Just days before WrestleDream we get a night filled with big matches and a relatively big fight feel throughout the night. It seems AEW has hit a positive stride since All Out, hopefully this will continue beyond the PPV this Saturday night. The show kicks off with yet another cryptic promo from Mox, which also seems to evoke some serious vibes of violence and intent to be the torchbearer of the company heading into 2025. Following the promo, Darby Allin htis the ring and calls out Big Bad Brody King and the two have an exchange about their indy days and how Darby brought Brody into AEW. However, Brody takes a huge shot, stating Darby takes his “spot” in AEW for granted by doing dumb stunts like trying to climb a mountain.
Starting off with two promos does kick back a bit Some ’80s and 90s where promos were very important prior to a pay-per-view. this is also during a time where the matches for each pay-per-view were made, and then the stories built off of those. These days it’s the other way around.
Also backstage, we learned that Lance Archer has been traded to the Callis Family, and Jake Roberts will reveal his big surprise later.
The first match was a high-flying, risk-taking, unbelievable spectacle. Hologram defeated Komander. Such a fun match, took me back to the Lucha style wrestling of the 90s which was featured on ECW and WCW television. so much fun to watch.
The surprise was revealed rather quickly, as RUSH, Dralistico, and The Beast Mortos ambushed the tired wrestlers as Jake Roberts looked on.
Backstage, Mark Briscoe cuts a super serious promo on Chris Jericho who remorselessly taunted the Ring of Honor champion with a reminder of the death of his brother. Stating the champion will never be good enough. Many may have felt that the original promo from Jericho was in poor taste, but then again in the wrestling business, nothing seems to be off limits anymore. That being said, Mark Briscoe cut a verbally vicious promo which only means that come Saturday Chris Jericho is going to get the violent side of a Brisco brother, which never ends well for a challenger.
Daniel Garcia returns to the ring and announces that he’s sticking with AEW. He thanks the fans for believing in him and continuing to support him, which is why he made his decision to stay with the company. However this time around he promises will be different, no more shortcomings and no more failed pushes, he’s going to get gold sooner rather than later.
I certainly hope so this time around. His initial run was enjoyable to watch how he developed his character and became someone who fans wanted to see wrestle on a weekly basis. However, it seemed that he fell into the trap of being pushed only for that push to be suddenly abandoned or flutter out. I truly hope this time around it will be different for him.
Willow Nightingale defeated Jamie Hayter, Saraya, and Nyla Rose for the Number One Contendership to face Mariah May for the AEW Women’s Championship this Saturday at WrestleDream.
Another fun match, all women shined, one of those where seeing all four women makes you feel that their division is very much alive and kicking. post-match backstage, Mariah May was about to cut a promo but was enjoyably interrupted as Willow sent her packing with the vicious pounce and cut a promo of her own. This is the stuff that makes television fun.
Also of note, Penelope Ford returned to attack Jamie Hayter.
Backstage, Chris Jericho had a chat with Rocky Romero, trying to convince him that he is the weakest link of the Conglomeration and should consider abandoning them. I really hope that’s not the case and it just builds to Rocky perhaps making sure that there is no interference as Briscoe trounces Jericho on Saturday.
Jay White returned to in-ring action, as he defeated a local in minutes, then cut a promo challenging Hangman Adam Page to a match on Saturday.
Mercedes Mone predictably defeated Emi Sakura in a “Double Title” match. These gimmicks, or stipulations like this take me out of it. I really wish Tony Khan and whoever else he has helping with booking matches really should evaluate these forced title matches in which the outcomes are predictable. There’s absolutely no way that Sakura would win both championships just days before a major pay-per-view. Again, this should have been non-title to give the illusion that she would have had a chance of winning. I know it makes it sound really cool to have a “Double Title” match, but honestly feels like a throwaway when you know the outcome.
After the match was over Kris Statlander came in to make a save, appearing to once again be a babyface. I don’t mind the change of heart, but it seems a little too soon coming off a feud where she was an intense heel.
The main event saw Bryan Danielson and Wheeler Yuta defeat the team of Claudio Castagnoli and PAC. Fantastic Main Event match to close out the show. I have to hand it to them, even though this was a tag team match, wheeler Yuta definitely stood out here. it really seems like they’re giving him his chance to shine and continue to evolve in the company. However, you can’t deny the other three men gave 100% maximum effort in telling the story where Danielson will never quit no matter what.
The finish was fairly interesting, as Danielson forced a Tap Out submission while Claudio stared down Yuta who had moments earlier prevented him from cheating. After the match was over Danielson brought with Mox and Claudio punished Yuta failing to betray Danielson. What was more interesting was how Danielson came back to make the save and was celebrating while Yuta was still down on the mat. I’m wondering if this will be used as a way for you to turn on Danielson, or this will end up being nothing at all. just couldn’t help but notice that the camera continued to focus on Yuta struggling while Danielson was celebrating.
Overall this was a solid show to close out Dynamite before pay-per-view. it does seem that all the matches have been set up so far but given enough time where maybe one or two more matches could be added before Saturday. I’m looking forward to the pay-per-view, it looks like a solid lineup and going to be a fun show to watch.
Also, I did enjoy Jeff Jarrett on commentary.
