AEW presents a special episode of dynamite, titled Fright Night Dynamite which delivered on ramping up the hype for the upcoming pay-per-view in New Jersey, Full Gear. A few number one Contendership matches took place, feuds continued and others rekindled. Let’s get to the action. Tony “Phantom of the Opera” Schiavone wearing the same mask from WCW Halloween Havoc, Bryan Danielson wearing a Hechicero mask, and various wrestlers in getups, such as Kris Statlander dressed as Goku Black from Dragon Ball Super.
Darby Allin and Orange Cassidy defeated Wheeler Yuta and Daniel Garcia in a “Trick or Treat” Tornado Team Match
No tags needed in this match, all four men participated in non-stop action. A lot of highlights included some pretty organic and smooth teamwork between both teams, and as noted by Bryan Danielson on commentary, the team of Daniel Garcia and Wheeler Yuta worked extremely well together. Darby Allen is a maniac, more than once I was certain he suffered a career ending injury. I really need to get used to the fact that this is just another Wednesday.
The fans, and Bryan Danielson specifically, all enjoy when Wheeler gets his ass handed to him.
FTR defeated The Young Bucks, JetSpeed, and Jurassic Express to challenge Brodido for the AEW Men’s World Tag Team Championships at Full Gear.
Unbelievably enjoyable match. Prior to the match the repulsive Don Callis approached the Young Bucks reminding them of his offer to join his family. As incentive he paid for a fully decked out and explosive tron, pyrotechnics, and an Immaculate entrance for the former EVPs.
Another non-stop match which kept the live crowd unbelievably hot and 110% invested. When you have four teams who are very experienced working with each other individually, putting them all in a single match could lead to some chaos, but became Controlled Chaos as the pacing seemed very well thought out and planned without too much overlap. Sure there were some spot heavy moments, but that’s one of the things enjoyable about this company. a clever finish as some blind tags confused the babyface tag teams, allowing FTR to hit a sudden Shatter Machine to win the match.
Major pop when Kevin Knight kicked out of a BTE Trigger. Jurassic Express also garnered insane Pops from the crowd. Luchasaurus looks like he’s in the best shape ever. Bucks hitting Shatter Machine was another eyebrow-raising spot.
Well done guys. Well done.
The Don Callis Family Summit
All members except for the IWGP World Champion came out, Callus stating he could not be here due to travel issues. Segments like this tend to concern me. I often fear that they’ll be too much drawn out conversation taking away from the point to be made. My fears began to feel validated early on with these long drawn out rhetorical questions being asked between the members, however thankfully it was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Konosuke Takeshita. In the words of good ol’ J.R., “ business is about to pick up.” Takeshita entered to the surprise of all, with Callis immediately calling for a truce and resolution between Takeshita and Okada. Very peculiar as it seemed Callis was giving marching orders to Takeshita, but then offered for both men to shake hands. As Takeshita extended his hand, Okada did the same but gradually turned his hand into flipping the middle finger. A fight broke out and Callis ended the segment.
This worked very well. Having Okada as the one to defy Callis adding more fire to this intensely Brewing feud. Despite Callis clearly siding with Okada, it’s clear there will be no peace.
Kyle O’Reilly and Jon Moxley went to a Double Count Out, Marina Shafir KO’s Referee Aubrey Edwards
O’Reilly and Mox going to a count out? didn’t ever predict that on any bingo card, but you’ve got to love how Mox is gradually looking more and more human. O’Reilly is an incredible wrestler, fighter, martial artist, and all around in ring workhorse. This doesn’t really downplay Mox’s effectiveness as a wrestler, but shows how other wrestlers are becoming more elevated to stand up to a once undefeatable opponent.
After the match, an insane brawl broke out with the rest of the Conglomeration making the save. Mark Briscoe goes crazy verbally on the mic, but then turns it to Orange Cassidy to make the announcement. Very reluctantly, and sheepishly, he says three words: “Blood and Guts.”
Conglomeration vs. Death Riders on the Blood and Guts Edition of Dynamite in two weeks is finally announced. It’s going to be brutally awesome. I can’t wait.
Sisters of Sin defeated Jamie Hayter and Queen Aminata to advance in the Women’s Tag Team Tournament
An excellent match. Aminata and Hayter complement each other as both hard-hitters and ring vets in controlling the flow of a match. Tough gals who show more aggression when on the defensive. Skye Blue and Julia Hart use more methodical, and brute force tactics when on the offensive. Thekla made the difference with interference, allowing her teammates to score the pinfall victory.
If this leads to another Aminata vs. Thekla match, let’s do it.
Video package airs hyping up CMLL’s Olympia challenge for the CMLL Women’s Champion this Saturday night against Mercedes Mone. I’m not convinced she will win, but it’ll be a good match.
Backstage it is announced by Tony “Phantom of the Opera” Schivaone, that Penelope Ford is out with injury and Megan Bayne will need a new partner. Enter Marina Shafir. They stare each other eye-to-eye, sort of, as Mox walks up wide-eyed. “OK. These two? Watch out.” Say what you will about Mox, but his facial expressions are priceless.
Mercedes Mone and Kris Statlander brawl around, then Athena joins in, but is driven away with Mone as Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron make the save.
Samoa Joe defeated Hook, Bobby Lashley, and Ricochet to challenge AEW Men’s World Champion “Hangman” Adam Page at Full Gear.
Great main event. It wasn’t believable to imagine Hook vs. Hangman in a PPV spot, but never say never. Ricochet would have been fun, but again, can’t see a title win at all. Bobby Lashley would have been a real interesting challenger. Definitely would not win the title, but would easily not be the last challenge for the world championship.
Joe winning makes the most sense. He didn’t want to be out of the title hunt, and this kept him right in it.
While there were a few notable missteps towards the final moments of the match, it didn’t take away from the overall story. Joe, merciless as always, took the fight to whomever stood in front of him. A Joe-Nope moment saw Ricochet crash and burn, Hook suplexing Joe was a sight, and a possible hernia. Lashley really needs to work on the spear. It’s easy to compare to Rhino, Goldberg, Copeland, or Bron Breaker. Honestly, Breaker currently has the best one.
When Rhino/Rhyno did it in ECW, he full-on tore into his opponent by the midsection. Goldberg was a football tackle on steroids. Copeland felt like a quick, disorientating takedown. Breaker is flat-out mauling. Lashley I feel used to have a spear similar to to Rhino. It looks like he swings his arm out and doesn’t make a whole lot of body contact. Either ditch the spear or rework it.
The end of the show saw Tony “Phantom of the Opera” Schiavone once again enter the ring and praising the show and to Joe winning, but then the voice began to sound more “piped in” and distorted like a haunted house speaker. Suddenly, the voice changed when putting over “Hangman” Adam Page, “the embodiment of Cowboy ****” and World Champion, revealing a shocker “long may he reign” with a voice immediately changing Joe’s triumphant mood.
“Hangman” Adam Page was disguised as Tony “Phantom of the Opera” Schiavone!
BRILLIANT.
What a way to close the show. Page kicks both Shibata and Hobbs down low, then levels Joe with the Buckshot.
This is believable. Joe is the current legit contender and could possibly take the championship from Page.
FULL GEAR IS GOING TO BE FIRE.
