AEW Dynamite 4/7 kicks off with a glimpse into a few hours prior to the show, of The Inner Circle arriving in style, entourage and each member with his own vehicle. I want one.
Hangman Adam Page defeated “Platinum” Max Caster
Great opener. Page stepping out onto the stage always amps up a live crowd and can excite the audience at home. He’s the AEW Franchise in my opinion. Caster is so good at antagonizing the audience, both with the lyrics but his in-ring antics as well. Hangman appeared to control most of the match, until interference by Bowens stalled it. Despite multiple attempts, and getting decked by a chain-wrapped fist, Hangman powers back with a DeadEye to win.
I’m intrigued how the announce team put over Caster as a potential contender for the AEW World Championship
Jericho cuts a smart promo, putting over MJF while also verbally antagonizing MJF. Talking about the success of MJF while also promising to exact revenge. Has a good line about MJF using Jericho’s scarf gimmick, and can loan him a clipboard if he needs to keep a list. Shots fired at Tully Blanchard, FTR, and Shawn Spears. It’s a great promo culminating with a human centipede reference, and the announcement of the Blood ‘n’ Guts match for May 5th.
Bullet Points about this promo: Jericho admitting to holding down MJF as part of a plan, but also admitting underestimating MJF. Admits to being horrible in science. Calls Tully a third-string Horseman, questioning FTR landing on names, and of course, Shawn Spears calling Jericho for advice after being let go “by the Fed.”
Jericho’s promos are bar-none. Anyone notice the logo seems to mirror Marvel’s King in Black series which wrapped up this week?
Backstage, Christian started talking about his match last week, leaning into making other wrestlers “level up.” As Christian seems to put himself over, Taz interrupts with an offer to join Team Taz. No pressure.
Jurassic Express defeated Bear Country
Not the prettiest match, not the most graceful, but you got a “big boy” fight. Luchasaurus tossing Bronson with a German suplex, followed by Bear Country rallying back with a double-team cannonball. Lots of brawling with a smattering of some wrestling in the middle. I enjoyed it.
Jake Roberts interrupts Sting’s interview, by pointing out how he does this every week. Lance Archer comes out and vents his frustration of having high-profile matches but being passed over. It looks as though fists are about to fly… Until Sting tells Archer “I agree.”
Sting tells Roberts “help him” and then puts over Archer as a potential future World Champion. This appears to elate Archer while confusing Roberts.
Roberts needs vocal therapy. The hoarseness is getting worse. Take care of him please.
Backstage, more tension on display by Team Taz. Ricky Starks is getting fed up.
Darby Allin retains the TNT Championship against JD Drake
Sting chases off Ryan Nemeth early on. JD Drake is an old school brawler with a modern twist. The dude will chop you down, but then take flight when given the opportunity. Drake overpowering Allin, one sick spot with Drake bouncing Darby off the ropes, clobbering him with a big uppercut. Allin sells beautifully with his facial expressions. In the end, Allin hits a top rope Code Red followed by the Coffin Drop for the win.
Post match, Allin is mowed over by The Butcher as the Hardy Family Office arrives, but are chased off by The Dark Order.
Dr. Britt Baker’s promo is hysterical. As Schiavone reminds her she is Ranked #4, Baker expresses her disdain for the ranking system, feeling “star power and merchandise sales” should dictate title matches. Funny stuff.
Tay Conti w/-1 defeated The Bunny w/ HFO
The match was really good, and the additions of Dark Order and Hikaru Shida at ringside. Bunny had control of most of the match. Conti rallied back, but after a scuffle on the outside, Bunny was able to use Shida’s kendo stick on Conti. It wasn’t enough to end it, Conti rallies back and hits the Tay-KO, but Bunny kicks out at two in surprise. Conti turns it up, hits a top rope superplex, followed by a Hammerlock DDT for the win.
Really touching to see -1 celebrate in the ring with Conti. I am so glad AEW has embraced the Huber family. In times where there is more negativity, something positive like this should be spotlighted.
Main event time!
The main event of AEW Dynamite 4/7 was controversial, yes, many felt this was seen a mile-a-way, but so what? I’m never surprised at how “the internet” reacts with so much vitriol and venom, like they’ve never watched wrestling before. I mean, was anyone shocked when The Avengers defeated Thanos? Is anyone surprised when Superman defeats Lex Luthor? Come on folks, if there is so much anger, maybe it’s time to re-evaluate one’s priorities. I also hear anger management support groups are becoming popular again. I would know.
The early stages of the match saw neutral exchanges when the Young Bucks were in the ring, but once Mox tagged in, the action picked up fast. Mox tossing everyone around with German Suplexes, but are soon overpowered by the Good Brothers. Mox makes the hot tag, and the Bucks keep up the action, taking the fight to Anderson and Gallows. Nick with a double-stomp and a PK on Gallows.
Don Callis on commentary can be very enlightening. While full of himself, still manages to put over Mox and Bucks as great pro wrestlers.
Omega and Matt in the ring, Matt gearing up for a superkick, but can’t pull the trigger. Omega slaps Matt across the face, which fires the Bucks, but not enough. Omega comes back, crushing Matt with multiple Dragon Suplexes, who then retailiates with a vicious PileDriver.
However, throughout, pauses with Omega and Matt show some hints of remorse and regret. Nick is ready to score the BTE Trigger, but Matt hesitates. Nick is visibly unhappy, and Mox tags himself in, spiking Omega over and over with Paradigm Shifts, until the Bucks snap and superkick Moxley. As the Good Brothers take out Eddie Kingston, they hit Magic Killer on Moxley, allowing Omega to get the pinfall.
Here’s the thing, it doesn’t seem like a full-blown heel turn. This seems more of mind games being played on the Bucks. There is a long game being played here. A very long game being played. Matt clearly succumbed to the manipulations of Callis and Omega.
Patience folks. Patience. If you can beg for and watch through four hours of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, have some patience for the story unfolding.
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