After the shocking ending of “WrestleDream,” AEW is in its darkest hour.
Where will the company go from here?
Let’s dive in to Hits and Misses.
HIT: Jon Moxley Cold Open
Jon Moxley is the AEW World Champion once again, but this time it’s under very different circumstances. Moxley finally provided us with a little insight into his motive. Moxley and his compatriots have become disillusioned by AEW. This company was supposed to be the land of opportunity for professional wrestlers, but it’s lost its way. Moxley intends to perform a little course correction. Moxley says that this is the new paradigm.
I enjoyed this, as I thought it was necessary. It still doesn’t exactly explain why he tried to murder Bryan Danielson, but it was a much needed address from our new world champion.
HIT: Adam Cole Returns to “Dynamite”
Adam Cole wasted no time talking about his road to recovery or how much he missed the fans, just the brass tax. Before his injury, Adam Cole was inextricably tied to Maxwell Jacob Friedman. His betrayal of MJF at “World’s End” was a story months in the making, culminating in his reveal as the masked “Devil.” However, Cole’s injury derailed the program — leaving MJF and Cole’s faction, the Undisputed Kingdom, in booking purgatory.
At “WrestleDream,” Cole inexplicably returned as a babyface — coming to the aid of an incapacitated Daniel Garcia. In his return to “Dynamite,” Cole professed that sometimes you have to fight evil with evil. Cole hates everything about MJF. Cole hates how MJF looks, how he talks, and how he conducts his business.
MJF responded via satellite, blaming Cole’s betrayal for the blackness in his heart. MJF has no intention of stepping in the squared circle with Adam Cole and giving him the satisfaction of revenge.
This was a great way to frame this feud. At the end of the day, Cole was going to be cheered when he returned and MJF was already a heel. While it’s a little unorthodox, I think there’s an interesting story to be told here, culminating at “Full Gear.”
HIT: Mark Briscoe and Chris Jericho Exchange Words
After “WrestleDream,” Chris Jericho accused ROH World Champion, Mark Briscoe, of cheating. How did Briscoe cheat? I have no idea. Jericho still has every intention of becoming the “Nueve,” which means he has to become a two-time ROH World Champion, just like Mark’s late brother Jay Briscoe.
Renee Paquette interviewed Mark Briscoe backstage, asking the champion to respond to Jericho’s comments. Briscoe is obviously upset that Jericho continues to invoke his late brother’s name and accepts the “Learning Tree’s” challenge. However, Briscoe believes that the stakes need to be even higher. So, next week on “Dynamite,” their rematch will be in a “Ladder Wars” match.
Normally, I’m not very interested in Chris Jericho’s ongoing programs. I’m genuinely excited for this rematch, though. That is not only a testament to the quality of Jericho and Briscoe’s match at “WrestleDream,” but how entertaining Mark Briscoe is.
HIT: FTR vs. Big Bill & Bryan Keith
Asheville, N.C. natives Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler returned to “Dynamite,” to wrestle the Learning Tree’s Big Bill and Bryan Keith. This match was scheduled to raise awareness for a variety of organizations, providing relief to areas affected by Hurricane Helene.
FTR pinned Bryan Keith after delivering the Shatter Machine. La Facción Ingobernables were watching the match backstage, teasing a feud between both teams. After the match, the Outrunners made a surprise appearance — receiving a thunderous reaction from the San Jose crowd. Both teams performed the Outrunners patented handshake and took turns posing afterwards. The Outrunners were even wearing FTRunners trunks.
I savor every appearance that FTR makes on “Dynamite,” because they’re seldom seen on Wednesday nights. It feels like FTR are on a collision course with the Outrunners and I can’t wait to see it unfold.
Rating: ***
HIT: Mercedes Moné vs. Queen Aminata
Earlier this week, Jim Ross made a poignant comment: admitting that he hasn’t connected with Mercedes Moné yet. I am inclined to agree with the “voice of wrestling.” There’s an inauthenticity to Moné’s portrayal. She feels like she’s trying to impersonate a multitude of wrestlers, from the “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase to Hollywood Hulk Hogan. Couple that with her obvious ring-rust and it explains why Moné feels so off.
This was a fun match though. Queen Aminata has really emerged as another blossoming star in this ever-expanding women’s division. These two had a surprising amount of synergy, which greatly contributed to the bottom line.
Rating: ***
The Conglomeration vs. the Elite
At the end of the “Zero Hour” pre-show for “WrestleDream,” Kyle O’Reilly challenged Kazuchika Okada to a match for the AEW Continental Championship. When Okada declined O’Reilly’s offer, the latter attacked him. Thus, this match was scheduled for “Dynamite.”
There’s a level of excellence that you expect when Kazuchika Okada and the Young Bucks take the ring. Not to mention a wrestler as gifted as Kyle O’Reilly, Rocky Romero, and Orange Cassidy. During “WrestleDream,” Renee Paquette mediated a conversation between Cassidy and Jerry Lynn, who is a coach and agent for AEW. Lynn expressed his belief that Cassidy could be AEW’s top star, if he just applied himself. In a vacuum, the conversation seemed misplaced. Now, it’s starting to make sense.
The Elite’s match with the Conglomeration was ended prematurely, after Wheeler Yuta attacked Orange Cassidy. Yuta of course was a member of the Best Friend’s with Cassidy, as well as Trent Beretta, Chuck Taylor, and Kris Statlander. Yuta was joined by PAC, Claudio Castagnoli, Marina Shafir, and Jon Moxley — isolating Cassidy in the ring and swarming him. Top Flight and the Dark Order tried intervening, but to no avail. Meanwhile, Okada and the Bucks pensively watched from the aisle.
How long will it take for the Elite to take action against Moxley’s insurgency? Will Orange Cassidy be Jon Moxley’s first challenger for the AEW World Championship? Time will tell.
Rating: N/A
HIT: Shelton Benjamin vs. Lio Rush
I’d like to emphasize that Shelton Benjamin is 49 years old.
Lio Rush is an extraordinarily talented professional wrestler in his own right, but there have been few performers as talented as Benjamin in the last two decades. After watching this match, there’s no doubt in my mind that Benjamin is still the “standard of excellence” in professional wrestling.
Rating: ***½
HIT: The Don Callis Family’s Press Conference
Don Callis said that he conducted one of the greatest trades in sport’s history, when he traded Lance Archer for LFI. That’s quite an interesting take.
Now, he’s acquired Brian Cage, who won the ROH World Television Championship on the “Zero Hour” pre-show last Saturday. Callis announced that Cage and Archer will now work as a tag team for the Don Callis Family, which I am very excited for.
The next order of business was introducing our new AEW International Champion, Konosuke Takeshita, who delivered his promo in both Japanese and English, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Takeshita promises to defend his title all over the world, accepting all-comers. For example, Takeshita will be defending his title this weekend against Josh Alexander, at Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling’s inaugural show, Forged In Excellence. Given the pedigree of both competitors, I’m sure that will be an incredible match.
Lastly, Kyle Fletcher explained why he betrayed his former friend, Will Ospreay. Until he decided that the people didn’t deserve an answer.
This was a terrific segment. I’m very excited to see Brian Cage and Lance Archer perform as a tag team, even if it’s under the umbrella of the Don Callis Family.
HIT: Mariah May Issues an Open Challenge
The AEW Women’s World Champion, Mariah May, acknowledged her bizarre interview at the media scrum; where the “reporters” failed to conjure up any questions for the world champion. Then, she accused the AEW women’s division of being too afraid to challenge her for the title. The source of May’s frustration seemed to stem from Toni Storm being named the number one women’s wrestler in the world by Pro Wrestling Illustrated.
Suddenly, Anna Jay came face-to-face with May — forcing Christopher Daniels to intervene. Anna Jay tried to smack May, but missed and hit Daniels in the ear.
I’m happy to see Anna Jay test her mettle against Mariah May. While the women’s world champion seems to be directionless at the moment, I’ve enjoyed watching her work with different challengers.
HIT: Christian Cage vs. Jay White
This was a fun main event match between two phenomenal wrestlers. Christian Cage proved to be the second “wrong” that “Switchblade” Jay White needed to right. Unfortunately, “Hangman” Adam Page interfered while the referee was preoccupied, delivering a Buckshot Lariat to the “Switchblade.” Christian Cage capitalized on Page’s interference, pinning White.
I’m excited to see where “Hangman” Adam Page and “Switchblade” Jay White’s feud progresses from here. These two have had a long history, dating back to their encounters in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Their chemistry is undeniable, which was evident in their match last Saturday. This will be a fun feud, assuming it continues to build towards “Full Gear.”
Final Verdict
This was a momentous episode of “Dynamite,” ushering in a new era for All Elite Wrestling. Not to mention, it was extraordinarily well paced and balanced; with the perfect blend of interesting television segments and great in-ring action.
The rest of the week’s programming
Friday Night “Rampage”
- Mark Briscoe vs. the Butcher
- Anna Jay vs. Trish Adora
- Private Party vs. MxM Collection
- Kyle O’Reilly in action
Saturday Night “Collision”
- Kyle Fletcher vs. Atlantis Jr.
- Ricochet vs. AR Fox
- The Outrunners vs. La Facción Ingobernables
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