Tag: Aew Dynamite Results

The Young Bucks defend the AEW Tag Team titles, plus Mercedes Mone defends the TBS Championship as the road to All In continues on tonight’s Dynamite.

The Jackson brothers will put their titles on the line against The Acclaimed after they defeated the Bucks in a recent eliminator match. A three-way program seems to be building for All In as The Acclaimed and FTR have been feuding on Collision.

Mone defends her title against Hikaru Shida with the winner defending against Britt Baker at All In.

AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland will face Wheeler Yuta in a non-title match while Hangman Page will face Jay Lethal after a backstage brawl last week.

Orange Cassidy vs. Roderick Strong vs. Kyle O’Reilly will decide which competitor earns the top spot in the casino gauntlet match set for All In.

Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada and Claudio Castagnoli will have a face-to-face segment, Hook will also speak on tonight’s episode, plus Mariah May will present a new film.

A Bryan Danielson career retrospective video set to Green Day’s “Good Riddance” (Time of Your Life)” is also scheduled.

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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone & Taz before throwing it to Justin Roberts for the intros for the opening title match of the evening.

Mercedes Mone (w/Kamille) defeated Hikaru Shida to retain the TBS Title

(I thought these two worked well with each other and kept a good pace throughout. While the Kamille interference wasn’t surprising, they kept her involvement in the match to a minimum and it allowed Shida & Mone to have a good opener. Baker got a huge reaction for her return in the post-match and this should be a great one come Wembley.)

While Mone got some CEO chants to start, it was the Shida chants that were much louder as both ladies traded early takedowns. Mone dodged a charge into a leaping arm drag and traded a series of pin attempts before both tried a dropkick that led to a stalemate. Shida connected on a snap hurricanrana, keeping Mone grounded before another exchange of near falls before Mone bailed as Shida tried a knee lift. Shida tried suplexing Mone in from the apron, but Kamille held onto Mone’s legs, allowing Mone to get a roll-up for two. Shida battled back with a tilt a whirl back breaker, but as she tried for her running knee while Mone was draped on the apron, Kamille stood in front of her. This allowed Mone to hit a Meteora off the apron and another low version back inside for two. Shida answered with an enzugiri, but Mone was there to answer with forearms. Reversals of whips led to a missile dropkick by Shida, who fired off forearms of her own and pump knee for two.

Mone floated over a suplex into a backstabber, but tried one too many Meteoras, as Shida dodged, took the fight into the corner, but Mone flew off the ropes with another Meteora for two. Mone got two out of Three Amigos, as Shida countered the final with a Falcon Arrow, as Shida did the deal for a close two. Kamille pulled Mone to safety outside, but ate a dropkick by Shida, who waffled her with the kendo stick. Shida went for another shot, but Mone took it away and argued with the ref, leading to Kamille hitting a big boot. Back inside, Mone connected on the Mone Maker for the victory.

Britt Baker’s music hit and Kamille was ready to fight at the ramp before sprinting over to a masked fan in the front row and beat them up, thinking it was Baker as was the case a few weeks ago. Baker appeared through the crowd, put on her glove and beat the hell out of Mone, but before the Lockjaw could be applied, Kamille pulled Mone to safety, dodging a Baker kendo stick shot.

-We see the footage of the chaos that unfolded backstage after Dynamite went off the air last week and it led to Renee Paquette in the back with Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, Jeff & Karen Jarrett. Paquette said Hangman Adam Page has been a thorn in their side since returning and just as Jeff started to get riled up, Page ran in and beat Jarrett & Dutt up before brawling with Lethal to the ring to start their match.

Hangman Adam Page defeated Jay Lethal

(Hard hitting statement win for Page here, who controlled a majority of this one, with Lethal getting a few hope spots. After having lost his previous two singles matches since returning, this was a needed win for Page.)

Right as the bell sounded, Lethal hit five consecutive suicide dives that had the crowd going wild. Lethal brought Page to the apron, where Page immediately hit a Dead Eye on the edge of the ring before chucking Lethal over the timekeepers table as things went to commercial.

Lethal tried stringing together some offense when things returned, but Page was there to put a stop to the momentum with a Magnum T.A. belly to belly. A Death Valley Driver spiked Lethal for a near fall, as Page noticed he’s bleeding from the mouth and only became more pissed off. Page took too long to follow up, as Lethal got a series of close two counts before hitting the Lethal Combination. Page kicked free from a Figure Four and applied a Crossface, but Lethal countered into a roll-up for two. Lethal again went for the Figure Four, but Page raked the eyes and hit a wild discus lariat. The ref checked on Lethal, who slowly got to his feet and ate a Buckshot Lariat for the Page victory.

-Footage of MJF defending the American Title against Michael Oku at the RevPro show, where Will Ospreay made an appearance, chasing MJF away before he could deliver a Tiger Driver to Amira, Oku’s manager. This led to a video package highlighting Ospreay’s rise over his career before coming to AEW. Ospreay said ever since he’s showed up, everyone has had to level up as a result. MJF said the best in the world isn’t Ospreay, it’s MJF, who is a generational talent. This was an excellent highlight reel leading up to a major match at All In 11 days from now.

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-PAC was backstage and asked the cameraman to tell him who the #1 contender was for the American Title, it’s not Will Ospreay, it’s him. PAC is sick of being constantly overlooked and treated like a bum. That was his ticket to his Wembley moment, but it’s ok, as PAC said he’ll face whoever walks out American Champion two weeks later at All Out in the same arena he beat Kenny Omega five years ago. He’ll show everyone what The Bastard is capable of.

-Footage of Darby Allin defeating The Butcher on Rampage last week and also teaming with Hologram on Collision to defeat The Premier Athletes. We then get a video of Allin saying years ago he was killing himself on the independent circuit for nothing, until he heard of All Elite Wrestling starting up. Allin was living in his car when he heard AEW signed Jungle Boy Jack Perry and wondered “who the F is Jack Perry?” No one believed in his Tarzan BS, which is cool, he can be himself now, which is a child, who doesn’t deserve respect. Every week Allin goes out and kills himself and with all the stuff Perry has pulled recently, he wishes he would’ve gotten fired. At Wembley, they put this to an end.

Allin had his entrance in the arena, but was wiped out with a running knee by Jack Perry, who dragged him to the backstage area. Perry chucked Allin into loading boxes before Allin fought back briefly, only for Perry to rake the eyes and throw a trash can at him. Perry lowered a door onto Allin’s chest and was going to smash a crate into him, but security put a stop to it. Perry looked at the camera and said he wanted their match at Wembley to be a Coffin Match.

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-A black and white color scheme started the video, but Mariah May cut off asked if it’s better to be remembered or forgotten? To be put in the ground or go down in flames? May said she could be Toni Storm’s successes, but not her mistakes. This year, it’s All About Mariah, as Storm’s biggest mistake was being around the same time as May. The tears, the taste of Storm’s blood, May has better things to do. One day she’ll wonder, what ever happened to Toni Storm? Don’t worry, they’re both going to die, it’s just May who will write Storm’s eulogy. This was a real good vignette for May.

Renee Paquette was backstage with Mina Shirakawa, who said she has not heard from either May or Storm, but was left heartbroken after what happened. Shirakawa has never seen May be so vicious, nor Storm be so vengeful. She hopes neither woman winds up too hurt after All In.

Orange Cassidy defeated Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly to earn the #1 entry in the Casino Gauntlet at All In

(This was an action-packed triple threat, as these three beat the living crap out of each other and the crowd was hot throughout. The win gives Cassidy the first spot in the Casino Gauntlet for a future shot at the AEW World Title, a match that commentary stressed that this match can end at any time, so being first is a huge advantage. Credit to whomever the number 2 entrant is, as they didn’t have to go through such a hard hitting match like Cassidy did.)

Chops, kicks and counters aplenty out the gate before a three-way stalemate led to O’Reilly being sent outside. Strong lit up Cassidy with chops before O’Reilly ran in for a kitchen sink and a double team sent Strong outside. Cassidy connected on a suicide dive, but caught O’Reilly teasing a dive off the apron before he could leap, as The Conglomeration members politely held the ropes open for each other and grappled during picture in picture.

Back from break, Strong was controlling the action, hitting a Uranage on Cassidy on top of O’Reilly for a near fall. Strong lived up to his Messiah of the Backbreaker name by dishing out multiple ones before O’Reilly sent him outside. Fast sequence from O’Reilly & Cassidy, but as Cassidy was trapped in a rear naked choke, Strong tried to do a double Strong Hold, but couldn’t turn them over. Super loud chop from Strong on Cassidy in the corner, where O’Reilly cut them off. Cassidy was crotched on the top, as O’Reilly & Strong had a solid striking sequence as O’Reilly locked in the guillotine, but was in position for Cassidy to fall off the top with an elbow drop for a triple down. Matt Taven & Mike Bennett came to ringside, running distraction, but Mark Briscoe & Tomohiro Ishii put a stop to that, with Briscoe catapulted off a chair and a dive onto the pile before fighting The Kingdom to the back. All three competitors brawled on the floor before another commercial break.

Strong had Cassidy trapped in a cloverleaf, but O’Reilly cut it off and it led to a three-way strike exchange. Actually, it was an exchange between O’Reilly & Strong, with Cassidy just getting decked each revolution before the little kicks ramped up and Cassidy ran wild with a double hurricanrana with the fans going crazy. Tilt a whirl on Strong, who tossed Cassidy into a DDT on O’Reilly, which was a great visual. Everyone traded thrust kicks, before O’Reilly hit the Nigel lariat on Strong, locking in a leg lock, as Strong ate multiple PKs. O’Reilly & Strong hit a High Low on Cassidy, but both tried a cover and referee Bryce put a stop to it. O’Reilly & Strong slugged it out, as Cassidy ran into a Strong pump knee, while O’Reilly ate a Sick Kick. O’Reilly countered End of Heartache into a submission, but Cassidy was there to get a crucifix for the flash pin.

-Renee Paquette was backstage with Claudio Castagnoli & Kazuchika Okada ahead of their Continental Title match next week. Castagnoli said he’s always felt like the Continental Title was his to lose, so when he lost the Continental Classic, it was tough. Castagnoli promises this time, he’ll make the title shot count. Okada mockingly applauded and said Castagnoli is very passionate. 12 guys fought for the Continental Title, but Okada is the champion, he’s a 4-time G1 Climax winner and Castagnoli will respect him. Okada said good luck, bitch, before walking away. Castagnoli said he hopes he doesn’t get The Elite lackey next week, he wants the true Rainmaker, the Tokyo Dome main eventer, as he’s bringing everything he’s got next week. Okada will have 99 problems and this bitch, will be number 1. Even though this happened backstage, the crowd reacted great throughout the segment.

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-Footage of the Trios Titles #1 Contenders match on Collision was shown between the House of Black & Bang Bang Gang with The Patriarchy laying them all out. Renee Paquette was backstage with The Patriarchy and asked how these titles will be defended at Wembley? Christian Cage said he called that match right down the middle and that’s on those teams for not winning that match. Cage is using the Trios Title as a vehicle to get back to the AEW World Title and will hold every title leading up to that happening. Cage said he won’t be there for his son Nick Wayne wrestling on Rampage against Kip Sabian, as he hates Norfolk, but Paquette questioned if that’s due to not wanting to be around teams wanting revenge for Collision? Cage told Paquette to get lost and go be a mother, hoping she’s a better mother than interviewer.

-Tony Schiavone was in the ring and pointed to the rafters for the HOOK signal, as HOOK made his way to the ring, with his eye still bandaged after being blinded by Chris Jericho a month ago. Schiavone asked how the eye is doing and HOOK said he can’t see out of his eye, but he can see just fine out of the other one. HOOK said he wants to fight Jericho for his FTW Title right here and now in Norfolk.

Jericho & The Learning Tree came out to the stage and they called HOOK a stupid son of a bitch. Jericho acted like he was going to give HOOK what he wanted, but ultimately said no, as it’s not worth his time tonight, but it will be at Wembley. There are a few caveats, as this will be HOOK’s final FTW Title match and when he loses, he’ll walk away from the Jericho Vortex forever. The second stip being HOOK faces Big Bill next week. Bill said he’ll beat HOOK down and shove him up Taz’s ass, which got a chuckle from Taz on commentary. HOOK accepted and said he looks forward to dumping Big Bitch on his head and tearing Jericho limb from limb. After Wembley, Jericho will never, ever, be the same again.

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The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) defeated The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens w/Daddy Ass) via disqualification to retain the AEW World Tag Team Titles

(While commentary did mention it, to say this match has been long overdue is an understatement, as this is the first title defense of The Bucks since regaining them at Dynasty back in April. The Acclaimed also earned this shot 2 months ago, their last standard tag match together. Regardless of The Bucks being heel champs and having “limited dates”, not having a tag title match/program for the last 4 months is pretty ridiculous, especially with the number of talented teams AEW have on their roster. After all this wait, the match itself was just an ok TV match, with The Bucks controlling a majority of it. The finish wasn’t surprising, as FTR has been back in this picture since feuding with The Acclaimed the last few weeks.)

Caster & Bowens attacked The Bucks on the stage before the match officially began, as Bowens dove off the stage onto both men. As the match spilled to the ring, The Bucks gained control, as Nicholas held up the Tag Titles to the crowd as the bell sounded. Bowens hit an over-the-top bulldog on Matthew for a quick two, as Daddy Ass walked to the ring to a huge ovation. Double team by The Acclaimed, before a blind tag by Nicholas led to a pop-up dropkick on Caster. The Bucks controlled the action during commercial.

Back from break, Matthew escaped Scissor Me Timbers, but rolled to the floor and found himself trapped between Caster & Billy Gunn. Nicholas took out Caster with a kick, as Gunn chased him around ringside with a chair, but referee Rick Knox caught and ejected Gunn. Caster was isolated, but Nicholas ripped up a Dung Bucks sign ringside, which allowed Caster to battle back, avoiding attacks as The Bucks ran into each other for the 15%. Bowens made the tag, but was immediately hit with an assisted Sliced Bread and PK for two. Bowens was now the one isolated going into a second break.

Caster finally made the hot tag and ran wild with Sling Blades as a shout out to their buddy Hiroshi Tanahashi before pressing Matthew over his head face first in the corner and wiping out Nicholas with a slingshot dive. Top rope cross body pin attempt was cut off, as all four men dodged double clotheslines before everyone collided for the reset. Caster missed a corner splash, allowing Nicholas to try a Swanton, but Caster got the knees up. As Caster reached for Bowens, Matthew was there to hit a powerbomb off the apron onto the stage on Bowens. Caster kept reaching for the tag, despite seeing his partner just taken out, as The Bucks went for the TK Driver, but Rick Knox got smashed and bumped long enough for Matthew to hit a low kick.

Matthew threw a tag title into the ring, but FTR appeared to stop it from happening. Dax Harwood took the belt away and Matthew spat in his face, causing Harwood to shoot a double leg and Knox saw it happen, calling the match, giving The Bucks a DQ win. Billy Gunn came to the ring with security and The Acclaimed & FTR had to be separated. Renee Paquette was backstage with a furious Christopher Daniels, who said the Tag Team Title picture might be complicated, but he has a simple solution. The Acclaimed vs. FTR with the winners facing The Young Bucks at All In for the Tag Titles.

-A phenomenal video package for Bryan Danielson is shown ahead of the Title vs. Career match at All In against Swerve Strickland. Green Day’s Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) was the backing track to the highlights of Danielson’s career in AEW and around the world, including Ring of Honor, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and the Wrestling Road Diaries documentary as well. It ended with Danielson saying “if you fight for your dreams, your dreams will fight for you.” I can’t stress how great this was.

Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) defeated Wheeler Yuta via referee stoppage

(The message by Strickland was clear, despite being a fan favorite champion, there’s no line he’s willing to cross to prove his point to Danielson that he’ll do what it takes to retire him at All In. The crowd almost seemed split, as they love Strickland, but they love Danielson and don’t want him to retire either. It’ll be very interesting to see how the crowd reacts come Wembley.)

Bryan Danielson was shown in the front row for this main event at the request of Swerve Strickland, who wanted Danielson to watch what he did to Yuta. Strickland wasted no time sending Yuta to the outside next to Danielson, as he slammed Yuta into the steps and barricade, trash talking Danielson, saying this is just an appetizer and he’ll retire Danielson. Back in the ring, Yuta tried fighting back, but Strickland hit the uppercut out of the corner and again mocked Danielson, who cheered Yuta on. Strickland applied almost an inverted Stretch Muffler before Yuta wrenched at the hands and stomped down on Strickland, who countered into kicks of his own. Yuta countered a buckle bomb into a hurricarnana to the floor, where he connected on an elbow suicida.

Back inside, Yuta up to for a dive, but Strickland side stepped and Yuta crashed and burned. Strickland applied the LeBell Lock, but Yuta rolled out into an Ankle Lock. Strickland did a British escape, as Yuta tried a Nigel lariat, but instead hit the Anvil elbows and Seatbelt for a close two. Strickland tried a rolling Flatliner, Yuta side stepped, hit a snap German suplex, tried Cattle Mutilation, but Strickland escaped and both slapped the hell out of each other. Strickland absorbed the blows with a smile on his face, as an uppercut headbutt dropped Yuta. Three House Call kicks connected flush between Strickland stomped down repeatedly and punches in bunches led to referee Bryce to call the match. Strickland wouldn’t stop, as Danielson jumped the barricade and hit the ring, as Strickland bailed.

Strickland took the mic and said he had a message for Danielson. He said that’s just an example of what he’ll do to Danielson in two weeks, asking if Bryan will bring his family? Right where Danielson sat tonight, the same thing will happen for his daughter, as she watches her dad wrestle his last match. Strickland will force Danielson to quit and he will retire him. Strickland left as Danielson tended to Yuta, but turned his back in the process, allowing Strickland to sprint in and hit a House Call kick on Danielson, standing over him doing the Yes chants as Prince Nana danced around. This was a great ending to the show and chapter to this All In main event build.

AEW Rampage 8/16/24

• Nick Wayne vs. Kip Sabian

AEW Collision 8/17/24

• MXM Collection (Mansoor & Mason Madden) vs. Top Flight (Dante & Darius Martin)
• FTR vs. The Acclaimed with the winners facing The Young Bucks at All In for the AEW Tag Team Titles

AEW Dynamite 8/21/24

• Kazuchika Okada defends the International Title against Claudio Castagnoli
• MJF & Will Ospreay Face to Face

Bryan Danielson will face Jeff Jarrett for the first time ever in a no DQ match on tonight’s AEW Dynamite.

Danielson is on his way to All In to challenge Swerve Strickland for the AEW World Championship, but first must get past Jarrett who has served as a motivator for Danielson in the All In build. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat will be at ringside as a special guest during the contest.

AEW American Champion MJF will face Kyle Fletcher in a title eliminator bout.

Katsuyori Shibata’s feud with The Learning Tree will continue tonight as he faces Bryan Keith in singles competition with Chris Jericho on commentary.

Mariah May — the number one contender to the AEW Women’s World title — will take on Viva Van on tonight’s episode. May will challenge Toni Storm at All In for the title.

Mercedes Mone and Kamille will also be in attendance as Mone prepares to defend the TBS title against Britt Baker at All In.

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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with the music for the American Champion hitting and we go to the entrances for our opening contest. Excalibur welcomes us alongside Tony Schiavone, Taz & Don Callis on the call. A massive American flag drops with 50 MJF faces instead of the stars on it, with Will Ospreay watching backstage.

MJF defeated Kyle Fletcher in an American Title Eliminator

(Hell of an opener and one of Fletcher’s best singles matches in AEW to date, as the crowd were loudly behind him. MJF ultimately made an example out of Will Ospreay’s best friend and stayed true to his promise last week in saying he’d make Fletcher bleed. This continues to be a good build for MJF & Ospreay at All In while incorporating Don Callis and The Family as well.)

Callis calls Fletcher a future World Champion, as the bell sounds and MJF bails to the floor to get the microphone, demanding the Australian oaf lock up like a man or he’s leaving. MJF suckered Fletcher in and got a boot to the midsection, as Fletcher quickly fought back with a series of roll-ups. MJF shut down a dive attempt as well as avoiding a Tombstone before targeting the left arm. A double arm underhook shoulder breaker followed by a gut wrench powerbomb got a near fall for MJF, who wanted a Kangaroo Kick, but ate a thrust kick by Fletcher into the double down. Fletcher mounted his comeback with a spinning sit out slam for two, as a leg lariat sent MJF to the outside. Fletcher hit a dive and followed with a massive top rope moonsault off the top to the floor. Back inside, Fletcher went up top, but took too long, as MJF rolled to the floor to take a seat. Fletcher out after quickly, but missed a charge and MJF hit a drop toe hold into the barricade. MJF chucked a fans hat deep into the crowd, but that delay allowed Fletcher to move and MJF tumble over the barricade. Fletcher flew in with a somersault dive and posed in the crowd, who went nuts.

Back in the ring, Fletcher hit a big-time elbow off the top for a close two. MJF again went after the bad arm, sliding through a Tombstone again before hitting a double stomp to the arm. Water Wheel Drop connects for MJF, who hit the hammerlock DDT to spike Fletcher, who kicked out at two. MJF starts paint brushing Fletcher, calling him a wannabe Ospreay and spitting at him, as this only leads to Fletcher hulking up with a thrust kick, but MJF fired off a Canadian Destroyer, only to run into a lariat that turned him inside out for the double down. Lawn dart from Fletcher, as both men traded top rope brainbuster and Tombstone attempts, before Fletcher connected on a wrist clutch Tombstone for the closest two of the match. This caused Callis to leave commentary and come to ringside, throwing the screwdriver to Fletcher, who took too long to debate using it, opting to throw it aside. This allowed MJF to hit a low blow, Kangaroo Kick and brainbuster for the victory.

Will Ospreay tried to leave backstage, but found the door was blocked by cases. He eventually got free just as MJF decked referee Paul Turner with the American Title, placed the Dynamite Diamond ring on and cracked Fletcher with it, busting him open, screaming the blood of Fletcher is on Ospreay’s hands. MJF said he’s going to do what Ospreay doesn’t have the balls to do and went for the Tiger Driver, but Ospreay sprinted to the ring and MJF bailed through the crowd. Ospreay clutched Fletcher’s bloody head, as the doctor checked on Fletcher with Callis & Ospreay arguing with Callis questioning where Ospreay was for his friend.

-A video package for Bryan Danielson & Jeff Jarrett is shown ahead of tonight’s match.

Mariah May defeated Viva Van

(While I enjoy Van’s work, I have no idea why this needed to go through a commercial and May just didn’t win via total squash. I assume it was because they had stuff planned in the post-match.)

May fired off a headbutt at the bell, as both ladies traded standing switches, with May hitting a release German suplex. Big time dropkick off the top, as May relentlessly beat down Van in the corner before going after referee Aubrey. This allowed Van to get one roll-up before May hit another dropkick into picture in picture. When things returned, Van hit a rolling up kick, but May quickly regained control with Sweet Cheek Music. After clubbing Van in the head, she gave a kiss of death before a running knee steamrolled Van. May Day was all she wrote, but instead, May opted for Storm Zero for the win.

Post match, May was handed a wrapped poster ringside and showed it was a picture of Toni Storm cradling May during better times. The other side of the photo said “Die, Mariah, Die” as Timeless Toni Storm appeared and the fight was on again. Storm tried stabbing May with the shoe, but referee Aubrey put a stop to it. Referees and security tried separating the ladies, but May & Storm broke free to loud chants for Storm by the crowd. May bailed, as Storm walked around the ring holding up the Die Mariah Die sign.

-A video package for Jack Perry vs. Darby Allin is briefly shown, with Perry watching clips of Allin pouring gas on him at Blood & Guts followed by smashing a bunch of TVs with Allin celebrating with the TNT Title in the past. My feed cut to a Taco Bell commercial halfway through this vignette and cut back right when it ended. I assume Perry’s vignette wasn’t supposed to include a promo for a cheesy gordita crunch.

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-Darby Allin is walking backstage and said he doesn’t remember the last time Perry was even on TNT and said it doesn’t matter, Perry doesn’t have to show up this Friday when Allin wrestles on Rampage or even on Collision. What matters most, is Perry showing up at Wembley at All In.

Katsuyori Shibata defeated Bryan Keith

(This was Keith’s first match on Dynamite since joining The Learning Tree, as he’d been out of action since May with a broken orbital bone. This was the match of the week that suffered from the commercial in the middle taking up a majority, as Shibata got the win and the bigger story was the post-match with the return of HOOK. I think it’s safe to assume we’re getting HOOK vs. Jericho at All In.)

Taz was removed by commentary at the request of Chris Jericho, who joined the desk with Big Bill for this match. Jericho boasts about his match with Minoru Suzuki receiving 4 stars by Dave Meltzer, as Shibata immediately stomped on the left arm of Keith and Excalibur said it was “branch for a branch.” Keith fought back on the floor and slammed Shibata into the barricade repeatedly and stayed in control during break.

Shibata absorbed strikes by Keith when things returned, but Keith fired off a nasty uppercut headbutt into a neckbreaker for two. Keith connected on an Exploder for two, as another headbutt caught Shibata, who responded with a ripcord slap in the face. The Claw applied and transitioned into the cross arm-breaker for the submission win.

Bill & Jericho attacked at the bell with Keith as they were about to level Shibata with the FTW Title until HOOK’s music hit and he sprinted out from the back and cleared the ring of Keith & Bill. HOOK & Jericho slugged it out before Bill pulled Jericho to safety. HOOK stood tall with Shibata and held the FTW Title high in the air.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Orange Cassidy, who is set to have a rematch against Roderick Strong, Beast Mortos & Rush tonight, but the rest of the Conglomeration aren’t able to travel in due to the hurricane. Cassidy said he’s still going to wrestle tonight and has a couple local boys to team with. Cassidy asks Paquette if she wants to take his place, but she politely declines and Cassidy said it’s fine, he wouldn’t let her do that.

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-Renee Paquette is backstage with Hangman Adam Page and she brings up Page not getting the outcomes he’s been looking for since returning to AEW. Page said there’s been one man he’s wanted to take everything from, leaving him with nothing but the ash of his pride. Justice delayed is justice denied, but believe him, he’ll have what he wants.

Jim Ross sat down with Swerve Strickland earlier today, saying he’s excited about what he’s going to see at All In and worried the fans don’t realize what the fans might miss if they don’t see the main event. Strickland brings up tagging with and wrestling legends last year at Wembley and cut to this year, he’s the main event. Strickland said about his prior actions that it was his way to knock on the door and make some noise until someone finally let him in. Strickland knows what Danielson is fighting for, as JR brings up how this could be it for Danielson, win, lose or draw. Strickland said if the AEW World Title wasn’t enough for Danielson, it’s also about legacy and if he were in the same situation, would anyone give a damn about him? Strickland controls the narrative and that’s what worries people in AEW. Does Strickland care about Danielson being a parent or father, no and questions why JR thinks this will be Strickland’s toughest test? What happens when Danieson’s body gives out and won’t hold up? Not only can Strickland beat Danielson, he will beat Danielson and Danielson’s legacy will belong to him.

Orange Cassidy & FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) defeated Beast Mortos, Roderick Strong & Rush

(It was announced that a Casino Gauntlet Match for a future AEW World Title shot will be taking place at All In. This was your party match of the night, similar to last week and it was just as action packed. The post-match could’ve used some explaining, as the FTR & Acclaimed feud has been pretty much solely on Collision, so if you’ve only been watching Dynamite, you might’ve been confused on why these two teams were having to be separated.)

FTR walked out with jean jackets and shades on (Dax’s being of the Bret Hart variety) as Don Callis joins commentary once again, with Taz allowed back on the call as well, now that Jericho is gone. Matt Taven & Mike Bennett took a seat in the crowd, as there’s fast tags from both teams out the gate. Strong was isolated by FTR & Cassidy, who stepped off Wheeler’s back and just fell onto Strong, who was sent outside, along with Rush & Mortos. FTR & Cassidy did the hands in the pocket pose and that took things to commercial.

Fast tags from Mortos, Rush & Strong, who did locomotion splashes in the corner to Wheeler, who was dropped with a pop-up Samoan Drop by Mortos for two. Wheeler finally fought free and dove for a Harwood hot tag, as he ran wild, including a series of counters on Mortos leading to a nice spinebuster. Quick series of pin attempts on Strong, as Harwood wanted a superplex, but Strong slipped free, Sick Kick, blind tag to Mortos, who flew in with a Swanton Bomb for two. As the ref was distracted, Taven & Bennett hopped the railing and got in a few cheap shots before taking their seats. Harwood remained isolated during the second break.

When things returned, Harwood & Rush collided for the double down, but as Harwood leapt for the tag, Strong wiped-out Wheeler, but Cassidy avoided the Mortos attack, made the tag and ran wild. A head scissors, DDT and Tope from Cassidy, led to a Déjà vu into a DDT onto Mortos, similar to last week. Cassidy signaled for Orange Punch, but Strong ran distraction enough for Mortos to flatten Cassidy & Harwood, but Wheeler was there for a powerslam. Rush took out Wheeler, as Cassidy appeared for Beach Break, but Rush kicked out at one. The match broke down, as Mortos took out Wheeler with a Tope, but Cassidy ducked a charging Mortos, who leapt over the barricade and took out Taven & Bennett. Rush was about to hit the Bull’s Horns on Harwood, but Cassidy was there with an Orange Punch. Rush fought off FTR, but ate another Orange Punch, this time into a Shatter Machine for the win.

Post match, The Acclaimed came out, but Max Caster’s mic wasn’t working and Harwood said the they have all the respect for The Acclaimed, but this goes beyond AEW. Bowens & Caster broke through security and had to all be separated.

-Footage of The Patriarchy being attacked by House of Black and the Bang Bang Gang was shown from Collision last week. The Patriarchy were backstage tonight and said both of those teams are looking for their title shots, so this week on Collision, it’ll be a #1 Contenders Match for the Trios Titles and face The Patriarchy at All In. Cage will be the special referee for the match, as everyone appears to need a father figure.

**********

-A video package on the impressive newcomer Hologram is shown from his success he’s been having since debuting on Collision three weeks ago.

Kamille (w/Mercedes Mone) defeated Jazmyne Hao & Clara Carter

Quick thrust kick flattened Hao, as Carter tried to run away, but was quickly caught and squashed as well. Both ladies dodged a corner charge and got off a few boots, but Kamille mowed down Hao with a lariat and pump kick to Carter. Spinning sit-out Torture Rack Bomb on Hao, as Carter was dropped with a sit-out Dominator for the win.

Mone stood over the fallen bodies before Kamille dispatched of them, as the crowd didn’t react to Mone saying her CEO line. Mone said Britt Baker isn’t here again this week and thanks her EVPs for making it happen. Mone ran down Baker before Tony Schiavone appeared on stage and said he was informed by Christopher Daniels that Tony Khan had overturned The Young Bucks and lifted the suspension of Britt Baker and she’s here…via satellite, which got booed, disappointing fans she wasn’t actually there.

Baker said Mone can get her suspended all she wants, but she can’t run come All In. Baker said when she makes a commitment to something, she sees it through to the end, unlike Mone, who takes her ball and goes home whenever things doesn’t go her way. AEW is the Flavor of the Month to Mone, but to Baker, it’s home. Mone can count her money, but at All In, Baker will be the first person to defeat her. Baker has 7 days to figure out how to get her hands on Mone and she can trust her, she’s a doctor, D.M.D.

-A video package on Bryan Danielson vs. Swerve Strickland Title vs. Career at All In is shown

**********

-Footage of Claudio Castagnoli winning a 3 way match with Tomohiro Ishii & Lee Moriarty last week on Collision was shown. We’re told Castagnoli has earned an International Title match and will be face to face with Kazuchika Okada next week on Dynamite.

Bryan Danielson defeated Jeff Jarrett in an Anything Goes Match with Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat ringside

(This recent run of Jarrett’s have had one thing in common, they’ve been a whole lot of fun, as this was a pretty wild main event. You got the brawling, the hard hitting, the crowd was really into it, job well done to all involved. Steamboat didn’t add all that much on commentary, but the visual of him raising both men’s hands post-match was pretty cool to see. Strickland had a great line to close the show, asking Danielson if this is how his body feels after wrestling Jarrett, imaging the pain that’ll happen against Swerve at All In.)

Steamboat joined commentary for this, as Jarrett attacked Danielson from behind with a guitar during his entrance. Jay Lethal & Karen Jarrett were with him, but didn’t seem to agree with the tactics. The match officially began and Jarrett smacked Danielson with a chair before brawling into the crowd, where Danielson fought back. They continue to fight into the concessions area, where Danielson kept punching Jarrett with an aluminum beer bottle, but Jarrett hit a low blow, suplexing Danielson onto a trash can. With the crowd cheering him on, Danielson battled back and hit a suplex of his own onto the trash can, taking us to commercial.

They brawled back to ringside during break, as when things returned, Jarrett was using a chair on the knee and ankle of Danielson. Swerve Strickland & Prince Nana were shown backstage watching, as Jarrett hit ten corner punches. Danielson backflipped out of the corner and hit a flying clothesline before returning the favor with ten corner punches and biting Jarrett, throwing him outside. Danielson hit a dive, set Jarrett up against the barricade and Danielson appeared to just hit enough of a charging dropkick. Danielson tried a running knee off the apron, but Jarrett chucked a chair at the leg and back inside, zoned in on the injury.

Jarrett wanted to Pillmanize the leg, but took too long and Danielson swung for the fences with a chair shot, followed by a spider superplex. Danielson flew off the top with a missile dropkick and fired off Yes Kicks, but Jarrett swept the leg and got the Figure Four. Steamboat said he’d be a rich man if he had a dollar every time he was locked in that hold. Danielson smacked Jarrett’s legs with the chair to get free, but Jarrett hit The Stroke on the chair for a close two. Jarrett applied a Sharpshooter, but Danielson countered into a LeBell Lock. Jarrett broke the grip, as both start throwing bombs before Jarrett hit an enzugiri. Jarrett wanted another Stroke, but Danielson countered into a Busaiku Knee using the chair for the win.

Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt & Karen Jarrett came to the ring to tend to Jarrett, while Wheeler Yuta came to check on Danielson. Steamboat made his way to the ring as well, checking on Danielson as we see Jarrett is bleeding pretty heavily from behind his ear. Steamboat helped up Jarrett and raised both he & Danielson’s hands before Danielson & Jarrett shook hands and hugged.

Swerve Strickland’s music hit, as Prince Nana danced the AEW Champion to the stage. Strickland said they just witnessed three legends before their eyes, Jeff Jarrett, Ricky Steamboat and now Swerve Strickland. All who have defined wrestling on this network, the difference between them and Danielson is they’ve all been champions here. Strickland calls Danielson one of the greatest of all time, which is why it’ll be such an honor to retire him at All In, as he won’t hesitate to take that kill shot. Strickland questions if Danielson’s body is struggling to hold up against Jarrett, imagine what will happen against Strickland himself? Strickland said he wants a sparring partner too, so next week he wants to go one on one with Yuta. Strickland said Danielson can have a front row seat on why Strickland is the most dangerous man in AEW.

AEW Rampage 8/9/24

• Darby Allin in action

AEW Collision 8/10/24

• Thunder Rosa vs. Deonna Purrazzo – Texas Bull Rope Match
• House of Black vs. The Bang Bang Gang – Special Referee: Christian Cage with the Winners Getting a Trios Title Match at All In

AEW Dynamite 8/14/24

• Swerve Strickland vs. Wheeler Yuta
• Kazuchika Okada & Claudio Castagnoli Face to Face

The winners of both the men’s and women’s 2024 Owen Hart Foundation tournaments will be crowned on tonight’s AEW Dynamite.

Bryan Danielson will face Hangman Page in the men’s tournament finals. Jeff Jarrett will serve as special guest enforcer for the contest.

In the women’s tournament finals, 2023 winner Willow Nightingale will take on Mariah May.

Both tournament winners will receive World title shots at All In at Wembley Stadium on August 25.

AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland will return to Dynamite tonight for the first time since successfully defending his title against Will Ospreay at Forbidden Door on June 30. Ospreay, the International Champion, will also speak on tonight’s show.

TBS & NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone will have a double championship victory toast on Dynamite.

“The Learning Tree” Chris Jericho will take on Samoa Joe in a Stampede Street Fight on tonight’s show in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Claudio Castagnoli, Kyle Fletcher, PAC, and Tomohiro Ishii will square off in a “Global Glory” four-way.

**********

AEW Dynamite comes on the air with video of MJF’s promo he cut on Daniel Garcia this past week on Collision. Garcia won’t make it to All In and might not ever wrestle again. He blames fans for choosing people like Swerve Strickland & Will Ospreay and how the only way AEW can be saved is with MJF on top, the fans can thank him later. Once the video wraps, we go to the arena, as Will Ospreay makes his way to the ring and sits in the corner.

Will Ospreay Addresses MJF

Ospreay was disgusted after MJF’s actions last week, but he’s not surprised, as the rumors of MJF being one of the most insecure men in wrestling is true. Daniel Garcia is still at home with no feeling in his arm and whether he’ll return to pro wrestling. MJF talked about his A.D.D., but Ospreay has A.D.H.D. and it’s not an excuse to be a little prick. Ospreay knows MJF doesn’t like him because the Bidding War of 2024 didn’t go his way, as Tony Khan would rather spend money on guys who elevate AEW, not bury it. Ospreay said MJF called him a talentless hack, but said he has more talent in his left nut than MJF does in his entire body. Ospreay reminds people of the identity what AEW was meant to be, the foundation of this place. MJF had a tattoo on his leg that should say All About Myself, as he’s a selfish little prick. Ospreay welcomes the best version of MJF he’s been talking about for years, that level he talks about, Ospreay has been on that level for ages, he’s a skyscraper.

Ospreay called out MJF to the ring and his music hits. Nigel McGuinness tells us that commentary knows MJF isn’t there tonight, but we see MJF on the big screen, sipping wine. MJF said those people don’t allow the privilege of him showing up tonight. MJF brought up the top guys who have fallen beneath his feet. Ospreay is the flavor of the month, while he’s the flavor of the millennium. The fans will see Ospreay’s routine, grow tired and throw him in the trash, as he’s replaceable, the fans will move on to the next “best in the world.” If Ospreay gets in the ring with MJF, he’ll be exposed. MJF doesn’t wrestle for fun, he wrestles for the betterment of All Elite Wrestling. Next week, MJF challenges Ospreay for the International Title. Ospreay won’t be wrestling for stars, he’ll be punching him in the face until he sees them. The video cuts, Ospreay called that adorable before calling MJF a little bitch, accepting the match.

-A video package of the men’s Owen Hart Foundation Finals are shown. Special Enforcer, Jeff Jarrett, is then shown at the entrance ramp standing by the tournament trophy and title that will be awarded to the winner.

McGuinness on commentary (filling in for Taz, who we’re told Chris Jericho once again got banned from the arena) brought up how Jarrett is there for resentment, something he doesn’t condone anyone doing. Danielson is rocking pink and black gear, as Page also walked out from the babyface tunnel and spat at the feet of Jarrett, as McGuinness said Swerve Strickland has made Page this way.

Bryan Danielson defeated Hangman Adam Page to win the Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Cup

(The first three matches in the series between these two were great and this was no different, as the fans were loudly behind Danielson. The story of whether Danielson’s body would hold up was told very well, as Page seemingly had this in the bag, but ultimately failed, at least now, at his quest to get revenge on Strickland.)

Page pounced early after a missed high kick from Danielson, as he zoned in on the taped-up neck. Danielson backflipped out of the corner and sank in a Lance Storm-esque rolling single leg crab, telling the ref he had until five to break. Danielson followed with a dive to the floor, but clutched his neck in pain before going back inside and hitting a shotgun dropkick. Page fired off a big boot and hit a springboard clothesline to the neck before posting Danielson to the floor heading into picture in picture.

It was all Page during break, as he busted Danielson open in the process, slamming his head repeatedly into the ring steps. Danielson tried firing back with kicks until Page blocked one into a spinning sleeper hold. Danielson answered with a rolling arm bar into the LeBell Lock, but Page got the rope break. Page put a stop to the Yes Kicks, planting Danielson with a Saito Suplex. Page took way too long to follow up, getting crotched in the corner, allowing Danielson to hit a brutal Spider German, dropping Page on his head. Danielson missed a diving headbutt, allowing Page to apply a Crossface, but Danielson go the ropes to go to another commercial.

Back from break, Danielson was delivering anvil elbows in the corner. Page exposed the corner cover and drove Danielson face first against the steel before hitting a beautiful moonsault into a Tombstone for a close two. Page wanted a dive, but Danielson sent him crashing to the apron and out to the floor. Danielson pulled off a springboard somersault dive, as Excalibur said he hasn’t seen him do that in a decade. The ref checked on Danielson and was shoved away to deliver Yes Kicks to Page, who has a cut above his forehead. Danielson went for the home run shot, but Page dodged and hit a piledriver on the floor, as doctors, the ref and Jarrett checked on Danielson.

Page shoved the doctor away and pie faced Jarrett, who didn’t take the bait and went back to Danielson, who stumbled around yelling that he has to do this, breaking the count at 9. Page swarmed with punches, ripping the tape from the neck. Danielson dodged a discus lariat and hit the Busiaku Knee into the double down. Slugfest ensued with each man landing on their feet off a German suplex attempt until Paul Turner ate a Busaiku Knee flush, sending him to the floor, allowing Page to hit a discus lariat and whip Danielson with his belt.

Page started choking out Danielson with the belt when Jarrett got in the ring and was shoved down by Page. Jarrett revealed he’s wearing a referee’s shirt and Danielson got a school boy for two. Page escaped the LeBell Lock and hit Dead Eye for a close two. Buckshot Lariat to the neck, but a proper one was countered into a Danielson roll up for two. Page applied a Crossface, as Danielson almost faded, but stayed in it, rolling up Page and getting the flash pin. Page argued with Jarrett before storming out to the back.

Jarrett hugged Martha Hart on stage before accompanying her to the ring to present the Owen Hart Foundation cup and title to Danielson. Hart said it’s great to be back in the Saddle Dome in Owen’s hometown. She said it’s with great pleasure to award the cup and title to Danielson and says they’ll see him at Wembley Stadium for his AEW World Title shot. McGuinness said that’s not his champion. Swerve Strickland & Prince Nana came to the stage as things went to commercial.

**********

Swerve Strickland Returns to Dynamite

Strickland said a few weeks ago Will Ospreay said the best in the world is who holds the AEW World Title. There were some doubters that was Strickland, so he had to silence those and is now the definitive best in the world. Strickland congratulated Danielson on his win and said it’s going to be an honor to face him, even though he still holds a grudge on Danielson holding a pinfall win over him. Danielson is on the downslide of his career, while Strickland is the face of AEW. Strickland brings up The Young Bucks trying to bribe him a few weeks ago to join The Elite for Blood & Guts. Strickland said he’ll be in Blood & Guts, but on Team AEW, as he’ll step up, doing something Danielson failed to do in the past, beating Ospreay and leading Team AEW into beating The Elite.

Strickland brings up those who were selected as the Dynasty of AEW, the International Champion Will Ospreay, Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada & himself. Strickland challenges Okada, but never said when and said he’ll show him how to really make it rain. Strickland closes by saying All In will truly be Danielson’s final countdown.

-A video package on the women’s Owen Hart Foundation Finals is shown.

**********

-A music video from The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass on The Young Bucks is shown. This feud needs to pick up big time, as it’s been pretty underwhelming so far.

Chris Jericho (w/Bryan Keith) defeated Samoa Joe in a Stampede Street Fight by referee’s stoppage

Excalibur said doctors couldn’t divulge the condition of HOOK following Jericho throwing a fire ball at him last week. Joe ripped the cowboy hat off Jericho and literally punched through it into Jericho’s face to start the match. Corner enzugiri connected, as Jericho went to the eyes to take control. A whip from Jericho resulted in Joe flying through the ropes, taking out Keith and launching him over the barricade. Jericho followed, slamming Joe into the barricade and used a chair. Back inside, Jericho brought out a bag from under the ring and revealed it to be horseshoes. Jericho tried a bulldog onto them, but Joe turned it into a back suplex and senton. Tony Schiavone got off the line “it’s a ringer!” as Jericho fought back with a low blow kick and applied the Walls of Jericho, which was locked on the entire commercial break.

Joe spun out and clonked Jericho with a horseshoe before lighting him up with punches. Jericho avoided a Muscle Buster and hit a dropkick before waving to the crowd. Jericho dove off the apron, but Joe did the signature walk off and Jericho smacked the steps. Into the crowd they went, as Joe smacked Jericho with some popcorn before heading backstage where Jericho threw a cup of coffee into Joe’s face. Joe dodged a Judas Effect and locked in the choke, but Big Bill appeared from behind and smacked Joe with a chair. Bryan Keith joined in, as Jericho took his belt off, punched Joe with the belt buckle given to him by Martha Hart, as Bill chokeslammed Joe onto a forklift. Jericho ran the forklift through a wall, as referees and Colt Cabana ran up, asking Jericho what the hell he was doing. Joe was not moving, as Jericho, Bill & Keith cackled while the referee announced the match was over and we just went to break. This whole thing kind of ended abruptly.

**********

Samoa Joe was loaded on a stretcher and rushed to an ambulance, as The Learning Tree waved goodbye as it drove off.

PAC defeated Claudio Castagnoli, Kyle Fletcher & Tomohiro Ishii in a Global Glory 4-Way to earn a future AEW International Title match

(This was one hell of a party match tonight, as everyone got in their share of offense. PAC earns a future title shot, but it seems his biggest goal is to be on the Wembley card after being injured and missing last year.)

No entrances here, as they must be low on time, as all four men are in the ring. Don Callis is on commentary, as Ishii & Castagnoli take turns dispatching of Fletcher before slugging it out with each other. Ishii won the exchange, but PAC was there with a top rope dropkick. Fletcher swept the legs out from PAC, who answered with a snap hurricanrana. PAC went for a dive, but ran into a Giant Swing attempt from Castagnoli, which was cut off by Fletcher. Ishii reappeared and hit a series of suplexes before Castagnoli hit a gut wrench suplex to cut off his momentum. With everyone outside, Castagnoli hit a spinning dive onto the pile to head to commercial.

Ishii & Castagnoli and PAC & Fletcher were set up in opposite corners as the camera cut and Fletcher & PAC were just down, as Ishii hit a superplex on Castagnoli for the reset as things returned from break. Forearm battle from everyone, as Ishii just no sold them all and lit each man up with headbutts. Locomotion corner strikes from everyone before Fletcher ate a PAC Poison Rana. PAC ran right into a pop-up uppercut from Castagnoli, who in turn, ran into a headbutt from Ishii. Fletcher hit a spinning Tombstone on Ishii for a close two. Fletcher wanted his corner brainbuster, but Ishii fired off another headbutt. Castagnoli sent Ishii to the floor and did the Giant Swing on Fletcher into the Sharpshooter.

PAC flew in with a top rope elbow and applied the Brutalizer at the same time, as Ishii came in and broke Castagnoli off with forearms. Ishii hit the sliding lariat on PAC and turned Fletcher inside out with a lariat for another close near fall. Ishii’s brainbuster was blocked, as Castagnoli hit a Neutralizer on Fletcher and scrambled for pin attempts with PAC before arguing with each other. PAC hit bounce back Germans on Ishii & Castagnoli before almost getting rolled up by Fletcher for two. PAC got boot up in the corner, went up top and hit the Black Arrow before locking the Brutalizer for the submission.

Post match, PAC took the microphone and said it’s safe to say things haven’t been going well for him lately. Since returning, he’s made bold promises, but suffered many humiliating failures. PAC said it’s All In season and The Bastard won’t be denied his Wembley moment. Let this victory be a line in the sand, The Bastard will be back.

-Renee Paquette is backstage about to talk to Bryan Danielson when Hangman Page storms passed her. Paquette scolded him for not showing her respect before he knocks on The Elite’s dressing room. Okada answers and asks if he can help him? The Bucks walk out and asks what they can do for him? Page simply says, he’ll do it and storms off. The Bucks & Okada seemed very pleased by his answer. Presumably this has to do with being their 5^th man in Blood & Guts.

Mercedes Mone Double Championship Toast

Mone didn’t get that big of a reaction walking out as she thanked her boys Matthew & Nicholas Jackson for extra security, so she won’t be interrupted in her celebration. Mone said she’s the past, present and future, the best there is, was and ever will be, which got massive boos. Mone said Britt Baker needs to wake up from her fantasy, as she won’t be facing her at All In. If she did, Mone would leave her for dead. Mone poured a shot to herself before Baker’s music hit and Mone was furious, ordering security to stop her. Baker dropped security with forearms and thrust kicks before just storming passed the rest, hitting the ring, as Mone bailed to the crowd.

**********

-We see Brandon Cutler crawling backstage and see Darby Allin is responsible for the beating. Allin said Jack Perry always says they all need to make sacrifices, right? Allin issues a challenge to Perry for next week on the 250^th episode of Dynamite. This was super quick and a weird way for Allin to have his return following Anarchy in the Arena, but I’m happy Allin is back, regardless.

Mariah May (w/Timeless Toni Storm & Luther) defeated Willow Nightingale to win the Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Cup

(An excellent women’s tournament final, only strengthened by the post-match blindside. The crowd were left stunned, the visual of May standing tall has set the wheels into motion for All In and I can’t wait to see where this continues to go. I thought this was a fantastic job by everyone involved. One of the better women matches, post-match stories AEW has had.)

May with the pink attire, while Nightingale is rocking the black and yellow caution gear as tributes to Owen Hart. Nigel McGuinness made about 8 different Motley Crue references when talking about May during the feeling out process, as Nightingale showed off her power early with a shoulder tackle. She tried for another, but May got a leg sweep and shotgun dropkick. Head scissors sent Nightingale into the ropes, as May trapped her and fired off a dropkick to the back for one. Chop battle ensued, as Nightingale hit a spinning side slam and low cross body for two. May rolled outside and was flattened by a Nightingale cannonball from the apron to take things to commercial.

Back from break, May mounted a comeback with her top rope dropkick and followed with Sweet Cheek Music and snap DDT for two. Storm cheered May on, as Nightingale battled back with a corner splash and spinebuster. Nightingale went for the Sharpshooter, but May fought out, planting Nightingale with a German suplex. May hit a corner uppercut, as the crowd cheers her on as she hit the handstand head scissors for two. May missed the charging knee, as Nightingale hit a Fisherman’s Bomb for a close near fall. Nightingale went for the Pounce, but May hit a headbutt as both ladies collapsed.

Storm took the referee, as someone in a Sting hoodie, revealed to be Stokely Hathaway, distracted Nightingale enough for Kris Statlander to appear and hit a running boot. May & Storm didn’t realize what happened, as May hit her charging knee strike, but Nightingale kicked out. May nearly got the leg trap roll up, as Storm told May to go for Storm Zero, which May did, but ate a Nightingale lariat for two. Nightingale lowered the straps and hit the corner cannonball, as she went for the Death Valley Driver, but May spun out into a victory roll for the win.

Post match, May shook Nightingale’s hand before jumping into the arms of Storm. Both ladies skipped up the ramp to the Owen Hart cup and title, where May clobbered Storm with the gold. The crowd was stunned, as Luther was laid out as well. A bloody Storm screamed why, as May sent Luther flying off the stage through tables. Storm is crying as May lifted up a shoe and violently beat the hell out of Storm with it, driving the heel into her head. Referees tried stopping her, but May shoved Aubrey Edwards down. May kissed the bloody head of Storm, as the graphic for All In is shown with May standing tall. This was a phenomenal ending to Dynamite.

AEW Rampage 7/12/24

• Kings of the Black Throne (Malakai Black & Brody King) vs. Premier Athletes (Tony Nese & Ari Daivari)
• Thunder Rosa vs. Rachael Ellering
• Roderick Strong vs. Ben Bishop
• Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor, Lee Moriarty & Anthony Ogogo) vs. Top Flight (Darius & Dante Martin) & Action Andretti)

AEW Collision 7/13/24

• Konosuke Takeshita vs. Tommy Billington

AEW Dynamite 7/17/24

• Will Ospreay defends the AEW International Title against MJF to kick off AEW Dynamite 250
• AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland vs. AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada

World Champion Swerve Strickland & his title challenger Wil Ospreay will team on the final AEW Dynamite before Sunday’s Forbidden Door PPV.

Strickland & Ospreay will face Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona on tonight’s Dynamite. Ospreay, the International Champion, will challenge Strickland on Sunday, June 30 at Forbidden Door.

The men’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament continues tonight with a Jay White vs. Rey Fenix quarterfinals matchup.

BCC’s Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta will team against LIJ’s Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi & Titan on the show. Moxley defends the IWGP World Heavyweight title against LIJ’s Tetsuya Naito at Forbidden Door.

Women’s World Champion Toni Storm will team with her Forbidden Door opponent Mina Shirakawa, and Mariah May against Saraya, Harley Cameron, and Anna Jay.

Zack Sabre Jr. will have a tune-up match tonight against Kyle O’Reilly. Sabre is set to face Orange Cassidy at Forbidden Door.

An appearance by MJF, plus promos from TBS Champion Mercedes Mone & Daniel Garcia are also set for the show.

**********

It’s Wednesday, and you know what that means. Dynamite is live from Buffalo, New York four days away from Forbidden Door as MJF made his entrance. Excalibur, Taz & Tony Schiavone were on the call.

MJF Town Hall

MJF barely got a word out when hometown hero Daniel Garcia made his entrance. Garcia thanked him for his help last week before getting in MJF’s face. He said he would do something that no one else has ever done –  say nice things about MJF. Garcia put over MJF’s accomplishments before bringing up a conversation the two had several months back. MJF told Garcia that he was more than a background player, and told him that if he earned enough wins, he’d give Garcia a title shot.

Garcia got that shot, but it was the most embarrassing moment of his career. That moment inspired him to go on the run of his career and earn the respect of the people. He wanted to be more than a pillar, he wanted to be the backbone of AEW’s future. Garcia then warned MJF that if he talked crap about Buffalo, he’d have the whole city on his head.

MJF shamelessly shilled his upcoming appearances at Forbidden Door and Collision in the Memphis area before getting to his next point. MJF got into Garcia’s face before thanking him for praising his nice words. MJF said that no one was good enough to take his spot, but Garcia was close. MJF didn’t give Garcia that World Title shot out of pity or because Garcia was a big star that thought he deserved one, MJF gave Garcia that shot because he earned it.

MJF saw a lot of himself in Garcia, two undersized talents from New York with chips on their shoulders. He beat Garcia all those months ago without breaking a sweat, but noted how much better Garcia has gotten since then. MJF then made the challenge: MJF vs. Daniel Garcia at All In: Wembley.

Before Garcia gave his answer, Will Ospreay made his entrance. Ospreay joked around with Garcia before offering him an International Title match next week in Chicago, with the AEW World Title on the line as well once Ospreay won it at Forbidden Door. Garcia accepted, with the announcers noting how Ospreay upstaged MJF. Ospreay left, and before Garcia could answer MJF, MJF told him to focus on next week and left.

(A very interesting segment, setting up next week’s main event and two possible directions for MJF at Wembley Stadium. After some solid and consistent work on the weekend shows, Garcia finds himself in the mix with a couple of top guys here. This feels like an attempt to elevate a true AEW homegrown guy to the upper echelon of the promotion, and Garcia has the crowd connection for it to work if it’s done well. MJF took some pointed shots at Ospreay in past weeks and was clearly unhappy with the interruption this week. Meanwhile, Ospreay is already assuming victory against Swerve Strickland, which will no doubt play a role in their tag match tonight.)

Swerve Strickland was backstage with Prince Nana. Strickland told Will Ospreay that he was putting the cart before the horse in offering World Title shots before he’s even won it. Strickland said that Ospreay had a focus issue and needed to fix it before their tag match tonight against the Gates of Agony.

Los Ingobernables de Japon (Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi & Titán) defeated Blackpool Combat Club (Claudio Castagnoli, Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta) by disqualification

(An awesome trios match here with two factions set up against each other at Forbidden Door. The finish was a bit surprising, as I assumed Titán or Yuta would just eat the fall, but it set up the big brawl that brought Naito out and the staredown between Danielson & Takagi.)

Bryan Danielson was at the desk, scouting his Forbidden Door opponent Takagi. Excalibur explained the history of Los Ingobernables de Japon, with Tetsuya Naito forming the Japanese offshoot of the original CMLL group headed by Rush. Castagnoli & Takagi started as Danielson noted that Takagi once held the IWGP World Title that Moxley holds now. Takagi won the opening exchange with a hip toss before Yuta & Takahashi tagged in.

Takahashi outpaced Yuta, leading to Titán tagging in and hitting a head-first tope before getting Yuta back in the ring for a nearfall. Yuta scored with an enzuigiri and tagged in Castagnoli, but Titán came back with a flurry of kicks. Castagnoli caught a crossbody and turned it into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker as we went to commercial.

Moxley sent Takahashi into the barricade as we came back from the break. Titán fought off Castagnoli but got cut off by Moxley as he crawled for a tag. Titán did a Matrix bend to avoid a lariat before getting the tag to Takagi. Takagi ran wild, scoring with a brainbuster on Yuta. Former Kamikaze USA members collided, as Moxley and Takagi got into a lariat battle that Takagi won. Takahashi and Yuta tagged in, with Takahashi getting the upper hand with the Dynamite Plunger. Takahashi hit a Hiromu-chan Bomber, but as he set up for the Time Bomb 2, Moxley laid into him with a chair for the disqualification.

A Pier Six brawl broke out before Tetsuya Naito’s music hit. Naito made his typical lackadaisical entrance, annoying Moxley to the point where he charged him on the ramp. The IWGP champion and challenger brawled to the back. Meanwhile, Takagi brought Yuta into the ring before hitting the hammer-and-anvil elbows to his head. Danielson made the save and stared Takagi down.

Owen Hart Foundation 2024 Men’s Tournament Quarter Final Match – Jay White defeated Rey Fenix

(A solid enough match here, with White getting a clean win on a credible name in Fenix.)

The winner of this match will wrestle the winner of the Jeff Jarrett/Wild Card match in the next round.

After some shenanigans with both teams’ taunts, referee Rick Knox banned everyone from ringside. This almost caused White to get caught with a roll-up, but he kicked out at two and laid in some shots to Fenix’s midsection. Fenix caught White with headscissors and a high springboard armdrag before hitting a huge dive to the outside. White cut Fenix off on a springboard attempt on the apron before hitting a neckbreaker out of powerslam position as we went to a commercial.

Fenix caught White with a superkick and a rope-run head kick before hitting a frog splash for a nearfall. Fenix got another nearfall with a rolling hurricanrana before White cut him off with a DDT. White hit a brainbuster for a nearfall. White kicked out of a roll-up before hitting a high-angle uranage for a nearfall. Fenix and White fought for position before White caught Fenix with the Blade Runner for the win.

After the match, The Patriarchy came out after having made their intentions for the Trios Titles clear in the past few weeks. They went to the ring, but after a staredown between Christian and White, the Patriarchy backed away.

The Young Bucks were backstage. Nicholas Jackson made it clear that The Acclaimed took advantage of his hot temper to win last week, but promised the result would be different when the titles were on the line. Matthew Jackson announced that the Wild Card in the Owen Hart Memorial Tournament would be representing the Elite, and when they won the AEW World Title at Wembley Stadium, The Elite would have complete control of AEW.

(Given the World Champion is currently Swerve Strickland, this makes Hangman Page my betting line favorite to be the Wild Card. Given his history with both Swerve & The Bucks, that would make the most sense. But what if Will Ospreay wins the World Title? Could Ricochet be on the table for next week as a (non-Strickland) swerve? Also, credit to AEW for really loading up the TV after Forbidden Door, with a big Dynamite in Chicago leading to the Owen Cup Finals in Calgary the week after.)

The Acclaimed Town Hall

The Acclaimed made their entrance before the break. After the break, Max Caster bragged about their win over the (repeatedly bleeped) Young Cucks. Anthony Bowens said there would be no excuses when they won the titles and became the two-time AEW Tag Team Champions. They went to scissor when The Young Bucks & Kazuchika Okada interrupted. Okada told them to “scissor me, bitch.”

Nicholas Jackson challenged the Acclaimed to a trios match at Forbidden Door. Billy Gunn said that while he would like to kick their asses, he happened to know a President. The President of New Japan Pro Wrestling, and Okada’s greatest rival, Hiroshi Tanahashi appeared on the video board to tell Okada that he was coming to fight The Elite. Scissor Ace was coming to Forbidden Door, as Tanahashi & The Acclaimed vs. The Elite was made official for Forbidden Door.

(A fine spot for Tanahashi, as he’s far past a big-time singles match at this stage of his career. It’s funny that Billy Gunn made the Tanahashi announcement, as those two had a stinker of a singles match on a New Japan US show way back in 2017. This trios match at Forbidden Door should be a fun time.)

Mark Briscoe, Orange Cassidy, & Kyle O’Reilly were backstage with Renee Young. Briscoe hyped his TNT Ladder match and Orange Cassidy vs. Zack Sabre Jr. in his own special way. O’Reilly tried to hype his match with Sabre tonight in Briscoe fashion but wasn’t confident in it. Briscoe brought it home, telling Sabre that he was nothing but fish and chips and that Cassidy would whoop his ass. This was fun.

Mariah May, Mina Shirakawa & Toni Storm defeated Anna Jay, Harley Cameron & Saraya

May walked out with Storm, then went back to enter with Shirakawa and do the Club Venus dance with her. Shirakawa had Jay in firm control before choosing to tag in May instead of Storm. May was conflicted when going for a tag, which allowed Jay and Saraya to yank her partners off the apron as we went to a commercial.

Storm got the hot tag as we came back, hitting a hip attack on Saraya before Shirakawa tagged herself in. Cameron hit a backstabber on Shirakawa to get a nearfall. We got a move train before Shirakawa hit the Glamorous Driver MINA for the win.

After the match, May offered both women champagne flutes. They all danced before Shirakawa grabbed the bottle of champagne. Shirakawa went to hit Storm with it, but Storm ducked and May took the champagne bottle to the face. Storm was furious as referees came in to assist May.

We got a video package hyping Mercedes Mone vs. Stephanie Vaquer. We got footage of Mone’s surprise appearance in Arena Mexico last Friday. Mone said that she wasn’t afraid to kick the Forbidden Door down and get the title that was meant for her. Vaquer was offended at Mone’s arrogance and said that she would become the double champion at Forbidden Door.

We cut to Mercedes Mone in the back. She went to Mexico to see Vaquer defend her title, but Vaquer was nowhere to be found tonight. She heard that Vaquer had a match on Collision – against Lady Frost – and that the TBS Champion would have to make her way to TNT to see it first-hand.

The Learning Tree Town Hall

Chris Jericho, Big Bill, & Bryan Keith came to the ring. Keith’s arm was in a sling after Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata & Hook jumped them on Collision. Big Bill said that Keith was out for Forbidden Door, and that Joe, Shibata & Hook took advantage of that by challenging them to a trios match at Forbidden Door. Jericho took the mic, and after saying that he was here for the young guys to enter the Jericho Vortex, he said that it wasn’t fair that they hurt Keith.

Jericho said that they found another partner, one who was one of the toughest men in Japan. They got a video from their partner but haven’t watched it yet. Jericho introduced his partner, a fellow Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Famer. Minoru Suzuki appeared on the screen, but he declined the offer to team with Jericho. He wanted to wrestle Jericho one-on-one for the FTW Title, much to Jericho’s surprise.

After the video ended, Joe, Shibata, & Hook walked out. Joe said that this was awkward, and that the Learning Tree didn’t have enough branches. Shibata held up his phone to say that Jericho sucked. Jericho paintbrushed Joe, leading to a fight and the babyfaces clearing the ring.

(This Jericho character has been hit or miss, but this segment was a lot of fun. Jericho assuming Suzuki accepted his offer, only to find out live that he was being challenged to a title match was very funny. I keep waiting for the Shibata phone gimmick to jump the shark, but luckily it hasn’t.)

Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Kyle O’Reilly

(This was a solid technical battle between these two, although it didn’t have a lot of highspots for the crowd to react to. The post-match had a lot of bodies, and hopefully it ends in those bodies in some Zero Hour matches for Forbidden Door.)

The stars were out for this one. Orange Cassidy was on commentary, and Roderick Strong, The Kingdom, and NJPW STRONG Champion Gabe Kidd were watching from the crowd. The two scrambled for position on the mat, nearly catching each other in armbars before separating. The two traded holds at Gabe Kidd & Roderick Strong vs. The Infantry was announced for Rampage on Friday. Sabre caught O’Reilly with a neck crank and a bicep stomp as we went to a commercial.

Sabre caught O’Reilly with an Octopus Hold as we came back from the break, but O’Reilly cranked on the ankle to get out. O’Reilly peppered Sabre with kicks, but Sabre caught O’Reilly with a kick to the arm. O’Reilly caught Sabre with a knee lift to the chest before the two had a submission exchange that ended with an O’Reilly side suplex. The two traded kicks before O’Reilly caught Sabre with a knee on a double leg attempt. After another scramble on the mat, Sabre caught O’Reilly in a Fujiwara armbar for the win.

Kidd and Strong had a bit of an argument in the crowd as Cassidy came to the ring. Strong and the Kingdom checked on O’Reilly as Sabre and Cassidy stared each other down. Shane Haste & Robbie Eagles came to back up their stablemate Sabre. Tomohiro Ishii came to the ring to back up his friend Cassidy. Meanwhile, Kidd hopped on the apron barking at anybody who would listen. We got a tense staredown as everyone backed away.

Swerve Strickland & Will Ospreay defeated Gates Of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona)

(This was a typical Can They Co-Exist tag. The crowd was into it, but it was very formulaic. The post-match was great, with Strickland not standing for Ospreay’s games anymore and laying him out. An energetic Dynamite on the whole, and a solid go-home show for Forbidden Door.)

The Gates jumped Strickland and Ospreay as the bell rang, with Ospreay catching Kaun with an inverted monkey flip once he got his feet under him. Ospreay almost caught Strickland with a misdirected boot, leading to Liona clotheslining them both as we went to a commercial.

After the commercial, Strickland fought off the Gates, but Liona yanked Ospreay off of the apron as Swerve went for the tag. The Gates hit a double main-event spinebuster, but Strickland evaded a shotgun dropkick, sending Kaun into Liona. Ospreay got the hot tag and hit a double handspring kick before getting a nearfall with a standing Shooting Star Press. Liona cut off Ospreay on the top rope, allowing Kaun to hit a top rope Jackhammer for a nearfall that Strickland broke up.

Strickland sent Liona to the floor before hitting a Swerve Stomp to the floor. Ospreay hesitated on a Tiger Driver attempt, leading to an incidental boot from Ospreay to Strickland. Liona caught Ospreay with a Pounce for a nearfall. Strickland came back in with a boot to Kaun that may have been meant for Ospreay, but the champs worked together. Liona was too strong to take down with a Poisonrana, but a Strickland boot sent Liona over. Liona kicked out of an OsCutter, but after Strickland popped Kaun’s arm, Ospreay hit the Hidden Blade on Liona for the win.

After the match, Ospreay snatched the World Title from Strickland again, but this time Strickland dropped him with a House Call to stand tall as the show ended.