I am a fan of New Japan Pro Wrestling. I’m not an OG fan. I started following long after the Bullet Club first formed. If not for my good brother Bill Bodkin, I mean never have started watching New Japan. he’s the guy that got me to Ring of Honor shows down at the RexPlex in Elizabeth, New Jersey. I’m glad I became a fan. The focus and attention was more on the wrestling matches themselves, and less on long and overdrawn promos and stories. being able to see Kota Ibushi versus Kazuchika okada on live television was the biggest treats in the world.
I really do feel AEW has a great blend of NJPW, ECW, and even a bit of good ol’ WWE. They focus on wrestling with stories, but without eating TV time with long winded promos.
This Dynamite truly felt like one of the best in a while. The past few shows have been really good, but this one felt special. Was it because it is the 300th episode? quite possibly.
The show kicks off with “Hangman” Adam Page challenging the World Champion to a Texas Death Match at All In. Initially, John Moxley refuses the challenge, and is dismissive of Page’s threat to becoming champion. However, after a brawl in which Page takes a step over the line in taking out Marina Shafir with the buckshot lariat. Samoa Joe, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Shibata to protect the challenger as a livid Mox agrees to the hardcore stipulation.
It seems we have a pattern where when Page is involved in a super high-profile match, we get his favorite stipulation of Texas death. Page will bleed, Moxley will bleed, there will be lots and lots of bleeding. However, this no disqualification, no rules match now has me second-guessing my prediction of Page winning the championship. it is quite possible to see an unbelievably overbooked finish in which Mox somehow retains.
If this is the case, Eddie Kingston had better be coming back. But I have other theories.
Either way, this Main Event championship match has the spark we’ve been waiting for. it feels real, it feels tense, and it’s going to get violent.
Mercedes Mone retains the TBS Championship against Mina Shirakawa
A fantastic match. This could have main evented the show. Initially it was hard to believe that the title could change hands, but within minutes it seemed entirely believable. Had the RevPro Women’s British Championship been on the line, it would have been more believable for potential title change. Regardless, this was a fantastic match and again anyone doubting Mone’s ability in the ring was proven wrong.
Toni Storm looked more pensive and reserved sitting at ringside, and we seem to have the impression that she may actually fear the belt collector. I’m still on the fence and cannot predict a winner for their upcoming match at the pay-per-view.
Kevin Knight and Mike Bailey (as JetSpeed) challenge The Hurt Syndicate to defend the AEW Tag Team Championships
In response, the Hurt Syndicate simply beat up the potential Challengers over and over again. After each subsequent beating the challengers continue to get up and defiance. This lasted a little too long, but the point was made that these two challengers refuse to give in unless they’re dead. they might get their wish.
MJF wins a Four Way to be the #2 Entrant in the Gauntlet Battle Royal against Anthony Bowens, Brody King, and AR Fox.
Not as predictable as some would think. MJF played heel shenanigans early, Often avoiding the action in the ring. However his attempts were stopped when Brody King grabbed him and nearly strangled him to death over the ring apron. At one point I truly thought King would win. This was an excellent match, and very well paced giving everyone a believable chance of winning. however it was Max’s quick thinking to trap AR fox in his Salt of the Earth’s submission for the victory.
After the match, Mark Briscoe sporting a “Tiny Kosher Pickle” shirt Decided to have a little talky-talky with MJF.
The Young Bucks and Konoske Takeshita defeated Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong, and Bandido
The heels getting the win made sense even while disappointing. The Bucks need to look like legit threats and Takeshita will challenge Bandido for the ROH World Championship prior to the PPV. Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland clarify their challenge, as if they win, the Bucks lose their EVP status in the company. However the “Founding Fathers” dismiss the challenge until Ospreay offers yet another stipulation. Should the Bucks win, both Swerve and Ospreay cannot challenge for the World Championship for one year. This infuriates Swerve who seemed to be caught unawares. The Bucks happily agree now.
It has to be said, Kyle O’Reilly is on yet another hot streak. Forget the losses. Every match he performs like it’s for a major championship. Best wrestling to date.
Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland defeated Dralistico and The Beast Mortos
Fantastic match. Even though Swerve and Ospreay were at odds about the stipulation, they proved to be quite the cohesive team against the La Faccion Ingobernable members.
Mortos is a true beast. Big dude who moves like a cruiserweight is insane.
Funny taped segment with Kenny Omega, MJF and Superman actors David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult.
Kazuchka Okada defeated Kota Ibushi
It was disappointing to see Ibushi lose, but it is logical in order to keep Okada looking like a credible threat against Kenny Omega. It seems as though many feel that Omega winning and unifying the Championships is a lock. it makes sense for okada to win to give those fans something to cast doubt on. It was a phenomenal match, and it is absolutely great to see Ibushi back in a wrestling ring. After the match was over Kenny Omega rushed out to make a save and we got a nice quick reunion of the Golden Lovers.
It must be mentioned, Ibushi nearly destroyed Okada with a top rope super Tiger Bomb. The fact it got a two count was both an astonishing moment, but also questioning the effectiveness of insane special moves like it. It felt like a move which should not have been kicked out.
AEW Dynamite 300 had the correct blend to really push the hype for the upcoming All In pay-per-view.
Now here are some theories. Should Adam Page win the championship, I believe MJF will win the Gauntlet and qualify to challenge for it at the next event. MJF, expecting the Hurt Syndicate to guarantee him a championship Victory will somehow fail thus earning the disdain and anger from the salt of the earth. As a result, the next time the Hurt Syndicate defends the Championships, MJF will intentionally cause them to lose the titles. This is the only current believable way for Shelton Benjamin and Bobby Lashley to lose the championships. These are two of the most dominant wrestlers in the company, there is no way they can lose cleanly.
The second theory is if Jon Moxley manages to retain the World Championship, this absolutely must usher in the return of Eddie Kingston. enough said.
