The AEW Dynamite 10/28 episode was one of two final stops on the way to Full Gear. A mixed bag of sorts, teasing many character changes and setting up possible future feuds into 2021. While outcomes of some matches were unmistakably obvious, the matches themselves were still top-tier quality.
A surprise appearance during the Inner Circle Town Hall and a crazy Lumberjack match were only some of the highlights of the show.
If you didn’t catch AEW DARK, it was explained Allie “turned” on QT Marshall because he was an easy mark. Simple as that. QT tried winning her over with fancy gifts and allowing her to max out his credit cards while she treated him like crap. Thank heavens that’s overwith.
The first match of the night sees Hangman Page defeat Wardlow to advance in the Eliminator Tournament. During an interview right before the match, MJF reveals he becomes AEW Champion if Wardlow wins. Apparently, in Wardlow’s contract, any championships he wins, goes to MJF. Well, that’s a weird one, and should have been used sooner. It’s a moot point as Wardlow loses, but does drop the breadcrumbs for the eventual split. Page and Wardlow have a fantastic match, and I, no joke, want to see Wardlow more often on Dynamite. It went from wrestling in the ring to an insane spear on the arena floor. This broke down in to a fight for sure. Despite being lobbed with the F-10, Page picked up the pinfall following not one, but two Buckshot Lariats for the win.
See that? It took two of Page’s finishing lariat to do it. Wardlow must be a toughie.
The “Mad King” Eddie Kingston defeated Matt Sydal
Good match. A bit lopsided at times, Kingston no-selling early on. Sydal put up a good effort, this was more of a showing to see how much Kingston can absorb and then dish right back out. Kingston chokes out Sydal, forcing him to say “I Quit” after the bell. Kingston then says “I’m sorry” a few times, face in a daze.
This one with Mox is going to get violent. At least we hope it does. E-C-DUB?
Excalibur interview with The Young Bucks and FTR w/ Tully Blanchard
This pre-taped segment saw Excalibur sitting with the Bucks. Talking about Matt’s injured ankle, and questioning why FTR would jeopardize a “dream match” by injuring Matt. Cash and Dax say they don’t care about dream matches, it’s about tag team wrestling being special, and for them, being the best tag team in the world and representing with the AEW Tag Team Championships. Shortly thereafter, FTR seem to feel the interview is being focused on the Bucks, so they up and leave, leaving Excalibur to continue with Matt and Nick. The duo go on to say how FTR brought back the “old Bucks” who do some questionable things, but do it to be at the top of their game. Matt brings up a stipulation to which Nick objects to, being if they do not defeat FTR, they will never challenge for the championships again.
Overall, great promos, great segment. Two points however. Nick needs to speak more than Matt. Matt always tries to come across as the tougher one, but the “feel” just isn’t there. It doesn’t come off right. Nick can be a better talker … if he would just talk more often. Second, the stipulation. While it will have fans guessing if we will see a repeat of Cody from last year, it just felt forced and unnecessary for their first match. If this was, say, the third bout after the Bucks failed on the first two tries, then I could see it.
The Town Hall Meeting featuring The Inner Circle and MJF
First off, it was a fun segment. But it went long. Too long to get to the point. Could have been shorter by about five minutes if there was less stalling. The comedy portion provided by Luchasaurus asked about the financial benefits of MJF joining the Inner Circle. Following a ridiculous chart, we move on to Dr. Britt Baker, DMD. Her sidekick Reba? Rebel? Whatever her name is this week, asked how they could trust MJF just won’t turn on them. Jericho gets riled up and warns MJF he’d clobber him, specifically knocking his teeth down his throat. Finally, a Mr. Eric B. wanted to ask a question, and who else but Eric Bischoff would come out and of course really stir things up, berating Jericho and simply getting to the point, it’s inevitable their egos will clash and it’s just a matter of time before they kill each other.
MJF claims to have done it all… except Jericho says “Except one thing… BEAT ME.” At Full Gear, Chris Jericho will face Maxwell Jacob Friedman, and if MJF wins, he can join Inner Circle.
As the segment closes, Sammy and Ortiz tell MJF they don’t want him in the group, and next week, they will face him and Wardlow. Jericho and Santana shrug as they all walk off.
MJF is a great actor. Facial expressions alone are worth it. But, as I said before, a little too much with the dramatic pauses as showboating. Also, Bischoff looked like he was about to laugh or cry. Someone check on the guy.
Cody retains the TNT Championship against Orange Cassidy
Once it was announced Darby Allin would challenge at for the championship at Full Gear, the conclusion was locked, taking away from the match. The Lumberjack stipulate took away from the match some more, as The Dark Order seemed to be a prominent presence. Some funny stuff with Best Friends catching and dropping Cody, and a scary high spot of Cody suplexing Cassidy off the top to the floor, thankfully buffered by the lumberjacks preventing death on the arena floor. We’ve had too many accidents already. As cool as the spot was, it wasn’t needed.
The match was pretty good, lots of near-falls. The convoluted finish involves John Silver blasting Cassidy with a boot, and then struck by Arn Anderson! The latter is glossed over by the announce team, focusing on Silver’s interference instead, allowing Cody to get the pinfall. Chaos breaks out, Cody runs away with the title. Gunn Club is left standing in the ring, dispatching the last remaining member of Dark Order.
This was a weird one. Arn clearly clobbered Cassidy with a clipboard. No focus on that. Why do it then?
New NWA Women’s Champion Serena Deeb defeated “Legit” Leyla Hirsch
I enjoyed this match. Hirsch has the stature and strength of Tyler Bate. Short, stocky, and holy hell will kill you with a powerbomb. I hope Hirsch gets more time with AEW, ad of course, despite Deeb’s championship reign, the talk is where Thunder Rosa will end up.
AEW needs to keep solid wrestlers like Deeb and Hirsch on TV, they could bolster the fledgling women’s division. After the match, it’s announced Nyla Rose will face Hikaru Shida for the AEW Women’s Championship. Not much build. But then again, in the late 80’s early 90’s matches for PPVs were announced before the build.
Shawn Spears defeated VSK
Squash.
Post match a guy in a bull costume threw candy at Spears. It was Scorpio Sky! Haha.
Kenny Omega defeated Penta El Zero M to advance to the finals of the Eliminator Tournament
Kenny does love his tournaments. Once more, we get the “Cleaner” entrance with dancing girls and Justin Roberts listing off ridiculous factoids. It’s funny. Omega talking to himself every moment, either he’s gone video game character or the Bluetooth sunk into his ear drum. He initially does not remove his shirt, which I though was strange, until he lifts it off, revealing the AAA Mega Championship he beat Rey Fenix for.
This match was the “jump off the couch” match. Good grief, despite knowing Omega would win given the build with Hangman, they put on another Match of the Year Candidate. Brutal piledrivers to a bazillion V-Triggers, and some scary top rope moments would have blown the roof off a packed arena. Early in the match, Omega’s chest was lit red with some vicious chops. Penta added a few more mid-way through to test if Kenny went numb. He didn’t. A destroyer by Penta on the entrance ramp, along with that devastating Cradle Piledriver would have broken the neck of a normal Joe. Snapping back both arms still couldn’t kill Kenny. A flurry of V-Triggers followed by a One Winged Angel ended it.
Kenny Omega never gave in and fought his way to victory.
We’ve wanted it, and we are getting it. Kenny Omega vs. Hangman Page.
Let’s hope it lives up to the hype.
