The huge AEW Dynamite 8/25 kicks off with an interesting interaction between Chris Jericho and Daniel Garcia. Last week, Garcia’s match concludes, despite a loss with chants of “you’re a wrestler!”
This week, Jericho tries asserting his leadership in asking for an apology from Garcia, his so-called protege, while Garcia reminds Jericho this match was a match between him and his role model and wrestling idol, Bryan Danielson. He accuses Jericho of ruining his moment of respect with Danielson. Jericho demands Garcia step back in line and acknowledge his role as a “sports-entertainer” and to ignore “being a wrestler.” As tensions mount, Bryan Danielson hits the ring… and backs up Garcia.
Jericho demands an answer to loyalty, which freaks out Garcia into dashing to the back. I initially thought this would lead to Jericho v. Garcia, however Danielson taunts Jericho quite a bit, and the result is Jericho challenging Danielson to ALL OUT.
Jake Hager rushes the ring and floors Danielson to close the segment.
Well, this was a surprise to kick off the show and holy crap the live crowd fed Garcia praise into his best promo in AEW to date. “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson vs. “Lionheart” Chris Jericho is going to be a hell of a contest.
Jay Lethal defeats Dax Harwood in a DAMN INCREDIBLE MATCH
Somehow I thought I went back to Ring of Honor circa early 2000s in watching a match like this. The major standout were the five minutes straight of the LOUDEST DAMN CHOPS I have ever heard. The big surprise saw a distraction from Sonjay Dutt cause a disaster, however it was purely the quick wits and sneaky underhanded and questionable tactics by Lethal to gain the win.
The big story, is at All Out – FTR and Wardlow will be facing Jey Lethal and a team not seen on television in some time… MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUNS!!!
It appears AEW is going “All Out” for… All Out.
Backstage: A sobbing Thunder Rosa announces she is out with injury and unable to compete. An interim Women’s Champion will be crowned in a fatal-four way between Toni Storm, Dr. Britt Baker DMD, Jamie Hayter, and Hikaru Shida.
Colton Gunn defeats Billy Gunn
I actually enjoyed this match. I was skeptical at first, but this was pretty good and the live crowd was hot for Billy Gunn being intro’d in by The Acclaimed. Unfortunately, it took underhanded tactics by Stokley Hathaway and Austin Gunn, allowing Colt to strike a low blow followed by Colt 45 for the pinfall win. Post match, Swerve in our Glory saves the day, and later backstage, offers Bowens and Caster a title opportunity at All Out! Yes please!
Loud “Pittsburgh sucks” chants tonight as Dr. Britt Baker DMD defeated homestate heroine, Kilynn King. Decent match with Kilynn King looking a bit more polished, flooring Baker with some bigtime power moves. Not enough as Baker would capitalize and win the match.
In a shocker, it’s announced Jon Moxley vs. CM Punk is UP NEXT.
In yet another shocker, Punk goes down early, appearing to have injured his recently repaired ankle, Mox capitalizes with some brutal strikes, two Death Riders, and that’s it.
That. Is. IT.
In five minutes, Jon Moxley is your new and undisputed AEW World Champion. Punk is carried out by ring crew and Doc Sampson.
I was skeptical about this match being taken off from the pay-per-view, and then it gets bumped to the top of hour two, only to end in five minutes? I’m guessing something is going on here, but I have no clue what it is. Punishment for going after “Hangman” last week? Punk deciding on taking time off?
This is a head-scratcher folks. A major head-scratcher.
Backstage: Christian accepts the challenge from Jungle Boy to fight at All Out.
Ricky Starks cuts an in-ring promo to address Powerhouse Hobbs heel turn. This results in a match made for All Out.
Is it just me, or did half of the PPV just get booked tonight?
Main Event of AEW Dynamite 8/24: Will Osprey and Aussie Open defeated Death Triangle to advance in the Trios Championship Tournament.
- HO. LEE. CRAP.
Thirty minutes of non-stop, high-impact, high-risk, high-energy, and insanity which brought my twins downstairs to see why I’m shouting like a freakin’ goon.
I’ll be damned honest, this is now on the ballot as a MATCH OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE. I understand 100% why this was pushed to the end of the show. If you want move-for-move commentary, I’d have to watch this over in super-slo-mo about a dozen times over and even then I’ll probably miss something. The chain wrestling and the high-risk-high-spot sequences were beautiful and everyone sold it all like it was murder death kill time.
There are Time Lords and Will Osprey is a Ring Lord. Aussie Open once again proving any doubters why they one of the best tag teams in the entire damn world.
You know what, I would love to see Aussie Open vs. Swerve in our Glory. No championships on the line, just gimme a wrestling match.
The big shocker was the finality of a long wait, as PAC opts to go after our Spider-Man-without-a-mask cosplayer, Mr. Kip Sabian. Pac pulls off the brown bag, but it’s NOT Sabian underneath! It’s a decoy with tape over his mouth which reads “BEHIND YOU!” and Sabian takes out PAC on the arena floor. This spells the end for the Triangle, as Penta is taken out on the far side, while Rey Fenix eats a Super Os-Cutter, giving the pinfall victory to the IWGP United States Champion and the reigning NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions.
Stream the replay tomorrow or watch highlights on YouTube. You have got to see this match to believe it.
Well folks, about half of All Out got booked tonight, which I have no doubt our respectful, caring, and eloquent friends on social media will no doubt have a calm and meaningful discourse about AEW appearing to rush out matches for the pay-per-view.
I don’t care. Honestly, in the old days, only the main event matches were heavily pushed and the undercard, with the exception of Starrcade or WrestleMania, was revealed a week or two before to fill out the rest of the show.
Just enjoy the damn wrestling folks, stop finding things to fuel the unwarranted and frankly wasteful hate to garner likes online.
If you are a wrestling fan, then BE A WRESTLING FAN.
