AEW Dynamite Episode 11 begins with Jon Moxley getting a quick and easy win over a nobody [Editor’s Note: Alex Reynolds]. Guess that boosts the win-loss record. His short celebration is cut off when Le Champion Chris Jericho and The Inner Circle make him an offer to join, discussing their past in another company where there was a feud over Mitch the Plant. Brilliant. Some nice verbal exchange, and before the segment ends Jericho says he doesn’t want a decision now, but after New Year’s. Brilliant again. Keeps us all wondering for weeks what the decision will be. I like it. A lot.
The Butcher and The Blade defeat Cody Rhodes & QT Marshall
QT Marshall, former ROH mainstay and current producer for AEW is also the owner of a wrestling school. He can go and he showed no problems running the ring tonight. Great match, I dig this new team, and a guy who has a curly evilstache and a monocle is awesome. Post-match, Darby Allin shows some support to Cody. Interesting.
MJF and Wardlow come to the ring, Maxwell taking the mic. He easily riles up the Texas crowd with some good old school jibes, and then just absolutely tears into Cody Rhodes. First praising him as one of the greatest wrestlers ever, but then runs him down as a horrible human and how MJF is better than him in every and any way possible. Verbally effective, even mocking Cody’s lisp. He’s glory on the mic and although Cody mocked him as a knock-off Jericho, MJF is certainly in a class of his own. He accepts Cody’s challenge, and we’re going to get a war when they collide.
More of a tease, stipulations to be announced after New Year’s, back in Jacksonville, Florida.
One thing though. He doesn’t need to drop curse words to get the point across.
The Butcher & the Blade showed their power last night on #AEWDynamite
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE every Wednesday on @TNTDrama 8e/7c #AEWonTNT @AEWonTNT pic.twitter.com/gg8zCH0Cym
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) December 12, 2019
Big Swole defeats Emi Sakura
Great match, dueling chants for both women. Great spot after Sakura tosses Swole by her hair, Swole tells her if she touches her hair again “I’ll pop you in the mouth.” Sure enough, Sakura tests said threat, and whap! Back of the hand. Sakura with a vicious looking surfboard stretch. Crowd was hot for this one. Swole wins with a spinning roaring forearm shot for the win.
Hubby Cedric Alexander must be proud.
Backstage before the next match, The Bastard, PAC wants another match with Kenny Omega. Give him what he wants, or there will be consequences.
It’s just after 9pm, and I feel the pacing has been very well done, not overloaded and too much to process, but enough to digest and feel satisfied as the next segment starts.
Kenny Omega & Hangman Page defeat Kip Sabian & Shawn Spears
I just noticed some of the lines in the intro stats are funny. For Hangman Page, it read:
“Drank a bottle of whiskey alone last Wednesday.”
To quote JR, this one was a barnburner as the action was fast, and on fire. Everyone blazing a hot trail of plexes and slams, along with a few nice diving spots. Interestingly Hangman spent a lot of time on the outside. Regarding Penelope Ford, Jim Ross says “She’s a great diversion.” She took down Hangman with a leaping hurricanrana, and then rocked Omega with a corner crush. The lights go out during the match, and Joey Janela has Tully Blanchard held as a hostage. Spears bails on the match to save his mentor, allowing Omega to crack Kip with a Snapdragon followed by the V-Trigger. But before he could go for the big finish, Hangman blind tags, hits the Buckshot Lariat and earns the win. Heelish move, but Omega shrugs it off.
Weird promo featuring Brandi Rhodes discussing her cult. She also says AEW would be nothing more than a sports gym without her. Takes a shot at Dr. Britt Baker and her boyfriend. Shows a mysterious bald guy, but does not reveal who he is. She might want to reconsider her revealing wardrobe. If there’s anyone I would worry about being too much like a certain female McMahon … it’s her.
Chris Jericho and Jake Hager boot Excalibur and Chayvonnee away from commentary, and hearing Jericho do commentary with Jim Ross is fantastic. He calls the match, acts like a jerk, and puts over everyone all at the same time. Amazing work. It’s why he’s Jericho. Hager is perfect, because he doesn’t utter a word at all.
Spanish God Sammy G vs. Luchasaurus
Okay, I’m loving the taglines during the intro, I was quick enough to catch and screen shot this for Sammy Guevara. Brilliant.
Not a bad match, Sammy gets to hit some high spots while the Big Dino tosses him around. Luchasaurus earns the singles win, which prompts Jericho and Hager to storm the ring. Jungle Boy and Jericho clash, the latter almost dumping his opponent for next week out of the ring, but instead skins the cat and rolls up Le Champion while Marko Stunt makes a three count. This causes Jericho to lose his mind. Once again, brilliant.
What is the weird thing Justin Roberts does with his voice for the main event?
Main event: Young Bucks vs. Proud & Powerful – NO DQ, Falls Count Anywhere
This gets crazy from the start. Former LAX members ambush the Bucks during the intro, Sammy G joins in, and so does Brandon Cutler who is promptly thrown through a particle-board platform. Bucks then take out the Spanish God with a “Indy-taker” formerly the Meltzer Driver. Nick Jackson launches off a platform and crashes Ortiz through a table. The insanity continues in the ring with more high spots, table crashes, kendo sticks, and a Dallas Cowboys helmet. Good grief. This one is nuts, and it reminds me of an ECW main event. The ref gets taken out, so Aubrey Edwards comes running in and she gets a huge crowd eruption and massive “Aubrey!” chant. After more broken tables, chairs, and lord knows what else, the Young Bucks get the win following the Meltzer Driver.
As a result, next week, The Young Bucks will face SCU for the AEW World Tag Team Championships.
With AEW Dynamite Episode 11, this company has put on another great show. Following Twitter was entertaining, how many people loved hearing Chris Jericho and Jim Ross do commentary, and also how many people disliked Brandi’s promos. Another major topic on Twitter, the number of commercials interrupting matches. Maybe it’s because we’ve become so used to DVRs or streaming services. I recall commercials back in my day of watching wrestling on USA, TNT, TBS, MSG, or wherever. Something to get used to.
AEW Dynamite Episode 11 is now streaming on the TNT website, and app.
.@mattjackson13 came prepared!
Watch #AEWDynamite NOW on @TNTDrama 8e/7c #AEWonTNT @AEWonTNT pic.twitter.com/WSAlpKgSN8— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) December 12, 2019
