The John Report: AEW Dynamite 12/04/24 Review

This week’s AEW Dynamite featured Jay White taking on Pac and a Claudio Castagnoli-Brody King Continental Classic main event.

I’m going to do summary style for most of the matches and then play-by-play for one or two matches.

This was AEW Dynamite episode #270 from the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

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

A video aired promoting the Continental Classic matches coming up this week.

Good job by AEW with the lighting this week. Sometimes in my reviews I complain about how they turn so many lights off to hide the smaller crowd. This week they have the lights on and it looks fine even with under 3,000 fans in attendance.

Continental Classic Blue League: Shelton Benjamin vs. Kyle Fletcher (w/Don Callis)

Kyle and Shelton are both 1-0 in the Blue League. Callis was on commentary to support his Don Callis Family member Kyle.

They are both heels although the crowd hated Kyle more. Shelton connected with a clothesline leading to Kyle bailing to the floor to sell it. They exchanged some moves leading to Kyle clotheslining Shelton over the top to the floor. There’s a floor-to-commercial picture-in-picture break.

(Commercial)

Shelton was in control as he sent Kyle into the barricade, ring apron and steel steps. When Shelton charged, Kyle avoided him and Shelton hit the ring post. Back in the ring, Kyle hit a lariat for a two count. Kyle hit a running kicking with a loud leg slap followed by a Michinoku Driver for two. Shelton hit a spinning kick to the head so both guys were down. After Shelton applied a leg submission, Kyle hit two superkicks to stop selling the leg and Kyle hit an elbow drop off the top for two. Shelton came back with three German Suplexes as the crowd came alive cheering for Shelton. Kyle did a ROLLUP OF DEATH~! by the ropes and used his right arm to hold onto the middle rope for the pinfall win. The inept referee Rick Knox didn’t see the cheating.

Winner by pinfall: Kyle Fletcher

Analysis: ***1/2 It was a very good match that was given plenty of time and it was even most of the way. The push of Kyle continues after his win over Will Ospreay, so I’m not shocked by the win. I’d like to see Kyle sell moves better at times because he’s a big moves guy and we need to see people sell more. Shelton is a talented veteran who will win some matches in AEW although I don’t see him getting a massive push especially when he’s in a group with Bobby Lashley, who is a main event talent. Shelton also was given an out since Kyle cheated to win.

A video aired showing Continental Classic match highlights from Collison, which drew a very small audience.

Hook did a promo in the ring saying he heard Nick Wayne call him out for a match. Hook said he wants to face his “father” Christian Cage and leave him in a worse condition than they left Hook’s father Taz. Hook told them to come fight him now. Hook was attacked by Nick and Kip Sabian, but Hook beat them up. Mother Wayne was distracting Hook as well. Christian hit Hook in the back with his “steel” contract he has. Sabian put Hook’s left arm on a chair and Wayne did a Conchairto chair shot to the left knee. Obviously, Nick just hit the other chair and didn’t hit the hand, but Hook sold it. Christian and friends left.

Analysis: AEW loves heel stables outsmarting their dumbass babyfaces. Why are there no babyfaces around to help Hook and no officials or security around to help a guy in 4 on 1 beating like that? Because in AEW, they love booking these unrealistic beatdown segments. It makes Hook look like an asshole with no friends.

Mercedes Mone was interviewed by Renee Paquette backstage. Paquette said that Kamille was attacked last week and asked if Mone knew about it. Mone said Kamille quit so she is not liable and has no concerns for Kamile. Mone said she’ll be watching Anna Jay’s match against Penelope Ford. Mone did her lame “there’s always a price to pay when you mess with Mone” line to end it.

(Commercial)

The Hurt Syndicate’s Bobby Lashley, MVP and Shelton Benjamin were backstage. MVP said that he was disappointed in Shelton’s performance. Some random guy bumped into Shelton, so Shelton beat him. Lashley, Shelton and MVP beat up some random indy wrestlers in security shirts.

Dynamite Dozen Battle Royal

There are 12 men in the match which is why “Dozen” is the name of the match. The last two men in the battle royal will face each other in a singles match next week on Dynamite. Whoever wins that match will face MJF at the Worlds End PPV. They only showed Adam Cole’s entrance while the other wrestlers were in the ring.

The first elimination was Mark Davis kicking Evil Uno to the floor. Brian Cage and Lance Archer showed off their power for a flurry of offense. Lio Rush and Action Andretti eliminated their Top Flight buddies Dante Martin & Darius Martin. The crowd barely reacted while the announcers tried to treat it like a big deal since they have been allies. Mark Davis Cage and Archer took turns hitting Davis with strikes followed by Archer & Cage doing a double clothesline to eliminate Davis.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Action Andretti battling Rocky Romero and then Kyle O’Reilly hit a pump kick on Action to eliminate him. Kyle kicked Lio Rush and dumped him out while working with Rocky Romero. There were six guys left. Cage caught Romero and eliminated him with a Powerbomb over the top. The Butcher was sent over the top to the apron, so Cole did an enziguri kick to knock Butcher out.

The final four were Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Brian Cage and Lance Archer. Cole superkicked Cage and ducked a charging Cage so Cage was on the apron. Archer slammed Kyle onto the top turnbuckle. Cole superkicked Cage on the apron. Archer was on the apron of the other side of the ring. Cole and Kyle each hit running kicks to knock Cage and Archer off the apron. It went about 10 minutes.

Winners: Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly

Analysis: *3/4 It was a boring battle royal featuring a bunch of wrestlers who are rarely on Dynamite except for a few guys. The fans barely reacted to most of this match. That finish was okay, but it was poorly booked match in terms of creating exciting eliminations.

After the match, Adam Cole talked to Kyle O’Reilly in the ring. Kyle bumped Cole on his way out of the ring. They will face eachother next week.

A creepy video aired about Jamie Hayter that was likely made by Julia Hart about coming after Jamie Hayter. It was only about 30 seconds.

Max Caster was backstage with Anthony Bowens & Billy Gunn. Renee Paquette showed up for an interview. Gunn said that this hasn’t been built up by one person. Gunn said that you are going into this wrong. Bowens said if you call yourself the best wrestler alive, go prove it. Caster called himself the “best wrestler alive” again and left.

Analysis: I like Max Caster as a performer, but calling himself the “best wrestler alive” is a very blatant lie. Who lies? Heels lie. Just saying Max is on his way to being a heel.

Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) vs. Max Caster

They had a backstage altercation last week when Max was running his mouth so Swerve beat him up. That led to this match. Max did one of his raps on his way to the ring. The fans booed the end of his rap.

Swerve was in full control to start the match. When they left the ring, Max sent Swerve into the steel steps to get some offense going. Back in the ring, Max hit springboard dropkick that was no sold and Swerve hit a Last Call kick. Swerve hit another Last Call kick. Swerve hit a third House Call kick for the win.

Winner by pinfall: Swerve Strickland

Analysis: *1/2 That’s how this match should have gone with Swerve getting a dominant win. Swerve lost to Bobby Lashley, so it’s a way to give him a decisive victory and some positive momentum.

After the match, Swerve went up top and hit the Swerve Stomp to the head. Swerve spoke into the camera saying “Lashley, this isn’t over yet.”

(Commercial)

Maxwell Jacob Friedman was seated at a bar doing a promo. MJF spoke about how Adam Cole turned on him just because he thought MJF would turn on him first. MJF said that because of Cole’s actions, Roderick Strong’s arm is broken and now Cole has to face Kyle O’Reilly. MJF said he’s sick of Cole acting like a hero even though he’s a villain who must be terminated. MJF said he doesn’t think Adam can beat Kyle and that will be proven next week on Dynamite.

Analysis: A quick MJF promo doing his usual material. Those are nice some hair plugs that Max now. His hair looks more full than ever. Just saying.

A video package aired about Jay White’s match against Pac. White has had issues with Jon Moxley’s Death Riders group that Pac is a part of.

Jay White vs. Pac (w/Wheeler Yuta)

White was in control in the early going with a back body drop. White caught a kick from Pic and suplexed Pac over the top to the floor. Pac took control after he distracted the referee while Yuta pulled White off the apron and Yuta clotheslined White on the floor. Pac sent White hard into the barricade.

(Commercial)

The match continued with White suplexing Pac into the turnbuckle. They each hit some big moves and White hit a uranage slam, so they sold for a bit on the mat. White charged at Pac, who hit a boot to the face. Pac landed on his feet after White did a suplex and then White did a half-n-half suplex to drop Pac on his neck. Pac jumped on White’s back for a standing Brutalizer submission. White was bleeding from the mouth as White managed to get his hand onto the bottom rope. The referee was admonishing Pac, so Yuta pulled White out of the ring and Yuta hit the Busaiko Knee on the floor. Back in the ring, Pac picked up White and White hit a Bladerunner for the win. I guess that Busaiko Knee wasn’t very impactful. It went about 14 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Jay White

Analysis: ***1/4 That was a very good match with a finish that I liked. I liked how suddenly White can hit that Bladerunner. A win for White to give him momentum since he’s going to be in the World Title picture most likely. I have said in the past that I don’t really like White that much as a face because he’s more of a natural heel, but he is doing okay now. Pac is awesome and should get more wins in singles but being in Moxley’s stable means he’s going to lose some singles matches to put other guys over.

After the match, Yuta tried to attack White, so White hit a Bladerunner on White. Marina Shafir went into the ring, White looked at her and then AEW World Champion Jon Moxley attacked White from behind. Moxley hit a Paradigm Shift DDT on White.

“Hangman” Adam Page did a slow walk entrance leading to a staredown with Moxley in the aisle. A person in a hoodie grabbed a camera cable and choked Moxley with it. It was Orange Cassidy, so the fans cheered. Page punched Moxley while Shafir attacked Orange at ringside. Orange managed to send Shafir over the barricade at ringside. Orange hit the Orange Punch on Yuta and Orange Punch on Pac. Moxley faced off with Orange, who hit an Orange Punch on Moxley. White hit a Bladerunner on Moxley. Tony Schiavone tried to overreact by saying “What an incredible Dynamite moment.” Page hit a Buckshot Lariat on Moxley. They showed Christian Cage watching on from the aisle with his AEW World Title match contract. Moxley was helped to the back with his group.

Analysis: It was finally some wrestlers fighting back against Moxley’s Death Riders group. I know White and Orange are babyfaces, but I don’t think Page can be called a face. I guess this could be a way to turn Page face. Anyway, this was way better than most of the Death Riders segments even without Claudio Castagnoli involved. It was good for a most match segment.

A commercial aired for the AEW Worlds End PPV.

Jamie Hayter did a promo saying that she’s not about WarGames. Jamie said that she’s more of a face-to-face person. Hayter doesn’t know why Julia Hart is angry with her. Hayter said that she was on the cusp of something great, which is why the International Women’s Cup means a lot to her. Hayter suggested that she finds Hart and the last thing she’ll see is Hayter.

Analysis: Okay. At least it’s a women’s rivalry without a title involved. That’s cool.

(Commercial)

Chris Jericho did a “New York Minute” promo plugging upcoming AEW-ROH shows including ROH Final Battle. Watch ROH TV this Thursday to find out who Jericho is facing at Final Battle. Thanks, guys.

A video aired looking like it was a classic western fight. One guy said if this outlaw returns, this town is in trouble. They were talking about AEW wrestler Bandido, who has been out of action a long time.

Anna Jay vs. Penelope Ford

There was a brief video showing the history between them.

The announcers did their “Anna Jay has improved a lot since returning from Japan” comments that they have been saying for months now. Ford did some eye raking to take control followed by a double knee drop to the ribs. Ford sent Jay into the steel steps.

(Commercial)

Ford was in control as she tried a move off the top, but Jay hit the ropes to stop that. Jay hit a running neckbreaker for two. Jay applied her Queenslayer submission, Ford slipped out of it and hit a Cutter for two. Ford took way too long going up top, so Jay avoided the moonsault and Jay hit a dropkick. Ford hit a dropkick and a bridging submission that wasn’t even on for five seconds before Jay got to the ropes. Jay sent Ford into the ropes and Jay hit a Gory Bomb off her back for the pinfall win after 9 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Anna Jay

Analysis: **3/4 Easy win for Jay as expected. It could have been shorter, but it was between 7-9 minutes with a commercial like most AEW women’s matches. They rarely get more TV time than that.

After the match, Anna Jay called out TBS & NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone. That led to Mone saying if Kris Statlander can’t beat her for this title then what makes Jay think that she can? Mone got in the ring to say she liked Jay’s confidence. Mone told Jay to come back in ten years when she’s actually done something. Jay said something like this and Jay slapped Mone in the face. Mone teased fighting, but then Mone checked her watch and backed out of the ring. The fans booed.

A graphic was shown saying Mercedes Mone will defend the TBS Title against Anna Jay on Dynamite in two weeks on Holiday Bash.

Analysis: I don’t expect Anna Jay to beat Mercedes Mone, but it should be a solid match. Mone is doing better of late.

(Commercial)

Mariah May, the AEW Women’s Title, was interviewed by Renee Paquette. May said that anything she does is the right thing to do. May thinks a title shot for her best friend Mina Shirakawa shows that she believes in her and then they can sip on champagne after. Mina Shirakawa showed up with a champagne bottle and dared May to hit her in the face. Mina mentioned their match at Winter is Coming next week.

Analysis: That should be a win for May over Mina next week. I don’t think Mina is the one to end this title reign.

Continental Classic Gold League: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Brody King

It’s a matchup between two powerful dudes. They are both 1-0 in the CC. I’ll go full play-by-play here.

Claudio and King exchanged strikes early on. They did a clothesline collision spot. Claudio wrenched on the arm and then King delivered a hard chop to knock Claudio down. King nailed Claudio in the chest a few times. Claudio hit a few uppercuts to the chest. King hit a body slam followed by a running senton splash. Claudio worked over King with uppercuts, but King came back with chops and punches. Claudio hit a dropkick to the left knee to send King into the turnbuckle. Claudio did a double foot stomp to King’s back followed by Claudio sending King’s right arm into the ring post. Claudio rammed King’s right arm into the ring apron.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Claudio wrenching King’s right arm, but then King came back with a Death Valley Driver for two. Claudio sent King up into the air leading to an uppercut to the chest for two. Claudio charged, King hit a back elbow and Claudio hit a Death Valley Driver slam off the shoulders for two. Claudio worked over King with some gentle elbows that barely touched King and then King got back up with a lariat for two. King worked over Claudio with punches followed by a hard chop while King sold it since Claudio worked on the right arm in the match. King hit a running splash/clothesline against the turnbuckle. King hit a cannonball on Claudio against the turnbuckle for a two count. Claudio tried to fight back with a springboard attack, but King stopped that with an elbow to the jaw. They went up top where King hit a top rope superplex that drew a big reaction from the fans. King hit a piledriver for a two count. Claudio left the ring, he sent King’s right hand into the mat and King came back with chops along with a forearm to the head. King hit an elbow strike while on the floor. King tried a running attack on the floor, but Claudio moved and King hit the barricade. Claudio sent King over the barricade. I don’t know when the referee started counting, but King got back in before the ten count. Claudio ran the ropes and King nailed him with a lariat. King lifted up Claudio, who slipped behind him and Claudio hit a low blow back kick that the referee didn’t see. Claudio hit the Neutralizer for the pinfall win. It went 14 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Claudio Castagnoli

Analysis: **** This was an excellent match between two powerful guys who delivered some heavy strikes throughout the match. They also sell moves better than some of the people in this company, so that helps the story of the match. Claudio working on King’s right arm during the match helped the story because King sold the hand injury throughout the match. Since it was so tough to put King away, it made sense for a heel like Claudio to cheat to win because he knew he couldn’t win fairly. It pissed off the fans and it gives King an out, but it also fits the story of the match since Claudio is a heel. Anyway, these guys are awesome and I enjoyed this match a lot.

Next week on Dynamite has Claudio Castagnoli vs. Will Ospreay and Jon Moxley & Pac vs. Jay White & Orange Cassidy.

Claudio Castagnoli celebrated the win at ringside. That was the end of the show.

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Three Stars of the Show

1. Claudio Castagnoli & Brody King
2. Kyle Fletcher
3. Jay White

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The Scoreboard

This Week: 7.5 out of 10

Last Week: 7.25

2024 Average: 7.45

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Final Thoughts on AEW Dynamite

A very good show with three excellent matches that carried it. Both of the Continental Classic matches delivered as usual while White/Pac was fun as well. I also liked seeing the AEW babyfaces fight back against Jon Moxley’s Death Riders group. That was better than most segments involving that group of late.

The Indiana crowd was good most of the night. As I said in the opening, it was also nice to se AEW keep the lights on instead of performing in darkness to hide the smaller crowd. This made the show more enjoyable to watch.

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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