He’s Back! As his headline graphic aptly explained “Showed up for work.”
Hangman Adam Page returned and clinched winning the Casino Ladder Match for a shot at the AEW World Champion – Kenny Omega.
This ladies and gentlemen, is the long-term storytelling AEW is proficient at. I could rehash all the prior columns and op-eds from the site. Taking it right to the point – Hangman has been on one hell of a trip in trying to become the AEW World Champion, and despite every setback, has managed to climb, tooth and nail back into contention.
At the Dynamite 2nd Anniversary Show, he did it.
Hangman as The Joker was the moment we have been waiting for. Granted, once he arrived, his victory appeared as a lock. If for some odd reason, he did not win… THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN RIOTS.
The show kicks off with an incredible into not seen since Jim Crockett if I’m right, but I would have to check with famous wrestling historian Brian Solomon on this, with both Super Kliq-Elite and Jurassic Empire already in the ring, with “Dapper Yapper” Justin Roberts on introductions. Gave me a big fight chill.
Boy oh boy, this match showcased a variety of skills. A great meld of wrestlers from the past, not-so-distant-past, and the future of pro wrestling. The crowd was on fire for this, and seems the louder the crowd got, the level of intensity increases. The best way to describe this, is with the word, intense. All eight have the innate ability to “tell the story in the ring” – Meaning, letting the wrestling and their display of emotions do the work. Lots of big spots, which I’m sure at some point seemed a bit over the top, but didn’t detract from the sheer fun of the match.
My only gripe is the typical interference, which kudos to the commentary team pointing this out as “the Elite’s crutch.” It’s pretty well-established Omega and his cohorts can’t seem to rack clean wins like they used to. Ironic, given the heel turn was on the premise of being the best and succeed without help, yet here they are using foul play to secure victories.
The Super Elite-Kliq defeated Jurassic Empire
CM Punk dives into the crowd and gives in an in-ring promo
Because he can, right? Instead of Ice Cream bars he wanted to buy everyone Phili Cheesesteaks. Nods to his time in Ring of Honor and Philadelphia being a temporary home. Promo goes from fun to serious, issuing a challenge to Daniel Garcia for Rampage. Yes please. Daniel Garcia is easily going to be amongst the best mat-based wrestlers of the future. This match will be gold.
Sammy Guevara retains the TNT Championship against Bobby Fish
I was surprised the crowd wasn’t into this more, perhaps the opener followed by CM Punk wore the live attendees out. Thankfully, they came to life later on. I enjoyed this, Sammy more of the fast-paced flier, but worked really well with Fish and his repertoire of mat-based technical grappling. Fish looked solid to me, and while this might have been a “slower” match than expected, I feel fans need to remember, not every match will feel like everyone is running a sprint to fly over the ropes. Sometimes, there is merits to a slower paced match with high reward later. The exchange leading to Sammy countering into the GTH finisher was a beauty.
The post-match, took a turn. Dan Lambert, Scorpio Sky, and American Top Team came out, decimating Sammy. As Sammy was saved by Chris Jericho and Jake Hager, the Judas theme was played over the PA, and despite Lambert’s pleas for the music to be cut, which it was, did not stop the crowd from singing it through. Lambert’s groans throughout were hysterical. After the singing died down, the crowd let the guy have it with boos and a very prolific and profanity-laced chant of “Shut the…” Well, you know the rest. This was deafening, and even Lambert had to strain his voice to be heard. I can’t recall this level of venom towards a guy like this.
This proves one thing, Dan Lambert is the most hated man in AEW now.
Darby Allin defeated Nick Comoroto
I feel bad. I feel like I’m always spelling Nick’s last name wrong. My hopes for a long match were dashed when the majority of it played during commercial split-screen, and even appeared Allin dominated the much bigger opponent. Post-match, Allin accepts MJF’s challenge. Later on as Darby is leaving the building, a limo pulls up with masked men jumping out and beating on the poor guy. It gives the “appearance” The Pinnacle is behind this when Allin is tossed with an F-10 across the parking lot.
This feels “too obvious” but yet the commentary team seemed to drive home a bit overkill this “HAS TO BE THE PINNACLE!”
Maybe it’s not?
Tony Schiavone and Senior Referee Aubrey Edwards unveil the TBS Championship, which will be defending by the members of the Women’s division. A tournament will be held to crown the first champion. If this takes place anywhere near the 1st anniversary of Brodie Lee’s passing, this belt has better go to Anna Jay.
Match of the Night: Serena Deeb defeated Hikaru Shida, denying her the 50-win trophy
Bill and I called this one on our podcast. There was too much of a push for the 50-wins, it would feel so anti-climactic if Shida won, and I felt would devalue Deeb. Instead, Deeb becomes Ms. Uber Heel. Not only she did defeat Shida, but has unleashed a more competitive and vicious persona to boot. The match, I think went close to 15 minutes, maybe longer, and I admit to have been on the edge of my seat. Deeb rightfully has the moniker of “Woman of a 1000 holds” – with Shida struggling to counter many of them, and there were a number of near falls from both women which left fans gasping for air. We got a Thunder Drive, Super Falcon Arrow, the Detox Driver, Shida’s Knee of Destruction… But neither would give up.
However, all good things come to an end, Deeb seizing an opportunity to clamp The Serenity Lock (Konan’s Gangster Stretch for the old school fans) to earn a submission victory.
That’s right folks. Hikaru Shida, tapped out.
This could go a few directions. To really build the redemption arc, Shida wants another match with Deeb to “earn” her trophy. Or, she faces another opponent, dispatches said opponent, but the persona becomes someone who is despondent over failure, “dishonored” with losing and needing to reclaim her honor or respect.
Side note – My wife points out during the picture-in-picture, “of course there’s an ad for Vagisil.”
Main Event: Casino Battle Royale
We know who won, and we know who lost. The action was pretty even paced, and I will say, I was glad for a slow start building to a chaotic conclusion. When matches start, it’s a mad dash, flying and fighting everywhere, and it’s hard to keep up. This felt paced with the anticipation building. Andrade and PAC nearly killed each other, the latter of whom appeared to be rolled out of the ring following Hangman taking him off the top of the ladder through a table. This was after PAC got folded in half with a top run ladder powerbomb. Cassidy had some funny spots which… Worked! His antics worked for a ladder match! Mox and Archer beating the hell out of each other like two truck-stop brawlers fit, the fight in the crowd was pretty awesome. Matt Hardy pulls a classic with a ladder leap, crushing Cassidy at ringside.
But this is it folks… Hangman vs. Omega is next on the menu. Salivating yet?
