punches. The announcers didn’t know if Page was cleared to compete. Moxley charged at Page, but they were separated by the indy wrestlers and referees on hand. Moxley tried to charge at Page again and Moxley tripped on the rap and went crashing down. That was pretty funny in an accidental way. Anyway, they went to the backstage area.

Analysis: When Page got hurt it was just because he did a flip bump on a clothesline that wrestlers do hunderds of times, but Page landed on his head/neck and got a concussion from that. It’s not like Moxley hit him too hard or anything like that, but they can say that in the story. They are two of the most popular guys in AEW with unfinished business, so it makes sense for Page to want to go after Moxley. I think it was a bit weird that Moxley didn’t even mention MJF and William Regal after screwing him at Full Gear, but I assume they can go back to that.

It was time for the first match of the with ROH/IWGP/AAA Tag Team Champion Dax Harwood entering with Cash Wheeler, who went backstage. Dax gets a lot of singles matches in AEW compared to Wheeler. Anyway, Bryan Danielson was the opponent for a first-time-ever matchup. They are two of my favorites in AEW, so it’s fine with me.

Bryan Danielson vs. Dax Harwood

The fans were chanting “this is awesome” for them before they even locked up. Bryan went for a kick to the head, Dax ducked it and they locked up again leading to Dax getting a shoulder tackle. Bryan avoided a submission by getting to the ropes and Bryan did an up kick to the head. Dax stomped on Bryan, which led to Bryan regrouping. They exchanged chops in the corner, Bryan with some kicks as well and Dax managed a cross body block off the middle rope for two. Dax with a kick to the checst, Bryan sent Dax out of the ring with a rough landing for Dax’s butt hitting the turnbuckle and Bryan hit a suicide dive sending Dax over the barricade. They exchanged more strikes as the show went to a picture-in-picture break.

(Commercial)

Dax was in control with three German Suplexes in a row including a third one that was a release. They did some moves with counters and then Harwood managed to hit a piledriver for a two count. Bryan has a long history of neck and concussion problems. Dax tried a move off the top for nothing, Bryan avoided it and got a cradle for two. Dax went to the floor leading to Bryan hitting a jumping knee off the apron to knock Dax down. Bryan worked over Dax with some hard chops on the floor. They were back in the ring as they battled on the turnbuckle with Bryan delivering elbows to the chest. Bryan tried a belly to back suplex off the top, but Dax countered with a cover to land on top for two. Bryan with headbutts (hitting his own hands), then Dax with clotheslines, then Bryan with two clotheslines and they exchanged clotheslines several more times as the fans came alive. They dropped down to one knee as Dax hit a clothesline. Bryan hit his own clothesline and then a double clothesline that knocked them both down. Dax with a punch, then a Powerbomb attempt, Bryan countered and Dax got a sunset flip for two. Bryan got a kick to the head for a two count. They exchanged some moves again, then Dax got a hold of Bryan and hit a slingshot Powerbomb for two. Dax applied a Sharpshooter near the ropes, so Bryan grabbed the rope to force a break. They did a sequence of multiple inside cradle attempts from both guys. Bryan applied the LeBell Lock submission and Harwood tapped out to give Bryan the win. The match went about 14 minutes.

Winner by submission: Bryan Danielson

Analysis: **** An excellent match as you would expect from two talented guys like Bryan and Dax. It was very even most of the way to show that they were evenly matched. There was no story going into it. This was just a case of a match that two guys wanted to do and got plenty of time to do it. Whenever Dax is in a singles match he loses nearly time except when he beat Cash, so at some point they should give the poor guy a win at some point.

Friendly Advice From John:Hey AEW, you need to show replays after a great match like that. The director made some weird camera cuts on the finish of the Bryan/Harwood match because he was doing wide shots of the building instead of showing a closeup of the submission. We didn’t even see a good shot of Bryan applying the LeBell Lock. Harwood’s tapout was shown from a bad angle.

After the match, Dax teased leaving without shaking hands, but then he shook Bryan’s hand.

Ricky Starks was interviewed by Tony Schiavone saying he’ll be in the battle royal to win the Dynamite Diamond Ring. Ricky also said he’s coming for MJF’s AEW World Title at Winter Is Coming because he earned the title shot. Ricky said he’ll prove he is absolute.

(Commercial)

They showed Jon Moxley and “Hangman” Adam Page fighting in the backstage area. Page threw Moxley into a garage door. There were security guys trying to break them up again.

Renee Paquette was in a soundstage in Nashville, TN for some reason seated with Claudio Castagnoli seated beside Wheeler Yuta. The Jericho Appreciation Society’s Jake Hager, Daniel Garcia, Angelo Parker & Matt Menard were interviewed. Menard talked about Claudio joining Jericho Appreciation Society when he loses to Chris Jericho at Final Battle. Claudio said he’s sick of them, he’s sick of sitdown interviews and he’s going to prove he’s better than Chris Jericho. Daniel Garcia challenged Yuta and Claudio against Hager and Garcia. Yuta said that was fine, but he wanted to face Garcia for the ROH Pure Title at Final Battle, Garcia accepted that and that was it.

Analysis: That was chaos, which is typical of some AEW promos. Anyway, it sets up a tag team match next week as well as the ROH Pure Title match at Final Battle on December 10th.

AR Fox officially joined the AEW roster and now he gets a TNT Title shot. What about people that have been there for years and sit in catering doing nothing? They get nothing, I guess. No more ranking system. Samoa Joe entered as the TNT Champion and the ROH TV Champion with Joe cheered even though I think he’s supposed to be a heel.

TNT Championship: Samoa Joe vs. AR Fox

AEW announced earlier in the day that Fox was All Elite meaning he signed his contract.

Joe worked over Fox with punches along with a forearm to the head. Fox used his quickness to avoid Joe leading to a kick to the head knocking Joe out of the ring. Fox jumped over the top, Joe did his classic walk away and Fox landed on his feet, so Fox kicked Joe on the floor. Back in the ring, Joe did a front leg sweep and a senton splash to the back. They went to a picture-in-picture break.

(Commercial)

Joey the Samoan was in full control with a side slam and Fox’s mouth was busted open from something. Fox to the turnbuckle, he shoved Joe away and Fox jumped off with a DDT. Fox with a short Cutter (a popular move in AEW) and Fox jumped off the top with a 450 Splash for two. Fox jumped off the rope with something and Joe did the classic move. Joe ran over Fox with a running elbow followed by the Muscle Buster for the pinfall win after about six minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Samoa Joe

Analysis: **1/4 A dominant win for Joe. Fox got a few moves, but it was really just about Joe kicking his ass and winning easily. Only half the match was shown full screen.

Samoa Joe did a promo telling us he was the king of television since he had two different TV titles. Wardlow appeared on the video screen saying he was coming for what’s his and said that this isn’t Joe’s world, this is Wardlow’s world. The fans chanted “Wardlow” as Wardlow just stood backstage instead of fighting Joe.

Analysis: A babyface like Wardlow standing backstage and talking shit to Joe isn’t as good as if he did it face to face. A heel should be backstage doing that. A face should do it in person.

There was a video of Powerhouse Hobbs walking the streets of Oakland, California talking about how he’s been bullied and beaten up, but it has only made him tougher. Hobbs said he was taking what belongs to him. To be continued…apparently.

They showed Hook beating Lee Moriarty recently with Taz breaking down the film of his son Hook’s win. Thrilling.

The AEW World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman was up next.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from MJF and William Regal

William Regal made his entrance while the announcers mentioned that Jon Moxley was forced to leave the building because of his fight with “Hangman” Adam Page. Regal was in the ring with some object that was covered by a black sheet. Regal: “Ladies and gentlemen, your new AEW World Champion, Maxwell Jacob Friedman.” The announcers trashed MJF on his way to the ring. MJF even threw his gum near a kid that was by the railing. MJF got into the ring and hugged Regal.

Analysis: Earlier on Wednesday, MJF liked one of my tweets which was an article about him on TJRWrestling. This makes me like him even more, but Michael J. Fox is still my favorite MJF. Just saying.

MJF said that he knows that the fans aren’t bright, but when the best wrestler in the world has a microphone, they should keep their hillbilly mouths shut. MJF tried to say more with the fans chanting “shut the f**k up” to MJF. It led to MJF reading an email from William Regal telling MJF that he was weak after The Firm attacked him. Regal told MJF that he didn’t have to grab the diamond ring, he had to grab the brass ring. MJF said he met with Regal many times saying that Regal was a genius. MJF said that Regal didn’t want MJF just to beat Moxley, he wanted MJF to leave Moxley with an emotional scar so he didn’t forget the day that he was outsmarted by MJF.

MJF brought up The Firm saying he kind of respects them. MJF said that they attacked him and he would have done the exact same thing. MJF said he’s not the type to chase anyone down because that requires effort and effort is for “poors” like the crowd.

MJF moved on to talk about the AEW World Title saying he made a promise to make change around here. MJF said when he looked at the title, it makes him gag because it is tacky, it lacks class and it reminds him of all the men that held it previously. MJF said they were all talented in their own right, but none of them are on his level. MJF said that this version of the AEW World Title is garbage, much like the fans, is garbage. MJF tossed the title down.

Regal removed the black cover and it revealed the AEW World Title that MJF called the Big Burberry Belt (Triple B) because it matched the scarf pattern that MJF likes to wear. Tony Schiavone hated it. MJF said that nobody deserved to be recognized as World Champion except for him. MJF trashed fake tough guys like Eddie Kingston (the fans chanted “Eddie”) with MJF saying he will never be World Champion. MJF called Ricky Starks a fake tough guy and added that he’s a fake star. MJF talked about the worst of the worst, fake wrestlers like Bryan Danielson. MJF said that in comparison to him, Bryan Danielson couldn’t wrestle his way out of a goddamn paper bag. MJF told Regal that some people can’t be helped even though Regal helped Bryan.

MJF continued with a message for everybody on his show and on this roster. MJF said that he is going to be World Champion, for a very long time and all the way, in fact, until the bidding war of 2024. MJF said he’ll use the BBB (the title) to get a bigger contract and trashed the crowd again saying he’ll get more money in a day that the fans will get in their lives. MJF talked about how the right Khan will need to show him the money while mentioning Nick (Nick Khan the WWE Co-CEO) and his buddy Trips (Triple H). MJF said that he’s getting sick of looking at wrestling fans, so maybe Hollywood wins. Tony Schiavone: “We can only hope.”

MJF talked about how there were some fans that were over the moon when he became the World Champion. MJF said that your happiness will turn to resentment because you people are fickle. MJF said that soon they will say he’s boring, repetitive, all he does is talk, he’s a coward, he never wrestles and to those people, he says great. MJF said that those are the people that will pray to God that somebody takes Triple B off of him. MJF said he’ll defend that title very rarely and wrestle very rarely because he’s a special attraction. MJF told the fans to buy a PPV to see somebody try to dethrone him. MJF said that he’ll have a title reign that will be long while trashing Hulk Hogan, JBL, Jeff Jarrett and even Bruno Sammartino, who will rot in his grave. MJF held up his title.

MJF said he almost forgot as the fans chanted “shut the f**k up” at Max. MJF said that without these brass knuckles and without Regal, none of this is even possible. MJF said that or 40 years, Regal has given blood, sweat and sacrifice for this business. MJF said that’s why he wanted to say from the bottom of his heart…MJF hit Regal in the back with the brass knuckles to knock Regal down! Tony said “Steven Regal” at first.

Regal was down on the mat looking like he was knocked out. The announcers talked about Regal having neck injuries and brain bleed. MJF told Regal that he made a deal with the devil. MJF delivered his own message to Regal like Regal’s email in the past to him and MJF left with his title. MJF left through the crowd instead of going to the backstage area. Bryan Danielson ran out to the ring to check on Regal while Dr. Sampson was there. The announcers went to SERIOUS VOICES~! mode to talk about how Regal was face first on the mat. Bryan only had one boot on. Tony Schiavone shouted that MJF knew that Bryan was in the trainer’s room and Jon Moxley was gone, which is why MJF attacked when he did. They put Regal on a stretcher with a neckbrace. Tony S: “Something needs to be done about that piece o shit.” He said that referring to MJF. Regal was placed on the stretcher as the show went to break.

Analysis: That was a very long talking segment to have MJF cover a lot of different topics while ending with the cheap attack on Regal. I thought that might happen since MJF really doesn’t need somebody to talk for him, so why should he have a manager like Regal? This might mean Regal is back with the Blackpool Combat Club again even though he cost Jon Moxley the AEW World Title by helping MJF, who merely used Regal to outsmart him and get the AEW World Title. All of this puts over MJF as a heel mastermind. I don’t know about the new AEW World Title with the scarf print on it basically. It’s a way to have MJF stand out a bit. I think having MJF mention Ricky Starks (his next title challenger), Eddie Kingston and Bryan Danielson is a way to tease future opponents for him. Obviously, Bryan will want to get revenge for what MJF did to Regal and maybe Kingston will be a future opponent. This promo also saw MJF reference WWE’s Nick Khan and Triple H because that’s what MJF does. I agree with MJF saying he’s going to have a very long AEW World Title reign. It might be the longest of anybody in AEW history and approach a year or perhaps more. Anyway, cue the “Regal goes back to WWE” rumors. I doubt it since he’s under contract to AEW, but it should lead to Regal as a face again. Anyway, I thought MJF was great overall in this segment.

(Commercial)

There was a replay of MJF’s attack on Regal. You could see how MJF hit him that it was more like a forearm to the back without touching him with the brass knuckles, but they will try to tell us that MJF hit him with the brass knuckles.

They showed William Regal in the ambulance with Bryan Danielson going in the ambulance with him while shirtless and wearing only one shoe.

Ricky Starks made his entrance for a match. The Firm’s Stokely Hathaway, Ethan Page and Matt Hardy (whose contract is owned by The Firm), showed up with Matt trying to steal the spotlight. Ethan said that he’s going to win the Dynamite Diamond Ring battle royal and then he was going to win the ring.

Ricky Starks vs. Ari Daivari

Starks had some Kinesio tape on his left arm and shoulder. Ari attacked Starks from behind while Starks was looking at Ethan on the ramp. Starks hit a Spear and the Rochambeau slam for the pinfall win in about 25 seconds.

Winner by pinfall: Ricky Starks

Analysis: 1/4* A squash win to put over Starks in dominant fashion.

Starks will challenge MJF for the AEW World Title on Wednesday, Dynamite 14 on the Winter is Coming show.

AEW Women’s Champion Jamie Hayter, Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. and Rebel were interviewed by Tony Schiavone. Baker mentioned her 4-7 Pittsburgh Steelers beating the Indianapolis Colts in Indy on Monday. Baker complained about Saraya having a sitdown interview on Rampage this week. Jamie wanted Tony to interview her next week on Dynamite, so Tony said fine and that was it.

Analysis: A quick interview to set up another interview next week. Riveting. Hayter barely gets to talk because Baker does the talking.

Willow Nightingale vs. Anna Jay A.S. (w/Tay Melo)

Willow got a shoulder tackle and some clotheslines. Jay tried to fight back, but Willow hit a belly to back suplex. Willow hit a running cross body block for two. Willow hit a corner back splash on Jay, then another splash and Jay avoided an attack leading to a forearm. Jay with a back kick followed by a blockbuster neckbreaker off the middle rope leading to a picture-in-picture break.

(Commercial)

Willow was in control with a boot to the face followed by a spinebuster for a two count. Jay got a back heel kick followed by a Gory Bomb slam for a two count. Jay went for her sleeper, so Willow fell back and landed on top of her. Willow elbowed out of a move, but Jay rolled through for a pin attempt for two. Willow was back up, Tay was on the apron and Willow knocked Tay down. Jay went for a weak clothesline that was obviously never going to connect as Willow blocked it and hit a clothesline. Willow hit a Doctor Bomb for the pinfall win after eight minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Willow Nightingale

Analysis: ** A babyface match with the babyface Willow using her power and size advantage for the win. Jay got a couple of moves in the match, but it was really about putting over Willow.

Ruby Soho’s music hit as she made her return after being out with an injury. Tay was alone in the ring while Jay was out of the ring. Ruby tripped up Tay and hit her with punches. Ruby punched Anna off the apron. Ruby headbutted Tay while on the ramp and Ruby hit the Destination Unknown neckbreaker slam on the ramp. Taz sang along with Ruby’s song, which is always good to hear.

Analysis: Welcome back to Ruby. It was Ruby getting Tay for the attack a few months ago leading to Ruby getting a break from TV for an injury.

A video aired about House of Black coming back to Dynamite on last week’s show.

Orange Cassidy, the AEW All-Atlantic Champion, and QT Marshall was interviewed by Marshall. It was a challenge from Marshall for a Lumberjack Match, Orange casually accepted and that was it.

Jade Cargill TBS Championship Celebration

Jade Cargill made her entrance as the TBS Champion wearing a green robe with an outfit that had money on it as the bikini top and bottom. It’s a unique look. Jade was joined by Red Velvet and Leyla Grey in the ring. There was some confetti, a table, a cake and balloons.

Jade said they were there for her celebration. Jade said that she says who stays and who goes in The Baddies. Jade was confused why Red and Leyla were chilling with Kiera Hogan last weekend. Jade said that she got her title back from Nyla Rose at the pay-per-view and said that standing next to her is a blessing. Cargill said that The Baddies are eating off of her and the company is eating off of her too. Cargill said that nobody has her body, her face and her aura. Cargill claimed that she puts asses in seats. Cargill said she wrestles for “bad bitches” and said she’s the real deal because she creates careers. Cargill trashed Lil Bow Wow saying he’s a total joke.

Bow Wow was shown on camera congratulating Cargill on her little win. Bow Wow said he’s done with his tour, so he’s going to see her real soon and he can’t wait. Cargill left.

Analysis: That was a weird segment. It made it seem like it was about having Cargill celebrate her run as the TBS Champion, but it was really for Bow Wow to appear to tease a future appearance on AEW TV. I don’t know about Jade being the draw that she thinks she is, but as a heel, it’s fine for her to think that. I have no idea if Bow Wow is still relevant or if anybody will care that he’s on AEW TV. I remember him when he was “Lil” Bow Wow and didn’t care all those years ago, but I guess we’re supposed to care about this.

Death Triangle vs. The Elite is in the main event slot.

(Commercial)

This Friday on AEW Rampage:

* All-Atlantic Championship: Orange Cassidy (c) vs. QT Marshall.

* We Will Hear from Swerve In Our Glory

* Darby Allin vs. Cole Karter

* Saraya talks to Renee Paquette

* Jay Lethal & Jeff Jarrett vs. Private Party

The Acclaimed did a promo with “Daddy Ass” Billy Gunn talking about how AEW stands for “Acclaimed Every Wednesday” and they will be on Rampage this Friday.

They ran over AEW Dynamite things for next week as well including Dynamite Diamond Ring battle royal, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta vs. Jake Hager & Daniel Garcia, Jamie Hayter interviewed and more.

The Elite trio of Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks made their entrance to the “Carry On Wayward Son” song, which is a great song choice. I’ll give them that much.

Death Triangle made their entrance and they were attacked by The Elite on the ramp. The Elite trio did a bunch of moves to knock down the champions on the ramp including Omega hitting a leg drop to the back of Pac’s head leading to Pac’s broken nose (with a face mask ) crashing into the ramp. Omega charged at Pac, who hit Omega with a superkick. Fenix and Penta hit both Young Bucks with Cutters. They went to a picture-in-picture break.

Analysis: It was a unique way to start the show. It did make sense for The Elite to attack like that since Death Triangle beat them twice by using a hammer that the referee didn’t see, so it was revenge for The Elite to attack like that.

(Commercial)

They were still fighting on the floor without the match officially beginning. The referee Rick Knox must have told them the show was back, so Omega tossed Penta into the ring and started the match with the bell ringing.

Best Of Seven Series For The Trios Tag Team Championships: Death Triangle (Pac, Rey Fenix & Penta El Zero Miedo) vs. The Elite (Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson)

This is the third match in their Best of Seven series with Death Triangle leading 2-0. The winners of the Best of Seven are the AEW Trios Tag Team Champions.

The match started with about 15 minutes left in the show. Matt and Nick gave Pac and Fenix each a Powerbomb on the apron. Penta hit some backbreakers on The Elite. Matt went for a dropkick on Penta to the floor, but Penta moved and Matt kicked referee Rick Knox to knock him down. Penta hit a somersault dive over the top onto the three Elite guys. Penta got a hammer from ringside, but Fenix stopped his brother from using it. Penta grabbed the hammer and shoved his brother back, but Fenix stopped it. Omega hit a V-Trigger knee on Fenix after Penta moved. Young Bucks hit superkicks on Penta and Omega hit a Snapdragon Suplex on Penta. Knox was back in the ring as Omega hit a Powerbomb and a V-Trigger knee for two as Pac made the save. All three of The Elite guys went after Penta, who avoided all of them and hit a superkick while Fenix and Pac hit superkicks as well. All three Death Triangle guys did moves off the ropes onto opponents. Penta hit a Fear Factor piledriver on Omega for a two count. There were a lot of superkicks and the referee losing control as usual as Matt hit multiple Northern Lights suplexes. Pac decked Matt with a pump kick. Pac tried to hit Omega with something off the turnbuckle. Pac headbutted Omega. Pac didn’t use his hand like some wrestlers that do the very safe headbutt. Pac hit an Avalanche Falcon Arrow on Omega off the top for two. I guess Pac was the legal man at that point. I don’t know if it really matters in these AEW tag team matches. They went to another picture-in-picture break.

(Commercial)

Omega hit Pac with a V-Trigger, Pac with a German Suplex that put Omega back on his feet and Omega decked Pac with a running clothesline. Nick and Fenix tagged in leading to their usual dance routine of avoiding eachother and Nick hit a Cutter. Matt tagged in, then the Bucks did their More Bang For Your Buck combo move ending with Matt hitting a moonsault for two. Everybody got into the ring again (what’s the point of the referee?) as Pac and Penta hit superkicks. Fenix hit Omega with a Cutter. Penta and Fenix did a double team Fear Factor with a stomp on Matt. Fenix hit a dive on Kenny and Nick on the floor. Penta hit a splash off the top on Kenny and Nick on the floor. Pac covered Matt for two followed by an uppercut and a brainbuster for two. Pac went up top, he did a Black Arrow splash and Matt got his knees up to block. Omega and Nick were holding the other two guys back. Matt pinned Pac with a cradle for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Elite (Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson)

Analysis: ***1/2 This was more of the same from these teams. If I included the brawl before the bell then the rating might be higher, but I’m only going to count what was the match, which means after the bell. It was the usual chaotic match between these teams with random attacks and not a whole lot of psychology so they can hit a bunch of double/triple team moves. Lots of superkicks and Cutters as usual. The Elite finally got a win thanks to Matt countering the Black Arrow from Pac for the win. Pac sold it great. Some of the other guys in the match barely sell anything because they must get to their next spots. Better selling and more psychology would mean a higher rating for me, but it’s still an entertaining spotfest. I realize that some wrestling observers (wink wink) are less critical of these matches compared to me. That’s fine. I’m just trying to explain my point of view.

Friendly Advice From John: Do a tornado tag team match next time and it will be a better match because then you don’t have to try to make sense. Just do spot after spot like they want to do.

The win by The Elite means they are down 2-1 in the Best of Seven series, so The Elite avoided a 3-0 deficit.

Kenny Omega said there was never going to be a sweep. Kenny said this was going to be a reverse sweep. Omega did his usual sign off bidding us adieu while calling for the song. The Elite celebrated their win to end the show.

Analysis: The next match in the Best of Seven series between Death Triangle and The Elite is in two weeks rather than next week. That’s fine with me. I need a bit of a break from their matches.

Three Stars of the Show

  1. MJF
  2. Death Triangle/The Elite
  3. Bryan Danielson

The Scoreboard

This Week: 7.25 out of 10

Last Week: 7.5

Final Thoughts

A pretty good show for the most part. MJF’s promo segment was very long while he also took out William Regal while reminding Regal that MJF was The Devil. I thought the segment was a bit too long-winded although MJF is still great on the microphone while making his “bidding war of 2024” and WWE references. Since MJF is defending the World Title against Ricky Starks in a few weeks, they had Starks win a squash match. I would have liked to see a bit of promo interaction to have Starks put MJF in his place. The fans hated MJF, so a babyface like Starks trying to shut him up would have worked well.

It was good to see “Hangman” Adam Page as he got into a brawl with Jon Moxley, which should lead to a match between them. Moxley falling off the side of the stage trying to attack was not a great moment, but at least it was not a big fall.

Bryan Danielson’s match with Dax Harwood was terrific with Dax losing in singles as usual. Dax beat Cash Wheeler when they wrestled, but other than that we see Dax most of the time. I’d rather see FTR in tags more often. Some of the other matches weren’t as interesting or just kept short and then we got a long main event. They haven’t built to ROH Final Battle that much. They did a bit, but they could do more.

Death Triangle and The Elite had an entertaining brawl before the match started. It was the usual AEW tag team match full of chaos with a bunch of superkicks and tag team moves without legal tags being made. I think their matches would be better if it was more of a traditional tag building to hot tags, legal double teams and actual psychology instead of just a spotfest. Anyway, it was their usual good match to end the show. I just think they could do a better match and I’ve seen them do it in the past.

—

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: @johnreport