It’s Wednesday and you know what that means. AEW Dynamite is a packed show tonight which includes the legendary Kazuchika Okada teaming up with Orange Cassidy to take on Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli of the Blackpool Combat Club. AEW World Champion MJF continues his rivalry with Jay White and Bullet Club Gold, as he is set to defend his Dynamite Diamond Ring against Juice Robinson. AEW Women’s World title is also on the line as Hikaru Shida defends against Ruby Soho. Rob Van Dam is back on Dynamite as he teams with Hook against John Silver and Alex Reynolds. The legendary Sting is now on his retirement tour leading up to Revolution 2024, this week, the Icon is promised a gift from Tony Khan.
MJF Backstage Interview
Backstage with Renee Paquette, MJF attempts to call Adam Cole but is instantly interrupted by Roderick Strong and The Kingdom. Cole has to hang up almost immediately. Strong offers his help to MJF because of their mutual best friend. Strong also insinuates that MJF is the man behind the devil mask who attacked Jay White. MJF sarcastically accepts Strong’s help but then rolls his backwards on his wheelchair. The World Champion then runs down Bullet Club Gold prior to his match with Juice Robinson. As the promo ends, the man with the devil mask shows up on screen and nods.
MJF defeats Juice Robinson to Retain Dynamite Diamond Ring; Post Match Challenge From Kenny Omega
MJF comes out focused, no poses, no playing to the crowd, just straight business. He goes right for Juice like a house on fire. It doesn’t take long until Robinson is busted open. This was a fierce MJF that we don’t see very often. The games Bullet Club have played for weeks have finally gotten to the world champion. After some shenanigans, Robinson had the fake diamond ring teed up, however MJF used the real diamond ring on Robinson. MJF then hit the heat-seeker for the eventual win.
After the match Jay White and The Gunns rushed the ring to attack MJF. However, The Kingdom came in to assist the champ per Roderick Strong’s orders, but they were quickly dispatched. The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn then came out for the actual save which caused Bullet Club Gold to retreat. After some back and forth on the mic, it became official, The Gunns will face MJF at Full Gear for the ROH Tag Team titles. Next week on Dynamite, Bullet Club Gold will face MJF and three partners of his choosing. MJF rejected the advances of Roderick Strong with the Kingdom as well as Max Caster as potential partners for next week.
As MJF was leaving, Kenny Omega came out to confront him. As we edge closer to MJF officially overtaking Omega as the longest reigning AEW World Champion, the challenge was laid out. MJF-Omega is set for Collision, this Saturday.
Wardlow Vignette
Wardlow finally speaks on sitting from the sidelines these past few months and watching MJF become the hero of the company. Wardlow knows the real MJF and he is not taking kindly to this newfound love for the World Champion.
Hook & Rob Van Dam defeat Alex Reynolds & John Silver
It’s always a pleasure to see RVD mix it up in the ring. Hook and RVD have become quite the tag team, it’ll be interesting to see if we see more of this in the upcoming weeks. RVD played the greatest hits for the Philly crowd and Hook got the victory with the Redrum on John Silver.
Toni Storm Silent Film
Toni Storm’s quest for gold will come to fruition at Full Gear as she will challenge whoever is the AEW Women’s Champion will be by that point. As Dynamite went to picture-in-picture the silent film started. It’s a creative way that they’re using picture-in-picture but the character may have jumped the shark a bit at this point.
Sting Promo
Tony Schiavone interviewed Sting in the ring. Sting mentioned Darby Allin as the best tag team partner he’s every had. Look away Lex Luger. Schiavone then mentioned that Tony Khan had a gift for Sting. Ric Flair’s music then hit. Sting seemed genuinely surprised to see his old foe. Flair praised Sting and let him know he wants to be with him on this journey until retirement. Christian Cage interrupts flanked by Luchasaurus and Nick Wayne. Christian ran down Ric Flair and laid out the challenge for Full Gear. A trios match between Cage, Wayne, and Luchasaurus against Allin, Sting, and whatever partner they can find.
Chris Jericho Interview
Renee Paquette had a sit-down interview with Le Champion. Jericho mentioned that he needs to self-reflect after what was a demolition job from Powerhouse Hobbs. Jericho is going to be looking for revenge as he will call on some of his own friends that are even bigger than Powerhouse Hobbs. It’ll be interesting to see who Jericho is talking about.
ROH Trios Titles: Adam Page & The Young Bucks defeat The Hardyz & Brother Zay
It’s probably safe to say that for the first time in their career, the Young Bucks are treading water. Their matches haven’t felt special since Wembley. This specific match was fine but wasn’t anything to write home about. No mention of the Young Bucks being number one contenders for the Tag Titles. The Elite picked up the victory.
Swerve Strickland: Home Invasion
Swerve and Prince Nana showed up to Adam Page’s house which caused Page to go into a panic as he saw what was happening on the screen. Swerve went into the baby’s room and told Hangman Jr that his father took opportunities from him which means that he is now indebted to him. Swerve placed a Mogul Embassy shirt in the baby’s crib. Evil stuff.
Adam Copeland Backstage Interview
Copeland was asked by Paquette if his stance has changed on not wanting to fight Christian Cage. Copeland said that nothing has changed but he was quickly interrupted by Allin and Sting. Allin tried to talk some sense into him before Sting began to yell at Copeland. Sting was trying to light a fire under a Copeland by telling him to open his eyes. Sting was absolutely brilliant. It is inevitable that Copeland will be the third man in the upcoming trios match for Full Gear but it’s going to take a few weeks to get to that decision.
AEW Women’s Title: Hikaru Shida defeats Ruby Soho
The crowd was notably quiet for this match. The early sequences were very clunky between the two competitors. Ruby Soho hasn’t had the best showings in her last few outings, it must be said. The spray paint shenanigans are overdone and it might be time for the Outcasts to take a backseat on tv programing. Shida got the victory after a kitana. Storm came out to taunt Shida after the match.
MJF & Samoa Joe Backstage Confrontation
MJF was being treated in the trainers room while being interviewed by Paquette. As Paquette was asking about MJF’s upcoming title match with Kenny Omega on Collision, Samoa Joe quickly interrupted. Joe offered to watch MJF’s back which MJF quickly agreed to. However, Joe expects a title rematch in return. MJF is a wanted man, and all these interwoven storylines make for great tv. The World Title should be a prize that all the top guys have their eye on.
Orange Cassidy & Kazuchika Okada defeat Bryan Danielson & Claudio Castagnoli
Despite never having a match together, Cassidy and Danielson had some good exchanges early on. Okada was tagged in and his aura was on display. Some people just have that IT factor and even if you’ve never seen him wrestle in your life, you can’t deny that Okada carries himself like a star. The crowd popped huge when Okada and Danielson were both tagged in. The “holy sh**” chants commenced. Danielson can have a classic with a broomstick, and Okada is certainly not a broomstick. Whenever the rematch between these two happen, it’ll be a must-watch.
Despite their best efforts, Cassidy and Okada weren’t able to get the job done after a big European uppercut from Castagnoli onto the International championship for the win. Danielson looked to have hurt his face which caused the Blackpool Combat Club to check on him. Okada seemed as he was taunting Danielson while he was down hurt which is surely is building to another match between the two.
