This was a fun episode of “Dynamite.” The high’s weren’t extraordinarily high, but it was enjoyable from top to bottom.
Let’s dive in:
HIT: Jon Moxley Cold Open
The show began with a backstage interview from Jon Moxley, taken moments after he betrayed Bryan Danielson last Saturday. Moxley posits that AEW is fundamentally flawed and diplomacy can’t resolve its issues. It’s time for war.
I have never been Jon Moxley’s biggest fan, but this is a welcome departure from the persona that he’s portrayed over the last year. Still, it feels like after each segment with Moxley, we’re left with more questions than answers. Maybe that’s a good thing.
HIT: Don Callis Asks Will Ospreay to Honor his Favor
Tony Schiavone introduces Christian Cage and the Patriarchy, who want to discuss Cage’s thwarted attempt to cash in his “Casino Gauntlet” contract. Cage also uses this opportunity to praise Killswitch, who he calls the “most complete big man in the game.” Christian Cage promises Bryan Danielson that he will cash in his contract and become the next AEW World Champion. It’s only a matter of time.
Over the last year, Christian Cage has spent most of his time on Saturday Night “Collision,” so I don’t get to sing his praises very often. Christian Cage has complete control of a crowd while he’s conducting his business, which separates him from 99.9% of the heels in wrestling today. I hope we see Christian Cage a little more often on Wednesday nights.
HIT: Don Callis Asks Will Ospreay to Honor his Favor
Tonight’s main event is a “Tag Team Casino Gauntlet” match, with a shot at the Young Bucks, at “Grand Slam” on the line.
Renee Pacquette meets backstage with Don Callis, Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, and Will Ospreay. Callis wants Fletcher to participate in the gauntlet match, but Takeshita’s sights are set on Kazuchika Okada and the Continental Championship. Instead, Callis wants Ospreay to join Fletcher in the gauntlet match. While Ospreay is initially hesitant, he acquiesces.
Kyle Fletcher is one half of one of my favorite tag teams, Aussie Open. Unfortunately, his teammate Mark Davis has been sidelined for the majority of 2024. So, who better to tag with the “Protostar” than the “Aerial Assassin?”
HIT: “Hangman” Adam Page Doubles Down
Renee Pacquette interviews “Hangman” Adam Page backstage, following his unsanctioned match against Swerve Strickland. Page doubles down, saying that if Strickland had one-thousand homes, he would have burned all one-thousand down. Now that he’s exacted his revenge on Strickland, Page’s crosshairs are set on anyone who prevented him from challenging Strickland for the AEW World Championship. That includes Jeff Jarrett, who meets Page face-to-face.
Jeff Jarrett says that his family has promoted wrestling for three generations and over the years, he’s seen so many wrestlers travel down the same road as Page. Jarrett tells him that it’s time he recognizes that his greatest enemy is the man in the mirror. Page coldcocks Jarrett, forcing other wrestlers to restrain him.
I have never been a fan of Jeff Jarrett, but he’s really won me over since the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. At 57 years old, it’s time we start appreciating the “Last Outlaw.”
HIT: Sammy Guevera vs. Ricochet
When this match was announced, the “sickos” knew it would tear the house down. Sammy Guevara and Ricochet are both sublime athletes. Each maneuver and sequence was more dazzling than the last. Guevara even performed a moonsault off the entrance tunnel. Ricochet leaped across the guardrails and performed a senton onto Guevara. Ricochet caught Guevara mid-air in a fireman’s carry, but before Ricochet could slam him — Guevara countered into a destroyer. Ricochet finally ended the bout with his finisher, Vertigo.
Last Saturday, Will Ospreay told Ricochet that if he wanted to challenge him for the AEW International Championship, he would need to win a few more matches. This was a statement victory for Ricochet, defeating a former three-time TNT Champion in Guevara. It looks like Ricochet’s next opponent will be the Beast Mortos, in what I can only imagine will be another breathtaking exhibition. I’m excited to see how far Ricochet’s quest for the International title will take him.
HIT: Darby Allin and Jon Moxley
Jon Moxley has spent the last two weeks looking for Darby Allin. Finally, Allin has arrived.
Moxley joins Allin at the center of the ring, accompanied by Marina Shafir. Allin admits that he’s admired Moxley since he began his professional wrestling career. Allin thought they were kindred spirits, but he would never betray his family — like Moxley betrayed Danielson.
Moxley doesn’t have the time nor the inclination to tell Allin the truth. The bottom line is Allin isn’t ready to be the world champion and Moxley needs his guaranteed title shot. Allin scoffs at Moxley’s proposal. If Moxley wants Allin’s guaranteed shot at the AEW World Championship, then he has to beat Allin for it. Moxley accepts, challenging Allin to a match at “Grand Slam.”
Rumors have been circulating for weeks now that AEW management is seriously considering Darby Allin as AEW World Champion in the near future. Is Jon Moxley his litmus test or is Tony Khan calling an audible? There’s a chance it might be a bit of both. Jon Moxley seems to be serving a greater purpose than preparing Darby Allin. Still, I am excited to see how this feud progresses over the next few weeks.
HIT: Nigel McGuinness Takes Center Stage
With Darby Allin shifting his focus towards Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson is in need of a new challenger. Earlier in the show, Nigel McGuinness met with Tony Khan and suggested who his next challenger should be. Now, it’s official: at “Grand Slam,” Bryan Danielson will defend his AEW World Championship against Nigel McGuiness.
The announcement justifiably elicits the “holy shit” chant from the Kentucky crowd. McGuinness promises the fans that he’ll walk the aisle in Arthur Ashe Stadium to Oasis. The question is whether or not Danielson will join him? McGuinness says the ball is in Danielson’s court.
To say that I’m excited for this match, would be an understatement. Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuinness’ rivalry began nearly two decades ago, when McGuinness defeated Danielson for the Ring of Honor Pure Championship. Unfortunately, McGuinness’ in-ring career ended in 2011, due to medical complications. As a commentator, McGuinness has lamented Danielson’s very existence — insulting the “American ‘Coward’” as often as he possibly can.
Watching McGuinness return at “All In” during the “Casino Gauntlet” match was exhilarating. Watching him return to face Bryan Danielson, will truly be special,
HIT: Tag Team Casino Gauntlet Match
I will use this platform to praise the “Casino Gauntlet” match format. This was a brilliant main event. The teams included: Fletcher & Ospreay, FTR, the Righteous, the Kingdom, the Acclaimed, MxM, Top Flight, the Outrunners, and the Grizzled Young Vets. The Outrunners received the loudest ovation from the crowd, demonstrating why they sold the most merchandise last month. Ultimately, it was Kyle Fletcher and Will Ospreay who won though, earning their shot at the Young Bucks in Arthur Ashe Stadium at “Grand Slam.”
While I wasn’t thrilled with the outcome, the main event itself was wildly entertaining. It just felt like the Outrunners should have won this match, despite the fact that they routinely lose. They’ve become so beloved by the audience, in such an organic way, that it’s time for Tony Khan to pull the trigger. It’s time for the next wave of tag teams to emerge in AEW and who better than the “youngest men alive,” Turbo Floyd and Truth Magnum?
The rest of the week’s programming:
Friday Night “Rampage”
- The Conglomeration vs. Dark Order
- Konosuke Takeshita vs. Action Andretti
- Saraya & Harley Cameron vs. Marti Belle & Allysin Kay
- Roderick Strong vs. Beef
- Kamille vs. Robyn Renegade
Saturday Night “Collision”
- FTR vs. Grizzled Young Veterans
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