Next Wednesday’s edition of AEW Dynamite will see the no. 1 contenders for the Tag Team titles decided.
The winner of The Young Bucks vs. Private Party vs. Dark Order’s John Silver and Alex Reynolds vs. Butcher & Blade will face current champions FTR at Full Gear. The four teams were chosen via random draw on Wednesday.
Also announced for next Wednesday’s live show:
The first match of the eight-man tournament to decide the next contender for AEW World Champion Jon Moxley will happen although the actual match wasn’t announced.
Made on Wednesday’s show, Chris Jericho and MJF will have “Le Dinner Debonair” to continue the storyline of whether the latter wants to join The Inner Circle and whether the former thinks he should be in it.
Britt Baker will be in action against an opponent to be named. She is coming off a win over Red Velvet on the September 25th Dynamite.
A rematch between Cody and Orange Cassidy for the TNT title has been set.
The two wrestled for twenty minutes last night on Dynamite, reaching a draw. After a back and forth match, Cassidy caught Cody in his mouse trap pinning combination, but time expired before the referee could count to three.
It was later announced on the show that the rematch will take place on the October 28 edition of Dynamite.
Darby Allin was shown in the crowd, observing the match. After the two went to a time limit draw, he applauded. Announcers said that he would be getting a TNT title shot at Full Gear, which takes place on November 7.
Other title matches that took place on tonight’s anniversary show had FTR retain the AEW Tag Team titles over Best Friends, Hikaru Shida retaining the AEW Women’s title against Big Swole, and Jon Moxley retaining the AEW World title over Lance Archer in a no disqualification match.
On Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite, Matt Hardy said he is “100% healthy” and fully cleared to return to action.
Flanked in the audience by wife Reby and their kids, Hardy gave the news to Tony Schiavone and was then interrupted by a vignette showing a man in a black sweatshirt lighting pictures of Hardy on fire. It was revealed to be Sammy Guevara.
Guevara then admitted to attacking Hardy’s knee on a previous Dynamite and said that every week they clear Hardy, he’s going to injure him again. “It’s not over until I send you home for good,” he finished. Hardy then said his first order of business upon returning is Guevara.
The 46-year-old has been out of action since injuring himself at AEW All Out. Guevara speared him off a scissor lift, leading to Hardy’s head accidentally hitting flush on the concrete floor upon impact. There were conflicting reports that Hardy got a concussion in addition to a controversy about him being allowed to even continue the match that night.
On the September 9th Dynamite, Hardy said he expected to make a full recovery and wanted to work toward his first AEW title when he returned.
AEW celebrates the first anniversary of Dynamite tonight with four title matches.
AEW World Champion Jon Moxley will defend his title against Lance Archer. Archer won a Casino Battle Royale at All Out to earn the title shot. Moxley is 19-0 in AEW singles matches in 2020, while Archer is 13-1.
AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida will put her title up against Big Swole. Swole is on a seven-match winning streak heading into the contest.
FTR will defend the AEW World Tag Team Championships against Best Friends.
A week after regaining the TNT Championship, Cody will put that title on the line against Orange Cassidy. Cassidy answered an open challenge from Cody on last week’s Dynamite. Cassidy has challenged for the TNT title once before, in a losing effort against Mr. Brodie Lee.
Miro & Kip Sabian in action and “a huge announcement” from MJF have also been advertised for tonight’s show.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show opened with the introductions for the Tag title match.
Jim Ross, Excalibur and Tony Schiavone were the broadcast team.
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AEW World Tag Team Championship match: FTR defeated Best Friends to retain the titles
Trent and Chuck got some shine early. Dax cut Trent off after refusing to break cleanly in the corner and FTR took over.
Trent got his knees up on a Cash elbow drop and managed a hot tag to Chuck. Chuck hit a tope con giro. He followed with a falcon arrow on Dax for a near fall.
Tully interfered from the floor, sweeping Chuck’s leg on a suplex attempt. Chuck made his own comeback and tagged out.
Chuck and Trent hit their sole food/half-and-half combo for a two count. Trent hit a one-legged dropkick to Cash for another two. Cash cut Trent off with a lariat.
The match broke down and all four jumped in. Chuck and Trent hit Strong Zero on Dax for a great near fall as Cash made the save.
Trent and Cash brawled outside. Cash dodged a spear and Trent ran into Kip Sabian’s arcade game. Sabian was mad and sent Penelope Ford to the back to fetch Miro. This did not lead to the finish.
Trent hit a swing DDT and tagged out. Chuck ducked a belt shot from Dax.
Dax then took the referee. Cash hit Chuck with a title belt and Dax rolled him up to retain the titles.
This was below the level of most AEW tag matches. There were some sloppy spots and FTR continue to struggle to mesh with the AEW tag roster.
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Post-match, Penelope and Miro ran in. Miro destroyed Chuck and Trent with throws and cleared the ring.
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After a commercial break, the show was rejoined live with Miro’s ring intro for the next match.
Miro & Kip Sabian (w/Penelope Ford) defeated Lee Johnson & Sean Maluta
Miro and Sabian won a quick squash. Miro used the camel clutch to submit Maluta.
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Sabian and Miro cut quick promos after the match. Sabian said that the arcade game was his most prized possession. Miro called Best Friends “Good Friends” and said if you break his sh*t, it’s game over.
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The broadcast team immediately threw it to the back where Lance Archer was beating up Jon Moxley.
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The annoucers then previewed the AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament which begins next week.
The first round matches:
Rey Fenix vs. Penta El Zero M, Joey Janela vs. Kenny Omega
Colt Cabana vs. Hangman Page, Wardlow vs. Jungle Boy
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MJF entered for a promo. He called out Chris Jericho.
They did a lengthy back and forth promo. MJF gifted Sammy Guevara an oversized jacket. Jericho said he hated Animal Planet.
MJF said he might want to join The Inner Circle and challenged Jericho to…
a steak dinner on nextweek’s Dynamite.
This went way too long and the slow burn for the match between these two has fizzled out.
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A Britt Baker Role/Roll Model video package aired. Britt and Schiavone were at a spa. Britt and Reba freaked out because they thought Tony was naked.
Tony got his chest waxed while Britt cut a promo about the next step in her comeback happening next week.
This was funny.
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They randomly announced in the middle of the next match that Darby Allin would be getting a TNT Championship match at Full Gear.
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TNT Championship match: Cody & Orange Cassidy went to a time limit draw, Cody retained
Cody indeed made Orange lock up as he promised. Cody went to taunt Orange with a pockets spot but Orange escaped. Cassidy hit a superkick and a tope suicida.
Cody hit a top rope springboard cutter, a disaster kick and a superplex. He went to work on Cassidy’s left leg, including wrenching it around the post.
Cassidy came back with a swing DDT off the top rope and Beach Break on the apron. They did a countout tease but both made it back in.
Cassidy hit a second Beach Break. They traded cradles. Cody used a crucifix. The pinning combinations were coming fast and furious as the time limit neared.
Cassidy used a mousetrap cradle. Hehad Cody pinned but before the ref could count to three, the time limit expired.
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Alex Marvez was backstage with Lance Archer and Jake Roberts. Marvez said the World title match was in jeopardy after Archer attacked Moxley earlier.
Moxley ran in and had a pull-apart with Archer.
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Tony Schiavone interviewed Matt Hardy in the crowd. Matt said he’s healthy and cleared to return to the ring.
A Sammy Guevara video interrupted. Guevara took responibility for the attack on Hardy’s knee that was the storyline reason for his not being cleared. Sammy said this will never be over between them.
Matt said Sammy is his first order of business.
This feud is cursed and they should never go back to it but this segment was effective.
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Tony Schiavone was in the ring with Tully, FTR, referees and a lottery tumbler.
A 4-way for the number one contendership to the AEW Tag titles was announced for next week. The refs drew names.
Private Party, Butcher & Blade, Alex Reynolds & John Silver and Young Bucks were drawn.
Young Bucks shook hands with FTR and they teased a confrontation. Instead, Matt and Nick laid out Private Party, Butcher and Blade with superkicks.
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They announced that the main event is now a no-DQ match.
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AEW Women’s World Championship match: Hikaru Shida defeated Big Swole to retain the title
This was Swole’s best outing since the match that got her signed.
It’s unfortunate for these ladies that again the only women’s match on the show was put in the 9:30 spot and had a commercial in the middle of it.
They shook hands before locking up. They traded quick cradles for two counts. Shida hit a series of strikes to establish the advantage.
Shida hit her drive-by knee lift on the apron. Swole came back and shoved Shida into the camera operator before a break.
During the commercials, Shida sent Swole over the barricade, then suplexed her back over to the floor. Back inside, Swole tried a crucifix bomb. Shida blocked.
Swole went for a sunset bomb off the top rope but slipped. They recovered well after the botched spot.
Swole hit a cutter to the ramp and a cutter in the ring for a two count.
Shida hit a straightjacket German for a two count. Shida hit a knee strike and a falcon arrow for a near fall.
Swole hit Dirty Dancing but Shida kicked out. Swole went for a second Dirty Dancing but Shida blocked.
Shida hit a running knee to the back of thehead, then hit a shining wizard to pin Swole and retain.
They showed Nyla Rose in the front row after the match, so Shida and Rose still looks to be a direction at some point.
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MJF and Jericho’s “Dinner Debonair” was announced for next week.
Cody vs. Orange Cassidy in a TNT title rematch was announced for two weeks from tonight.
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Eddie Kingston, Penta and Fenix came to the announce desk.
The announcers then threw to a Shawn Spears video.
Spears said he isn’t stalking Scorpio Sky.
That’s exactly what someone who is stalking Scorpio Sky would say.
Spears reminded us that Sky saved Matt Sydal when Spears was beating him down on Late Night Dynamite and so Spears has an ax to grind wth Sky.
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Kingston told the announcers that he’s there to watch the main event, which is up next.
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AEW World Championship no-DQ match: Jon Moxley defeated Lance Archer (w/Jake Roberts) to retain the title
They didn’t have the time to build a real epic but this was an entertaining brawl.
Archer charged through the entrance, tossing an extra through glass on his way to the stage.
Moxley hit a kick to the gut and a Paradigm Shift right away for an immediate two count.
Archer took control of the fight before a commercial break. Archer hit a chokeslam through two chairs.
Moxley made a comeback after the break and used a kneebar and an ankle lock. Moxley hit a Paradigm Shift off the apron through two tables.
Moxley hit another Paradigm Shift in the ring. Archer kicked out. Moxley transitioned to a bulldog choke but Archer forced a break.
Archer hit a DDT and a Blackout but Moxley rolled through on the Blackout and used a crucifix to pin Archer.
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Archer attacked after the match. Kingston ordered Penta and Fenix to the ring to make the save.
Kingston cut a babyface promo. He said he and Moxley have been friends forever. He said they had a good fight for the World title a couple of weeks back, even though Kingston never tapped.
Kingston said Moxley has carried the company for a year and deserves respect. He ordered Penta and Fenix to raise Mox’s hands.
Kingston then hit Mox with a spinning backfist. Kingston used a rear naked choke. Penta and Fenix ran interference on the apron to keep officials from breaking this up.
Kingston choked Moxley out. He said he never tapped and he’s going to get Jon.
This week’s edition of AEW Dark was headlined by a unique matchup as Jungle Boy, Frankie Kazarian, Evil Uno and The Blade — all traditionally tag team wrestlers — faced off in a four-way singles match.
The Big Takeaways:
The most important development was Nyla Rose officially challenging Hikaru Shida for the AEW Women’s Championship which appears to be the match for November’s Full Gear.
Christopher Daniels backed up his partner Scorpio Sky and will face Shawn Spears next week while neither Peter Avalon nor Brandon Cutler were able to earn their first AEW victories.
Show Recap:
Jungle Boy defeated Frankie Kazarian, Evil Uno and The Blade in a four way
This was very much a “two men in, two men out” four way match, but the action was fun. My guess is it was taped immediately before Dynamite as there was a loud, audible crowd. Everyone except Kazarian was joined by their partners for the entrances. Uno and Blade were sent outside at the start as Jungle Boy and Kazarian exchanged cradles.
Blade tried to suplex Kazarian into the corner, but their aim was off and he was sent into the ropes. Kazarian hit an ocean cyclone suplex on Jungle Boy, but Uno broke up the bridging pin and then hit a suplex of his own for a near fall.
Uno hit a tape-assisted neckbreaker with the official distracted, but Blade knocked him down on a crossbody. Jungle Boy monkeyflipped Kazarian who hit a double clothesline on the heels. Jungle Boy hit dives on everyone outside the ring which allowed Kazarian time to hit a fisherman’s suplex back in the ring for a near fall.
Uno hit a ushigoroshi on Jungle Boy for another two. Kazarian ran wild on everyone, but was met by Jungle Boy as they each went for a crossbody, leading to a double down. Kazarian and Blade set up for an assisted superplex on Jungle Boy, but Uno knocked them all down. Jungle Boy then cradled Uno out of nowhere with a jackknife pin for three.
Dark Order’s Stu Grayson, 5 and 10 all ran out and beat down Jungle Boy after the bell. Butcher, Christopher Daniels, and Marko Stunt with a kendo stick joined the fray. Luchasaurus then dispatched the rest of the Dark Order.
Lucha Bros (Penta El Zero M & Rey Fénix) defeated Cezar Bononi and Lee Johnson
This match was way more back and forth than you would expect, but the action was really solid. Johnson has looked great in most of his Dark appearances, and this was Bononi’s best performance yet.
Penta chopped Bononi at the bell, but he was knocked down with a shoulder tackle. Fénix tagged in, but was met with a slam. Johnson tagged in and Penta kicked him on a rope run, so the Lucha Bros gained the advantage.
Bononi made his way back into his match and set Penta up for another slam. Fénix looked to prevent it with a senton, but Bononi caught him on his shoulders, leading to a power bomb/slam combination.
Johnson hit a cool tope on Fénix outside as Bononi powerslammed Penta into the turnbuckle. He missed a dive, however, and Penta hit a sling blade. Lucha Bros then hit their diving foot stomp/package piledriver combination for the win.
Brandon Cutler vs. Peter Avalon (w/ Leva Bates) went to a double disqualification
Cutler was 0-25-1 heading into this match while Avalon had him beat at 0-26-1. These two are former partners who have been feuding to see who will be the last man to get a win in AEW. Their last match was great, but this was no good.
Avalon attacked during Cutler’s entrance and hit a piledriver on the ramp. He grabbed a mic and implored the official to declare him the winner. He wouldn’t so the match was started. Avalon immediately hit diving double knees and a dropkick, sending Cutler to the outside.
Avalon told the official to start counting, but Cutler made it in with plenty of time remaining. He hit more power moves and continued to beat Cutler down. Cutler reached the ropes on a single leg crab, but when Avalon broke the ropes, he made contact with the official and they teased a disqualification.
Cutler made a comeback with chops and kicks, concluding with a leg drop on the apron. Avalon shoved Bates into Cutler, but Cutler hit a tope suicida. Back in, Cutler hit a springboard elbow drop for two. Avalon caught another dive and hit a uranagi for another two.
Avalon went to the top rope but was knocked off by Cutler, who hit a lifting reverse DDT for a near fall. Cutler grabbed his 20-sided die, but was talked out of using it by Bates. Avalon hit a Samoan driver for yet another near fall. He went for a shot with his librarian’s book, but the official was knocked down. Cutler grabbed the book and Avalon grabbed the die, and they hit each other with the other man’s gimmick for the double disqualification.
– Sonny Kiss, joined by Joey Janela, cut a promo. Kiss faces Matt Sydal next and it’s going to be “Sonny-licious.”
Matt Sydal defeated Sonny Kiss (w/ Joey Janela)
They exchanged strikes at the start, but Sydal took advantage with a few well placed kicks. There was a long heat segment right away as Sydal maintained his advantage. He hit a standing corkscrew moonsault and a fisherman’s buster along the way.
Kiss made a comeback with a hurricanrana, a flatliner, and the split legdrop for two. They went for the top rope split legdrop, but Sydal avoided it and locked on a cobra clutch. He hit a Russian leg sweep with the clutch still applied, forcing Kiss to tap.
Dark Order (3, 4, & 10) defeated Aaron Solow, Angel Fashion, & M’Badu
Grayson, Uno, 5, and Anna Jay joined the Dark Order for their entrance. They still haven’t worked out the naming of these guys; they were billed as their numbers, but the commentators called them by their names. 3 is Alex Reynolds, 4 is John Silver, and 10 is Preston Vance, who wrestled with a mask on. 4’s head was taped up after being busted open during this past week’s TNT Championship match on Dynamite.
Everyone got a chance to tag into the match early on. Fashion was the one the Dark Order beat down during the heat. He escaped out of a back suplex and tagged in M’Badu, who ran wild on a hot tag. He hit some ridiculously athletic corner splashes, but was cut off with a dropkick into a half-and-half suplex.
Solow took the fight to 4 but was met with a slingshot spear from 10. Dark Order then hit a triple-team move, almost like an assisted flipping Razor’s Edge, for the win.
Red Velvet defeated Elayna Black
Brandi Rhodes joined commentary for this match as she and Red Velvet have made saves for each other from Anna Jay’s attacks on recent Dark shows. This was Black’s AEW debut and viewers might recognize her as she wrestled on nearly half of the GCW Collective shows over the last weekend.
There was back and forth action for a while as neither could gain an advantage. Velvet hit a cazadora bulldog, double knees over the ropes, and a running dropkick to the side of the head (called Just Desserts) to pick up her first AEW victory.
Ricky Starks defeated Fuego Del Sol
Starks dominated at the bell, whipping Del Sol around with ease and taunting him with kicks. He brought Del Sol to the ramp and took a break to hop on a commentary headset, letting us know that we’re watching “AEW Starks.” Back in the ring, Del Sol tried to fight back with an acrobatic kick, but was cut off with a spear and the Roshambo for an easy win.
– Alex Marvez interviewed Scorpio Sky and Christopher Daniels. He asked Sky if Shawn Spears was getting in his head but then Spears and Tully Blanchard walked up and taunted them. Daniels got in Spears’ face and Blanchard accepted the challenge for Spears vs. Daniels next week.
– Ricky Starks joined commentary.
Gunn Club (Billy & Austin Gunn) defeated Ryzin and Maxx Stardom
This was the exact same Gunn Club tag match we have seen a dozen times on Dark. The more interesting part of the match was Starks and Taz having ridiculously great chemistry on the headset. Starks’ commentary performances remain the highlight of Dark.
Ryzin and Stardom isolated Austin in the corner with power moves, but he fought back with clotheslines and reached Billy for the hot tag. Billy ran wild with strikes, but was hit with a superkick. He tagged in Austin, who hit the Quick Draw for an out of nowhere victory.
Darby Allin defeated Nick Comoroto
This was Comoroto’s AEW debut. He’s really big with a good physique and Allin bumped around like crazy for him. Comoroto tossed Allin into the corner and hit a strong powerslam, but Allin escaped at one. Comoroto then hit more power moves.
Allin dropped Comoroto’s arm over the rope and kicked out his legs to take advantage. He locked on the rope assisted armbar, but Comoroto pressed him above his head with one hand. Allin escaped and hit a tilt-a-whirl into the Fujiwara armbar, but Comoroto reached the ropes. Allin hit a diving STO and the Coffin Drop for three.
Post match, Allin sprinted up to the commentary desk and attacked Starks before officials split them up.
– KyLinn King, who faces Nyla Rose later in the show, cut a promo. She was the woman at ringside who Rose attacked during the big Nightmare Family/Dark Order brawl a couple weeks ago. She is ready to face Rose head-on.
Colt Cabana (w/ Evil Uno) defeated Griff Garrison
They wrestled around at the bell, but Garrison missed a corner splash and was sent to the ramp. Uno sent Garrison back into the ring and admonished Cabana for not keeping up the offense. After a beatdown, Garrison fired up with a rolling elbow and the two traded punches.
Garrison hit his corner splash but dove into the boots of Cabana, who hit the Flying Apple and a diving splash for two. Cabana then locked in the Billy Goat’s Curse for the submission.
Nyla Rose (w/ Vickie Guerrero) defeated KiLynn King
King tried to come out firing at the bell, but Rose’s power was too much. Rose ducked an enzuigiri and hit a release German suplex and the Beast Bomb for the squash win.
Post-match, Guerrero cut a strong promo. She’s tired of Rose not getting championship opportunities and said Rose will not wrestle again until women’s champ Hikaru Shida accepts her challenge.
Joey Janela (w/ Sonny Kiss) defeated D3
They performed chain wrestling to start. D3 attempted a tijeras, but Janela just dropped him on his face. He tried to make a comeback with a jumping neckbreaker, but Janela clotheslined him on the apron and hit an airplane spin into a Death Valley Driver on the outside. Back in, Janela hit three brainbusters and teased a fourth, but ended up letting D3 go to get the pin.
Wardlow defeated Elijah Dean
Dean tried to chop down the big man at the start, but was crushed with a spinebuster and a massive lariat. Wardlow then pressed Dean above his head using the turnbuckle as leverage and dropped him over his knee, leading to an immediate referee stoppage and a knockout victory.
Eddie Kingston defeated Baron Black
This was ultra quick. Kingston beat Black down at the bell, but Black eventually hit an exploder suplex. Kingston met Black with the Kitchen Sink and a spinning backfist before locking on a standing guillotine to which Black immediately tapped out to.
Final Thoughts:
There were fourteen matches on tonight’s show and I’d say one of them (the opener) was Dynamite-quality. For a show that runs two hours long, that’s just not enough. I get that the point of this show is to keep building up wins for AEW’s roster, but you have to balance the entertainment factor against that too. There’s just not enough enjoyable television here to justify the time spent.
While not officially announced by the company as of now, Ivelisse said during an interview Monday night that she has signed with AEW.
She didn’t give any details, but said she was overwhelmed to get the offer in the same week when she lost her home in a fire. She had tweeted about the fire in mid-September so if the timeline is accurate, she’s been under contract for a month.
Ivelisse made her AEW debut in mid-July in a loss to Diamante and then teamed with her in the first Women’s Tag Team Cup. The duo won the tourney with a finals victory over Brandi Rhodes and Allie.
Since then, she defeated KiLynn King and lost to NWA Women’s Champion Thunder Rosa in a much-discussed match. She also teamed with Diamante twice, defeating Rache Chanel and Skyler Moore and losing to Rosa and AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida at the September 23rd Dynamite — the last time she has been on AEW TV.
The 33-year-old is the current SHINE Champion, a former Lucha Underground Trios Champion, was a member of the Impact Wrestling roster, and was on the 2011 WWE Tough Enough season, working for two years in developmental. She also had WWE tryouts over the past two years.
A Gator Golf tournament was announced to determine the first BTE Champion.
Three first round matches were held on this week’s episode.
Matt Jackson vs. Nick Jackson – Sammy Guevara vs. Fuego Del Sol
Alex Reynolds vs. John Silver – Brandon Cutler vs. Peter Avalon
Chuck Taylor vs. Trent – Matt Hardy vs. Luchasaurus
The winners of the first round matchups will face each other. The winners of the second round matchups will advance to a three-way final.
Matt defeated Nick in their first round battle.
Trent defeated Chuck.
Silver defeated Reynolds.
The Elite —
Hangman Page and Brandon Cutler were seen throwing watermelons and pumpkins out of a pickup truck. Cutler tried to talk Hangman into patching up his relationship with Matt and Nick. Page wanted nothing to do with them.
BTE opened this week with a flashback to just before All Out 2019. Hangman Page asked The Young Bucks to second him during his match with Chris Jericho. Matt and Nick blew him off.
Cutler confronted Matt and Nick about not seconding Hangman last year. Cutler then asked them to second him in his next match.
Nick told Matt to text Hangman to try to patch things up. Hangman didn’t get the message because his phone was stuck in a pumpkin.
A mysterious hand picked up Page’s phone and responded to Matt, telling him to leave him alone forever and never to speak to him again. Was it Page? Was it someone else? That was this week’s cliffhanger.
Dark Order —
Alex Abrahantes joined Dark Order after accidentally drinking their Kool-Aid.
Evil Uno was backstage looking for Mr. Brodie Lee. He entered Dark Order’s lair and found Stu Grayson had been beaten up by Anna Jay. Uno asked Jay to leave Grayson alone for two weeks. Jay agreed. As soon as Uno left, Jay went back to beating up Grayson.
Dark Order met to try to think of ways to cheer up Mr. Brodie Lee after he lost the TNT title. Preston Vance suggested cocaine and guns. Alan Angels suggested Five Guys. Silver suggested they all line up, pull Lee’s pants down and kiss his posterior. Lee entered and was furious with everyone except for Silver for not interfering in the match where he lost the title.
Miscellaneous bits —
Colt Cabana is still stuck looking like Michael Nakazawa. He entered the EVP’s dressing room. Kenny Omega was there. An extended sex joke followed.
Matt and Nick arrived at Dynamite and discussed who they should superkick. They settled on Alex Marvez. Justin Roberts interrupted them and another sex joke followed.
This week’s Speaking Spanglish segment was interrupted when Dark Order kidnapped Ortiz. Santana went searching for Ortiz.
Leva Bates did a bit with Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian.
Matt Hardy instructed Matt and Nick on the proper way to watch a television monitor backstage.
Fourteen matches have been announced for Tuesday’s AEW Dark.
One of the bigger matches will be a fatal four way between members of some of the top tag teams on AEW’s roster. Evil Uno will face Frankie Kazarian, The Blade, and Jungle Boy.
Evil Uno will also be seen on the show accompanying Colt Cabana for his match against Griff Garrison. 3, 4, and 10 of the Dark Order will also be in action, as they will take on the team of Aaron Solow, Angel Fashion, and M’Badu.
Brandon Cutler and Peter Avalon will compete once again against one another. The two are looking to snap their respective losing streaks, but their last match ended in a double count out.
Here are the full list of matches for next week’s Dark:
Evil Uno vs. Frankie Kazarian vs. The Blade vs. Jungle Boy
3, 4, and 10 of the Dark Order vs. Aaron Solow, Angel Fashion, and M’Badu
Another title match has been added to the card for AEW Dynamite’s one-year anniversary.
It was announced today that Hikaru Shida will defend her AEW Women’s Championship against Big Swole on Dynamite next Wednesday (October 14). The AEW World Championship, Tag Team titles, and TNT Championship will also be on the line on the anniversary episode. Jon Moxley is defending the AEW World Championship against Lance Archer, FTR are defending their AEW Tag Team titles against Best Friends, and Cody is defending the TNT Championship against Orange Cassidy.
Swole was in action on Dynamite this week, defeating Serena Deeb. Swole also defeated Skyler Moore on AEW Dark this week.
Shida has been AEW Women’s Champion since winning the title from Nyla Rose at Double or Nothing this May. Her most recent title defense was against Thunder Rosa at All Out last month. Swole defeated Britt Baker in a Tooth and Nail match at All Out.
Kip Sabian & Miro teaming together in tag team action is also set for next Wednesday’s Dynamite anniversary episode. Plus, MJF is promising that he will make “a career-defining announcement.”
Cody defeated Mr. Brodie Lee in a bloody dog collar match to win back the TNT Championship on last night’s AEW Dynamite.
After a brutal brawl that saw both men’s faces turned into the proverbial crimson masks, Cody pinned Lee after hitting Cross Rhodes on the chain that linked the dog collars.
The match also saw John Silver, Alex Reynolds, and Arn Anderson get physically involved.
After Cody retained, Orange Cassidy appeared on the stage to respond to the new champ’s request to defend the title on next week’s Dynamite.
Dynamite was billed as the 30 Years of Chris Jericho show, and Jericho went on last. He teamed with Jake Hager in a winning effort against Serpentico and Luther.
Following the main event, MJF interrupted a Jericho promo and offered him gifts. The two teased a confrontation, but they ended the segment celebrating together.
A series of shout-outs aired throughout the episode, with various wrestling legends and Jericho’s celebrity friends congratulating him on his anniversary.
FTR successfully defended their AEW Tag titles against the TH2 duo of Angelico and Jack Evans. After the match, Best Friends confronted FTR and informed them that they will be their opponents in a Tag title match next week.
In the show opener, Brian Cage defeated Will Hobbs with a Drill Claw to retain the FTW Championship. Cage and Ricky Starks threatened Hobbs after the bout, but Darby Allin made the save.
For more of what you missed, including Big Swole vs. Serena Deeb, scroll down.
Next Wednesday’s anniversary edition of AEW Dynamite will feature three title matches.
In the already announced main event, World Champion Jon Moxley will defend against Lance Archer. Both men did taped promos on Wednesday which means the company is confident Archer will be free of COVID-19 by next week. Archer recently revealed a positive test but didn’t give any indication he would miss the match.
Two title matches were made on Wednesday’s Dynamite including Tag Team Champions FTR vs. no. 1 contenders Best Friends under traditional rules. This will be the Friends’ second opportunity at the gold with their first being a loss to then-champions Kenny Omega and Hangman Page in July.
The other title match is new TNT Champion Cody defending against Orange Cassidy. Cody pinned Mr. Brodie Lee to regain the belt Wednesday in a dog collar match and said afterward that he wanted to defend the title next week. Cassidy came out and Cody gave the thumbs up to accept the unspoken challenge. This will be Cassidy’s second opportunity at the TNT title as he was unsuccessful in defeating then-champion Lee in his first shot.
Also scheduled for next week, Miro and Kip Sabian will be in tag team action and MJF is promising he will make “a career defining announcement.”
The show will be a celebration of one year of Dynamite, the weekly TNT show that kicked off last October.
The eight-man tournament to determine the next top challenger to the AEW World title got three new additions Wednesday.
Hangman Page, Colt Cabana and Wardlow joined Kenny Omega, Ray Fenix and Jungle Boy as participants.
The finals of the tournament that will play out on Dynamite will be at the Full Gear pay-per-view on Saturday, November 7th.
Of the six men announced thus far, Page is the only one to have competed for the AEW World title, losing in the inaugural title match to Chris Jericho at the first-ever All Out. He is a former Tag Team Champion, having held the titles with Omega. The two recently split as a team in a storyline expected to play out during the tournament.
Brackets, the final two participants, and the start date are the only things left to be announced.
The winner will face either current champion Jon Moxley or top contender Lance Archer who square off next Wednesday on the AEW anniversary edition of Dynamite.
Cody became the first two-time TNT Champion Wednesday, defeating rival Mr. Brodie Lee for the title in a bloody dog collar match on AEW Dynamite.
The end came when Cody wrapped the chain connecting the dog collars around Lee’s face and hit a Crossroads, one of multiple he hit during the match, on Lee to get the pin. Both men were bloodied up during the physical encounter that spilled outside the ring with the chain being involved prominently.
Lee beat Cody for the title in August in a match that went just three minutes. His near-two month reign saw him defend the belt twice in wins over Orange Cassidy and Dustin Rhodes. Cody was injured in storyline and returned on last week’s Dynamite to accept Lee’s challenge.
Afterward, Cody was joined by Brandi Rhodes, Dustin Rhodes, and Arn Anderson in the ring with Tony Schiavone. He did an emotional babyface promo saying that when he came back with dark hair, people wanted him to go to the dark side but that he does this for the fans and this is why he wrestles.
Greg Valentine was in attendance, a nod to one of the most famous dog collar matches in pro wrestling history when he faced Roddy Piper at the first Starrcade.
The show opened with a video package. A lot of the current roster appeared and put over Jericho as a legend.
Jim Ross, Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Taz and Ricky Starks were at the announce desk. They previewed the show. JR called Starks “Ricky Skaggs.”
Kip Sabian, Miro and Penelope Ford were ringside playing an arcade game.
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Brian Cage defeated Will Hobbs
Hobbs has a ton of potential. He’s also still green. Cage is a guy who needs a good dance partner and this was tough. It picked up once they hit the near falls.
The announcers put over Hobbs fighting for his brother, who was tragically murdered.
Cage quickly cut Hobbs off and worked him over. Cage hit a facebuster for a two count. Hobbs came back with a back suplex, clotheslines and a sit-out spinebuster for a near fall.
Cage used a pumphandle driver for two. They traded German suplexes. They hit simultaneous clotheslines and went down. Hobbs used another spinebuster for a two count.
Hobbs went up top and missed a frog splash. Cage followed with a Drill Claw for the pin.
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After the match, Starks joined Cage in the ring. Taz cut a promo and told Hobbs he was im[ressive and it was time to play the option game. Hobbs could join Team Taz or get beat down.
Darby Allin entered and made the save, threatening Cage and Starks with his skateboard.
Taz said that one day soon, Allin will learn not to stick his nose in Team Taz business.
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Slash, Dennis Miller, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Bully Ray and Ted Irvine sent in video tributes for Jericho’s anniversary.
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Lance Archer sent in a video promo. The audio quality was awful but the content was good.
Archer said he and Jon Moxley tore it down in NJPW in a Texas Death match earlier this year. Archer said he’s learned a lot since then and promised to beat Mox for the title next week.
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AEW World Tag Team Championship match: FTR (w/Tully Blanchard) defeated TH2
This had its moments but this was a styles clash if there ever was one.
The Young Bucks were shown backstage watching this match on a monitor at an awkward angle. Hey, Nick Jackson is back. Remember how they awkwardly pretended he was there when he clearly wasn’t for two weeks on Dynamite and BTE?
Evans and Angelico got some offense early. Evans was flying and JR was in full burial mode, crapping on the babyfaces for leaving their feet while executing their offense.
FTR cut Evans off after Blanchard took the referee and worked him over through an ad break. Evans sold his leg.
Angelico and Evans made a comeback. Angelico hit an assisted 450 for a near fall. FTR came back with a German/dragon suplex combo for a two count.
Evans hit a high kick and a moonsault on Dax for a two count as Cash made the save.
Angelico missed a dive and got dropped on the apron by Cash.
Evans used a cradle for a two count on Dax. Evans hit some very clunky offense here.
Dax hit Evans with a tiger driver for a near fall. Dax hit a superplex on Evans. Cash followed with a top rope splash for the pin.
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The Young Bucks superkicked a camera operator backstage after the match.
Best Friends entered wearing weenie t-shirts. They sent FTR packing and announced that they will be getting a Tag title shot next week on Dynamite.
This was not a great comedy segment or a serious segment to build up a title match.
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MJF sent in a video tribute to Jericho. MJF said he is proud of Jericho and inspired by him.
Shaquille O’Neal sent one in and said Jericho is above a legend.
Gene Simmons sent in a video, as did Don Callis and Lars Ulrich.
DDP called Jericho his brother and congratulated him.
The TNT Championship match is next.
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TNT Championship match: Cody defeated Mr. Brodie Lee to win the title
Greg Valentine was in the crowd for this.
Sometimes you’ll hear about tmatches with plunder and how the wrestlers had a match that just happened to involve the weapons. This was not that. This was a bloody brawl.
John Silver and Anna Jay accompanied Lee to the ring. Silver took a forearm from Cody right away and took a bump off the apron. Silver bled. Jay helped him to the back so this was just Brodie and Cody.
Brodie hit a boss man slam for a two count and worked on Cody.
They brawled around ringside and brought a chair into the ring. Lee threw the chair at Arn Anderson. Arn climbed in the ring. Alex Reynolds ran in. Arn hit Reynolds with a spinebuster. Lee hit Arn in the gut with the chain.
Cody used a cutter and a moonsault. Lee hit a thrust kick and a powerbomb for a two count. They did a hanging spot and a superplex spot. Cody ducked a discus lariat.
Cody used the chain to deliver right hands and Cross Rhodes for the pin.
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Cody cut a great promo after the match. He said people thought because he changed his hair he should change his attitude and turn on the fans. Instead, Cody said he’s sticking with the people and it’s not pandering, it’s his life’s work. He said these are the people who have been with him since he was a teenager. I didn’t do this justice, just watch the promo.
Cody said he’s going to defend the title next week.
Orange Cassidy came to the stage. Cody gave him a thumbs up. Cody vs. Cassidy next week.
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Wardlow, Colt Cabana and Hangman Page were added to the AEW World title tournament.
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Alex Marvez interviewed Kenny Omega. Marvez asked how Omega felt about being in the tournament.
Omega said he’s won tournaments all over the world. He downplayed Page’s involvement.
Omega said he’ll win the tournament and take the title off whoever the champion is. Omega referred to Page as a tag team wrestler.
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Big Swole defeated Serena Deeb
It seems like there’s always one women’s match a week, it’s usually on around 90 minutes into the show after a long match at the top of the hour, and there’s usually a commercial break in the middle of it.
That’s a pretty tough spot to be in week after week.
Swole and Deeb tried. Deeb is a veteran. Swole has had good matches and bad. They didn’t have much of a chance of having a good match in this position.
They had a miscommunication right off the bat. Deeb went for a misdirection lariat but Swole was too close to the ropes and this looked bad. Deeb was in control before a commercial break.
Swole made a comeback after the break. They did a fake noggin knocker spot in the corner into a double down.
Swole hit a headbutt to the chest for a two count. Deeb looked to apply a hold but Swole cradled her for two. Deeb ducked a forearm strike and tried an underhook suplex. Swole blocked.
They tried another misdirection spot. This one was better. Swole hit another headbutt to the chest and a rolling elbow for the pin.
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Jon Moxley cut a pre-taped promo from a bar.
Moxley said next week is the anniversary show but he doesn’t have time to celebrate. He said he knows sometime his ticket will be up and maybe it’ll be Archer.
Moxley said last time they fought, Mox barely left Tokyo with his teeth in his head. He said it’s a coin flip whether or not he keeps the title and Archer has chased him halfway around the world to finish the job.
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Kip Sabian & Miro in action was announced for next week in addition to the three title matches.
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Serpentico and Luther entered for the main event.
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We got another round of celebrity messages for Jericho from Lance Storm, Kevin Smith, Eli Roth, Gabriel Iglesias, Chavo Guerrero Jr., Steel Panther, Ultimo Dragon and Paul Stanley.
This match was more about the story than the work.
Jericho and Luther got in and traded chops. Jericho was selling for Luther and Serpentico before a commercial.
A good chunk of the match took place during the final commercial break. This also seems to happen every week. Jericho hit a Lionsault during the break. Hager got in and out during the break.
Serpentico and Luther made their comeback. Serpentico hit a tope. Luther hit a flip dive off the post and a top rope bulldog.
Luther and Jericho had a good but slow brawl. Jericho called for his baseball bat. Luther intercepted it and used it on Jericho for a near fall.
Guevara jumped on the apron. Jericho hit a Judas Effect and pinned Luther.
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Jericho started to cut a promo after the match but he was interrupted.
MJF entered with Wardlow and a surprise for Jericho.
MJF revealed Clownico the Clown and a framed MJF poster as gifts.
Jericho hit the clown with a Judas Effect and broke the poster over his head.
Jericho told MJF he hated clowns and not to ever interrupt him again.
Both sold this with a pregnant pause as if they were about to throw hands.
Instead, they laughed it off.
The heel locker room entered to toast Jericho in the ring as credits rolled, a la the end of Saturday Night Live.
This week’s edition of AEW Dark was headlined by Lucha Bros vs. Joey Janela and Sonny Kiss in the main event.
The Big Takeaways:
Eddie Kingston isn’t done with AEW Champion Jon Moxley quite yet as he issued another challenge while his associates (the Lucha Bros) picked up a big win in the main event.
Show Recap:
It looks like Ricky Starks is now a regular member of the Dark commentary desk as this marked his fourth appearance at the desk, although he did leave about halfway through. He joined regulars Excalibur and Taz.
This was pretty rough. It was very back-and-forth for the most part and not as much of a squash as you might expect. Brandi used lots of Dustin’s signature offense including his bulldog and the dropdown right hand. Brandi got the win with what was ostensibly a knee strike, but it came nowhere near landing like it should have.
Post-match, Anna Jay attacked Brandi, but Red Velvet ran out to make the save — the inverse of what happened last week.
Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus) (w/ Marko Stunt) defeated Ray Rosas & Eric Watts
This was Watts’ debut. He’s really tall, easily Luchasaurus’s height, and most recently made a national appearance on a UWN Primetime show. This was clearly meant to be a showcase for him as he got tons of offense in on one of AEW’s most established teams.
Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus dominated at the bell. The dinosaur no sold Rosas’ strikes as Jungle Boy hit an assisted senton for a quick near fall. Watts took advantage with a fallaway slam, but after an inside cradle, Jungle Boy escaped for the hot tag.
Watts and Luchasaurus faced off in the center of the ring and exchanged power strikes. Luchasaurus booted Watts out of the ring and Jurassic Express set up for a combination move, but Watts pulled Luchasaurus out of the ring and posted him instead. Rosas then rolled up Jungle Boy for a surprisingly good near fall.
Watts tagged in and hit a sit out chokeslam for two. Rosas tagged in, but Luchasaurus hit the Tail Whip, Jungle Boy hit a dive, and Jurassic Express hit their assisted cutter for the win.
Chaos Project (Serpentico & Luther) defeated Lee Johnson & Anthony Bowens
Luther has been a focal point of Wednesday’s Chris Jericho 30th anniversary celebration as he and Serpentico will face Jericho and Jake Hager. Johnson had an excellent match against Ben Carter on Dark a couple weeks ago.
Johnson and Bowens isolated Serpentico early on, but a short thrust kick allowed Chaos Project to take advantage. Johnson attempted a comeback after a sunset flip, but a clothesline from Luther cut him off. Chaos Project displayed some of their unique offense which frequently involves Luther literally using Serpentico as a weapon.
Johnson eventually escaped for the hot tag. Bowens hit clotheslines and kicks as well as a floatover DDT. Luther sent Johnson outside and Chaos Project overwhelmed with their numbers advantage, hitting a doomsday meteora for three to remain undefeated as a team.
Will Hobbs defeated RYZIN
Hobbs hit power moves early on, including multiple suplex variations. RYZIN attempted to land strikes and a clothesline, but Hobbs mostly no sold them and leveled RYZIN with a shoulder tackle. He caught a RYZIN crossbody and hit a powerslam, followed by the Last Will and Testament (a basic spinebuster) for the squash win.
– Starks left commentary following this match.
– Eddie Kingston cut an excellent yet simple promo. He called out Janela and Kiss, saying they were talented but that they don’t live up to their potential by treating everything like a joke. He finished by saying the Lucha Bros don’t put up with that bullsh*t.
This was pretty good as it got plenty of time and wasn’t one sided at all. AEW can’t seem to decide whether they want to refer to Dark Order members by their names or their numbers. This week, he was simply “John Silver” with no mention of the number 4. He also wrestled without a mask.
Silver attempted a dive early, but Marshall caught him and turned it into a suplex. Uno grabbed Marshall’s leg with the official distracted, allowing Silver to take advantage. Silver drove Marshall into the staging area and the barricades.
Back inside, a corner lariat from Silver got two. Marshall attempted a comeback, but Silver turned it into a crossface before Marshall reached the ropes. Both men fought up top until Marshall hit a superplex for the comeback.
Marshall hit an inverted atomic drop, a scoop slam, and a diving uppercut. Uno distracted Marshall as Silver attempted a clothesline, but Marshall turned it into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Silver hit an enzuigiri and a backcracker for a near fall.
Uno distracted the official yet again, but Rhodes evened the odds. Alan Angels and Preston Vance, both of whom were masked, ran in and interfered but both were foiled by Marshall. However, the distraction was enough for Silver to hit a rolling elbow and an inverted F5 for the upset win.
Brian Pillman Jr. & Griff Garrison defeated Cezar Bononi & David Ali
Bononi, a former WWE NXT trainee, debuted on Dark last week. Pillman and Garrison had never won as a team before.
Ali and Bononi got the heat after Bononi hit a big spinebuster. They took turns beating down Pillman with frequent tags. Pillman escaped out the back of a powerslam attempt and reached Garrison for the hot tag.
Garrison dispatched both of his opponents with strikes, finishing the sequence by essentially lawn darting Ali into Bononi for a spear. He and Pillman then hit a springboard clothesline powerbomb combination for their first AEW victory.
Big Swole defeated Skyler Moore
Swole is the no. 2-ranked wrestler in AEW’s women’s division. They talked trash at the bell before trading strikes. Swole fought out of a suplex and hit one of her own, followed by a series of running strikes. Moore sent her to the apron, but Swole hit a slingshot cutter and Dirty Dancing for the quick win.
– Matt Sydal talked about his All Out battle royal appearance, and how he slipped on the ropes and “almost died.” On Being The Elite, it was established that it was Michael Nakazawa’s fault due to something dealing with his body oil. Sydal’s not just trying to win the upcoming match, but is trying to end Nakazawa’s career.
Matt Sydal defeated Michael Nakazawa
This was Sydal’s Dark debut. He immediately leveled Nakazawa with kicks and went for the shooting star press, but Nakazawa had oiled the ropes again. Sydal went to wipe them off, but Nakazawa sprayed oil in his eyes and hit an Olympic slam for two.
Nakazawa removed his underwear and went for the claw, but Sydal turned it into a cradle. Nakazawa locked in the claw but Sydal reversed it into a cobra clutch, using the underwear as leverage, forcing Nakazawa to tap.
Eddie Kingston defeated M’Badu
This was a squash showcase for Kingston. He hit loud chops at the start, but M’Badu reversed a whip and nailed a huge corner splash and a powerslam for two. Kingston hit the Kitchen Sink and a spinning backfist for what would have been the win, but he picked M’Badu up before the three count. Kingston then locked on a kimura, forcing M’Badu to tap out.
Post-match, Kingston grabbed a mic and said that the kimura was a message to Jon Moxley. He mentioned Moxley is wrestling on Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport this weekend. He wants another shot at Moxley, and when that happens, he will lock on the kimura and make him scream “I quit.” This was an even better promo than the pre-recorded one he cut earlier.
– Janela and Kiss cut a promo backstage. Janela said that he embodies “no fear” just as much as the Lucha Bros and they want a spot on the AEW tag team rankings.
Angelico defeated Shawn Dean
Angelico and Jack Evans have a tag title shot on Dynamite this week and the goal here was putting over Angelico’s unique Mexican llave submission style.
Angelico took Dean down with a kick to his hamstring and locked on an inverted figure four. Dean reached the ropes, but Angelico applied another unorthodox hold, but the referee forced a break.
Dean dropped Angelico with a forearm and clotheslines, concluding the sequence with a German suplex. He went for an underhook suplex, but Angelico escaped with kicks, locking on another inverted figure four for the submission victory.
Lucha Bros (Penta El Zero M & Rey Fenix) (w/ Eddie Kingston) defeated Joey Janela & Sonny Kiss
This was far and away the best match on the show. Janela and Kiss hit stereo suicide dives before the bell. Fenix escaped and hit a tope con hilo on everyone. Back inside, the bell rang and El Zero hit a diving dropkick to Janela’s rear end. Janela fought his way out and reached Kiss, who took control with a springboard dropkick.
Lucha Bros hit their cazadora-assisted splash for the heat on Janela. El Zero beat him down with kicks and chops. Eventually, Janela escaped to Kiss for the hot tag.
Kiss hit a backflip dropkick and an exploder suplex followed by a corner dropkick. He hit a 450 splash, but Fenix broke up the pin. We got the parade of moves, concluding with Kiss hitting a lariat on El Zero.
Janela tagged in, but ran straight into a Fenix cutter. Penta superkicked both of his opponents, and the Lucha Bros hit their foot stomp/package piledriver combo for three.
Final Thoughts:
This week’s AEW Dark was a middling show. There wasn’t much overtly bad (aside from parts of the Brandi match), but the main event and Kingston’s promos were the only things that felt like can’t miss programming. The show remains far, far too long; most weeks, it’s nearly as long as Dynamite.
