Last Sunday, AEW delivered one of the greatest professional wrestling pay-per-views in recent memory. Titles changed hands, scores were settled, and a new number one contender for the AEW World Championship was determined.
However, now that “Revolution” is in the rear-view mirror, AEW has officially begun the road to “Dynasty” in April.
How did this week’s episode of “Dynamite” set the stage for AEW’s next PPV?
HIT: Kenny Omega town hall
The show opened with the newly crowned AEW International Champion, Kenny Omega.
Omega admitted that during the course of his battle with diverticulitis, he questioned whether or not he’d ever capture a single’s championship again. However, at “Revolution,” that all changed when he defeated Konosuke Takeshita. So, the International Championship expressed his gratitude towards Takeshita, for pushing him harder than Omega ever could have pushed himself.
Now that he’s captured the International Championship, Omega wants the title to become a hub of world class professional wrestling. So, Tony Khan has announced the International Championship Elimination Tournament; the winner of which will challenge Kenny Omega at “Dynasty.”
This was a savvy way to open the show and introduce the International Championship Elimination Tournament. And, more importantly, a great way to inject new life into the International Championship.
HIT: The Opps in trios action
The opening contest saw The Opps in trios action. Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata, & Hook made quick work of their opponents, continuing their meteoric rise in the trios rankings.
In many ways, The Opps have the same appeal as The Hurt Syndicate. They’re cold, calculated, physically imposing, and uniquely authentic. And, in the bizarre world of professional wrestling, those qualities shine.
I would thoroughly enjoy seeing The Opps capture the AEW World Trios Championships and give the trios division a proper reset.
Rating: N/A
HIT: We hear from Swerve Strickland, Adam Copeland, Jon Moxley
When I spoke with the Augusta Free Press’ managing editor and founder, Chris Graham, about “Revolution’s” main event, Graham mentioned that he “loved the sports entertainment booking.”
I suppose that I was sports entertained as well. Nonetheless, the main event is more open now than it was before “Revolution.”
During the main event of “Revolution,” Christian Cage cashed in his Casino Gauntlet Contract, in an attempt to pin a hapless Adam Copeland. (Un)fortunately, Cage’s plan failed, and Jon Moxley put him to sleep.
Copeland still feels like he’s still owed an opportunity to pin Moxley. So, next week on “Dynamite” in Omaha, Copeland will face the world champion in a street fight. The winner will advance to “Dynasty,” and face the new number one contender, Swerve Strickland.
Strickland is prepared for either eventuality. Whether it’s Moxley or Copeland, he’s going to make lightning strike twice, and win the AEW World Championship at “Dynasty” for the second year in a row.
In a pre-recorded interview, Moxley praised Copeland for his mental, physical, and spiritual fortitude. However, it doesn’t change the fact that Moxley is the reigning, defending world champion for a reason. He’s also the most prolific champion in AEW’s history, for a reason.
It seems like Moxley and Strickland are destined to meet at “Dynasty.” It’ll be interesting to see what happens next week though, when the world championship is on the line.
HIT: Hologram & Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Dralistico & Brian Cage
This was an interesting tag team contest. The symmetry between the requisite heavyweights and cruiserweights created some really fun interactions in this contest. However, the real winner here was Hologram, who made his second “Dynamite” appearance last night.
AEW is greatly influenced by lucha libre, so wrestlers of Dralistico’s ilk very rarely shine as brightly as they would otherwise on American television. Hologram is one of the few exceptions. From the spectacle of his ring entrance, to the unique way he’s able to contort his body and counter his opponents, to his vast arsenal of moves: it’s always a joy to watch Hologram.
Rating: ***
HIT: We hear from The Hurt Syndicate
After defeating The Outrunners last Sunday for the AEW World Tag Team Championships, The Hurt Syndicate were interviewed backstage by Alicia Atout.
While Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin were eager to face their next challengers, MVP urged the champions to take a week off and relax.
It sounds like The Hurt Syndicate’s next victims will be Lio Rush & Action Andretti, who have been rechristened as CRU. Whether or not that match will take place next week on “Dynamite,” is to be determined.
HIT: “Timeless” Toni Storm’s next challenger emerges
Last Sunday, “Timeless” Toni Storm defeated Mariah May to retain her AEW Women’s World Championship, in what was billed as a “Hollywood Ending.”
With Storm and May’s legendary feud in the rearview mirror, it’s time for the women’s division to pivot into a bold, new direction. The champion is ready to defend her title against all-comers, issuing a challenge to the women’s locker room.
Megan Bayne was ready to meet her challenge head on, coldcoking Storm while she was posing for the camera.
Will Megan Bayne be the Clubber Lang or Ivan Drago to Toni Storm’s Rocky? Will Bayne even be Storm’s opponent at “Dynasty?” Only time will tell.
HIT: “Speedball” Mike Bailey makes his debut
The first match in the International Championship Elimination Tournament was between The Beast Mortos and a wildcard opponent.
Mortos’ opponent proved to be none other than “Speedball” Mike Bailey.
Bailey was a prolific independent wrestler, who most recently worked for TNA. Bailey’s deal with TNA expired on Jan. 1, paving the way for him to sign with AEW. For months now, fans have been speculating when and where Bailey would make his AEW debut. Unfortunately for Mortos, it was last night.
“Speedball” holds a fourth-degree black belt in taekwondo, which has greatly influenced his wrestling style and persona. In the ring, he’s electrifying, having previously delivered spectacular matches with AEW stars like Will Ospreay, Konosuke Takeshita, and Roderick Strong in other promotions.
This was a terrific debut for Bailey, who demonstrated a level of physicality against Mortos that was, quite frankly, astonishing.
I’m excited to see Bailey’s contributions in this tournament, and beyond, going forward.
Rating: ***½
MISS: The Patriarchy is uncomfortable again
Now that Christian Cage has finally exhausted his Casino Gauntlet Contract and failed to become champion, he’s more desperate than ever. This was Cage’s third failed attempt to win the championship and, at 51 years old, time is running out.
Nick Wayne, one of Cage’s “sons” in The Patriarchy, is tired of hearing Cage’s excuses.
More importantly, Wayne is beginning to realize that Cage doesn’t have the gumption.
Cage didn’t appreciate Wayne’s insubordination. So, “Captain Charisma” asked Nick Wayne if he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his deceased father, former wrestling journeyman Buddy Wayne, and never amount to anything in the pro-wrestling industry.
It’s clear that there are cracks beginning to form in The Patriarchy. And, while this segment did genuinely feel combustive, it also felt quite uncomfortable. The Patriarchy has lost a lot of its luster without Luchasaurus. I don’t want to be reminded of the fact that Nick Wayne and Kip Sabian have aligned themselves with Christian Cage, because they’re fatherless.
HIT: MJF & MVP have an auspicious encounter
After MJF’s match against “Hangman” Adam Page at “Revolution,” Lexy Nair tried to meet with MJF in his locker room.
MJF was too busy berating himself and punching a glass mirror with his taped fist, to be interviewed.
With that said, MJF had a lot on his mind, and decided that he needed to address the people of Fresno. However, Maxwell Jacob Friedman’s promo was interrupted by none other than Montel Vontavious Porter: MVP.
The two, shockingly, embraced, with MJF uncharacteristically delighted to see MVP.
MVP recounted how, a decade ago, he met an 18-year-old Friedman. MJF didn’t want any financial compensation for his services. Instead, he just wanted to absorb as much wisdom as he possibly could from MVP.
Back then, MJF recognized that he was being handed a golden ticket. Now, MVP is here to offer him another golden ticket.
MVP recognizes that MJF is at an inflection point in his career, but he’s sliding backwards. He lost to Will Ospreay and now he’s lost to “Hangman” Adam Page. MJF needs to rediscover the intangible qualities he had, when he was the AEW World Champion. MVP and The Hurt Syndicate can help him reacquire that edge.
MJF was flattered by MVP’s proposal, but is too arrogant to consider it. MJF reminded MVP that he was the longest reigning champion in AEW history.
MVP reminded him that the operant word in that statement is “was.”
This development was so far out of left field, that it genuinely shocked me. For MJF, this could be the dramatic change that propels him in a bold new direction. Should he choose to decline MVP’s offer, though, he’ll have to answer to the current AEW World Tag Team Champions. Both alternatives are equally as enticing.
HIT: Max Caster open challenge
Max Caster is back with his open challenge, to see “who can survive the Best Wrestler Alive.” This week, it was none other than Konosuke Takeshita who answered Caster’s challenge.
Before the match began, Caster made the unwise decision of taunting Takeshita — which only made the “Alpha” even more aggressive. Takeshita made quick work of Caster, laying him out with a devastating forearm and then punctuating the affair with a Raging Fire.
For Takeshita, this was an easy victory to begin his upward ascent in the invisible rankings. For Caster, this was yet another highly-entertaining open challenge.
This gimmick could last forever, as far as I’m concerned.
Rating: N/A
HIT: Willow Nightingale vs. Penelope Ford
This week’s obligatory women’s match saw Willow Nightingale face Penelope Ford. Why? So Kris Statlander could intervene at the end, of course.
That aside, this was a really entertaining match. Nightingale and Ford are two of the most exciting performers in the women’s division. Ford has seemingly become Khan’s go-to jobber in the division, while Nightingale has been largely absent over the last few months.
After Nightingale defeated Ford, the “Superbad Girl” interrupted Nightingale’s celebration with a chair shot. Before Ford could continue assaulting Nightingale, Statlander intervened, coming to her former friend’s rescue. Then, Statlander’s involvement was met by Megan Bayne’s.
The Megasus got the better of Statlander yet again. Is Bayne going to challenge Storm for the AEW Women’s World Championship or will this culminate in a tag team match? Maybe a fatal four-way between Storm, Nightingale, Statlander, and Bayne? Will find out as the road to “Dynasty” continues.
Rating: ***
HIT: Will Ospreay calls his shot at “All In”
After his instant classic with Kyle Fletcher, Will Ospreay has arrived in Fresno to address his domestic issues and future in AEW.
The “Aerial Assassin” is ready to carry championship gold around his waist again. Not just any championship though: the AEW World Championship. However, he’s well aware that Copeland has his opportunity next week, followed by Strickland at “Dynasty.” So, Ospreay called his shot at “All In,” on July 12, in Texas.
Ospreay doesn’t care whether it’s against the “Rated R Superstar” or his old friend Swerve Strickland; he’ll be ready. But, if it happens to be against Jon Moxley, then the “One, True King” better be prepared for an assassin.
At this point, it’s hard to argue that there’s a better candidate for the AEW World Championship than Will Ospreay. He’s the best wrestler alive in the ring and genuinely compelling on the microphone. Every time he steps in the ring, he steals the show, delivering one classic effort after another.
Who better to main event “All In” than Will Ospreay? The real question is whether or not Ospreay’s road will lead him to the main event, or not.
HIT: Jay White recommits to Adam Copeland
“Switchblade” Jay White is backstage with Renee Paquette, to address whether or not he intentionally hit Adam Copeland with Moxley’s briefcase.
Firstly, White is unimpressed by Ospreay, whom he’s always gotten the better of.
Secondly, White says that he aligned himself with Copeland for one purpose and one purpose only, and that was to see a new AEW World Champion crowned. So, next week in Omaha, White is going to make sure this time that it’s Adam Copeland who is victorious.
Lastly, White believes that Swerve Strickland is undeserving of the number one contendership — reminding fans that, if it weren’t for Wheeler Yuta, he would have pinned Moxley at “Worlds End” and won the AEW World Championship.
This was a tour de force from the “Switchblade,” who always delivers on the microphone. Hopefully, his disdain for Ospreay and Strickland wasn’t mentioned for naught. More importantly though, it seems like White is destined to feud with the “Rated R Superstar.” That sounds like a terrific program.
HIT: “Hangman” Adam Page & MJF face-to-face
“Hangman” Adam Page is backstage with Renee Paquette, when he happens to run into MJF.
Page questioned whether or not MJF had the intestinal fortitude to actually set him on fire last week on “Dynamite.”
MJF is tired of Page’s holier-than-thou attitude. More importantly though, he promised that he’ll expose Page as a coward; someone who will never succeed, because he’s too afraid of failure.
This feud is certainly far from over. However, there’s also an underlying sense that whoever wins this feud, will be the next AEW World Champion. While their match at “Revolution” seemed rather pedestrian compared to some of the other contests, I have no doubt that these two will only continue to raise the stakes going forward.
HIT: Orange Cassidy vs. Hechicero
The first round of the International Championship Elimination Tournament continued, with Orange Cassidy squaring off against CMLL’s Hechicero in the main event.
Hechicero is called the “Mad Scientist” and the “Alchemist” for a reason: he’s one of the unique grapplers in professional wrestling today. Cassidy is, of course, one of wrestling’s most unique combatants in his own right. Both performers regularly rely on unorthodox counters to shift the momentum in their favor. In that respect, this seems like a strange matchup. Fortunately, it yielded an extremely fun main event.
In the end, it was Cassidy who proved victorious, rolling up the former CMLL World Heavyweight Champion for a three-count.
Cassidy will advance to the semifinals, where he’ll compete against “Speedball” Mike Bailey and two other competitors in a fatal four-way match to determine Omega’s challenger.
Rating: ***¼
Final Verdict
This was a jam-packed episode of “Dynamite,” beginning the road to “Dynasty” in dramatic fashion. A myriad of angles have emerged; some of which will lead directly to “Dynasty” while others even further beyond.
Rating: ***¾
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