Going to a time limit draw was perfectly fine. It’s a rarity, and when it happens, it happens because there is both meaning and purpose. For those who flash back to Ring of Honor’s prime years in the early-2000s’, time limit draws were not only more common, but were signs of respect towards both wrestlers and the fans. Granted, it was usually a 60-minute title bout main event but I’ll take a 30-minute draw between Kenny Omega and Bryan Danielson to open the hottest and one of the most enjoyable episodes of AEW Dynamite.
AEW Dynamite Grand Slam kicks off with the most anticipated match since its announcement. Kenny Omega vs Bryan Danielson. Would anyone have thought this match possible a year ago? No. No way. Yet here we are. I truly mean what I say, when I do not have the words to put from keyboard to your computer screen or smartphone. The match felt circa-2000’s ROH, then with elements of ECW and WCW which was clearly present throughout the rest of the show. Omega and Danielson brought out their big guns, and for Danielson, holds not seen in over a decade.
Can you say, Cattle Mutilation anyone? Some very scary spots with Danielson taking a Snapdragon on the entrance ramp, followed by the most sickening V-Triggers I have seen in recent days. However, the American Dragon would fire back with chops and massive kicks of his own, bruising Omega’s body, while Omega responded in kind with fierce chops, lighting up Danielson’s chest beet red.
The slugfest at its conclusion saw two tired, broken, battled pro wrestlers throwing whatever was left in the gas tank.
It was a work of art.
The post-match saw Super Elite run in to assert dominance, but was run off by Jurassic Express.
The Arthur Ashe Stadium was loud and crazy from top of the night to the end. New York is loud and Dynamite brought out the loudest. I couldn’t hear half of the entrance music because the crowd was on fire.
Let’s go from one hot moment to the next.
CM Punk comes out and is happy he’s not wrestling tonight, because there’s no way he could follow Omega and Danielson. He quickly changes gears to Team Taz and warns them not to provoke the angry side of CM Punk. We’ve seen Angry Punk before, and he’s not ready to turn just yet. But come Friday, he plans on putting Powerhouse Hobbs in his place, and might have his way with Hook too.
MJF defeated Brian Pillman Jr.
Keep Pillman Jr. on the move. This kid, whether in tag team or individual, has potential for a long career. Tonight was the night he proved to hang in a big match scenario. Was there a slight chance he could have won? Not likely, but given MJF is now past his long feud with Chris Jericho and now is likely on a roll for a future title bout, Pillman getting a win wasn’t likely. However, a win would have made for an interesting feud for Pinnacle since overall as a team there isn’t much direction for the whole stable. MJF gets the win with old school heel tactics by using his big boy Wardlow and even grabbing Julia Hart as a shield. BOO!
Brian Pillman Jr. no doubt earns MVP for the match, if anything this will be the sign of future high profile singles matches.
Malakai Black defeated Cody Rhodes
Anyone else get the “Homelander” vibe from Cody? If anything he should continue mimicking the pompous ass routine and begin his slow conversion to heel. Black showed clear dominance, even when on the defensive, his defense looked stronger than Cody’s offense. Black easily outwrestled, outclass, and outpowered the former TNT Champion. Black came off exactly how he should be, dominant and future opponents will have fear when stepping into the ring.
Now, let’s get back to Cody for a moment. Cody was booed. Let’s face it, he might be a guy who can cut passionate promos and hype of the loyal fan base, but those are not needed. AEW is here. AEW is firmly on the map of professional wrestling, even stronger than TNA/Impact could ever be in their debut. AEW doesn’t need the rally cry, they’ve got it. Cody’s role as cheerleader and hype man worked, it succeeded. But, once it succeeds, now what?
Where does Cody go from here?
When a guy like Malakai Black unexpectedly shows up on AEW TV, and is immediately embraced, of course he will be cheered? The guy could murder puppies as a sacrifice and fans will cheer. Cody, his time in the light is short. Time to take a new road.
Cody doesn’t have to be Captain America anymore, he can be Homelander. Righteous in self-righteous persona.
Sting and Darby Allin defeated FTR
I was surprised by the win. Although, this is AEW. I have come to realize the booked heels do not need to be the victors in order for a feud to continue. They can chase the babyfaces just as much as faces can chase the uber-heels.
Notably, everyone was out in black and white attire. Very cool. Once again, I have to hand it to Sting and whomever booked the match. For fans to be nuts for 2021 Sting like it’s 1996 all over again is just so damn thrilling and put a goofy grin on my face. Sting took a few bumps which he seems to gradually take more of (last week’s Spike Piledriver for instance), but now we got to see him wrestle and my word, you could tell this was special as even Jim Ross sounded the happiest he has ever been.
Sidebar – When the announce team sounds so joyful, you know the company is doing something right. The announce team sounds so genuine, nothing forced, just so organically happy.
Back to the match, the duo of Darby and Sting has worked so well, and should continue to work as well as they do. FTR, I still believe, has a lot left in the tank, despite teases of calling it a career. FTR is one of the best tag teams of this generation, having an old school pairing against Sting and his protégé just felt like a perfect marriage of tag team wrestling. Tully’s attempt at interference backfired, allowing Sting to capitalize with a submission victory. Darby looked a little miffed he wasn’t the one to earn the win, but hopefully this isn’t the last time we see these two teams together.
THE MAIN EVENT of AEW Dynamite Grand Slam: AEW Women’s Championship Match: Ruby Soho challenges Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D w/ Rebel (Reba?) and Jayme Hayter
This anticipated title match was exactly what it was hyped up to be. Soho and Baker put on a PPV-quality main event. I legit believed Soho could have won. The exchanges were quick, and during the slower points of the match, it was never clear-cut who was the dominating wrestler, as each one just found yet another way to take control. You couldn’t have asked for a more fluid exchange of holds and in-ring storytelling. Soho had many moments of control, then suddenly in a blink, Baker took over and you were thrown for a loop. It brought up the excitement level past 10.
The later points in the match, Baker put on a clinic of the dramatic, showing desperation to put Soho away with signature moves and multiple Lockjaw attempts, all being thwarted. Soho would then go on for a number of near falls, until the pivotal moment of hitting The Riot Kick (Riot Wheel?) which should have earned victory, but both Rebel and Hayter jumped to interfere, allowing Baker to trap Soho with Lockjaw for the submission win.
What a match, what a show.
To think, AEW put this as the main event shows how much confidence they have in their women’s division where Omega and Danielson open the show.
It’s a great time to be a fan of professional wrestling. I’ll say it over and over.
This is also just Part One of the mega-week in AEW Wrestling. This Friday on Rampage there will be a whole lot more action.
AEW Dynamite Grand Slam is now streaming on TNT.
