Overall, This was as well as AEW could have done tonight without MJF. The Elite and Death Triangle delivered another exciting match that saw Death Triangle extend their lead to 2-0 in the series. Orange Cassidy retained his title against Jake Hager and I think even Jake might say, “hats off,” to Orange after that one. Ricky Starks punched his ticket to Winter is Coming and he’ll have an opportunity to win the AEW World Championship against MJF. Jon Moxley had some choice words as expected for William Regal but Bryan Danielson talked him out of getting physical with his former mentor. Chris Jericho retained the ROH World Championship in an absolute slugfest of a main event against Tomohiro Ishii. Oh yeah, Thunder Rosa officially vacated the AEW Women's World Championship and now Toni Storm’s reign is no longer recognized as interim.
AEW Dynamite is back in its home away from home once again, in this particular writer’s hometown, Chicago, Illinois. The fallout from Full Gear is on tap, and this is a stacked card as expected.
AMAZING William Regal Promo:
The show opens and Regal is here, I suppose to represent MJF. He quickly makes it clear that the newly crowned champion will not only be absent this week, but he’s out of town filming a movie. Oh and of course he hates Chicago. Moxley’s music hits next and he storms to the ring presumably to go after his former confidant in Lord Regal. Bryan Danielson intervenes, and doesn’t allow that to happen. He and Moxley have an extremely passionate and personal back and forth. Mox looks at Regal and tells him to go far away from him, to which Regal obliges. This was definitely a tense opening segment, but it was very entertaining.
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 4.00 Stars
GOOD Orange Cassidy vs. Jake Hager All Atlantic Championship Match:
Cassidy and Hager have an exciting match that you can’t take away from them but at the end of the day, this one is strongly overshadowed by shenanigans involving Jake Hager’s bucket hat. Shockingly you might think Orange is the one who over gimmicks a match but that is simply not the case in this one. Cassidy retains via roll up and then that is where this one gets interesting. QT Marshall walks to the top of the ramp to interrupt after the match as the Best Friends celebrate with Cassidy. Marshall’s microphone turns off and then the lights go out. The House of Black appear at the top of the stage and they appear to be back, in full force no less. Malakai looks to be in great shape and they pose at the top of the ramp as Malakai asks members of the House of Black in the crowd to rise. The segment ends with the crowd cheering as the lights go out and we head to commercial. That was electric.
Result: Orange Cassidy by Pinfall via Rollup
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
GOOD Ricky Starks vs. Ethan Page, Title Eliminator Tournament Match:
Starks has his shoulder taped heavily as he enters but the crowd absolutely loves him. Page dominates much of the early action in what turns out to be a very exciting match. Ethan looks set to win with an Ego’s Edge but it’s not to be and a series of Ricky Starks Spears is what stamps his ticket to face MJF at Winter is Coming in what could be his crowning moment in AEW.
Result: Ricky Starks by Pinfall via Spear
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
GOOD Death Triangle vs. The Elite, AEW Trio’s Titles Best of 7 Series, Match 2:
The current score is 1-0 Death Triangle after this weekend. AEW has stated that the titles will not change hands until someone wins 4 matches. This is another display of just how good these 6 wrestlers are. I’ll spare you the details. Death Triangle is up 2-0 and who knows where it can go from here. They did cheat to win once again, using the hammer to gain victory, and that seems to be a large part of this storyline.
Result: Death Triangle by Ring Bell Hammer Shot
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
ABOVE AVERAGE Jaimie Hayter and Dr. Britt Baker vs. Tay Melo and Anna Jay vs. Skye Blue and Willow Nightingale:
This was such an interesting match because of the amount of talent involved. While the action was plenty, it was a very convoluted mash up given the two commercial breaks. Despite that, this match managed to be plenty entertaining and Hayter and Baker picked up the win via Curb Stomp.
Result: Jaimie Hayter and Dr. Britt Baker by Pinfall via Curb Stomp
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
The Acclaimed Promo: They came down with Billy Gunn and celebrated, there’s not much else to say. Jeff Jarrett does insert himself into the mix by calling them out, but this one is too short to rate.
GREAT Chris Jericho vs. Tomohiro Ishii, ROH World Championship Match:
Talk about a chop fest. Chris Jericho’s chest was ground beef by the end of this match. There was blood on Ishii’s hand, Jericho’s chest and everywhere in between. What an absolute battle this thing turned out to be. A total surprise home run of a main event. Jericho wins with a Iiontamer as Ishii defiantly flips him the bird.
Result: Chris Jericho by Submission via Liontamer
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
Overall: Overall, This was as well as AEW could have done tonight without MJF. The Elite and Death Triangle delivered another exciting match that saw Death Triangle extend their lead to 2-0 in the series. Orange Cassidy retained his title against Jake Hager and I think even Jake might say, “hats off,” to Orange after that one. Ricky Starks punched his ticket to Winter is Coming and he’ll have an opportunity to win the AEW World Championship against MJF. Jon Moxley had some choice words as expected for William Regal but Bryan Danielson talked him out of getting physical with his former mentor. Chris Jericho retained the ROH World Championship in an absolute slugfest of a main event against Tomohiro Ishii. Oh yeah, Thunder Rosa officially vacated the AEW Women’s World Championship and now Toni Storm’s reign is no longer recognized as interim.
Matches: 0.50/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.75/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 3.50/5 Stars
Photo Credit: AEW TwitterFor inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
