The final AEW Dynamite before Sunday’s All In pay-per-view airs tonight from Cardiff, Wales.
World Champion Swerve Strickland and his All In challenger Bryan Danielson will take part in a Final Showdown segment moderated by commentator Nigel McGuinness on tonight’s show. Danielson is putting his career on the line against Swerve on Sunday.
Two title matches are also set for tonight’s show, with Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defending against Saraya, and Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada defending against Claudio Castagnoli.
American Champion MJF and his All In challenger Will Ospreay will go face-to-face one final time on tonight’s show before Sunday’s title bout.
“The Learning Tree” Chris Jericho will go one-on-one with “Dynamite Kid” Tommy Billington on the show.
Before he challenges Jericho for the FTW title at All In, Hook will take on Big Bill on tonight’s show.
Tonight’s Dynamite is the first episode in the show’s nearly five-year run to take place outside of North America.
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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us to the show, as he throws it to Tony Schiavone, who is in the ring for the TBS Title contract signing, introducing the challenger and champion.
Mercedes Mone & Dr. Britt Baker Contract Signing
Both ladies have agreed to no physicality tonight, as Baker got a loud ovation, while Mone was booed, but did have some CEO chants. Mone did the DMD hand gesture and said Baker was the past, while Mone is the future as she signed the contract. Baker said Mone can say what she wants now, but in talking about the past, Mone hobbled into All In last year to watch the show. Before there was a CEO, there was a DMD. Baker signed the contract as Mone mocked the crowd and promptly got “shut the F up” chants. Mone said this is Baker’s dream match, as Mone inspired Baker, who had to rely on a little degree to fall back on. Mone has been putting women’s wrestling on the map the last ten years, that’s All In.
Baker said she had the guts, heart and balls, as she’s never had a plan B, she had two plan A’s. While Mone was considered one of four, Baker is one of one, the baddest bitch on the block. Mone got one thing right, Baker admired her and wanted to be her, as Mone walked, so girls like Baker could run. Baker is the foundation for the company Mone is sitting in right now. Mone made a difference, but that person is gone, she’s not a smug, arrogant, ass, who is worried more about her legacy than being a role model. Baker doesn’t know where that girl went, but hopes Mone finds her fast because when Baker wins the TBS Title, that’s the girl she wants to say she beat.
Baker stood up and said she’s going to follow the rules and not hit Mone. She said nothing about Kamille, who she cracked with the microphone, stood on the table and took out Mone & Kamille with a cross body. Mone & Kamille bailed, as Baker held up the TBS Title high in the air. I thought this was a good go home segment for this match, as it was much needed for Baker to look strong after what happened last week on Collision.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with The Learning Tree, asking Chris Jericho his thoughts on his match tonight. Jericho questions Tommy Billington’s right to call himself the Dynamite Kid, when all he can say is he’s blood related to his uncle, the original Dynamite Kid. Jericho said Billington isn’t even good enough to be on Dynamite and hopes HOOK is watching, as he’s going to do to him sevenfold what he does to Billington come Wembley Stadium. Keith stopped and said “big ass, Wembley Stadium!”
Chris Jericho (w/Big Bill & Bryan Keith) defeated Tommy Billington
(I thought this was a really fun opener and I wish it went longer, they worked very well with each other. The crowd was hot throughout, which I think is safe to say will be a running trend all weekend for AEW.)
Billington showed off his agility in the early going with quick arm drags, shoulder tackle and bodyslam before going up top for a missile dropkick. Jericho took a powder, but Billington was out after, but as Jericho was slid back in the ring, he distracted referee Aubrey, allowing Big Bill to post Billngton heading to commercial.
Jericho controlled the entire break, but when things returned, both men collided in a double cross body attempt. Billington was up first and strung together a series of offense, but Jericho responded with a Lionsault for two. Reversal of switches led to a Billington German suplex for two, as Jericho answered sweeping the legs into the Walls of Jericho. Billington got the ropes, as waved to the crowd, but the delay allowed a snap suplex and Tombstone from Billington. Going up top, Billington connected on a dive onto Keith, then side stepped a charging Bill into the barricade. Back up top, Billington leapt, but Jericho hit a Code Breaker in mid-air for the victory.
Jericho took the microphone post-match and called HOOK a stupid bastard who he hopes was watching. Jericho said he’d rip HOOK apart branch by branch. HOOK’s music hit and he power walked to the ring and got right into Jericho’s face, but got blindsided by Big Bill, who hit a massive chokeslam as The Learning Tree stood over HOOK. The HOOK vs. Bill match that was initially announced for tonight will be taking place on Collision.
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Timeless Toni Storm defeated Saraya (w/Harley Cameron) to retain the AEW Women’s Title
(Battle of the Outcasts here, as Storm was super over with the crowd and I expect her ovation to be massive come Wembley. She survived the numbers game during the match itself, but post-match was a different story with May getting the last shot ahead of their Women’s Title match Sunday.)
Crowd loudly behind the champion, who fired off early arm drags before posing for the fans. Storm played cat and mouse, faking out Saraya by giving up her leg, but it was all mind games, as Storm got the takedown, as Saraya bailed to the apron. Both ladies screamed at one another before Saraya hung Storm up in the ropes before taking the ref, allowing Cameron to send Storm into the barricade, as Saraya followed with a somersault senton off the apron into commercial.
Storm fought back when things returned, as she wound up for a home run shot, but Saraya lowered her head to dodge, as Storm put on the brakes and hit a DDT. Saraya avoided Storm Zero with the Knight Cap for a near fall. Saraya brought Storm up in the corner for a sunset flip powerbomb into the Good Knight cradle DDT for another two. Taking too long to follow-up, Storm was able to hit a chokebomb, but Cameron jumped on the apron, only for Storm to plant a smooch on her. Saraya ran and collided into Cameron, as Storm old schooled her, gave a kiss of her own before hitting Storm Zero for the win.
As Storm was celebrating her victory, Mariah May appeared from behind, blindsiding Storm with the shoe that bloodied Storm weeks ago. May clutched Storm’s head and kissed her before rolling around in the ring briefly before heading to the back.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with the entire Conglomeration, as Mark Briscoe said the word of the day was proliferated (I think? It’s hard to understand hyped up Mark Briscoe at times), as they are in full force tonight. Kyle O’Reilly tried talking like he’s British, as Willow Nightingale got hyped and walked off with O’Reilly & Briscoe while Tomohiro Ishii & Orange Cassidy just stood there, chill.
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Will Ospreay & MJF Face to Face
Massive ovation for Ospreay during his entrance as he really soaked in the chants and cheers before it was cut off by MJF’s music, which Taz described as a “fart in church.” MJF came to the ring in an American Flag suit, as Ospreay told the crowd to give Max a warm welcome, as he was showered with boos. Ospreay brings up the BBC show Gavin and Stacey and compares their story to his and starts making local references saying he wrestled in a local pub once that was dirtier than the wife, which popped commentary. Ospreay said you can call him Barry Scott because “Bang and the dirt is gone!” which was a reference even Excalibur had to Google.
MJF said all he had to do to get under the fans skin was the Kangaroo Kick and said no to the fans chanting “shut the F up.” MJF said he was still injured, but came back early because he was begged by top brass in AEW and Warner Brothers Discovery to clean up Ospreay’s mess, the arrogant prick. Ospreay told MJF to look in the mirror when talking about an arrogant prick. Ospreay was hyped when he heard about AEW, but he & his friends laughed when they saw MJF was the face of the show, as the double clothesline made them giggle. All In last year was about two best friends jerking each other off. Ospreay wasn’t even employed last year, despite Tony Khan having 3,000 people and their nans under contract, and he was begged to go out at Wembley and have a good wrestling match, as Khan couldn’t rely on his World Champion at the time to do so. Ospreay said MJF is entertainment, but they’re meant to cater to the fans and their voices. This isn’t just about restoring the International Championship; it’s about restoring the feeling and Ospreay is the feeling.
MJF doesn’t care about the fans, they’re meaningless and brings up what American’s do best, they win. MJF said he believed that four eyed dork, Tony Khan, when he said things would be safe in Ospreay’s hands. MJF said fans who only know Ospreay are redcoat terrorist, while everyone loves MJF, wrestlers around the world agree, he’s the best wrestler on God’s green Earth. MJF wonders who actually called Ospreay the Best in the World and laughed at the idea that it was the fans, who know nothing. Friedman is the Facts, the longest reigning AEW World Champion of all time and headlined the biggest show of all time, as he’s the Ace, while Ospreay is second place. MJF is from the only place that matters, the United States of America, and while Ospreay has only one move he can use to beat MJF, the Tiger Driver, he’s not man enough to pull the trigger. The fans can feel all they want, as facts don’t care about feelings.
Ospreay said congratulations, the history books can be rewritten, but you can’t rewrite the feeling the wrestling fans feel. Ospreay said if you go around the World and ask who the Best in the World is, they’ll all say Ospreay. It took MJF four years to win the fans over, while it took him four beats of his entrance music. Ospreay said they don’t love MJF, who exploded and yelled that they loved him until Ospreay came along! MJF said Ospreay is a great father, wrestler, but earlier tonight he got to spend some time with Ospreay’s wife and so-called kid. He said so-called since Ospreay’s wife had him with another man and Ospreay stepped in to be the father. MJF said he got a feeling the next kid Ospreay’s wife has won’t be Ospreay’s either.
Ospreay turned to Tony Schiavone and asked if Tony Khan is in his ear and asked what the fine would be if he punched MJF right now. Schiavone said 100,000 pounds and Ospreay said it’s worth it and he leveled MJF. Security jumped in and was wiped out by Ospreay until enough of them grabbed him, allowing MJF to crack him with the Dynamite Diamond Ring, busting Ospreay open before hitting a brainbuster and counting three. MJF held up the American Title before looking to try for the Tiger Driver when security and Christopher Daniels put a stop to it.
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-Renee Paquette is backstage and said there was an altercation earlier today and Hangman Page was asked to leave the building. Paquette caught Page on his way out and Page said he’s officially entered in the Casino Gauntlet match and will lay out anyone in his way. Evil Uno walked by and Page asked his old buddy if he knows anyone in the match and Uno said he himself just entered. Page waffled Uno with a chair in the back and said nothing will stop him from getting what he wants.
Kazuchika Okada vs. Claudio Castagnoli for the Continental Title went to a Time Limit Draw
(Great back and forth match this was, as they’re saving the finish for another time obviously. Whether it’s at All Out or perhaps in the Continental Classic this year, this rematch will happen down the line, it has to. Despite being into it the whole time, once the crowd were told there was a minute left, there was a huge sense of urgency and they were disappointed with the draw.)
Bell sounded and immediately the crowd started Holy Sh*t chants as each man backed the other to the ropes and did the pump fake into a clean break. Both men traded finisher attempts, but were unsuccessful, leading to a stalemate. The feeling out process continued until Okada got a head of steam into a back elbow, as things went to commercial.
When things returned, both men traded suplex attempts, ending with a Castagnoli deadlift vertical. Uppercuts in bunches, as Castagnoli spun around referee Bryce to hit a home run uppercut before Okada fought out of a Giant Swing, taking a powder instead. This resulted in a full speed uppercut from Castagnoli, as back inside a forearm exchange ensued. Okada responded with his DDT and neckbreaker, but took way too long to follow-up, as Castagnoli clotheslined him to the outside, but tumbled out with him. Okada posted Castagnoli ahead of another picture in picture.
Back from break, Castagnoli hit a gut wrench slam and running double stomp for a near fall. As Castagnoli slowly went up top, Okada hit his signature dropkick, sending Castagnoli to the floor. Okada quickly brought it back to the ring, wanted his top rope elbow, but this time Castagnoli cut him off with uppercuts. Castagnoli wanted a superplex, but Okada hit a headbutt and John Woo dropkick before finally hitting the elbow drop. Rainmaker pose flip off from Okada, who turned his back too long, allowing Castagnoli to hit a 20 revolution Giant Swing. Castagnoli got a running start, but Okada cut him off with a picture-perfect dropkick. Okada went for the Rainmaker, but Castagnoli ducked, hit a springboard uppercut, wanted the Neutralizer, only for Okada to counter into the Air Raid Crash neckbreaker.
Ring announcer said one minute remaining, as each started throwing uppercuts, with the crowd really getting hyped. Castagnoli ducked a Rainmaker and hit a massive pop-up uppercut, but Okada clutched onto the ropes, so Castagnoli hit a double stomp for two. Okada tried to escape again, as the time ran out. The crowd wanted 5 more minutes, as The Young Bucks & Jack Perry walked on stage saying that match was phenomenal. Matthew asked if the crowd wanted 5 more minutes? He said unfortunately that’s not going to happen, as the contract said Okada had to wrestle 20 minutes, not 25 and as EVPs, they’re sticklers for the rules. They told Castagnoli better luck next time and to clear the ring, as if he doesn’t, they’ll have to remove him. Darby Allin & FTR made their entrances and it’s time for the main event of the evening.
Darby Allin & FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) defeated Jack Perry & The Young Bucks (Nicholas & Matthew Jackson)
It was an all-out brawl as Castagnoli fought Okada to the back during all of this. Perry & Harwood officially started things off, with Allin wanting a quick tag, but Perry bailed and Nicholas came in. It didn’t matter, as Allin flew through the ropes for a dive onto Perry as FTR was sent outside and hit with double dives by The Bucks, who only celebrated briefly, as Allin flew off the top with a Coffin Drop. Allin ultimately wound up on the shoulders of Matthew, allowing Nicholas to hit a PK on the apron, as Allin was worked over during break.
Allin was dropped with a buckle bomb/double corner kick to give Perry a near fall when things returned. Allin used his speed to escape the wrong corner and dove for Harwood for the hot tag. Harwood was a house of fire, dispatching of The Bucks and rolling Germans and brainbuster on Perry. FTR wanted Shatter Machine, but Perry avoided, as The Bucks returned, but Wheeler ran wild this time. Gory Special attempt on Perry, but The Bucks hit a Superkick Party to break it up. EVP Trigger ducked by Wheeler, as The Bucks collided knees. The match broke down, as FTR & Allin got triple Sharpshooters/Scorpion Death Lock, as The Elite all got the ropes and tried to bail with their titles, but Wheeler flew to the floor with a dive onto the pile.
Nicholas was crotched in the corner, as Matthew fired off superkicks. Allin hit a Code Red, but Perry was there for a Scorpion Death Drop. Perry went for his charging knee, but Allin ducked and Perry ran into Shatter Machine. Nicholas was hit with a Power-Plex, as Allin hit a Coffin Drop for the victory.
The Elite bailed through the crowd, as The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass walked on stage. Max Caster said it’s nice the Royal Family showed up today, as the court jesters, FTR and his two favorite princesses, The Young Bucks were there. The Acclaimed are the Kings and Caster said he’s the best wrestler alive. The Bucks couldn’t beat The Acclaimed last week and at All In, the belts come home to the Kings. Bowens said they have nothing left to prove, as FTR & The Bucks can’t beat them and they will fight until they are the next AEW Tag Team Champions because Everyone Loves The Acclaimed. Billy Gunn hit the two words for ya go home line.
-Renee Paquette is backstage checking on Will Ospreay, who was being checked on by the doctor and asks his status for Sunday. Bryan Danielson stormed up to Ospreay and intensely told him “Do it!…Do it!” before walking away, seemingly giving Ospreay permission to use the Tiger Driver 91 after it previously hurt Danielson. This was simple but very effective.
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The Final Showdown between Bryan Danielson & Swerve Strickland
Nigel McGuinness is in the ring and first welcomed the undefeated over the past year, the franchise player and most dangerous man in AEW, Swerve Strickland to the crowd. Strickland came out with a dancing Prince Nana, getting loud Swerve’s House chants. McGuinness was about to reluctantly introduce the challenger when he stopped and shook Strickland’s hand, bringing up Brittle Bryan, The Neck Break Kid, while Strickland is in the best shape of his life. McGuinness asks how it feels to be an overwhelming favorite? Strickland said he’s the most dangerous man due to the pain he endures and inflicts to be the AEW World Champion. Strickland runs down the list of victims, Hangman Page twice, Jay White, Takeshita, Samoa Joe, Claudio Castagnoli, Christian Cage & Will Ospreay. Strickland will dissect Danielson from head to toe, decisively. While Strickland appreciates a generational talent like Danielson, a Pacific Northwesterner like Strickland is, he still feels disrespected by Danielson, who he hears saying he’s ready to retire and go off into the sunset. Strickland said Danielson isn’t taking this moment from him, he’s taking it from Danielson. Strickland will make sure Danielson won’t ever get back in the ring again. If Danielson does get the itch again, know that Strickland would be there, even if it’s at an indy show in the Northwest or at Arena Mexico under a mask, Strickland will be there to beat him down. Even if Danielson is at his home with his wife, talking about maybe having an itch to get bac in the ring, guess where Strickland will be?
Danielson’s music hit and he sprints out and wipes out Strickland with a Busaiku Knee, with McGuinness & Nana bailing as well. Danielson said maybe a lot of people are confused, as he doesn’t come out here 20 minutes every week to talk about himself. He knows who he is, this is the truth, Strickland & Danielson knows it, Danielson is the Best F’N Wrestler in the World and has been for the last 20 years. Strickland can say he’s going to cripple Danielson in front of his daughter, but at Wembley Stadium, the fans who have paid to see him the last 25 years and in front of his family, his wife, daughter & son, Strickland will have to do more than cripple him, he’ll have to damn near kill him, as Danielson will leave his soul in the ring. Danielson said tonight, there’s been a lot of talking and fighting, but there’s only one question left, can The American F’N Dragon beat Swerve Strickland for the World Championship? Yes chants rang through the arena, as commentary said The Dragon has awoken and ready for All In.
AEW Rampage 8/23/24
- The Conglomeration (Kyle O’Reilly, Mark Briscoe & Tomohiro Ishii) vs. Brian Cage, The Beast Mortos & Johnny TV
- Roderick Strong vs. Fuego Del Sol
- Mina Shirakawa vs. Robyn Renegade
- Gates of Agony vs. The Iron Savages
- Ross & Marshall Von Erich vs. The Outrunners
AEW Collision 8/24/24
- The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly & Mark Briscoe) vs. The Undisputed Kingdom (Roderick Strong, Mike Bennett & Matt Taven)
- Willow Nightingale vs. Harley Cameron
- Katsuyori Shibata vs. Jay Lethal
- Kris Statlander & Stokely Hathaway vs. Lykos II & Nina Samuels
- HOOK vs. Big Bill
- Jeff Jarrett vs. Ariya Daivari
- PAC, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta vs. Top Flight & Lio Rush – Wild Card in Cardiff for the final spot in the AEW World Trios London Ladder Match at All In
AEW All In London 8/25/24
- Swerve Strickland vs. Bryan Danielson for the AEW World Title
- MJF vs. Will Ospreay for the AEW American Title
- Timeless Toni Storm vs. Mariah May for the AEW Women’s Title
- The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) vs. The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens w/Daddy Ass) vs. FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) for the AEW Tag Team Titles
- Mercedes Mone vs. Dr. Britt Baker for the TBS Title
- Jack Perry vs. Darby Allin for the TNT Title
- Chris Jericho vs. HOOK for the FTW Title
- The Patriarchy (Christian Cage, Killswitch & Nick Wayne) vs. Bang Bang Gang (Juice Robinson, Austin & Colten Gunn) vs. House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews) vs. Wild Card Team in a London Ladder Match for the AEW Trios Titles
- Casino Gauntlet to earn an AEW World Title shot
- Willow Nightingale & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Kris Statlander & Stokely Hathaway
