AEW has been white hot since early February, and this was no exception. This was yet another strong outing from AEW, delivering an episode of “Dynamite” with great segments and fun matches. So far, the road to “Dynasty” has been paved with gold.
Rating: ***¾
HIT: Kenny Omega [c] vs. Blake Christian
Blake Christian is a relative newcomer to AEW, experiencing the majority of his reps in Ring of Honor. For those who are unaware, Christian made his name Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), borrowing his gimmick from famed rapper and actor Jack Harlow.
To Christian’s credit, he has won seven consecutive matches in ROH. Should that translate to an AEW International Title opportunity in AEW? Probably not.
This was still an enjoyable contest. My only complaint is that this wasn’t a very competitive affair, nor should it have been, but Blake Christian’s unorthodox style didn’t exactly have the same luster that it normally does.
Still, this was a great way to showcase Christian on AEW programming. Hopefully, he continues to shine in ROH.
After the match, Omega addressed his opponents at “Dynasty,” “Speedball” Mike Bailey & Ricochet. The former interrupted Omega, walking down to the ring to confront the International Champion. Their exchange was interrupted by Ricochet via satellite, mocking Omega and Bailey from the comfort of his wedding venue.
The highlight here was Ricochet calling Bailey “Cornball.” Aside from that, this was a fairly standard post-match segment.
Rating: **¾
MISS: Chris Jericho issues a challenge to Bandido
Last weekend on “Collision,” Chris Jericho lost Gravity’s mask and a little girl flipped him the bird. Sounds like a “hit” in my book.
This week, Jericho appeared backstage, flanked by Bryan Keith and Big Bill, to lament the “Learning Tree’s” recent string of failure. Jericho challenged Keith and Bill to prove their worth, or else.
This is how we know that wrestling is “fake.” If Bryan Keith and Big Bill had any integrity, they would have taken Jericho’s offer and got the hell out of dodge.
After Keith and Bill left like scolded dogs, Jericho made Bandido an offer that he couldn’t refuse: his ROH World Championship versus Bandido’s mask. The venue will be at “Dynasty…”
Wait: “DYNASTY?”
Chris Jericho has been absent from the last three AEW PPV’s and, I for one, haven’t missed him. I am a firm believer that AEW and ROH need to be completely separate entities, and I will continue advocating for that until it becomes a reality.
HIT: MJF finally answers MVP
Two weeks ago, MVP shocked the wrestling world when he invited MJF to join The Hurt Syndicate. After two weeks of deliberation, MJF finally announced his decision last night.
MJF’s answer was an emphatic “yes.” Unfortunately, MVP’s associates weren’t in agreement.
Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin interrupted the proceedings before MVP and MJF were able to consummate their deal with a handshake. Lashley went face-to-face with MJF, confiscating MVP’s coveted business card and ripping it up.
Unlike when The Hurt Syndicate reneged on Ricochet, MVP was frustrated with AEW World Tag Team Champions reluctance to accept MJF. So, the self-proclaimed “Devil” offered to give MVP time to convince them otherwise, and left the ring.
As MJF was leaving, Big Bill and Bryan Keith approached the entranceway. The acolytes of the “Learning Tree” are ready to prove their leader wrong. Not only is Big Bill a former AEW World Tag Team Champion, but he was never pinned or submitted for the title; his partner, Ricky Starks, was; and he never received a rematch. So, he’s ready for his rematch.
MVP agreed to Bill’s challenge on one condition: they actually win a wrestling match. Then, and only then, they will receive a title opportunity.
This might be a strategic move on Big Bill’s part. He and Keith have no chance of defeating Lashley and Benjamin. So, when they inevitably fail, Jericho will be forced to kick them out of the “Learning Tree.”
HIT: ThunderStorm backstage interview
“Timeless” Toni Storm & Thunder Rosa were backstage with Renee Paquette to promote their tag team match against Penelope Ford & Megan Bayne.
Storm and Rosa’s saga dates back to 2022, when the two squared off at the inaugural “Forbidden Door” event for Rosa’s AEW Women’s World Championship. The two subsequently became a short lived tag team called ThunderStorm, facing the likes of Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. & Jamie Hayter.
Then, the two renewed their rivalry last year, when Rosa challenged Storm the inaugural “Dynasty” for the world championship. In that contest, Storm was a quasi-heel, despite the crowd’s affinity for both women.
Now, they have joined forces yet again, in service of a common enemy: Megan Bayne.
This was a great promo. Week after week, Storm is firing on all cylinders in the ring and on the microphone. Rosa insisted that her ultimate goal is capturing Storm’s championship. Storm rechristened them as “ThunderTits.”
How can this super-team possibly lose to Bayne and Ford…? Right?
HIT: Brody King vs. Kyle Fletcher
Following each man’s loss at “Revolution,” both Brody King and Kyle Fletcher were looking for marquee victories last night.
This was a terrific match. Fletcher truly is a physical specimen, but King can overwhelm nearly any opponent with his sheer might alone. Unfortunately for King, the “Protostar” had the odds stacked in his favor; thanks to Mark Davis’ interference.
After the match, Powerhouse Hobbs’ entrance theme began to play. While Fletcher and Davis were staring at the titantron, Hobbs snuck into the ring through the audience; getting the drop on the former Aussie Open.
King sent Fletcher over the top rope with a strong lariat, isolating both Davis and Hobbs in the squared circle before the commercial break.
Rating: ***¼
HIT: Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Mark Davis
When we returned from the commercial break, referees and security were inexplicably swarming the ring area to separate Powerhouse Hobbs and Mark Davis. While it seemed jarring, I enjoyed the pageantry of it all. It only further illustrated Hobbs’ animosity towards the Don Callis Family.
Interestingly enough, former NXT “superstar” Von Wagner was one of the security guards.
The match itself was quick and to the point. Hobbs is a behemoth, so even a veritable powerhouse like Davis should pose little threat.
The real question is where is this feud heading? What is the payoff for Powerhouse Hobbs? Is it facing Konosuke Takeshita or Kyle Fletcher? Is it getting his hands on Don Callis? Only time will tell.
HIT: Nick Wayne backstage interview
Nick Wayne is backstage with Lexy Nair, flanked by his mother and Kip Sabian.
Two weeks ago, Wayne questioned Christian Cage’s leadership; leading to a very uncomfortable confrontation.
Last week, Wayne played a pivotal role in Adam Copeland’s match against Jon Moxley, jeopardizing the former’s chances of winning the AEW World Heavyweight Championship.
Last night, Wayne continued to criticize Cage for failing to properly execute their plan at “Revolution,” albeit exercising a little more restraint than he did two weeks ago.
Wayne’s days in the Patriarchy seem numbered. What will life after Christian Cage look like for AEW’s prodigal son? Will he continue to be managed by his mother? Honestly, that would be hilarious.
HIT: Rated FTR interview
Last week, the “Rated R Superstar,” Adam Copeland, failed to defeat Jon Moxley for the world championship, despite receiving assistance from FTR and Willow Nightingale.
After the match, tensions boiled over as Dax Harwood turned his back on Cash Wheeler and Copeland.
This week, Rated FTR sat down with Tony Schiavone to discuss what transpired last week and what lies ahead for the group.
Harwood apologized for his actions last week, although it seemed like he was more interested in capitulating than expressing any actual regret. Harwood posited that FTR shelved their own aspirations in service of Copeland’s.
The “Rated R Superstar” disagreed, reminding Harwood that the Death Riders had already attacked FTR before he returned.
Harwood, however, wants to put the past behind him, and focus his efforts on defeating The Hurt Syndicate and recapturing the AEW World Tag Team Championship. Wheeler isn’t interested in competing for the tag team titles again, though. Instead, he wants to focus on the AEW World Trios Championships.
So, Rated FTR has issued a challenge to the Death Riders at “Dynasty” for the trios titles. Harwood reluctantly agreed, trying to end their interview with his patented sign-off, “top guys, out.”
Copeland interjected by saying “Rated FTR, out.”
I loved this backstage segment. I love the long term implications. Will FTR betray Copeland or will Copeland betray FTR? Will we finally see Copeland reunite with Christian Cage? Will FTR finally turn heel? Professional wrestling is at its best when you’re forced to ask this many questions.
HIT: Swerve Strickland confronts Jon Moxley
We’re only a week and a half away from “Dynasty,” where Swerve Strickland will challenge Jon Moxley for the AEW World Heavyweight Championship. So, to promote their match, Strickland was scheduled to confront Moxley.
A week and a half ago, Moxley attacked Strickland on “Collision,” reportedly rupturing Strickland’s eardrum in the process. Strickland is ready for retribution. More importantly though, he’s ready to reclaim championship gold.
Moxley believes that Strickland possesses all the qualities necessary to succeed him as the AEW World Heavyweight Championship. Now, Strickland will have the opportunity to prove whether or not Moxley is right. Therein lies the intrigue, here.
It felt like this exchange was merely a formality, for Moxley to announce that he’s handpicked Strickland to succeed him. At “Dynasty,” we will find out whether or not that’s truly the case.
HIT: Top Flight in action
Dante and Darius Martin are from Minneapolis and have been pursuing the AEW World Tag Team Championships for– forever actually.
So, it’s only natural that Top Flight made a brief appearance, against enhancement talents Alex Findley & Devo Knight. The Martin brothers received a hero’s welcome from their hometown crowd, while Lio Rush & Action Andretti looked on from ringside.
It looks like Top Flight, Rush & Andretti, and Big Bill & Bryan Keith are all on a collision course at “Dynasty,” against the world tag team champions.
Rating: N/A
HIT: Mark Briscoe vs. Konosuke Takeshita
This was a superb contest. Selfishly, I must admit that Mark Briscoe and Konosuke Takeshita are two of my favorite competitors in AEW. That aside, these two delivered in spades.
Mark Briscoe is a glutton for punishment. He’s also one of the most multifaceted performers in AEW, whose unorthodox style shines against all manner of opponents. Throw in an all-world performer of Konosuke Takeshita’s caliber and you have a winning equation.
The only elements working against this match were time and circumstance. Otherwise, this was a phenomenal showcase for national television.
Rating: ***¾
HIT: ThunderStorm vs. Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford
The main event saw “Timeless” Toni Storm & Thunder Rosa face Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford in tag team action.
On paper, Storm and Rosa sound like a veritable dream team, having collectively accumulated five AEW Women’s World Championships. Penelope Ford has only won one singles match in the last two and a half years.
The great equalizer here is the “Megasus.” As Shannon Sharpe would say:
Toni Storm, ThunderStorm, Seattle Storm, Megan Bayne in five.
In the end, Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford were victorious, when Bayne pinned Toni Storm in the center of the ring. No tricks. No sleight of hand. Just an emphatic Fates Descent.
I’m rarely shocked by the result of a wrestling match. This was surprising. It’s hard to imagine that the result at “Dynasty” will be any different. Right now, Bayne looks inviolable.
Rating: ***
The rest of the week’s programming
“Collision”
- Jamie Hayter vs. Queen Aminata
- Top Flight vs. Big Bill & Bryan Keith
- Jay White vs. Kevin Knight
- Wheeler Yuta vs. Dax Harwood
- Mercedes Mone In Action
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