It’s Wednesday and you know what that means. AEW is off the heels of Sting’s wonderful last match and his bittersweet retirement, as well as one week away from AEW Big Business in the TD Garden. Tonight, Kyle Fletcher and Will Ospreay go from friends to foes as they are set to face-off in singles action. Kris Statlander will go against Riho in the women’s division. The FTW Championship is also on the line as HOOK will face off with his former Team Taz member, Brian Cage. A huge announcement is also set to take place from non other than the EVPs, the Young Bucks.
SWERVE STRICKLAND IN-RING PROMO:
A new era of Dynamite kicked off with a new intro package, theme, and stage. The first wrestler to usher in this new era? None other than Swerve Strickland. A dejected Strickland was visibly upset about not being a champion in AEW yet, despite promising he will hold gold when he signed to AEW at Revolution in 2022. Strickland questioned that he is possibly suffering from karma for all the bad things he’s done. However, last Sunday was different as he felt the support fully in the arena. Strickland then promised that he will become the new champion.
The AEW champion Samoa Joe then came out to interrupt. Joe accused Strickland of handing out promises that he can’t keep. Strickland had enough talking, he challenged Joe to a match for the title right now. The Undisputed Kingdom’s theme music then played. The faction came out with their leader Adam Cole talking up the accomplishments of the group. Notably, he mentioned that Wardlow is the number one contender for the AEW title and he will become the new champion when the time is right. Strickland then ran down Cole, calling him Doctor Claw from Inspector Gadget and insinuating that he’s Britt Baker’s side piece. Cole then proposed a tag match between The Kingdom and Joe/Strickland for next week. Strickland countered with an offer of having the match right now which Cole inevitably refused, until Tony Schiavone announced that Tony Khan has made the match official.
SAMOA JOE & SWERVE STRICKLAND DEFEATS MATT TAVEN & MIKE BENNETT
The crowd made their stance known weeks ago, but now Swerve has fully leaned into his new babyface role. The audience could not get enough of him, chanting at every move he did. The match didn’t last long as Swerve hit the Big Pressure on Taven for the victory, without ever having to tag in Joe. Dominant performance.
After the match, Wardlow made his way down the aisle which distracted Swerve. This gave Joe enough time to lock in the Coquina Clutch. Joe was left standing tall over Swerve. It was then announced for next week, Joe vs Wardlow for the AEW title at Big Business. It’s put up or shut up time for Wardlow in a main event capacity.
HOOK BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
Hook was asked about his upcoming match before he was interrupted by Chris Jericho. Jericho mentioned that he was dumped on his head by Taz at the ECW arena in his first match as the “Lionheart” in the United States. Therefore, he has a connection with Taz and by proxy, a connection with Hook. However, Jericho mentioned that he didn’t respect Hook, until he was dumped on his head by him on Sunday at Revolution. Jericho complimented Hook and called him the “real deal” before offering a fist bump, which Hook reciprocated.
YOUNG BUCKS BACKSTAGE
A video package played showing Adam Page attacking referees at Revolution, which will be addressed later in the show, according to Excalibur on commentary. The show then cut to the back. The Young Bucks with fake smiles had two huge announcements. Nicholas was about to make the announcements before Matthew interrupted and said that they will make the announcements later in the ring.
HOOK (c) DEFEATS BRIAN CAGE (FTW CHAMPIONSHIP)
This match did not take long before it became chaotic. A chair, fire extinguisher, and trash lid were quickly introduced. On the outside, Hook jumped off the steps and was met with a powerslam onto the floor by Cage. Cage then tried to run through Hook but he instead went through the barricade after Hook moved out of the way. As the match came back from break, Hook reversed an F-5 into a DDT onto a chair. Hook had all the momentum and took advantage as he hit the t-bone suplex onto the guard rail that was set up in the corner. However, Cage managed to kick-out. Cage hit a power-bomb and a F-5 on a chair but Hook had a kick-out of his own. A desperate cage introduced thumb tacks into the match but was unable to slam Hook into them. Instead, Hook hit Cage with a couple of kendo stick shots, a t-bone into the thumb tacks, and then locked in the Redrum. Cage slammed Hook down on his back into the thumbtacks but Hook did not let go of the move. Cage passed out which gave Hook the victory.
After the match, the Gates of Agony attacked Hook. Chris Jericho came out for the save, as he helped his new ally.
TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT VIDEO PACKAGE
A video package played highlighting the history of the AEW Tag Team title belt. The titles are now vacated after Sting’s retirement last Sunday. AEW will have it’s own bracket madness in March as the tag team tournament is set to start soon.
ORANGE CASSIDY & BEST FRIENDS BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
Cassidy was asked about his plans after losing the International title at Revolution. Cassidy said that he wants to fill up his bag with belts. Chuck Taylor is still injured but he let Beretta and Cassidy know that they should band together and win the big one. The team’s first match in the tournament will take place on Rampage.
KILLSWITCH DEFEATS DADDY MAGIC
Killswitch dispatched an injured Menard fairly quickly. After the match, Daniel Garcia came out to help his mentor but was then ambushed by Nick Wayne and Killswitch.
The Patriarchy then made their way up the ramp but were met with an ambush by Adam Copeland. Copeland took out Killswitch and Nick Wayne. Shayna Wayne attempted a low blow but Copeland caught her. Christian Cage began to run away which prompted Copeland to chase after him. The chase went all the way to the back and eventually to outside of the arena, where Cage took out the driver from an Escalade and drove off. An incensed Copeland looked straight down the camera and announced that this ends soon. Dynamite in Toronto on March 20th, Cage v Copeland III, in an I Quit Match.
KYLE O’REILLY BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
O’Reilly was asked about missing nearly the last two years. O’Reilly was very grateful to be back because at one point he thought he would never be able to wrestle again. Paquette asked about the Undisputed Kingdom and their offer to join the group on Sunday. O’Reilly said that he doesn’t know his path quite yet despite the love for his friends.
STING RETIREMENT VIDEO PACKAGE
Highlights were shown from last Sunday at Revolution. Sting’s final showtime was touching and perfect in every way. Here’s to an Icon, here’s to Sting!
YOUN BUCKS LIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Young Bucks came out and were immediately insulted by Tony Schiavone after the loss to Sting and Darby Allin on Sunday. Nicholas kicked Schiavone out of the ring and began to cry foul, accusing Sting and Allin of cheating.
The Bucks then got to their announcement which pertained to their two friends Adam Page & Kenny Omega. In attempt to not show favoritism, Page was suspended indefinitely from the Elite without pay after putting his hands on two officials at Revolution. Kenny Omega was then surprisingly fired from the Elite after not making his dates for “no good reason”, despite suffering from Diverticulitis.
Eddie Kingston then interrupted the Bucks. Kingston threw money at the Bucks after being told last week that he will be fined if he insults them. Kingston attacked Nicholas but was quickly overpowered by the Bucks. The coin then dropped and the arrival of Kazuchika Okada was finally here. Okada came out in the suit looking like he was going to save Kingston. Instead, Okada gave Kingston a Rainmaker and aligned himself with the Bucks! Matthew then announced that Okada is officially the newest member of the Elite!
RIHO DEFEATS KRIS STATLANDER
Kris Statlander did not hold back as every strike and lariat looked brutal. Riho is fantastic at fighting from underneath. Every hope spot from Riho was met with a roar from the fans. Stokely Hathaway rolled a chain over to Statlander as he sensed desperation. However, Statlander threw the chain away, opting to win the right way. However, Riho was able to catch Statlander with a roll-up to steal the victory. This was easily the best women’s match on Dynamite all year! Hathaway was visibly upset after the match due to Statlander not taking advantage.
TONI STORM BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
Toni Storm announced that it’s award season and this Saturday on Collision, she will be presenting the very first Toni awards. Storm then gave Mariah May her very first shirt, a design with May dressed as Storm on the front. After the excellent match in the women’s division in the prior segment, Timeless Toni needs to step up or be put to the side as she’s holding the division hostage with the belt around her waist at this point.
STOKELY HATHAWAY AND WILLOW NIGHTINGALE BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
Hathaway was upset that Statlander didn’t take his help from earlier. Willow Nightingale will now face Riho next week on Dynamite. However, Nightingale told Hathaway that she wants to do it her way. Nightingale also issued a warning to Julia Hart, as she has her eyes set on the TBS title.
DARBY ALLIN IN-RING PROMO
Darby Allin came out to the ring and spoke about sacrificing his body for Sting’s last match. Allin can’t replace the Stinger which is why he is relinquishing the tag team titles. Allin also mentioned that he is leaving to climb Mount Everest on March 27th and he doesn’t know if he will come back alive. Allin was grateful for the opportunity and if next week is his last match, then he’s going to go out with a bang.
Jay White then interrupted as he came out flocked by the Gunns. Jay White had a fantastic promo running down Allin and highlighting that his choice to jump off the ladder and into glass, left Sting alone to fight off the Bucks. White then offered Allin a spot in the Bang Bang Scissor Gang, even calling him Darby Scissor Hands. Allin didn’t appreciate White’s words, he then told White that he hasn’t done anything since joining AEW. Allin notably whispered something in White’s ear which enraged White. The match is on for next week at Big Business.
JULIA HART & SKYE BLUE VIDEO PACKAGE
Julia Hart told Nightingale that she has forgotten who she is, therefore, Hart issued an open house challenge for anyone this Friday on Rampage
HOUSE OF BLACK MESSAGE FOR MARK BRISCOE
The House of Black ran down Mark Briscoe with Brody King highlighting his history with the Briscoe brothers in the ring. This Saturday on Collision the challenge is issued to Mark Briscoe, but will they need to dig up one grave or three?
MARK BRISCOE BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
Renee Paquette asked Briscoe for his immediate reaction to the House of Black. Briscoe accepted the challenge for a street fight and he even said he’ll do it all on his own. Jay Lethal interrupted Briscoe and told him he is going to help his friend because he loves him. However, Mark Briscoe told Lethal not to bring Jeff Jarrett with him. Lethal insisted that Jarrett will give them an advantage for the Atlanta street fight. Briscoe was hesitant but accepted the help.
WILL OSPREAY DEFEATS KYLE FLETCHER
This match was high octane from the opening bell. The two friends have excellent chemistry in the ring together, with every move looking perfectly crisp. For a TV match, they did not phone it in. Ospreay hit an Oz-Cutter on the apron, sacrificing that bad back after hurting it during that brutal match with Takeshita from the weekend.
In the ring, the two wrestlers kept countering the other’s tombstone attempt, but it was Ospreay who was able to take advantage with the reverse-rana. Later in the match, Ospreay’s head bounced off the mat after a thunderous powerbomb from Fletcher, however, Ospreay managed to barely kick out. Ospreay was able to gain some momentum and hit a brutal reverse-rana from the top rope, this time it was Fletcher who kicked out. Fletcher looked extremely valiant as he the kicked out of an Oz-Cutter but he had given all he had at that point. Ospreay hit the Hidden Blade on Fletcher and got the victory after a barn-burner of a match.
After the match, Ospreay consoled Fletcher while Bryan Danielson’s music hit! Danielson came to the ring to stare down Ospreay as the show went off the air, in true WCW Nitro style!
