AEW Dynamite 11/11 has some surprises for us, as usual, hype for an unpredictable night ahead. The show kicks off with Team Taz throwing some shade towards the new TNT Champion, Darby Allin. Words are not minced as Taz hurls some hefty threats toward Allin. He compares Allin to Matt Sydal who is facing Brian Cage. Some respect shown, but ultimately putting over Cage as the superior athlete. Taz is on commentary as Cage wins his match, but Sydal did not make it easy for him in the slightest. This was a great match, really showing how Sydal can roll with biggers guys and see just how adept Cage is with someone smaller than he.
The finish was SICK. Sydal goes for a flipping dive, but Cage catches him mid-air in suplex position for the Drillclaw.
After the match, Ricky Starks makes his statement to be chasing the TNT Championship.
Cody Rhodes addressed the fans
After his loss, Cody Rhodes says he will want his rematch with Darby Allin, but after some unfinished business with MJF. However, he is interrupted by the debut of Jade Cargill who taunts Cody for comments about “taking down giants.” After more comments from her involving some innuendo she reveals a giant he would have to face, is Shaq. Jade is then confronted by Brandi Rhodes who finally cuts a good promo on Jade with an ensuing brawl. However, during the melee, Team Taz re-emerges to attack Cody, who is saved by Allin and Will Hobbs.
Yep, Shaquille O’ Neal. Not sure how I feel about this. The Mike Tyson bit was ratings and money, but ultimately fell flat and seemed to be ditched mid-run. This will either be decent or horrible. I had no idea who she was until Google made the save. Clearly a workout star, but will she wrestle or just manage Shaq? I have some reservations about this. It didn’t help Cargill seemed shaky on the mic, which is understandable, but would have benefit from a few practice runs. Not sure if I’m a fan of what is to come.
The Bunkhouse Brawl: Natural Nightmares (Dustin Rhodes & QT Marshall) defeated Buther and The Blade w/Bunny
Good lord an almighty bloodbath. I will make the obvious joke of The Blade bladed, and geez did he do a number on himself. I felt like the Spirit of Terry Funk was upon us. Wrestling, yes. Blood and brawling, tenfold. Weapons galore. Just non-stop brutal action, each action more horrific than the last. Early on I thought Butcher was down after being plowed through a chair in an unpleasant way by Dustin. Cutters everywhere. QT very impressive with a scary off-the-top-off-the-ladder elbowdrop onto Blade. It looked like B&B had it won. QT knocked Blade into Bunny, sending her off the apron and through a table, the Nightmares capitalized and claimed victory.
Induction of MJF and Wardlow into the Inner Circle
Shorter segment which was great, but didn’t seem to hit the mark. Absent was Sammy Guevara. MJF typical over-the-top antics, with Wardlow doing what Jake Hager did a year ago. In case you forgot, it was standing still, stonefaced. MJF changed over to celebrating Jericho’s birthday, presenting Inner Circle with tickets to Vegas. Ortiz however, is having none of it, and still doesn’t want MJF in the stable. Jericho, changing his tone, tells Ortiz “to make it work.”
This is an obvious set up for some hijinks the next couple weeks in Vegas, adding more comedy and more dissention in the group. Backstage, Sammy arrives blaming MJF for bad info. MJF feigns concern. He gives Sammy his ticket to Vegas.
You know everyone will fly first class while Sammy is stuck in coach. Then, the stable is in a five-star hotel while Sammy is holed up in some dingy highway Motel with a sign burning out. The kicker will be when Sammy hits it big at the Casino, but then MJF causes him to lose it all.
If I’m right, so help me, AEW better be hiring.
Shawn Spears defeated Scorpio Sky
With an assist from Tully Blanchard and a metal slug in the glove. Every time, the ref just can’t seem to find the foreign object, no matter where he looks. What’s he going to do? One day, just shove his hand down Spears’ trunks? Oh hell no.
In any case, this was a good match, a really good match, ending at the point where you want to see more. Hopefully, we do.
Tay Conti w/ Ana Jay defeated Red Velvet w/ Brandi Rhodes
I hope we get to see more of Conti, she did very well during her short time in NXT. Her match with Velvet started off great, Velvet with some impressive offense for some early near falls. The late part of the match looked to slow down, maybe they got winded from humidity in the open air? Dissention abound as Jay slid a chair into the ring, but Conti wouldn’t go for it. She won anyway with a Gory Special into the GTS.
With the Dark Order looking on, it seems either Jay will recruit or turn on her friend. Aw.
Penta El Zero M defeated Rey Fenix
Good lord. Another A+ match. Surprised? Two of the best wrestlers in the world. No doubt. This one went from wrestling to personal. Fans, myself included were likely completely caught off-guard as Penta ripped the mask of his brother. Fenix later on repaid the favor. Neither mask fully came off, but came damn close. However, the chef’s kiss, was Eddie Kingston on commentary. Subtlety out the window, admitting to fully favoring “his best friend” Penta in this contest. His banter with Tony Schivone was brilliant. Kingston is the Mad King on the Mic. It was what happened post-match which really amped things up. Kingston literally kicked Fenix to the curb, or out of the ring, and begins to sell Penta the notion of ditching his brother and riding solo. Just then, “The Bastard” PAC returns to reunite The Death Triangle. Hoo boy, we’re going to get a PAC vs. Kingston match in the near future and yes please!
Kingston is going to be a big moneymaker for AEW. Between wrestling and cutting promos, this guy can deliver without any doubts. I wished he would have come away with the AEW Championship, but given what will happen next, I’m glad he didn’t.
What is next you ask? Announced for the December 2nd edition of AEW Dynamite, will be when Kenny Omega challenges Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship. This is interesting. Just under a month away, we’re getting the match. Omega had a promo saying he isn’t counting the No DQ match they had a year ago. This is going to be a wrestling match. Omega promises to be the “Cleaner” which everyone remembers.
I’m glad Kingston didn’t win, because I have a sneaky suspicion this will begin The Reign of Elite. I wouldn’t want Kingston to be a transitional champion, and losing the belt so fast would do more harm than good.
The next few weeks will be very interesting.
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