Since 2021, this has been the year’s biggest episode of Wednesday Night “Dynamite,” presenting a Pay-Per-View caliber card. This year, three world championships were on the line, as well as the FTW Championship, and Darby Allin versus Jon Moxley to determine Bryan Danielson’s challenger at “WrestleDream” in October.
Let’s dive in.
HIT: Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness
What an incredible opening contest.
Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuinness’ rivalry began nearly two decades ago. In less than five years, both men met in the squared circle over a dozen times. Last night, their historic rivalry was renewed.
Queue the “Final Countdown.”
Nigel McGuinness hasn’t had a singles match since December 2011, so it’s only natural that he’s out of practice. Fortunately, there was no better opponent for McGuinness to reacclimate to the ring, than Bryan Danielson. For fans familiar with Danielson and McGuinness’ wars in Ring of Honor, this match was a delight — full of references to their prior bouts.
At times, McGuinness seemed awfully sluggish. At other junctures, he looked superb. As always, Danielson was a maestro — helping McGuinness move as seamlessly between their exchanges as he possibly could.
Danielson forced McGuinness to submit with the LeBell Lock, punctuating their storied rivalry. I enjoyed this match, especially given McGuinness’ clear limitations.
Rating: ***
HIT: Hook vs. Roderick Strong
With the FTW Championship on the line, Hook returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium to face the Undisputed Kingdom’s de-facto leader, Roderick Strong.
After an exciting back and forth contest, Hook forced Roderick Strong to submit via Redrum. In an interesting turn of events, Strong actually shook Hook’s hand after the match — showing a sign of respect to the “cold-hearted, handsome devil.”
After the match, Hook shockingly announced that his defense against Roderick Strong will be his final defense — as Hook and Taz have both agreed that it’s time to retire the FTW Championship. I think this is a smart move for Hook, who’s become creatively shackled by the title.
For the first time in a long time, I’m excited for Hook’s future.
Rating: **¾
HIT: The Young Bucks vs. William Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher
The Young Bucks looked extraordinary last night, but that’s not surprising when they’re paired with two wrestlers of Will Ospreay and Kyle Fletcher’s caliber. This was the kind of affair that we’ve come to expect from the Young Bucks. The pace was frenetic and both teams traded one high-octane maneuver after another. In the end, Don Callis offered Fletcher a screwdriver to take a decisive advantage in the match. However, Ospreay wouldn’t allow his friend to use a foreign object. During their disagreement, the previously incapacitated Young Bucks were able to recompose themselves — sealing the deal with a couple of belt-shots and an EVP-Trigger to Kyle Fletcher. 1 – 2 – 3.
The Young Bucks are still the AEW World Tag Team Champions and Will Ospreay seems to have found a new enemy in the Don Callis Family. I have a feeling they’ll make their feelings known next week, before, during, or after Will Ospreay’s match against Ricochet.
Rating: ***¼
HIT: MVP Debuts
This segment was billed as: “Prince Nana will provide an update on Swerve Strickland.”
While Nana was addressing Strickland’s future, Montel Vontavious Porter, better known as MVP, made his AEW debut.
While MVP’s WWE contract expired in August, he hasn’t appeared on WWE television since April, when he accompanied Omos to the André the Giant Battle Royal. Prior to managing Omos, he was the manager and co-leader of the Hurt Business: a faction consisting of Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, and Cedric Alexander.
Since his departure, MVP filed a trademark for the “Hurt Syndicate,” leading many fans to speculate whether or not he’ll bring his faction to AEW — considering both Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin are currently free agents.
Last night, MVP acknowledged Swerve Strickland’s incredible body of work over the last year — recognizing Strickland as the greatest wrestler to ever step in an AEW ring. MVP believes Strickland’s greatest weakness is his management, directing his criticism to Prince Nana.
MVP leaves Prince Nana with a business card; telling him that if Strickland decides that he’s ready to discuss “business” — MVP is only a call away.
This segment was fantastic. Will MVP’s Hurt Syndicate be an entirely new faction or are Shelton Benjamin and Bobby Lashley’s debuts imminent? Time will tell.
Mariah May vs. Yuka Sakazaki
Like the bout for the World Tag Team Championship, this match for the AEW Women’s World Championship was too predictable. Unfortunately, the match suffered because of it. However, both women looked great. This was a classic example of a powerful heel fighting an underdog babyface. Yuka Sakazaki used her explosivity to stun Mariah May. However, May was ultimately able to withstand Sakazaki’s Northern Lights Bomb — finishing the Magical Girl with a knee strike and a StormZero for the pin.
Afterwards, Willow Nightingale intervened to prevent May from inflicting any further harm towards Sakazaki. After that, Mina Shirakawa returned — albeit visibly conflicted by May’s actions.
It seems like a tag team match between May and Shirakawa versus Nightingale and Sakazaki is imminent. Still, this seems like the first chapter in May and Shirakawa’s feud, which is a step in the right direction for May’s title reign.
Rating: **½
Darby Allin vs. Jon Moxley
I expected Darby Allin and Jon Moxley to use foreign objects and high-risk maneuvers to mutilate each other — with a little bit of wrestling sprinkled in for novelty’s sake. While there weren’t any foreign weapons involved, there were certainly high-risk maneuvers. Allin absorbed one car-crash after another, culminating in Moxley delivering a (terrible looking) Death Rider off the top rope for the three-count.
Still, this match was quite underwhelming. Darby Allin is such a gifted mat-wrestler, that I wish he would forgo some of these vicious stunts for more traditional grappling.
After Moxley defeated Allin, Bryan Danielson surprised Moxley — choking him with a necktie. Moxley’s allies, Marina Shafir, Claudio Castagnoli, and PAC all rushed to the ring to attack Danielson. Isaiah Kassidy, Marq Quen, and Komander all joined in the fray — helping Danielson and Allin even the odds.
After the new Blackpool Combat Club retreated, Danielson climbed up the ringpost and told Moxley that if they want a war — then Bryan Danielson declares war too. At “WrestleDream,” on October 12 in Tacoma, Washington: Bryan Danielson will defend his AEW World Championship against Jon Moxley.
The match was mediocre. The segment after it was rather enjoyable. It’s unfortunate that Darby Allin’s title aspirations will have to wait, but it was expected.
Rating: **
The rest of the week’s programming
Friday Night “Rampage”
- Malakai Black & Buddy Matthews vs. Lio Rush & Action Andretti
- Konosuke Takeshita vs. Angelico
- Willow Nightingale vs. Taya Valkyrie
- The Acclaimed in action.
- Anna Jay vs. Robyn Renegade
Saturday Night “Collision”
- “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Jeff Jarrett (Lumberjack Strap Match)
- Kazuchika Okada vs. Sammy Guevara (AEW Continental Championship Eliminator Match)
- Jack Perry TNT Championship Open Challenge
- Claudio Castagnoli, PAC, & Wheeler Yuta vs. Komander and Private Party
- The Learning Tree vs. The Conglomeration
- Jamie Hayter vs. Saraya (Saraya Rule’s Match)
- The Beast Mortos vs. Hologram vs. Dralistico
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