The indiscernible road to “Grand Slam Australia” continues and this was an action packed episode of “Dynamite.”
So, without further ado, let’s dive in.
HIT: Will Ospreay vs. Buddy Matthews
This was a match that I never knew I needed.
Will Ospreay is only 10 days removed from his incredible performance at “Worlds End,” where he wrestled in two grueling matches against Kyle Fletcher and Kazuchika Okada. In lieu of the “Continental Classic,” his opponent, Buddy Matthews, has not been present since “Full Gear” — where he won a four-way match on the “Zero Hour” pre-show.
For Matthews, this was a chance to begin his road to “Grand Slam Australia,” which he will assuredly be featured in. For Ospreay, it was an opportunity to deliver in spades for the umpteenth time.
Matt Menard said it best on commentary: “don’t blink.” This match was fast-paced and frenetic, but quite physical.
Will Ospreay won the match, after performing a Styles Clash and a series of Hidden Blades. If I had one criticism of this match, it would be Ospreay’s profuse use of finishing maneuvers.
After the match, Ospreay told Matthews that he’s too good to be under Malakai Black’s thumb, and he should reconsider his allegiance to the House of Black. Ospreay even offered his help to Matthews, should he need it.
Despite my criticisms, this was still a very good match and a terrific way to start the show.
Rating: ***¾
MISS: Private Party Champagne Celebration
The AEW World Tag Team Champions, Private Party, came out for a champagne celebration — to commemorate their victory over Lio Rush & Action Andretti on Saturday Night “Collision” last weekend.
However, their party was interrupted by the Hurt Syndicate. Bobby Lashley was wearing his ring gear, in anticipation for his impending match. MVP wanted to celebrate with Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen. Right before they all took a shot, MVP warned Private Party that the Hurt Syndicate were going to take their AEW World Tag Team Championships.
While I would enjoy seeing the Hurt Syndicate hold the championships, I feel bad for Private Party. Their victory over The Young Bucks was one of the truly great, feel good moments on “Dynamite” last year. Since then, they’ve accomplished nothing of note — aside from their title defense at “Full Gear.” Their feud with Rush and Andretti was nothing of note.
Hopefully, for Kassidy and Quen’s sake, they can at least tie the Hurt Syndicate in their first match.
HIT: Bobby Lashley vs. Mark Briscoe
As a fan of both Bobby Lashley and Mark Briscoe, I genuinely enjoyed this match.
Briscoe is like a Timex. He can take a licking and keep on ticking. Unfortunately, you can only take so many lickings from the Hurt Syndicate’s smashing machine.
Lashley took control early in this match, but Briscoe fought his way back into the contest — evening the odds three-quarters of the way through the affair. Briscoe inevitably failed to convert his offense into a pinfall, falling to Lashley’s patented Hurt Lock.
This was a really terrific match, highlighting the strengths of both competitors.
Rating: ***¼
HIT: Casino Gauntlet Match
The winner of this Casino Gauntlet Match will face Jon Moxley next week at the special “Maximum Carnage” edition of “Dynamite.”
The match opened with “Switchblade” Jay White, who earned this opportunity last week, when he beat Roderick Strong and Swerve Strickland in a triple-threat match. The second entrant was his rival, “Hangman” Adam Page. From there, the entrants were as follows: Wheeler Yuta, Ricochet, Adam Cole, Daniel Garcia, Powerhouse Hobbs, Roderick Strong, Lance Archer, Kyle O’Reilly, and Jeff Jarrett.
Once again, the Casino Gauntlet Match delivered in spades. There were a lot of great moments here:
- Ricochet used Swerve Strickland’s theme to antagonize the crowd. This was brilliant.
- Seeing Daniel Garcia and Wheeler Yuta reignite their rivalry was nice. I would love to see Yuta insert himself in the TNT Championship picture.
- Powerhouse Hobbs looked fantastic in this contest, which paid dividends in the end.
- Watching Hobbs and Archer take turns tossing Ricochet back and forth was hilarious.
- Wheeler Yuta strategically attacked Jarrett before he could enter the ring, preventing him from ever entering the match. Does that mean the Death Riders are afraid of ole’ “Double J?”
In the end, Powerhouse Hobbs delivered a vicious SpineBuster to Kyle O’Reilly and scored the pinfall — earning his shot, next week, against the AEW World Heavyweight Champion.
After the match, Hobbs was interviewed by Renee Paquette in the center of the ring; telling Moxley’s wife that he’s going to “make Moxley his bitch.” How eloquent.
Rating: ****
HIT: Jeff Jarrett’s promo
This was a two-for-one special. Both Jeff Jarrett and MJF were scheduled to appear tonight. It just so happens that they coincided.
Jeff Jarrett and Wheeler Yuta’s aforementioned skirmish led Jarrett behind the curtain, preventing him from ever reaching the ring. So, after the match, he came back through the curtain and made his way to the ring, for his scheduled appearance.
The only thing Jarrett had a chance to say was that he was happy to be back in Tennessee, before he was interrupted by “The Devil” himself.
MJF revealed that Jarrett neglected to mention an important detail of his contract. Not only was this his final deal as a wrestler, but it’s only a one-year deal.
Furthermore, the title picture has become too crowded for MJF’s liking, so he made a proposition to “The Last Outlaw:” MJF will help Jarrett win the AEW World Heavyweight Champion, but in return, Jarrett’s first defense will be against MJF.
Jarrett outright refused MJF’s quid pro quo offer, calling him a “one-hit wonder.”
This was a great way to begin a feud. MJF has a proven track record working with over-the-hill wrestlers. His programs with both Chris Jericho and CM Punk were fantastic. I’m excited to see how this continues to unfold.
HIT: Adam Copeland addresses Jon Moxley
Adam Copeland made his scheduled appearance, to address the AEW World Champion, Jon Moxley, and The Death Riders.
Copeland is tired of hearing Moxley’s rhetoric. Moxley believes that the AEW roster is rife with arrogance and complacency; that they haven’t faced enough adversity. Well, Copeland broke his neck wrestling Eddie Guerrero, and he continued wrestling for another 20 minutes. He broke his leg against Malakai Black and continued wrestling for another 10 minutes. No one has worked harder to chase their dreams than Adam Copeland.
Copeland’s rousing speech was interrupted by the Death Riders, who slowly descended on Copeland. Before they could reach the ring, the Death Riders were attacked by FTR, who tried evening the odds in Copeland’s favor. Unfortunately, Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler were still outnumbered three-to-two, leaving Copeland alone in the ring. Moxley produced a plastic bag, but retreated after Powerhouse Hobbs intervened.
I loved Copeland’s promo, but I didn’t love this segment. Right now, the Death Riders are dead in the water. Aside from Castagnoli’s involvement in the “Continental Classic,” none of the other members have pursued singles championships. PAC, Yuta, and Castagnoli are the AEW World Trios Champions, and they haven’t defended the title since Nov. 7.
I don’t expect Copeland to defeat Moxley, but this title reign can’t continue beyond “Revolution.” The most prestigious prize in AEW has become an afterthought and it’s all thanks to Moxley.
HIT: Kris Statlander vs. Willow Nightingale vs. Toni Storm
“You get a title shot, you get a title shot, you get a title shot!”
This match determined who would enter first in next week’s Casino Gauntlet Match. The winner of that match will challenge Mariah May at “Grand Slam Australia” for the AEW Women’s World Championship.
Kris Statlander, Willow Nightingale, and Toni Storm are three of the most prolific workers in the women’s division. Of course, Storm still has “amnesia,” so she’s the supposed underdog here.
There were a lot of creative exchanges in this match, which all culminated in Statlander pinning Storm with her Wednesday Night Fever. Nightingale looked visibly dejected after the match, while Storm seemed heartbroken backstage.
This was a terrific match. Unfortunately, this stipulation poses the same problem that last week’s men’s triple-threat match did. How is the number spot an advantageous position? Conceivably, all three of these women will be in the Casino Gauntlet Match. The second entrant will have as good of a chance as Statlander will.
Rating: ***½
HIT: Kenny Omega returned (again)
After returning at “World’s End” and returning at “Wrestle Dynasty,” Kenny Omega has returned once again. This time, to Wednesday Night “Dynamite.”
It’s no secret that Kenny Omega is a pillar of AEW. Not only is he an Executive Vice President and one of the company’s founders, but he’s one of the greatest performers in wrestling history.
Omega addressed his battle with diverticulitis and the uncertainty he’s faced over the last year. Not only was his return to wrestling in doubt, but he wasn’t sure if he would ever live a normal life again. But now, he’s finally returned to All Elite Wrestling.
Last Saturday, Omega had a phenomenal match against Gabe Kidd at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s “Wrestle Dynasty,” proving that he hasn’t lost a step in the ring. However, Omega’s return was interrupted by Don Callis — who has a long history with the “Best Bout Machine.” Before Callis could say much of anything, Omega attacked him, forcing Lance Archer and Brian Cage to intervene.
The duo dragged Omega back into the ring and continued their assault. Archer restrained Omega, while Brian Cage delivered a devastating left hook to his abdomen. Kyle Fletcher joined them and delivered a shot of his own. However, their assault was interrupted by the “Aerial Assassin,” Will Ospreay, who evened the odds with a steel chair.
After the Don Callis Family fled the ring, “Dynamite” ended with Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay, face-to-face in an AEW ring for the first time since “Forbidden Door” in 2023.
Final Verdict
This was yet another phenomenal episode of “Dynamite.” The matches were fantastic, the promos were interesting, and the show itself was incredibly well paced. Hopefully AEW can carry their momentum into next week’s special “Maximum Carnage” episode.
Rating: ****¼
The rest of the week’s programming
Saturday Night “Collision”
- Adam Copeland vs. Big Bill
- Dax Harwood vs. Chris Jericho
- Harley Cameron vs. Mariah May
“Maximum Carnage”
- Kenny Omega vs. Brian Cage
- Christian Cage vs. HOOK
- Jon Moxley [c] vs. Powerhouse Hobbs
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