Tonight’s show featured match after match of wrestling action. Few segments and promos interrupted the flow. Definitely had a NJPW vibe tonight. Dynamite starts off with a big fight feel with a live crowd! “Hangman” Adam Page and Swerve Strickland go to a time limit draw. Fantastic, absolutely fantastic match. Easily the right move to go to a time limit draw, it would be tough to see one of them knocked down a peg after all they’ve done to build up to be number one contenders. Swerve, more than once used Hangman’s own signature moves against him, including an absolutely beautiful Buckshot Lariat.
It was clear as the match progressed Hangman’s demeanor got darker and more aggressive. More than a few cheap shots and some questionable behavior towards the referee.
Swerve nearly had the win, but the bell rang before he could make the pinfall. Swerve cuts to the chase, demanding five more minutes. But, Hangman, oh boy, oh boy, he starts laughing maniacally and denies the challenge, going a step further in saying how he didn’t win, and therefore isn’t a number one contender. There, is the brilliance of it. Hangman didn’t care about winning, he cared more about stopping Swerve. This is a tactical heel turn, again, brilliant in execution.
However, this was foiled by the announcement of both men qualifying to challenge Samoa Joe in a three way dance at Revolution.
So close to perfection. First, why does every wrestling company need for the time limit draw to take place just before the ref finishes a three count. Just have it ring mid-move or while both men are regrouping? Second, they should have saved the announcement of a three-way championship match for next week. We have a month to Revolution, it could have been drawn out a bit longer. Hangman could have reveled in his villainy for a week, which would also have fans stewing until the next episode of Dynamite. Instead, we got the “Curses! Foiled again!” moment too quickly.
Toni Storm defeated Red Velvet
Deonna Purrazzo joined on commentary. Storm’s antics get better and better. Velvet wasn’t winning, we all knew this, but she did put up a valiant fight. Storm used the ankle lock for the submission victory. A brief staredown continues the build for Revolution.
Purrazzo has not been in AEW very long and despite the return of rankings, she somehow managed to earn a title shot. One can argue Storm wanted the match, but I fear this might be another case of “too new and too soon.”
Backstage: Orange Cassidy sort of talks up his upcoming title defense against Tomohiro Ishii.
Good gravy I can’t wait for it.
Later, Chuck Taylor is found being beaten up by Undisputed Kingdom.
Blackpool Combat Club defeated CMLL (Mascara Dorada, Volador Jr., and Hechicero)
Mark my words, if Tony Khan can find a way to sign Hechicero he will do it. This guy does moves which haven’t been named yet. Volador Jr. comes off as the capable brawler, almost a foil for Jon Moxley. Dorada is crazy. Gravity must be calling out for lunch when he wrestles.
Enjoyable and fun match. Only gripe is CMLL again comes up short against the BCC. Sure, the CMLL stable got a win against, uh, some mid-tier wrestlers. I am not knocking Minard, Parker, Sydal, and Daniels, but let’s be real here, beating them on Rampage isn’t exactly headlining news. I would have preferred Hechicero defeating Danielson this past week on Collision.
Konosuke Takeshita defeated Chris Jericho via submission to the LIONTAMER
Yes, you read it correctly. Decent match, and I’m not sure if it was intentional, but it appeared Jericho struggled to keep up with Takeshita most of the match. While Jericho was able to get some offensive, it was apparent Konoske was the clear dominant wrestler. At points throughout the match he completely overwhelmed Jericho, including tossing him with his rolling wheelbarrow German suplex. In an unnecessary moment, Callis stabbed Jericho in the head with the screwdriver, allowing Takeshita to put Jericho in the Liontamer for the tap out victory.
Sure, it sort of protects Jericho from losing clean, but this is becoming all-too common in many AEW matches where sometimes a clean win is better story than one with interference.
Sammy Guevara rushed to ringside, attacking Powerhouse Hobbs. He cleaned his clock, possibly for real when Sammy blasted Hobbs in the face with a chairshot.
We did not see either of them afterwards. Ouchie.
Sting and Darby Allin defeated Ricky Starks and Big Bill to become the new AEW World Tag Team Champions
Under the stipulation of No-DQ, Street Fight Rules, this was easy to protect Sting, yet still allowing him to jump off a balcony with his sons watching at ringside. Good grief.
Starks and Bill get big praise from me. I felt they carried the match extremely well, and despite the loss of championship belts, they should remain as a team for a little while longer. Their Shawn Michaels/Diesel homage works well and should continue to do so. Insane spot with Bill catching Darby on a dive, converting it into a Big Boss Man Slam on the arena floor. Holy crap.
Again, AEW just couldn’t let it be completely clean. Somehow Sting hit an exposed corner, which then caused Starks to hesitate with doubt, as emphasized by the commentary team. He seemed to be reluctant to take down an Icon with shady means. Instead, this allowed for Sting to power up, hitting the Scorpion Death Drop for the pin and win.
This is your feel good moment. Some questioned why now have them win the titles. Chances are Sting never wanted or needed to win a title, same goes for Darby. They’ve been so good on their own, the championship win should be considered as a sign of respect and appreciation for the Icon known as Sting.
Until next month when The Corporate Bucks likely defeat them for the belts. Post-match, Matthew and Nichloas Jackson are apparently forced to take matters into their own hands, by beating the new champions to bloody pulps. The blood on their white suits was a nice touch.
The online exclusive video clip sort of gives more insight. Nicholas is direct with his reasoning, but Matthew seems to flip-flop about respecting Sting, regretting his actions, but at the same time rationalizes them. I fear the Bucks winning or “acquiring” the AEW Tag Team Championships will be one hell of an uber-heel move. I really hope Sting does not go out on a loss, but then again, rumor has it he did request to face the Bucks in his last match at Revolution.
I am going to miss the intros of “That is Darby Allin… and THIS… IS… STIIIIIIIIIIIING!”
