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Tonight's edition of AEW Dynamite took place in Newark, New Jersey, and lived up to expectations. We had a number of matches confirmed for AEW Grand Slam next week.
We got an appearance from Hollywood star Rosario Dawson as well as two veterans, CM Punk and Sting, getting laid out. We also had a confrontation between Bryan Danielson and AEW World Champion Kenny Omega.
Adam Cole vs. Frankie Kazarian (kicked off AEW Dynamite)
The match started with Adam Cole and Frankie Kazarian going back and forth briefly before Cole dumped his opponent outside the ring. The Panama City Playboy followed him out to ringside, taking advantage, before hitting a running boot back inside the ring.
Cole went to follow up with a superkick, but Kazarian blocked it and hit a running double knee to the former NXT Champion's back.
Kazarian then charged at Cole, which proved to be a mistake as Adam caught him with a superkick. Kazarian kicked off at two-and-a-half before hitting back with a springboard.
Both men traded right hands, with Kazarian getting the better of the exchange, taking Cole down with a clothesline.
The Panama City Playboy replied with the Panama Sunrise before following it up with The Shot and pinning Frankie Kazarian.
Result: Adam Cole def. Frankie Kazarian
Grade: B
Adam Cole took the mic after the match and said that hope was a dangerous thing, something the rest of the roster wanted to do with The Elite.
Cole added that during his short time in AEW, Christian Cage, Luchasaurus, and Jungle Boy had gotten under his skin before challenging them to a tag team match at Rampage: Grand Slam next week.
Fuego Del Sol challenges Miro again on AEW Dynamite
We were backstage on AEW Dynamite with Tony Schiavone, who was interviewing Sammy Guevara and Fuego Del Sol. Fuego looked like he was standing in front of his new car when he said he would trade it all in for the TNT Championship. After coaxing Sammy, Fuego laid out another challenge for Miro on Rampage.
MJF calls out Brian Pillman Jr.
MJF was the ring and spitting venom as usual. He lamented the fact that he was in "the armpit of America' - New Jersey. MJF then said he had a message for the fans at home who may have had an issue with his words last week, saying he didn't care.
The Pinnacle Leader added that he wanted to have a word with the late great Brian Pillman. Showing clear disrespect, MJF addressed the 'Loose Cannon' and his wife for siring what he called one of the worst second-generation wrestlers.
Brian Pillman Jr's music hit at this point, and he came into the ring with a steel chair. Wardlow initially stopped Pillman Jr in his tracks initially, but Brian low-bridged him, taking control of the ring.
Backstage interview with Brian Pillman Jr.
We saw a sitdown interview earlier in the day with Jim Ross and Brian Pillman Jr ahead of the latter's match against MJF at Dynamite: Grand Slam.
Pillman Jr. said he was ready to uphold his father's legacy before warning MJF that he would be stepping into the ring with a Pillman next week.
Christian Cage and Jurassic Express accept Adam Cole's challenge for AEW Rampage: Grand Slam
Next up on AEW Dynamite, we were backstage with Christian, Jungle Boy, and Luchasauus as they responded to Adam Cole's challenge from earlier on in the night.
Christian Cage, Jungle Boy, and Luchasaurus taking on Adam Cole and The Young Bucks at Rampage: Grand Slam.
Matt Sydal and Dante Martin vs. FTR on AEW Dynamite
Dax Harwood and Matt Sydal started the match off for their teams. Sydal was at the top of his game early, going for a couple of early pinning combinations before taking Dax down with head scissors. Dante Martin tagged in, but Cash Wheeler soon sent him crashing out of the ropes after manipulating them from the apron.
Cash Wheeler continued to punish Dante Martin at ringside with a series of chops before sending him headfirst into the ring post. Wheeler tagged in as FTR tried to isolate Dante Martin, but he was too quick, tagging in Matt Sydal. The former WWE star took out both members of FTR with knee strikes, clearing the ring. Martin and Sydal then hit stereo dives outside the ring, wiping out Dax and Cash.
FTR continued to trade tags as they isolated Matt Sydal in their corner of the ring. Sydal broke free from an armbar as Dante Martin came in with a head of steam. We saw some incredible athleticism from Martin as he took on both Dax and Cash. We got a nearfall off a double pinning attempt from Sydal and Martin before FTR isolated Dante in the ring once again.
Martin tried to show off his athleticism, but FTR caught him in the Big Rig, and it was all over.
Result: FTR def. Matt Sydal and Dante Martin
Grade: B
Malakai Black calls out Rosario Dawson, Cody returns on AEW Dynamite
Malakai Black was in the ring with a mic on AEW Dynamite, and informed members of the House of Black that they had an enemy among their midst. It was Cody Rhodes' co-host of the Go Big Show, Rosario Dawson, who was at ringside.
Malakai went out to confront her as we saw Cody Rhodes coming down the stairs.
Rosario Dawson jumped on Malakai Black's back from behind as Cody came down and attacked Black. Their brawl took them through the crowd and up the stairs. Cody laid into Malakai Black repeatedly with right hands as we saw Black retaliate as well.
This was a pretty decent way to build up to Cody and Malakai Black's match on AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam next Wednesday but it may have been more impactful if we had not known in advance about the bout. A return for Cody before the match was officially announced may have been better.
We saw more internal fighting in The Dark Order as Alex Marvez tried to interview Anna Jay on AEW Dynamite.
Alex Reynolds and Evil Uno started bickering again as Jay banned them from ringside for her match next week.
Chris Jericho responds to Dan Lambert and American Top Team on AEW Dynamite
Dan Lambert was back after the in the ring with Men of The Year and had many American Top Team members with him. Lambert said that when he went to the merch stand at an AEW show, it told him more about the fans as every shirt was sold out in men's small and women's XL.
Chris Jericho's music hit as he came out with Jake Hager. Dan Lambert hit out at fans, saying that no one knew the lyrics to Jericho's song. This led to an impromptu singalong of Judas from the fans.
Dan Lambert replied that he was surprised to see Jericho defend the fans before accusing him of manipulating them into spending their hard-earned money into buying his books and Fozzy records.
Chris Jericho said that Jake Hager was undefeated in MMA while got scuffles with Brock Lesnar and Goldberg backstage for years.
Lambert replied that any potential match would not be happening in New Jersey and instead wanted to have a match between Jericho-Hager and Men of the Year next week in New York.
Jade Cargill vs. Leyla Hirsch on AEW Dynamite
The next match on AEW Dynamite saw Jade Cargill in action against hometown star, Leyla Hirsch.
Hirsch got the upper hand early in the match, showing off her amateur wrestling prowess. She then took out Mark Sterling at ringside with a suicide dive before taking down Jade in the middle of the ring and going for an armbar. Cargill hit back, tossing Hirsch outside the ring and into the barricade, following it up with a suplex on the floor.
Back in the ring, Leyla Hirsch hit back with a couple of forearm strikes but Jade planted her face-first onto the mat. Leyla Hirsch replied with a chokehold, but Cargill broke free.
Jade went for her big boot, but Hirsch dodged it and hit a German Suplex for a two-count. Leyla followed it up with a suicide dive out to ringside before rolling Jade back into the ring and hitting a running knee strike.
Leyla Hirsch then headed to the top rope but it proved to be a critical mistake as she missed her moonsault. Jade immediately capitalized with the Pump Kick before following it up with Jaded to get the win.
Result: Jade Cargill def. Leyla Hirsch
Grade: B
Team Taz takes out CM Punk on AEW Dynamite
Taz confronted CM Punk on commentary after the break on AEW Dynamite, accusing Punk of taking his spot.
Taz was accompanied by his son Hook. As Punk and Hook had a staredown, Powerhouse Hobbs assaulted him from behind.
Punk tried to hit back but Hook locked in a Dragon Sleeper before clearing the announcer's table. Powerhouse Hobbs then grabbed Punk by the neck and chokeslammed him into the table.
Darby Allin vs. Shawn Spears on AEW Dynamite
Shawn Spears didn't hold anything back, immediately going after Darby Allin with a knee strike before dunking him onto the top rope and sending Darby crashing out to ringside.
Spears followed Darby out, tossing him into the steel steps. Spears wasn't done as he positioned the steel steps exactly where he wanted it. He placed Darby against them and caught him with a boot.
Spears then pulled down his knee pad and went for a running strike. However, he connected with the steel steps after Darby Allin sidestepped him.
Darby Allin vs. Shawn Spears on AEW Dynamite (continued)
Shawn Spears grabbed a towel from ringside on AEW Dynamite and tried to rub off Darby Allin's facepaint.
Spears wanted to expose Allin for who he was under the facepaint as he promised in his pre-match promo video. Spears then hit Darby Allin with a backbreaker as he took firm control of the match.
The AEW fans chanted "Darby Allin" as the former TNT Champion tried his best to fight back. Spears used his strength advantage again, hitting a back body drop and following it up with a clothesline.
Shawn Spears then eyed Sting at ringside as he locked in his own version of the Scorpion Death Lock on Darby Allin.
Allin broke free and hit back with a Code Red, getting a two-count off it. The former TNT Champion headed to the top rope, and Spears met him there but got hung up in the tree of woe.
Spears hit C4 onto the steep steps on the entrance, but Allin hit him with a stun gun into the top rope. Spears fell on the steps, and Darby took him out with his patented suicide dive. Heading to the top rope, Darby Allin then hit the Coffin Drop for the win.
Result: Darby Allin def. Shawn Spears
Grade: A
FTR confronted Sting and Darby Allin in the ring after the match. Tully Blanchard tried to assault Sting with a steel chair, but it didn't have much effect.
FTR saved Blanchard from Sting, assaulting him from behind and hitting him with a Spike Piledriver. Tully then took a towel and rubbed off some of Sting's facepaint, adding insult to injury.
Bryan Danielson challenges AEW World Champion Kenny Omega
Up next on AEW Dynamite, Tony Schiavone was in the ring as he introduced Bryan Danielson. Before Danielson could speak, Don Callis came down to the ring with a mic accompanied by the AEW World Champion, Kenny Omega.
Don Callis called Bryan Danielson a "mark" just like everyone in the audience. He then asked Bryan who he was to demand a title match before being cut off.
Bryan Danielson said that while their feud would be about the title someday, right now, it was about a match between the two of them to see who was better. Bryan cut Callis off once again before adding that he came to AEW to face Kenny Omega, the Best Bout Machine.
Bryan added that instead, all he had seen was a guy surrounded by stooges and let Callis talk for him. The American Dragon did not mince words as he demanded a match from Omega. Omega finally accepted Bryan Danielson's challenge.
Miro responds to Fuego Del Sol's challenge
Miro had a message for Fuego. He said that everyone he had redeemed had moved on to something better, but Fuego had decided to come back for more. Miro promised to bash Fuego's brains in before bashing his car.
Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston vs. 2point0 (AEW Dynamite main event)
The main event of AEW Dynamite saw Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston facing Jeff Parker and Matt Lee of 2point0, who were accompanied by Daniel Garcia. Mox and Kingson were assaulted on their way down to the ring, but Moxley took control of the match early on after the bell rang.
2point0 quickly took control of the match with the babyfaces on the ropes. Moxley was isolated as Daniel Garcia talked trash from ringside. Parker locked in a kneebar as Matt Lee tagged in. Lee went for a cover but only got a two-count. 2point0 continued trading tags, isolating Moxley.
Moxley tried to fight back, but Parker took him down with a boot and tagged Lee back in. 2point0 was doing a great job at this point, trading tags and staying fresh. Parker took a cheap shot at Kingston before tagging out. Moxley wiped out Matt Lee with a clothesline before tagging in Eddie Kingston.
Eddie Kingston took down both members of 2point0 with some massive right hands followed by machine-gun chops in the corner. He followed it up with a spinning back fist to Jeff Parker and then a DDT to Matt Lee. Moxley and Eddie Kingston then finished Jeff Parker before Mox pinned him to win the main event of AEW Dynamite.
Result: Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston def. 2point0
Grade: B+
Minoru Suzuki's music hit after the match as he came down to the ring. Lance Archer pulled Eddie Kingston out of the squared circle as Suzuki and Moxley battled at ringside.
Suzuki sent Moxley head-first into the ring post as Archer and Kingston brawled into the crowd.
Suzuki and Mox continued to fight on the timekeeper's table as Mox caught Suzuki in the eye with a microphone. The show went off the air as referees tried to separate Suzuki and Moxley.
