This move to Friday nights is a killer. I shouldn’t complain though. These days, does anyone really watch television live anymore? At least I’ve got the TNT app so I can watch after Shabbas.
AEW Dynamite 6/11 opens with Christian defeated Angelico. Good match, two completely different wrestling styles meshing together very well. However, while the match was good, this continues Christian’s winning streak, furthers his feud with “Big Money” Matt Hardy and also included a timely save by Jungle Boy, whom I believe will be Christian’s first target after he turns heel.
Pre-taped promo: Darby Allin answers the challenge from Scorpio Sky and Ethan Page. Instead of picking another partner, he wants it to be a handicap match. Well, Sting doesn’t like this decision, but goes with it anyway.
I hate to say it, but I am not a fan of some of this direction. If Matt Hardy was really a thorn, it should be more than the continuous Twist of Fate in a post-match sneak attack. Hardy should be causing Christian to lose. All this does is make Matt look desperate.
I am predicting somehow Christian will be the cause for Jungle Boy to fall to Omega, and after Christian gets his title shot at one of the upcoming supercards in July, we will see Christian make his inevitable turn and feud with him.
Astonishing to think, in the ongoing Cody Rhodes feud with QT Marshall, I agree with most of the internet this feud needs to end. Now.
I like QT as the kingpin for The Factory. But I don’t like this whiny attempt at one-upping Cody on a weekly basis. Now, in an upcoming tag match, we get the debut of Brock Anderson¸ the son of legend Arn Anderson. We got a glimpse of his own spinebuster, which I’m sure there is no pressure at all for him to do.
You know, Arn’s spinebuster wasn’t some supersonic spiking slam. He carried a guy over and splattered him on the mat on a swift, graceful, fluid one-step maneuver. It doesn’t need to be more than this, coming from his own son.
Eddie Kingston, Penta El Zero M, and PAC defeated The Young Bucks and Brandon Cutler
Overall a great match, although at times a little goofy from Matt Jackson. I’ve noticed in this whole heel turn, Matt evokes antics from the eighties and early nineties. Both face and heel. Which is fine to antagonize, but sometimes a tad too corny. The match focused on the lack of cohesion between Kingston and PAC, and how the gradually come together towards the end of the match. Penta put on one hell of an act during his ring time.
Alas poor Brandon, the victim of mis-timed superkicks to the face, and ultimately, eating the dreaded spinning backfist from Kingston, allowing PAC to get the pinfall.
Of course, The Good Brothers ran down for the traditional Elite post-match beatdown, however this night was different from other nights, as Frankie Kazarian, the “Elite Hunter” charged in, making the save.
We’ve got our four v. four AEW… Let’s make it good.
The Pinnacle Speaks Up: Each member of the Pinnacle essentially called out, predictably each individual target. Wardlow/Hager, Spears/Guevara, FTR/Santana & Ortiz. It did not seem apparent whether MJF would clash with Jericho again, however it did appear while Shawn Spears directed his threat to Sammy, it was also MJF who seemed to have the MVP of Stadium Stampede in his sights.
However, these words did not go unnoticed. Gloating over wealth and fame would prove a mistake, as outside the arena, The Inner Circle surrounded the Pinnacle Limo, and ultimately destroying it like a bonus round in Street Fighter II.
I enjoy senseless destruction. Sue me.
Miro defeated Evil Uno
I’ll give AEW credit, they know how to pull the heartstrings. However, I can’t help but feel a little dismayed when Dark Order has been shut down so often. Did we really think any of them would defeat Darby Allin during his reign, when he even said he was honoring Brodie Lee?
Understandably, they wanted us to believe Evil Uno had a shot, and during the match it appeared believable, even if deep down we knew it wasn’t. It was a good match. Ultimately, Miro powered up, and was completely unstoppable when the rest of the stable looked on as Uno would submit in defeat.
Miro would go on to rub salt in the wounds, waving to the stable and waving his finger towards -1.
The monster has been unleashed.
Kenny Omega and Don Callis have words for Jungle Boy. Initially putting him over, only to inevitably mock him and his chances of becoming AEW world champ. Fast forward through the talking, eventually Jungle Boy confronts Omega, all he says is: “You talk too much.” This, is funny, because it’s true. Omega’s heel gimmick is the overconfident braggart. A short brawl ensues, with Jungle Jack Perry nearly locking in the Snare Trap.
We know Jungle Boy isn’t winning the championship. We know it. But it will be one hell of a five-star “what-if” highlight reel of a match. This match will put Jungle Boy in the top spot for years to come.
Lance Archer defeated Chandler Hopkins
Ok. That was quick.
Backstage: Scorpio Sky and Ethan Page coin a “Men of the Year” cliché phrase talking about their inevitable rise to the top of the company while also threatening to end the career of Darby Allin.
Nyla Rose defeated “Legit” Leyla Hirsch
There wasn’t a doubt in my mind Rose was winning. She’s being booked towards facing Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D, and while Hirsch certainly put on her best, Rose seemed to shrug off a lot, while dominating offensively. Leyla came back with some signature spots, but we’ve seen this story play out in different companies. Rose would win via top rope Beast Bomb.
See, a match between Kenny Omega and Jungle Boy will have my attention, despite an outcome. Rose against Hirsch could barely hold my interest. It wasn’t believable in the slightest. Had Rose lost via rollup or by other means, I would have genuinely been surprised.
The Main Event:
“Hangman” Adam Page & Prest-10 Vance defeated Brian Cage and Will Hobbs
Boy, this was a fun match to close out the show. Vance gets better with each match. He really does. Taking the brunt from Team Taz was fitting, as the hot tag to Hangman lit up the arena. Hangman is the Franchise of the company. No doubt. You’ve got four big beefy guys in there who can move in ways one would not expect. Hobbs and Cage should team more often. They’re giants.
With Taz on commentary, there were moments his charges would win, but Vance would not give in. Ultimately, history would repeat itself once more. Ricky Starks would toss the FTW Championship to Cage, who refused to win with cheap tricks. A fight broke out between Starks and Cage, leaving Hobbs to take a fancy-looking cutter from Vance, followed up with one Buckshot Lariat by Hangman, allowing “10” to score the pinfall victory.
The show closes with Hangman and Dark Order chugging some beers, while in the back, -1 and Colt Cabana clank water bottles. Cute.
This should lead to Brian Cage vs. Ricky Starks, and boy would it be interesting if Taz order’s Cage to defend the FTW Championship. I want it to happen.
Only a couple weeks left until AEW returns to Wednesdays. I can’t wait.
