AEW rode a tidal wave of momentum into Phoenix, after last week’s phenomenal episodes of “Dynamite” and “Grand Slam Australia.”
The question is, did AEW lose any of that momentum last night?
HIT: “Hangman” Adam Page and MJF Face-to-Face
This week’s episode kicked off with the highly anticipated face-to-face confrontation between “Hangman” Adam Page and MJF.
This was more than just a “hit.” This was a homerun.
It’s been over five years since these two shared the ring, to determine the winner of the Dynamite Diamond Ring. Since then, they’ve blossomed into main event players and world champions; becoming two of the most well-rounded performers in all of professional wrestling. In less than 25 minutes, their incisive back and forth wove five years of ethos into their feud.
This is what it looks like, when two masters of their craft ply their trade.
During MJF’s feud with Will Ospreay, we learned just how much the “Devil” still yearns for the audience’s adoration. However, his betrayal of Daniel Garcia has precluded him from earning their support. Meanwhile, despite all of Page’s violent transgressions towards Swerve Strickland or Christopher Daniels: the fans still love the “Hangman.” For MJF, the hypocrisy is maddening.
Page didn’t have any grandiose, pejorative remarks about MJF. Instead, he offered a damning assessment: MJF lacks authenticity. Page knows better than anyone that MJF’s bravado is a facade. And, truthfully, we know it is too.
Page also expressed remorse for injuring Daniels, but knows that the “Fallen Angel” wanted to die a warrior’s death. In that, he stands resolute.
Their war-of-words concluded with this line, from MJF:
“You know what? You can be the main character all you want. I got no problem being the bad guy.”
Brilliant.
HIT: The Opps vs. Patriarchy
HOOK, Katsuyori Shibata, & Samoa Joe unveiled their new entrance as The Opps.
As a fighting force, these three men seem like an unstoppable trio. And, they certainly looked like it in this contest. Christian Cage cowered in fear of Samoa Joe, allowing Kip Sabian and Nick Wayne to endure the brunt of the Opps’ punishment.
While I enjoyed this match in a vacuum, there’s an underlying sense of dread that I can’t shake. HOOK’s feud with The Patriarchy began in October and yet, this still didn’t feel like a conclusion.
Hopefully, I’m wrong.
Rating: ***
MISS: Big Bill vs. Powerhouse Hobbs
It’s very rare that two hosses like Big Bill and Powerhouse Hobbs cross paths in AEW, so for that reason alone — my expectations for this match were high. However, it felt a little flat.
Whether it’s ironic or not, the fans love Big Bill. And, in the world of pro-wrestling, he’s a genuine unicorn. He’s 6’10”, in ridiculous shape, skilled in the ring, and good on the microphone.
While Powerhouse Hobbs is talented, I don’t understand why AEW is so hesitant to push Big Bill.
Rating: **¾
HIT: “Timeless” Toni Storm appeared live
After recapturing the AEW Women’s World Championship at “Grand Slam Australia,” “Timeless” Toni Storm appeared in Phoenix last night to address her adoring fans.
This was an excellent promo, filled to the brim with wit, humor, and sexual innuendos.
Storm insulted Mariah May, bragged about her small package, plugged the upcoming Queen of the Ring movie, and issued an open challenge to the women’s division all in one fell swoop. And, the crowd was enamored.
HIT: The Death Riders commandeer the TBS Superstation
Willow Nightingale was backstage with Renee Paquette, to address the woman who attacked her last week: Marina Shafir. However, her interview was interrupted, yet again, by Shafir and The Death Riders.
Jon Moxley commandeered the TBS Superstation to address Adam Copeland, whom the Death Riders viciously assaulted in Brisbane after their tag match. Moxley’s impassionately reminded everyone who the “one, true king” is. However, his promo was interrupted by “Switchblade” Jay White. While the Death Riders began to circle White, Copeland appeared behind Moxley and all hell broke loose.
The “Rated R Superstar” had his weapon, “Spike,” to even the odds — forcing Moxley to escape into the concourse. Afterwards, Copeland promised that he would eliminate each member of the Death Riders, one-by-one, before his match with Moxley at “Revolution.”
This was a strong segment, which is exceptional, considering how boring the Death Riders’ have otherwise been.
HIT: Kris Statlander vs. Megan Bayne
Last week, Kris Statlander went toe-to-toe with the “Superbad Girl,” Penelope Ford on “Dynamite.” After that match, Megan Bayne attacked Statlander on Ford’s behalf, leveling her with an F5 and setting the stage for last night’s contest.
Very few women tower over Kris Statlander. At 6’1”, the “Megasus” is one of them.
This match was a testament to Statlander’s versatility. In most encounters, Statlander relies on her power to overwhelm opponents. In this match, Statlander relies on her speed and athleticism to neutralize Bayne’s size.
For the majority of the affair, Statlander’s strategy worked. Unfortunately, Bayne was afforded a decisive advantage when Penelope Ford intervened.
Ford was able to incapacitate Statlander, creating an opportunity for Bayne to punctuate the affair with an F5.
After the match, a bizarre series of events transpired. Bayne and Ford planned to continue assaulting Statlander, but were interrupted by Thunder Rosa — who they’ve been feuding with on “Collision.”
Rosa ran into the ring with a steel chair in hand. However, Bayne and Ford didn’t seem intimidated by Rosa or the chair. In fact, Ford even started jostling with Rosa for control over the steel chair, while Bayne just idly watched. It all seemed very awkward.
Rating: ***¼
HIT: Orange Cassidy vs. Roderick Strong
The main event saw Orange Cassidy face Roderick Strong in a Revolution International Championship Series match. The winner will receive a shot at Konosuke Takeshita next week on “Dynamite,” for the AEW International Championship.
The booking here is perplexing. Kenny Omega challenged Takeshita to a match at “Revolution” for the International Championship. Then, this Revolution International Championship Series was announced. Now, the idea is that, ostensibly, Omega could face either Cassidy or Takeshita at “Revolution” for the championship. My question is: why?
Nonetheless, this was a solid affair. Cassidy has been absent since “Fight for the Fallen,” when “Hangman” Adam Page seemingly broke his neck with two consecutive Deadeyes.
Cassidy is black to the blue denim apparel and looked great in this contest, opposite of Roderick Strong. Despite my general disinterest in this contest, I was really impressed. Cassidy and Strong’s chemistry is undeniable.
There was also an underlying uneasiness between Strong’s fellow Undisputed Kingdom stablemates. Kyle O’Reilly is still a “member” of The Conglomeration, which he considers more of a brotherhood than a faction. However, there’s no love lost between Adam Cole and Cassidy, harkening back to their feud in late-2021 and 2022.
In the end, Cassidy punctuated the affair with a Stundog Millionaire, followed by a devastating Orange Punch.
After the match, Don Callis ordered Konosuke Takeshita and Mark Davis to attack Cassidy — prompting Kenny Omega to intervene. Omega and Cassidy successfully repelled the Don Callis Family to close the show.
Rating: ***½
Final Verdict
This was a great episode of “Dynamite.” It was certainly far from perfect, but the high’s were extraordinarily high. Not only were the matches entertaining, but “Timeless” Toni Storm, Jon Moxley, and Adam Copeland’s promos were fantastic. Even Chris Jericho and Ricochet’s promos, which I glossed over, were surprisingly entertaining. However, it was the opening segment between “Hangman” Adam Page & MJF that stole the show. With their match at “Revolution” officially announced, I can’t wait for next week’s episode of “Dynamite.”
Rating: ****
Lineup for “Collision” (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, TNT)
- The Death Riders [c] vs. Daniel Garcia & 2point0
- Chris Jericho [c] vs. Bandido
- Queen Aminata vs. Julia Hart
- The Beast Mortos vs. Hologram
- Gabe Kidd is coming to “Collision”
Share
