The city of Greenville was a fixture of Jim Crockett Promotions, as part of the Mid-Atlantic loop. So it’s only fitting that a wrestler from the Mid-Atlantic region, “Hangman” Adam Page, took center stage in the evening’s main event. For the first time ever, Page faced fellow AEW original Darby Allin in a match five years in the making.
Even Page and Allin’s best efforts couldn’t have made this otherwise mundane episode of “Dynamite” as memorable as the program has been in recent weeks. As we enter turn-three on the road to “All In,” is Tony Khan running on fumes or was this just a reprieve? Let’s dive in:
Hits and Misses
HIT: Bryan Danielson Shocking Announcement
Last week, Bryan Danielson told Renee Pacquette that due to his neck injury, AEW’s chief medical physician, Doc Sampson, has advised him not to wrestle until “All In.” Danielson initially injured his neck due to Will Ospreay’s devastating Tiger Driver ‘91 in April, at “Dynasty.” Danielson continued to aggravate the injury during the Owen Hart Cup, culminating in a particularly brutal finale against Adam Page. However, Danielson’s fighting spirit was ignited when “Double J” Jeff Jarrett interrupted Pacquette’s interview last week; challenging the “American Dragon” to stop making excuses and go “all in.”
This week, Danielson addressed the Greenville crowd — discussing how the second leg of his career has been defined by being present. Since his retirement in 2016 and subsequent return in 2018, Danielson has made a concerted effort to be “present in the moment.” However, Danielson’s contract expires today, August 1, 2024, and he promised his family that his contract with AEW would be the last contract he signed as a wrestler. So, in essence, he’s working on good faith and borrowed time. There’s still one milestone that has eluded him in AEW and that’s the AEW World Championship, but before Danielson could continue his thought — the champion arrives.
Swerve Strickland shows his irreverence for Danielson, as both a Washington native and wrestler who was inspired by Danielson. It doesn’t change the fact that, at “All In,” Strickland will do everything in his power to defeat Danielson; even if that means exploiting his injured neck. Danielson ups the ante for Strickland. Not only is the AEW World Championship on the line, but if Danielson loses he will retire.
Strickland’s title versus Danielson’s career. This is a main event worthy of AEW’s grandest stage. And, this was a phenomenal segment. Danielson’s gratitude and love for professional wrestling is infectious, and the Greenville crowd adored him. Strickland has become so great at walking the line between “heel” and “babyface.” Here, he was an antagonist, which was only amplified by the crowd’s adoration for Danielson.
For months now, we’ve speculated that Danielson would end his full-time wrestling career at “WrestleDream,” which will be held in Tacoma, Washington. Does that make the outcome of this match a little more predictable? Not necessarily. Ending Bryan Danielson’s career would be yet another notch in the reign of Strickland — who has already strung together an impressive hit list.
MISS: The Introduction
This episode of “Dynamite” began with Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Will Ospreay, which segued directly into the latter’s match against the “Murderhawk Monster,” Lance Archer.
Archer beat the hell out of Ospreay for seven-eights of the match, but the “Aerial Assassin” narrowly escaped with a win. Afterwards, MJF ambushed Ospreay — until Kyle Fletcher came to his rescue.
From start to finish, this segment was strange. MJF’s caricature of a patriot is a little ham-fisted. He looks like an AI rendering of the “American Nightmare” gimmick, sans Cody Rhodes. At times, the crowd cheered for MJF, which I can’t imagine was the most heinous villain in all of pro- wrestling’s goal. Not to mention, listening to Will Ospreay and Kyle Fletcher endear themselves to the American audience was uncomfortable.
What really ruined this segment was how repetitive it was. Not only was this a carbon copy of last week’s exchange between Ospreay and MJF, but then Kyle Fletcher made a surprise entrance and forced MJF to flee the ring. Thankfully, MJF is wrestling Kyle Fletcher next week — so will have a little reprieve from this formula.
HIT: Mercedes Moné and Kamille
“The Brickhouse” Kamille’s debut was as advertised. While I wish she had her own entrance music, there’s no denying the former NWA Women’s World Champion’s air of superiority.
I love the direction that Mercedes Moné’s “CEO” persona has taken her over the past month. She’s slowly become part Ric Flair, part “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan, and part Sasha Banks — if she were a bit wealthier. While Moné isn’t the most charismatic promo in wrestling, she has always thrived as a villain.
Moné mentioned in passing that Kamille is the first woman to join the “Moné Corporation.” While the name itself could use some workshopping, this really captured my imagination. Moné has said before that she wants to build a women’s wrestling faction, like those in Stardom. Who could the next members of the “Moné Corporation” be?
HIT: Main Event
It’s hard to imagine that after five years, Darby Allin and “Hangman” Adam Page have never shared the ring in singles competition. Allin and Page’s personal animosity stems from last week’s “Blood & Guts” and “Royal Rampage,” providing Tony Khan with a plausible excuse to make this incredible match happen.
Admittedly, I love both wrestlers. Despite Page’s rage-induced hysteria, I still support him in all matters related to Swerve Strickland. Then there’s Allin, whose reckless abandonment belies his proficiency as a grappler.
Page’s ethos has become defined by his hatred towards Swerve Strickland. Every attack pointedly conveys his aggression. Darby Allin is the ultimate masochist — absorbing blow after blow, but always getting back on his feet. In the end, it was a battle of composure. Allin endured “Hangman’s” vicious onslaught and countered with a surprise roll-up, narrowly escaping with the victory.
This was such an exciting end to an otherwise dull episode of “Dynamite.” I just hope their rematch doesn’t take another five years.
The rest of the week’s programming includes:
Friday Night “Rampage”
-
(© ronstik – stock.adobe.com) Nyla Rose vs. Harley Cameron
- MxM Collection vs. Private Party
- Wheeler Yuta vs. The Butcher
- Brian Cage in action
- Bryan Kieth in action
Saturday Night “Collision”
- Darby Allin, FTR, and Mark Briscoe vs. The Beast Mortos & The Undisputed Kingdom
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