Unfortunately, save for a few exciting matches and an in-ring segment between “Hangman” Adam Page and Jeff Jarrett; this episode was largely forgettable.
Let’s dive in:
MISS: Chris Jericho vs. Orange Cassidy
I wonder how many viewers this episode lost after the first quarter hour?
As of late, I’ve been completely disinterested in the career of Chris Jericho. As a gimmick, the “Learning Tree” is easily Jericho’s worst re-invention yet. Every week, we watch the “Jericho Vortex” suffocate Bryan Keith and Big Bill.
Since “All In,” Jericho has had the Conglomeration and Orange Cassidy in his crosshairs; culminating in this match — which lasted nearly 20 minutes. If anyone can maximize Jericho’s physical limitations, it’s the often maligned Orange Cassidy. However, these aren’t the early days of AEW, anymore. Chris Jericho isn’t shining a light on Orange Cassidy. To the 700,000 odd fans who tune into “Dynamite,” Orange Cassidy is a proven commodity. So, who is this feud benefiting and why should I care?
While I highly doubt that the Learning Tree and Conglomeration’s feud is finished, my instincts are telling me that it’s time for Chris Jericho to go away for a little while.
MISS: Hook
Roderick Strong will face Hook next Saturday, on the special “Grand Slam” edition of Saturday Night “Collision.” In preparation for that match, Strong joined the commentary team during Hook’s match against JD Ink; if this even qualifies as a match.
While I appreciate the decision to have Hook work with a consummate technician like Roderick Strong, the FTW Champion’s lack of progress is concerning. The “cold-hearted, handsome devil” made his wrestling debut nearly three years ago, in Dec. 2021. While there’s no denying that Hook’s profile has risen, defeating stars like Ricky Starks, Jack Perry, and Chris Jericho; his development in the ring has been marginal at best. Despite being an undersized face, Hook wrestles like he’s 6-foot-4-inches and 285-pounds.
I enjoy the presentation that Hook has carefully cultivated over the last three years. His ring gear, entrance music, and air of inviolability are a striking combination. It doesn’t excuse the fact that he hasn’t progressed as a wrestler. Even though Hook’s worked with legendary wrestlers like Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata, Rob Van Dam, and Chris Jericho; he can only learn so much through observation.
HIT: Mariah May & Serena Deeb vs. Yuka Sakazki & Queen Aminata
Tony Khan managed to kill two birds with one stone, simultaneously continuing two feuds that began on “Collision.” Yuka Sakazaki will face Mariah May for the AEW Women’s World Championship, next week at “Grand Slam,”, while the “Professor” Serena Deeb has been trying to teach Queen Aminata a lesson. So, all four women took part in a tag team match last night. In the end, Yuka Sakazaki and Queen Aminata won via disqualification — after May attacked Sakazaki with her championship belt.
Not only was this match entertaining, but it did an extraordinary job of reintroducing Yuka Sakazki — who hasn’t wrestled on “Dynamite” since 2021. The crowd responded well to her, both during her entrance and throughout the match. I’m sure May’s assault after the match only intensified their support for the “Magical Girl.”
For Deeb and Aminata, I’m excited to see where their feud leads. Deeb is the perfect wrestler for younger talent to test their mettle against. If anyone can prepare Aminata for the next phase of their career, it’s Serena Deeb.
HIT: Jon Moxley and Co. Assault Private Party
During Jon Moxley, Marina Shafir, and Claudio Castagnoli’s pilgrimage to the ring — Private Party tried to ambush the former “Blackpool Combat Club” and settle the score after what transpired last week. However, Moxley and co. quickly turned the tables on Isaiah Kassidy and Marq Quen. Castagnoli delivered a pair of devastating “choke-breakers” to Marq Quen in the center of the ring, incapacitating him. Afterwards, they all turned their attention to Isaiah Kassidy. While Shafir and Castagnoli subdued Kassidy, Moxley took a hammer and broke his left hand — very convincingly, might I add.
Afterwards, Darby Allin intervened, attacking Claudio Castagnoli and squaring off with Moxley in the ring. Before Allin could connect with his skateboard, Moxley escaped the ring. However, Allin was too little too late.
Moxley’s proclivity for violence is quite startling, even in the context of professional wrestling. Quite frankly, I’m morbidly curious to see how far Moxley and Allin will go next week — given the restrictions of network television.
HIT: Ricochet vs. the Beast Mortos
Ricochet continued to defy the laws of gravity last night.
The Beast Mortos is such a unique performer, whose combination of brawn and agility perfectly accentuated Ricochet’s aerial artistry. These two tore the house down in Wilkes-Barre, giving Ricochet another statement win and demonstrating why the Beast Mortos deserves more recognition.
After the match, Ricochet met with Will Ospreay and announced that in two weeks — at AEW’s fifth anniversary show in Pittsburgh — he’ll be challenging Ospreay for his AEW International Championship.
Hopefully this match is proof positive that the Beast Mortos deserves a sustained push, either as a single’s wrestler or in a tag team.
HIT: “Hangman” Adam Page and Jeff Jarrett
Tony Schiavone is interviewing “Hangman” Adam Page in the center of the ring. Page reiterates that he plans on exacting his revenge on every man who prevented him from facing Swerve Strickland. He also has no love loss for people who support Strickland, and that includes the announcers. Before Page could put the hurt on Schiavone, Jeff Jarrett intervened. The two trade a few blows before security intervenes, separating both men and giving Page an opportunity to escape. “The Last Outlaw” says he’ll be damned before he allows Page to harm Tony Schiavone and that there’s a whole locker room full of wrestlers who’d love to teach Page a lesson, but Jarrett is first in line.
This was great. For years, as a young and impressionable TNA fan, I thought Jeff Jarrett was a carny. Over the last four months, he’s really won me over as a face. Facing “Hangman” Adam Page will only create more sympathy for Jarrett — given Page’s smash-mouth wrestling style.
MISS: Alex Marvez
This company already has Renee Pacquette, Lexy Nair, Alicia Atout, Arkady Aura, and Melissa Santos. Why is Alex Marvez providing us with backstage interviews? Can’t we all unanimously agree that he’s horrible?
HIT: The Main Event
The participants alone reflect the quality of this match. Will Ospreay, Kyle Fletcher and Konosuke Takeshita faced Kazuchika Okada & the Young Bucks. For Ospreay, Fletcher, and the Young Bucks; it was a preview of their match next week at “Grand Slam.” For Takeshita and Okada, this was yet another confrontation — building towards their eventual match for the AEW Continental Championship.
This match was guaranteed to be entertaining, given how phenomenal all six men are in the ring. Not to mention, watching Ospreay and Okada share an AEW ring was exhilarating. It never dawned on me until last night that Ospreay might enter the Continental Classic.
All in all, the outcome was never greater than the sum of its parts. This match lived up to my expectations, but never exceeded them. Still, my expectations were high, and this match delivered on all fronts.
The rest of the week’s programming
Friday Night “Rampage”
- Lio Rush vs. Kip Sabian vs. Nick Wayne vs. Rocky Romero
- Mark Briscoe vs. Bryan Keith
- Harley Cameron vs. Hikaru Shida
- Roderick Strong & the Beast Mortos in action
- Wheeler Yuta vs. the Butcher
Saturday Night “Collision”
- FTR, the Outrunners, and Hook vs. Grizzled Young Veterans, the Beast Mortos, RUSH, and Roderick Strong
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