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From Christian Cage's AEW in-ring debut announcement to a TNT Championship main event, this week's edition of AEW Dynamite featured many contrasting moments.
After last week's special episode, AEW returned to its normal programming format this time around. It's almost as if the increased frequency of special Dynamite shows has spoiled the fans to a certain extent. As a result, the latest episode felt smaller in terms of scale, although it was still quite entertaining from start-to-finish.
How did NXT fare against AEW in terms of quality this week? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Here are the five biggest news stories from this week's episode of AEW Dynamite (March 24, 2021).
#5 Christian Cage will make his AEW in-ring debut against a former TNA rival
"Out Work Everyone" is Christian Cage's latest motto, and it was announced that he will finally embark on that path from next week's AEW Dynamite.
During the latest episode, Cage was hanging out with Varsity Blonds (Brian Pillman Jr. and Griff Garrison) and Dante Martin in the backstage area. Apparently, he imparted a great deal of knowledge to the young stars. Varsity Blonds and Martin were scheduled to team up against MJF's newly-formed faction — The Pinnacle.
SCU's Frankie Kazarian interrupted the segment to ask a legitimate question. When will the "work" start for Christian Cage? The "work" itself will start from next week's show, according to Cage. He challenged Kazarian to step up to the occasion, and the latter gladly accepted the offer.
The two men have crossed paths several times in TNA, back in 2007. In their last major singles match, Frankie Kazarian defeated Christian Cage in a ladder match.
However, on next week's AEW Dynamite, Cage will likely emerge as the victorious competitor.
Should their clash be a one-off program, or could the two veterans have an extended feud against each other? Sound off in the comments section below.
#4 Cody Rhodes will fight his best friend on next week's AEW Dynamite
Last week, it was teased that two AEW stars could leave their factions soon. QT Marshall turned out to be one of those two talents, as his status within The Nightmare Family has been on the rocks in recent times.
During this week's AEW Dynamite, Marshall addressed his conflict in an interview with Tony Schiavone. The Nightmare Family member did not like being called "Cody's friend" despite his own contributions and hard work in AEW. Marshall wanted to step out of Rhodes' shadow at this stage, which is why he pitched an exhibition match against the former TNT Champion for next week's show.
Cody Rhodes came out to address the challenge. Although Rhodes was hesitant at first because of their friendship, he eventually agreed to face Marshall in an exhibition contest for next week's show. Additionally, Arn Anderson will be the special guest referee for their bout. Cody Rhodes expressed his own conflict through a sincere promo:
"I'm not going to hurt you. If I hook on the Cross Rhodes, I'm not going to follow through with it. If I apply the figure four, I'm going to relinquish it. You might be my best friend. So let's do it; let's have this exhibition, friend to friend."
At the moment, Cody Rhodes vs. QT Marshall seems like a clash between two good friends. But will that equation change into a heated rivalry if Marshall crosses the line next week?
#3 Dr. Britt Baker fired shots at Mick Foley on AEW Dynamite
Following her historic Unsanctioned "Lights Out" match against Thunder Rosa from last week's AEW Dynamite, Dr. Britt Baker addressed the buzz surrounding herself during this week's episode.
First, she felt offended at the fact that Rosa took credit for putting the AEW women's division on the map.
"Thunder Rosa, you got to be a part of the history that I wrote with my own blood! And then you had the audacity to stand in my company, in my division, and say you put the women on the map?! Then why is everybody talking about me?"
On social media, WWE legend Mick Foley gave his nod of approval to Baker and Rosa's historic clash not too long ago. Still, Baker fired some shots at the WWE Hall of Famer during this week's show.
"Mick Foley, thanks for the thumbs up. It took you 20 years to become the hardcore legend, and I did it in one night. And that night when I had 87 thumbtacks in my back and the blood was flowing down my face, I never saw more clearly."
In the end, Baker's heel persona took credit for putting AEW on the map, comparing herself to the professional wrestling legends who are already a part of Tony Khan's promotion.
Britt Baker's popularity has skyrocketed in recent memory, so let's hope that in terms of booking, AEW must maintain her momentum over the next few weeks.
#2 "We're done!" - Kenny Omega issued an ultimatum to The Young Bucks on AEW Dynamite
This week's AEW Dynamite kicked off with a match between Matt Sydal and Kenny Omega. While the AEW World Championship was not at stake, Sydal would have earned a shot at the title if he emerged victorious from this bout.
Unfortunately for Sydal, Omega proved to be the better competitor during their encounter. Despite the victory, Omega wasn't done for the night.
Later in the episode, The Young Bucks and Brandon Cutler faced The Lucha Brothers and Laredo Kid in six-man tag team action. Both teams put on a fast-paced melee, which ended with Kid delivering a top-rope Spanish Fly to Cutler for the pinfall victory.
After the match, Omega came out and attacked Kid to prove a point to The Young Bucks. Omega revealed that a few years ago, he did not choose AEW. Instead, he chose The Young Bucks to make the best wrestling promotion on the planet.
The AEW World Champion felt betrayed that Matt and Nick Jackson chose Cutler over him. As a result, he gave them one last chance to throw up the hand gesture and reunite once again.
However, The Young Bucks simply walked away, which prompted Omega to declare that their longtime friendship is now over.
It ended up being a bad night for Kenny Omega, as he was attacked by The Lucha Brothers before The Good Brothers arrived to help him get up on his feet. Now more than ever before, it seems likely that The Good Brothers and The Young Bucks will clash soon.
#1 Darby Allin and John Silver's AEW TNT Championship clash led to a major tease for the future
During the main event of this week's AEW Dynamite, The Dark Order's John Silver fought Darby Allin with the TNT Championship at stake.
The two faced off in a pretty good encounter, as Silver came close to becoming the new titleholder during various instances. The Dark Order's ringside presence was balanced when Sting emerged to ensure the match wouldn't spin out of control. Additionally, Matt Hardy and his crew (The Hardy Family Office) were a potential threat to The Dark Order's presence.
With all these factors in mind, Allin managed to successfully retain his TNT title in the end. After Allin and Silver's hard-fought battle, the TNT Champion and Sting showed respect to The Dark Order member. However, their moment got interrupted by a huge brawl that was kickstarted by Matt Hardy.
Hardy, Private Party, The Butcher, and The Blade's brawl with Allin, Sting, and The Dark Order led to a chaotic ending for this week's AEW Dynamite.
Since Matt Hardy intentionally attacked Darby Allin to kickstart this brawl, could the veteran or one of his faction members take on the TNT Champion next? Perhaps Allin and Sting could even form a temporary alliance with The Dark Order during their future encounters against Hardy's crew.
In the video embedded above, do check out SK Wrestling's 'The Debrief,' where Jose G and Rico El Glorioso review the latest episodes of AEW Dynamite and NXT.
