AEW Dynamite Homecoming 2021 saw the company come back to Daily’s Place and deliver another night of high-quality wrestling. The feud between Malakai Black and Cody Rhodes is not over, the build to the first episode of AEW Rampage is strong with a stacked lineup, and the AEW Championship picture remains shrouded in mystery.
Kicking off, Chris Jericho defeats Juventud Guerrera to get past the third challenge via a Judas Effect off the top rope. Pretty damn impressive. For 2021, this wasn’t a bad match. Some sluggish spots at the beginning, but let’s remember folks, this isn’t WCW circa-1996. Give them credit where due.
The saga continues as next week Jericho will face off against Wardlow and it seems MJF will be the special guest referee?
Backstage, Hangman Adam Page is visibly upset, and tells his buddies in the Dark Order that while they may be friends, he no longer wants them to back him up. He feels responsible for the loss in the elimination match, which cost the Dark Order a change at the AEW Tag Team Championships. He wants to do this on his own. Lots of sadness in the D.O. room.
Eddie Kingston, Jon Moxley, and Darby Allin defeated 2.0 and Daniel Garcia in the night’s “fun match.” I will be shredded on Twitter, but I like when AEW has these. No storyline, no drama, just a good ol’ trios match. The former Ever-Rise members of Matt Lee and Jeff Parker succeeded in standing out in character, Garcia, the lanky bruiser held his own for some time against the dominant faces. Biggest pop goes to Kingston. No question. He hits the ring, the live crowd goes nuts. Very good moments, everyone got their moment.
Hype for Brian Cage challenging Team Taz
Christian Cage defeats The Blade in another good match. We don’t need every bout to feel like the main event, but Blade is becoming the “Cesaro” of AEW. The guy can be booked against anyone, and he has, and will adapt to fit the style of match, incorporating his own hard-hitting or suplex throwing arsenal as needed. Christian winning made sense, I could not believe Blade would be the one to give the first loss. It seems predictable Christian will maintain a winning streak in order to hit the top of the rankings in order to challenge Kenny Omega.
While many may think this is bad to put a WWE name in an AEW title situation while Page continues to stew… This becomes the better story. Every time Page gets close, he either falls back or someone cuts the line. Page needs to snap, and bring out the fire to finally challenge Omega. This long-game storytelling has a big risk, but could have the potential for a huge reward.
Dr. Britt Baker and Reba (Not Rebel) are out with Tony Schiavone in the ring, and start cutting another great promo when Red Velvet interrupts. Velvet wants a title shot. Baker berates her a bit, and let’s face the truth, the crowd was eating up every word from the D.M.D.
Dr. Baker will be over huge as the title match will take place in her hometown. Velvet has zero chance of winning titles or fans come Rampage.
“Hangman” Adam Page is in the ring for a promo, but is immediately interrupted by The Elite. Page offers the Jacksons to come in the ring, but Kenny Omega stops any conversation. Omega thinks Hangman is trying to weasel his way back into The Elite, but they don’t take in “losers.” Hangman responds with a stiff punch, and the brawl begins. The Dark Order rush the ring, except Evil Uno and Stu Grayson stop their stable from interfering. This brings boos from the live crowd, and it seems the relationship between Hangman and Dark Order continues to deteriorate as Page falls prey to The Good Brothers executing the Magic Killer. A valiant-yet-futile attempt from “The Elite Killer” Frankie Kazarian did nothing to thwart the villains.
With all this going on, I could only wonder just one thing.
Why is Kazarian being bounced around every week? How can he be the “Elite Killer” if he’s constantly losing or failing at his moniker?
Miro retains the TNT Championship against Lee Johnson
Okay, we knew he had zero chance, but at least for a while Miro let the kid stand out and look good doing it. Miro sold Johnson’s offense, despite being unstoppable, he let Johnson get some hard superkicks and major strikes take him down a peg, before ultimately making his own comeback for the win. This is a great version of Miro, his character shines, he exudes confidence, and you can tell he is really happy where he is.
As for Lee Johnson, kudos on his spot on Dynamite. This kid will have a solid future, just keep it up and rolling onwards.
Leyla Hirsch defeats The Bully to challenge for the NWA Women’s Championship
This match was better than I expected. Hirsch is a natural. She will toss you around like a sack of mulch. Quickly becoming one of my favorite wrestlers in AEW. I’ll be truthful, the only way Bunny could have won was by some shady interference with the finish. Thankfully, this was not the case and Hirsch got a clean win. Bunny has been showing up every week on Dynamite, and I’ll give her credit, whether it’s win or lose, she puts her all into selling the whole match. Hirsch got her big win on Dynamite and displayed exactly why she will be a top star in the future.
Post match was one hell of an awkward showdown, NWA Women’s Champion Kamille, in attendance, came into the ring following the match, and good freaking lord she towers over Hirsch. Sure, she was wearing heeled boots, but without them she still would tower over her. This will certainly be intriguing to watch.
Pre-taped Promo with Jade Cargill and “Smart” Mark Sterling. Sterling did the talking like a used car salesman, while Jade did her usual “I’m that b****!” tag line.
No sir, I don’t like it. It doesn’t work anymore. No offense, but Cargill needs a better catchphrase. I can’t take her seriously with a character goon like “Smart” Mark and a tag line which doesn’t make sense when she’s cutting pre-taped promos.
Malakai Black DESTROYS Cody Rhodes – Main Event of AEW Dynamite Homecoming 2021
Not as quickly as Brodie Lee defeated him for the TNT Championship, but pretty damn close. From the start, Black put on the intimidation factor with a chilling entrance and a methodical but menacing offensive. Taking out Cody’s leg early, then chopping him down all over the ring. Cody got very little offense in. When he tried a risky move from the top turnbuckle, he was met with a hard strike from Black, sending him off the corner and through the timekeeper’s table. Cody just made it before the count-out, only to eat a massive Black Mass. One foot on the chest, and Malakai Black stomps an exclamation mark on his debut.
Following the match Cody begins what sounds like a farewell address, and even starts undoing his boots. However, black returns and bashes Cody from behind. Moment ruined, but the feud continues.
This is how you do it. While I have some reservations, because Black did maul Rhodes and this could have been the end of it, we’re going to get some more juice out of this feud. I just hope the payoff is a significant stock climb for Black.
There you have it for Dynamite: Homecoming 2021. What say you for Rampage?
