Back on track, AEW Dynamite on the Jericho Cruise was pulled off a great show. I have to say, the slightly smaller ring, packed crowd, and overall set up on the boat had a special feel to it. Crowd was out of their minds. If anyone complains of sound issues, it was not AEW production, it was TNT hitting the censor button every few seconds. They may have been on international waters, but the TV networks still have to bleep out the obscenities when they can.
The opening match saw Kenny Omega and Hang(over)man Page defeat SCU to win the AEW World Tag Team Championships. Great, great, great, great, awesome match. Nearly thirty minutes of non-stop action, and never a dull moment. Some pretty scary moments when Page took a huge German suplex on his head, and then later one, Kazarian got tossed on his head with a snapdragon. How there are no reports of head injuries is beyond me. Big finish with Page doling out not one but two Buckshot Lariats to earn the three count.
The seeds of dissension are still there. One miscue during the match, Page getting crowd surfed while Omega and the Young Bucks celebrate in the ring, a post-match interview with Tony Schiavone where it’s obviously-like-a-brick-to-the-skull Page is getting cut off while talking.
In the next match, Dr. Britt Baker defeated Priscilla Kelly, who, in case you didn’t know, is married to Darby Allin. That kid is married. Mind blown there. But given Kelly’s persona, I get it, dubbed “Hell’s Favorite Harlot.” AEW clearly foregoing a PG rating here. Unfortunately this match was rated G for ghastly. Sloppy, slow, and really should have been saved for AEW Dark or better, a non-televised show. Kelly is very green, and Baker seems to have lost her stride. She likely had to make up for Kelly’s lack of experience, however, Baker’s post-match promo on poor Schiavone reeked of awfulness.
The Inner Circle defeated Jurassic Express in Trios
Wow. Am I loving the trio of Jericho, Ortiz, and Santana. I love the trio of Marko, Jungle Boy, and Luchasaurus even more. This match was awesome, because it was the most fun-to-watch of the night. I loved the other matches, but this was fun because of the blended mix of comedy and serious wrestling, and not all the comedy came from Marko, but plenty from Santana and Ortiz. They’ve got personalities and the sold in-ring skill AEW has promised to be the new standard in wrestling. Some great spots from everyone, and damn, when Luchasaurus does that stomping boot/kick, it feels like a T-Rex just mowed someone down. The end came when Jake Hager distracted and brawled with the big guy up the ramp, Jungle Jack Perry as Good Ol’ J.R. calls him was left down at ringside, leaving poor Marko Stunt to eat a Judas Effect.
Great match.
MJF defeated Joey Janela
Gotta love some Janela, he’s got a bad bad attitude. MJF though, is one downright nasty a-hole, and the live audience did not let him forget it. Lots of crazy chanting from the crowd… Except I couldn’t hear half the match because of all the bleeps. Maybe AEW gotta tone down the overkill chants… In any event, match was decent, nothing fancy, but it was after the match which got the most attention. Janela loses after Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford make out on the stage.
MJF, or I would like to say, “My Jewish Friend” calls out Cody and runs down the stipulations Cody must perform in order to get MJF one-on-one. No Touching, then face Wardlow in a Steel Cage, and eat 10 lashes. This is almost comical. Cody does come out, while MJF taunts, however while Cody can’t touch MJF, his two Elite buddies, Matt and Nick Jackson surprise from behind with a Superkick Party, and then dump Maxwell Jacob Friedman into a nearby pool. Fun stuff.
Main Event: Moxley defeats PAC to become #1 Contender for the AEW World Championship
Deep down, we knew it was going to happen. However, AEW did the right job of building Mox’s fight and struggle to get to Jericho at the upcoming Revolution Pay-per-view. The eye still being out of commission is an interesting twist, as PAC worked it heavy. We still have over a month, so in theory, Mox’s eye should “be healed” by then, or pull a con by stating his eye is still out, but then fool Jericho mid-match.
PAC vs. Mox was a good show-closer, lots of big spots and “ouchie” moments. Mox spiking with an impaler-style Paradigm Shift for the finish was a beautiful exclamation mark.
Next week’s lineup looks great, AEW does a great job of hyping the next show by outlining most, if not all matches.
Man, I really want to be on Jericho’s boat now…
