Written By Gino Lewis
Live from Baltimore MD, it’s AEW Dynamite! Well not live I’m on the West Coast so I’m watching it taped. And I’m not there either. I’m on my couch. I’m excited for this show! It’s a stacked card. I’m really looking forward to the 4 Pillars tag match.
Adam Cole/Roderick Strong/Orange Cassidy/Bandido def Daniel Garcia/Jake Hager/Matt Menard/Angelo Parker – The faces came out first with Adam Cole getting his normal huge reaction. Chris Jericho comes out after his cronies wearing the shirt of Britt Baker sporting a black eye. I don’t really like the shirt. I think a man wearing it is in questionable taste in today's day and age. I get why a heel like Jericho would wear it. Talk about making things personal! Jericho joins commentary. He’s trashing Cole for being a coward who watched what happened to his girlfriend and did nothing. Effective heel banter. Garcia and Strong start the match. The crowd is chanting for “Roddy”! It sounds like a hot crowd. All 8 men are in the ring and start brawling to the delight of the crowd. Hager has control over Cassidy then Bandido hits a huge Tope con Hilo to even things up.
Cole tries to go after Jericho and is dragged back to the ring by Cool Hand Ang. Almost all the action is outside the ring, but the action is good. Bandido Suplexes both Mernard and Parker in an impressive feat of strength. The heels are singling out Orange after the break. Cassidy hit Stun Gun Millionaire then makes the hot tag to Strong. Garcia had Cassidy in a Sharpshooter. Cole broke it up with a Super kick. Things break down again. We have the spot where everyone hits big moves ending with Orange hitting Beach Break on Garcia for a near fall. Bandido and Orange hit dual dives allowing Stong to hit a huge jumping knee followed by The Boom knee strike from Cole to get the pin on Parker. Grade 3 ¾ *
The usual solid, even if chaotic at times opener to Dynamite! Immediately after the match Cole charged Jericho at commentary and proceeded to pound down on him with punches. It spilled over to the set and stairs behind the commentary table. It was cool seeing a fight take place there as it’s not an area we see often. Well done! I think it was important for Cole to be obsessed with revenge like this and get a small dose of it for now. They’ve done an excellent job making this feel like an extremely personal rivalry. Jericho deserved it for wearing that shirt!
Renee Young is backstage with Darby Allin and Jungle Boy. Jack says they don’t like each other and neither have main evented a Pay Per View. He says that changes tonight. Darby says “it’s Show Time” using his mentor Sting’s catchphrase. Back from the break Cole is being kicked out of the building by security while Jericho screams at him. Britt shows up and slaps Jericho while ripping his offensive shirt off. Nicely done! Bryan Danielson is backstage with Blackpool Combat Club. He insults Bret Hart’s catchphrase “I’m the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be”. He says he is better than Bret and if he’s not the best in the world one of BCC is. Jon Moxley says BCC is the blade that sharpens each other while talking down to the Elite and hyping up his cage match next week with Kenny Omega. Now that’s a big match! Moxley threatens the Elite with a cutting motion to end it.
Saraya def Willow Nightingale - The crowd is firmly behind Willow to start the match as Saraya bails to the outside saying she’s not ready. A typical heel move. That allows Saraya to get the advantage. Willow quickly turns it around until the distractions from the Outcasts allow Saraya to take control headed to the break. Saraya hit Knight Cap formally the Paige Turner for a 2 count. Willow hit a good-looking Death Valley Driver but couldn’t make the cover because of another distraction from Storm. Willow destroys Ruby throwing her into the ropes. That looked nasty! The distractions allowed Saraya to hit a kick then the Good Knight cradle DDT move for the win. The action was pretty good. It was the typical AEW women's match where half of it is during a commercial break. Most of Saray’s offense was during the break and then she just won without doing much. Nightingale had some good moments. It would have helped the match if they had got more time or a better-timed commercial break. Grade 2 ½ *
The Outcasts do their typical post-match beatdown. Until Shida comes down for the save! Or does she? She hugs Saraya and it looks like she’s joined the Outcasts. Or has she? Hayter and Baker show up behind the heels who are holding Willow for Shida to spray paint her. However, Shida sprays the paint into Saraya’s eyes and the faces proceed to beat down the heels. YES!! Shida spray paints an L on all 3 Outcasts to end it. Excellent segment. Good night for the faces getting revenge. Another show with brilliant storyline development early on!
House of Black has a vignette. They call their titles tainted. Buddy Matthews says welcome to the “open house”. Brody King says any 3 men can challenge for their titles. Julia says, “open house” will take place under “house rules”. Malakai and Julia announce the rules. We’re getting 20 counts, no rope breaks and DQ’s will be enforced. I’m not sure if I heard that last part right. Seems like NO DQ would be more fitting. I like this a lot. It sounds like the rules are going to allow matches to be more chaotic, which they already are anyway. I think it’s a really good idea to try justifying the chaotic matches better and this might do it. I like the fact that they are trying something different and wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes permanent for the trio's division. Maybe they will also try to make the regular tag division try to follow traditional rules a little better.
Tres De Mayo Battle Royale – I’m not going to do much commentary on this match. There are 6 teams, 18 men. Lucha Bros/Vikingo, Dark Order, Varsity Athletes, QTV/Hobbs, Sabian and Buther/Blade are all in the ring. The Acclaimed is out last with Daddy Ass. Max Caster’s rap seemed to be aimed at QTV so maybe that’s going to be a new rivalry. Caster ended his rap with a line about Acclaimed drawing money like Lamar Jackson. Smart move in Baltimore. The entire Varsity Athletes are eliminated before anyone else. Big surprise! Hobbs eliminated all of Death Triangle with the help of QTV. He did look impressive, but it was a bit awkward. Hobbs charges Acclaimed and basically eliminates himself. Hobbs looked a little green tonight.
The final 4 are The Butcher, Kip Sabian, Daddy Ass and Anthony Bowens. Billy Gunn holds Bowens wrist saving him from elimination. Taz says he has a strong grip from scissoring. That was a good line. The Acclaimed eliminated Kip and Butcher to get the win. It was fine for a battle royal. There were a lot of good spots. Lucha Bros, Vikingo, Hobbs and others a chance to stand out. The result isn’t really a surprise. I’m not sure if that means Acclaimed and Daddy Ass will challenge HOB at Double or Nothing. We’re getting the match soon. Grade 2 ¾ *
Sammy is backstage with MJF. MJF does some cheesy schtick where he is crying and sad. He left Guevara because he had a bad back from carrying the company. Sammy forgives him and kisses him on the forehead. MJF almost calls Sammy a little bitch but changes it to best friend. This wasn’t MJF’s best work. It was just a short thing to advance the storyline while teasing that Sammy may turn on MJF after Tay Melo’s passionate speech to him on Rampage. This was effective storyline development.
Kenny Omega is on camera with Don Callis. He gets a nice pop from the crowd. Callis says everyday he thinks about Moxley and how Mox split his head open. Kenny says he knows Mox might make him bleed, he might get hot and bothered and make himself bleed. That was funny even if not intended. He says it all ends next week in Detroit in the steel cage match. I doubt he’s right about that. I am really looking forward to that match! It’s the biggest match we’ve had on Dynamite in a while. I think we need more like that headed into Double or Nothing.
(C) Wardlow def Logan Leroux SQUASH - Wardlow is out next with Arn Anderson for what looks like another squash match. Yep at least they said the guy's name this time. Wardlow hits his clothesline then a powerbomb symphony to get the win. I actually typed that before it happened. Wardlow calls out Christian and Luchasaurus after the match. He wants a TNT Championship open challenge against Luchasaurus here in Baltimore. That popped the crowd. Christian comes out and calls Baltimore ignorant and trash lol. He says that’s not happening, especially not in Baltimore. He’s getting huge heat including loud “you suck” chants. Christian said the title match doesn’t belong to Luchasaurus, “it belongs to me”. Wardlow somehow looks confused by this and discusses it with Arn while Christian returns to the back. This was good development. Christian can definitely give Wardlow a much better match. That might be another one for DON and I think this was good enough if that’s where this rivalry is headed.
Jay Lethal, Jeff Jarrett and crew are visiting Mark Briscoe in Sandy Fork Delaware. They say they want to help around the farm. This ought to be good. Singh is holding a chicken wearing overalls. Jarrett is playing the guitar and says he’s going to play his biggest hit “with my baby ton”...until Daddy Briscoe makes the interruption. That was a funny nod to the past with JJ or was it Road Dogg’s song “With my baby tonight”. It was a decent song. Lethal challenges FTR to a title match at DON and they ask Mark for tips since the Briscoes have beaten FTR. Mark is suspicious but Jarrett invites him to go fishing to end it. Good storyline development again leading to a match that we saw coming. It’s not the greatest tag title match but the story is pretty solid.
Ricky Starks def Juice Robinson – Juice sent hard into the barricade early. It looks like they broke the barricade. They brawl outside the ring doing a good job breaking the count as Starks is slammed into the steps. Starks has a noticeable welt on the side of his back. Starks carries Juice up the steps that Juice set up and body slams him from the top. That was a cool spot and also not technically illegal since he didn’t hit Juice with an object. Starks is still in control after the break. Ricky with a slingshot DDT that carried him and Juice almost the whole way across ring. I’m not sure if that was the plan but it looked OK. Juice got his knees up to counter Starks to get the advantage back. Good action so far this match. The crowd is into it with dueling “let's go Ricky”, “let's go Juice” chants. Robinson with a Hurricanrana from the top and a big clothesline for a good near fall. Roll up from Ricky for a 2 count. Starks hit a huge spear and then Roshambo to finish off Robinson That was a good match with the right guy going over. Grade 3 ¼ *
After the match Jay White came out for the attack and went for Bladerunner. Starks got out of it and went for Roshambo but Juice pulled White to safety and Bullet Club Gold retreated. The announcers mentioned Shawn Spears not being there multiple times which made me think someone else might help Starks since they kept mentioning the number games. I think it would have been a good spot for Action Andretti since he has a loose alliance with Starks. It didn’t happen and Starks didn’t need it. This was more decent build up to another match we’ll likely see at DON.
The was a graphic for the Firm Deletion on Rampage followed up a rundown of the history between Matt Hardy and The Firm. That was a nice way to build up a big match for Rampage. That’s something we need to see more of. Big matches on Rampage like we also got last week with Jay White and video packages to tell us why we should care. Nice job by the production team. I’m excited for the Firm Deletion match and hope it delivers the same way Matt Hardy’s broken character did in Impact. There was a rundown of matches for Rampage and next week on Dynamite. Excaliber didn’t go super-fast this time. I guess they had more time this week. It’s been a great show far and the main event is up next!
Before the main event Jungle and Darby are in the locker room firing each other up. They are on the same page! Darby leaves to get his skateboard. MJF comes into the locker room and shuts the door. Oh no! He offers Jungle Boy a spot next to the throne saying he’s not world champion material. Jungle says he’s taking the crown at Double or Nothing. Darby didn’t see that and came back into the locker room right after it. Darby doesn't trust Jack now. Jungle Boy says we got this and puts out his fist. Darby says no I got it. Great way for MJF to drive a wedge between the 2 already tenuous partners. Great heel work as normal from MJF. More great storyline development in a show that’s been full of it.
Jungle Boy Jack Perry/Darby Allin def MJF/Sammy Guevara - You can tell Darby and Jack are not on the same page. MJF and Sammy Guevara come out together. I don’t think their alliance is going to make it to the end of this match. The action is fast paced with all 4 wrestlers involved early. Sammy and MJF are hugging each other's waist after they lose the advantage. The heels are on the same page and are in control using classic heel antics. They are doing a good job of doing ref distractions leading to cheating tonight. That’s classic wrestling I like seeing. Allin got MJF’s scarf and choked both men with it in a funny spot with ref distracted again.
The heels are in control of Darby when we get back from the break. We are staying with the match until its conclusion. Nice! Referee Bryce Remsburg finally catches the bad guys cheating which leads to the hot tag to Jungle Boy. Jack with some awesome looking offense including a double clothesline and multiple dives. Jack made so many dives that he got too tired to continue in another funny spot. It was OK because Darby was able to hit one to complete the cycle. Jungle Boy with a good near fall on Sammy after all that. Now it’s Darby’s turn for some face paced high impact offense but MJF counters it into a great looking Powerbomb. Jack had MJF in the Snare Trap, but Sammy broke it up. The crowd isn’t that loud for this. It’s a little disappointing because it’s been a great match. It’s been a good crowd most of the night.
MJF and Sammy are having problems now. MJF slaps Guevara. Sammy predictably superkicks MJF who is now laid out. That allows Jungle and Darby to have the numbers game. Jack hits his sliding forearm shot to the back of the head and has Guevara beat. Darby had already tagged in blindly. Jungle isn’t aware and makes the cover while Allin climbs to the top rope to hit the coffin drop as Jack rolls out of the way. That was a very creative finish. Nicely done! For some reason they lost the crowd a bit towards the middle of the match. It’s a bit of a letdown because I think a hot crowd would have helped the match. It could have been 4 stars or better with a hotter crowd and more drama between Darby Allin and Jungle Boy. I’m not blaming the crowd. They were loud most of the night and likely got worn out. I think a few spots where Jungle and Darby weren’t getting along leading to them almost losing would have been a great touch. Grade 3 ½ *
Jack seems upset that Darby stole the pin after he had Sammy beat. MJF is visibly upset as he goes back up the ramp to the back. Sammy nods seeming to like that we are officially getting the Pillars 4-way match. The story has been built up incredibly well and I’m really looking forward to the match. We’ve all known this was coming for 2 months now and they still managed to get to the match in a creative and exciting way. I think the crowd reaction may show that the fans might not be completely invested in these guys as main eventers. Now they have their chance to change that. I think they will at DON! I really liked the storyline development all night especially with Cole and Jericho. They did a great job of using the controversial Britt Baker shirt to set up 2 great spots of Jericho getting his comeuppance.
The women’s match had its normal lackluster spot but the storyline development with Shida returning was well done. They confirmed new opponents for the tag and trio’s titles. It was a short night for BCC and the Elite. That’s OK because we have the huge cage match next week. It was a very good episode of Dynamite. More of the same of what we’ve been getting lately with a lot of storytelling. It seems like the match quality has been down a bit since I’ve been reviewing the show. That should change next week when Omega and Moxley meet in a steel cage. Although, it could be a screwy finish and even more of an angle than a match. The shows have still been very good. Story-driven shows are very important to making us care about the matches. I think AEW is doing an excellent job of that. Possibly better than they ever have. I’m really hoping they keep up the momentum headed into Double or Nothing. It hasn’t always been a strength of AEW to book strong shows heading into PPV’s. They have set the table brilliantly in the last month or so. Let’s hope they knock it out of the park bringing it home to DON!
Grade 7.75
2023 overall grade: 7.69
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