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AEW DYNAMITE BLOG

It is Wednesday and AEW is at the UBS arena in Belmont, New York for this week’s Dynamite.

Our commentary team is Jim Ross, Excalibur, and Tony Schiavone.

Adam Cole vs Dax Harwood in the Owen Hart Tournament

They lock up and go to the corner and after they break, he piefaces Dax. After grabbing a wrist, Dax takes Cole down with a side headlock. Dax is wearing Hart Family trunks. Cole breaks free and they brawl in in the corners. They run the ropes and Dax starts in with a series of strikes and goes for a sharp shooter. Cole escapes and they trade two counts. Dax gets tossed to the ring post and they go to the floor.

Cole tosses Dax into the steel stairs twice. Cole keeps up the pressure, attacking him outside the ring as we go to picture in picture.

When we return to full screen, Cole is working over Dax in the corner. Dax tries to fight back, but Cole is landing stronger blows. Dax is able to get a pair of German suplexes and Cole reverses the third and gets two of his won. They go to the top and Dax is able to knock Cole to the mat. Dax leaps off and grabs Cole for a slingshot power bomb and a two count.

Dax tries to attack, but Cole is able to get a foot up and hits a brain buster across his knee for a two count. As Dax is on the mat, Cole calls for the super kick by stomping his foot. Dax avoids and gets a roll up for a tow, a cross body for a two, but then leaps into a super kick. Cole gets a two. Dax blocks the Panama Sunrise, and Cole is able to get an upkick. Dax reverses a second Panama Sunrise for a pile driver and a two count.

Dax locks on the sharp shooter in the middle of the ring. Dax is having issues with his ribs, and Cole is able to push up and escape. Cole knocks Dax to the floor on his injured side. Cole stays in the ring and waits for the count. Dax makes it in the ring at nine. Cole tries for the sharp shooter and sits down deep. Dax almost makes it to the ropes, but is dragged back by Cole. Dax eventually has to tp out.

Winner and moving on in the tournament: Adam Cole

Great opening match, and I thought Dax would go further with his tributes to the Hart family. Nice shock win.

We then get a video of Jeff Hardy and Darby Allin for the main event.

 

WINNER CM PUNK

We're back and Punk sends Silver into the buckle but misses the charge.  Forearm and chop by Silver. Kicks by Silver. Punk with a backslide but Silver slips out and hits a kick and brainbuster for 2. Great showing for Silver as he connects with a running forearm and a DDT for 2.  Silver tries a spin doctor but Punk rolls out and connects with a kick.  Running knee by Punk into a short clothesline.  Leg Lariat by Punk.  Excalibur suggests Punk is trying to make nice with Long Island, not making the John Tavares connection.  Punk with a Buckshot Lariat for the pin.

Page storms the ring and they go nose to nose.  Punk suggests that Page is taking this personally.  It's just business to him.  Punk believes he is the real champion.  Punk says his win over Silver is a blueprint.  He offers his hand and Page flips him off and storms away.  

Tony Schiavone is with Jamie Hayter, ahead of the Owen Hart tournament match with Toni Storm.  Dr, Baker does the talking for Hayter.  

Danhausen vs Tony Nese w/Smart Mark Sterling

Nese poses and attacks immediately and nails a running knee for the pin.

WINNER: TONY NESE

That was quick.  Sterling reminds Nese that Danhausen got an entrance and Nese didn't.  Nese with another knee.  He goes for another but in interrupted by the Cold Hearted Handsome Devil Hook.  Nese bails. Danhausen and Hook shake hands.

Adam Page is out next to join on commentary.

CM Punk vs John Silver

Punk comes out in a NY Islanders hockey jersey instead of his beloved Chicago Blackhawks. The crowd is booing Punk after the initial pop.

They lock up and go to the corner and Punk then slides out fo the ring and basks in the crowd jeering him. Punk gets back in the ring for a side headlock. Silver reverses it, they run the ropes and he’s able to shoulder tackle Punk. They go again and Silver hits a back slide for a two count. The go to the corner and Silver beats Punk down. Silver goes out and then starts back in and Punk shoves him away and takes him down with a clothesline and we go picture in picture.

When we come back to full screen, Punk leaps into the corner and Silver dodges, causing Punk to crotch himself in the corner. Silver hits a series of strikes and kicks. Punk tries for a back slide and Silver escapes, nails kicks and a sheer drop brain buster for a two count. Punk crawls to the corner and Silver gets a spilling DDT after Punk tossed off his first attempt. Another two count for Silver.

All right, everyone, I’m back. Here in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, we had a serious storm go through the area, and I was under a tornado watch. My phone was telling me to MOVE from all of the alerts, so I did so. We had massive winds, lightning, strong winds and the rest. But, it has cleared up, so while I may be late, I am safe.

Thanks to Anthony for taking the baton and running with it, and he will be doing audio tonight.

Both men are down and exhausted. Punk is able to get the rising knee strike in the corner followed by the short arm clothesline. He then hits a leg lariat. Punk hits a buckshot lariat and covers John Silver for the three count.

Winner: CM Punk

Adam Page goes to the ring and gets right in Punk’s face. Punk asks if he’s mad and why he’s taking it personally. Punk says it’s not personal, it’s just business. Punk says he used to ask himself if he’s a good guy, but this morning he asked if he was the champ, and he said yes. And after beating his boy, Page will shake his hand conscious or unconscious.

I may have missed something for SOME reason, but I thought this was a good match for moving ahead the story between Page and Punk, with Punk showing vulnerability while getting the win. Using Page’s move to get under Page’s skin is an old tactic, but used well here.

In the back, Tony Schiavone is with Jamie Hayter, Britt Baker and Rebel. Baker says it’s not fair she has to fight The Joker. She also says that Hayter will win, but Storms are exciting, but they pass and tonight, there’s a Hayter in the forcase. Tony says that if they both win, they face each other.

Danhausen vs Tony Nese

Danhausen making his AEW debut.

Danhausen starts to curse Nese, but he is distracted by Mark Starkling,a nd Nese takes out Danhausen and covers him for a three count.

Winner: Tony Nese

Sterling says that Tony should be ashamed since Danhausen got an entrance by Nese didn’t. As Nese goes to attack Danhausen again, Hook comes to the ring.

Nese and Sterling bail as Hook staying in the ring to stare at them as they go. Danhausen holds out his hand for a handshake and Hook takes it this time and then leaves.

Wardlow is brought to the ring in handcuffs and security. The screen flash “Boo Wardlow” There is a promo for a “Dark Side Of The Ring” promo narrated by Jericho, who stops until he is told how much he is being payed. It’s all about how Wardlow screwed over MJF in the match with CM Punk. This is funny stuff.

MJF comes to the ring as a conquering hero with massive cheers. MJF cuts a promo about how great he is at the table and Wardlow sits there, no selling it. MJF then says he will give Wardlow an opportunity to speak to the crowd, saying he doesn’t want the fans to boo him out of the building.

They ignore his advice and boo loudly. Wardlow says nothing and MJF says he can’t hear him. MJF says that karma is coming his way, and how Wardlow mistreated his friend Cody Rhodes. MJF says that Wardlow has to get whipped. Then he has to wrestle Shawn Spears in a steel cage with MJF as the referee. And if Wardlow loses at Double or Nothing he will never be allowed to sign a contract with AEW.

Wardlow can’t sign the contract with cuffs on. Wardlow signs the contract as it takes forever to him be uncuffed. After he signs it, he tears through the security and MJF hides behind Spears. Spears, in white suit with a white chair, gets dropped with one shot. Wardlow puts MJF in position for a power bomb, but Mark Sterling leaps on his back. MJF escapes as MJF puts Sterling through the table.

GREAT segment, even if the stipulations are pretty much the same as ones MJF has used before.

Samoa Joe cuts a promo about his match against the Joker in the Owen Hart tournament, and Jay Lethal’s team, who are intercut with his promo.

Ricky Starks (FTW Champion) vs Jungle Boy

Taz joins the commentary team. Jungle Boy is from Value Village? Does he shop at Discount Liquor and Budget Clothing?

They lock up and trade holds quickly with Starks breaking the holds. JB is able to slam Starks to the mat and he starts slapp9ing Starks. They trader snap mares and take downs. Starks stops JB from going to the ropes with a knee and a pair of strikes, and then his his own arm drag off the ropes. JB then hits his arm drag off the ropes. Starks is thrown to the floor as we go picture in picture.

When we return to full screen, Starks has JB is a body scissors, smacking the crap out of him. They go the corner and JB is able to attack Starks as he runs in. JB hits a comebacker lariat and drops Starks. JB goes for a leaping DDT. Starks grabs him and tries for a stalling vertical suplex, but JB hits a knee from above and takes down Starks for a two count.

Starks is able to get a back slide for a two. JB reverses the Rochambeau attempt with a bridge and two count. Starks looks for it again and JB turns it into an arm drag and a two count. Starks hits a spear and a two count.

JR is teasing Taz about Hook teaming with Danhausen.

JB locks in the snare trap and Starks crawls to the ropes. Starks hits a guillotine on the top rope and goes to the floor. Starks grabs the belt and Swerve Strickland runs to the ring. Starks goes in the ring and JB rolls him u for over ten second as the ref is yelling at Swerve. Starks is able to hit the Rochambeau and covers for the three count.

Winner: Ricky Starks.

Christian Cage and Luchasaurus come to the ring and Swerve pleads his case on the apron as Powerhouse Hobbs joins Starks.

Keith Lee comes to the ring. He stands by Swerve to make sure there are no shenanigans. JB is on the other side of the ring upset about losing and Cage walks over to his side and gives him a hug.

The Jericho Appreciation Society is out next with a victory speech. For over 9 weeks the recognized symbol of excellence in sports entertainers. Crowd is still singing along with Jericho’s theme, Judas. Angelo talks first. He’s followed by Danny Magic, and then Chris Jericho. Jericho says he is a home town hero since he was born down the way, but he moved away because Long Island sucks.

Jericho says about Eddie Kingston, Jericho 2:16 means I just burned your face. As Daniel Garcia starts to talk, we get Jon Moxley’s music.

Mox is coming through the crowd. The announcers put over the connection between Mox and Eddie Kingston. Mox starts stalking around the ring and Jericho says to leave since there is one of him and five of them. Then, we get Bryan Danielson, Wheeler Yuta, and Willaim Regal. Jericho says still just four vs five.

Eddie Kingston, with a burned eye, Santana and Ortiz show on the other side of the ring. The crowd points out that Jericho may have made a mistake with a profanity that Mike would rather I not use.

The fight begins and Jericho takes a low blow from William Regal. The JAS backs up the ramp and we get a video about Thunder Rosa and Serena Deeb at Double or Nothing.

Jamie Hayter vs Toni Storm in the Own Hart Tournament

They lock up and Storm turns it into a headlock take down. They trade headlocks on the mat and Storm turns it into a front face lock and covers for a one count. They work their way to their feet and Hayter is able to break free. Storm motions for Hayter to bring it on. They go for the greco roman knuckle lock and Hayter takes her down and gets a pair of covers. They get to their feet and Storm gets a running drop kick.

Hayter goes to the floor and Storm tosses her into the ring, but Hayter kicks Storm as she’s getting into the ring. It’s time for picture in picture.

When we return to full screen, they are throwing hands in the middle of the screen and knock each other down with elbow strikes. Storm is up first and hits a DDT on Hayter who goes out of the ring. Storm hits a DDT on the floor. Storm goes to the top and hits a flying cross body for a two count. Storm pulls Hayter up and when Storm misses a strike, Hayter hits a back breaker onto her knee. Hayter goes for the ripcord lariat and Storm reverses it into a suplex.

They start fighting on the apron and Hayter hits a slam on the apron and then takes her to the top and hits a super plex. Hayter goes for a slam and Storm is able to grab her and get an inside cradle for a two. Storm is able to get the Storm Zero and covers for the three count;.

Winner: Toni Storm

 

We get a rundown of the card for Rampage on Friday and Dynamite on Wednesday. We also get a promo from Scorpio Sky about his TNT title match against Frankie Kazarian. Frankie starts his promo and Sammy Guevara shows up with Tay Conti and says he can’t trust Sky. Frankie says he knows who he can trust and Sammy’s Vlog sucks.

 

Jeff Hardy vs Darby Allin in the Owen Hart Tournament in an anything goes match

 

So who will do the most dangerous stupid move?

 

Darby starts with a shotgun drop kick and then hits a tope onto Jeff. Darby pulls out chairs from under the ring and starts setting up a complicated contraction made of chairs. Jeff is up and tosses Darby into the steel stairs. We then get a series of leaping attacks on the floor. They brawl into a cameraman. They finally head to the ring and Jeff hits a twist of fate in the ropes to buy time to pull out a ladder because of course. PICTURE IN PICTURE TIME.

 

I feel like I say it all the time, but why in the flaming blue hell are they doing all of this crazy stuff on the small screen? Save it for when we don’t have Butterfingers ads taking up most of the screen.

 

When we come back, Darby is on the top of an incredibly tall ladder in th ering and leaps down onto Jeff who does what he can to catch him on the chairs.

Enjoy the short career of Darby Allin everyone.

 

Darby rolls Jeff into the ring and Jeff rolls to the ropes. Darby tries for a coffin drop, and Jeff moves out of the way and hits the apron.

Jeff drapes Darby on the upended steel steps. He then goes to the top and misses a swanton as Darby gets out of the way. Darby pulls Jeff up and rolls him into the ring. Darby goes to the top and hits a coffin drop and covers for a two count, Jeff rolls over and traps Darby with a crucifix roll up and gets the three count.

Winner: Jeff Hardy.

The announcers are putting it over as the best match ever. The Undisputed Elite come to the stage to stare at the Hardy as the show ends.

Here is my editorial:

This was all kinds of stupid and unnecessary. ALL of the matches in the Owen Hart tournament have been wrestling matches. FTR had a pure match that paid tribute to the Hart brothers matches in the past. Owen was a WRESTLER, not doing these sorts of crazy stunt matches. He did mat work, he told stories in the ring, and the stupid chance he took ended his life.

This tournament should be something special, and many matches have been,. With people showing what they can do in the ring, between the ropes with wrestling moves and wrestling storytelling. The very last thing that should be done in these matches should be be putting yourself in danger. AEW has been doing more of the car crash stunt stuff, and yes, it is a specticle. It is exciting, It gives people that “Did you see that?”?moment.

But what is the biggest “Did you see that” moment of the last few months? Keith Lee tossing someone across the ring when they landed for a normal bump. Not the blood. Not the chairs. Not the crazy stuff that puts people in danger. This blew people away because it was feat of strength and was something that hasn’t been done a million times.

What’s the other one? 62 year old Sting doing a SAFE leap onto someone in the stands. It blew us away because we are emotionally invested in Sting and while it was safe, it looking impressive.

Bret Hart has said for years that at the end of a match, it should look like a fight but at the end, both guys can go for a beer afterwards. If Darby and Jeff aren’t is serious pain now, I’d be shocked. We don’t need the dangerous spectacle every week. We don’t need it every show. We don’t need it where half of it is on less than half of our screen as we hear about fast food and snacks.

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