Bryan Danielson has a lot to prove. Having never won the AEW World Championship, he has vowed to retire if he can’t beat Swerve Strickland for the title at All In. To prove that he has what it takes to do so, on Wednesday night’s episode of Dynamite, Danielson challenged Jeff Jarrett in an Anything Goes match. And while it wasn’t a classic, it was a fun and wild main event and the highlight of an otherwise middling show that was all about the build to All In.

 

Match 1: MJF (c) vs. Kyle Fletcher – Eliminator Match

MJF wore stars and stripes themed gear like he was cosplaying Lex Luger at SummerSlam 1993. Don Callis joined the commentary team and he reminded everyone that Fletcher is the best friend of Will Ospreay -who MJF defends the title against at All In. Ospreay was shown watching the match on TV in the back.

MJF was aggressive early on, and after wrenching Fletcher’s arm over the top rope, he had Fletcher in pain. MJF did some ground and pound and then hit a big Shoulder-Breaker to neutralize Fletcher. But when MJF got too cocky and went for a Running Kangaroo Kick, Fletcher caught him with a Superkick.

 

Then it was his turn to put a beating on MJF, hitting a Spinning Side Slam for a near-fall. He then hit a Running Kick that sent MJF from the apron to the floor and followed that up with a Running Dive, and followed that up with a huge Moonsault to the floor.

Fletcher tried for another aerial assault in the ring, but MJF rolled to the floor and sat down on a ringside chair. Fletcher stupidly took the bait, and MJF sent him crashing into the chair in a missed charging attack. Then MJF did the same thing, and crashed hard, sending him flipping over the ringside barrier and into the crowd, where he was hit with a huge Flying Bomb by Flecher.

Back in the ring, and Fletcher hit a Flying Elbow Smash, but MJF kicked out at 2. They battled some more, with MJF targeting the arm to get an edge. He hit a Hammerlock DDT that looked tremendous and absolutely should have ended the match, but Fletcher kicked out.

Then they both started hitting big moves and no-selling them. In a particularly indyriffic spot, Fletcher no-sold a Canadian Destroyer and then hit a big Clothesline. Fletcher went for a Superplex, but MJF escaped by either biting him or kissing him – the camera positioning didn’t make it clear. More big moves, including a big Tombstone Piledriver by Fletcher for 2.999.

After MJF kicked out of that, Don Callis left the commentary desk and tossed a screwdriver into the ring for Fletcher to use. Fletcher picked it up but hesitated and threw it away. MJF capitalized on this and hit a low blow, before putting Fletcher away with a Brain Buster.

After the match, they showed Will Ospreay trying to leave the room where he was watching TV. He was momentarily trapped as someone had blocked the door with a bunch of road cases, but broke through.

Meanwhile, in the ring, MJF knocked out the referee with his title belt, and then knocked Fletcher out with a Diamond Ring loaded punch. MJF then climbed on top of Fletcher and punched him repeatedly with the ring, busting Fletcher’s forehead open.

MJF then yelled out that he was going to do what Ospreay was scared to do, threatening to hit Fletcher with the Tiger Driver 91. But Ospreay hit the ring and MJF skedaddled.

Ospreay cradled Fletcher’s head and he and Callis implored the ringside medic to check on Fletcher’s condition. Callis questioned why Ospreay wasn’t there to save Fletcher from the beating in the first place, while Ospreay fretted about Fletcher’s condition.

 

This sure had a lot of big moves, but the whole heel-face dynamic was a mess, both during and post-match. Fletcher really isn’t a sympathetic character, so who cares if he got bloodied up. And then the sequence ended with drama between Callis and Ospreay, with MJF almost forgotten about, despite that he should be the one that the crowd focused their hatred onto. Finally, the whole thing seems to suggest that Callis will align with MFJ at All In and screw over Ospreay. But MJF doesn’t really need Callis. Meanwhile, it seems that Fletcher may split from Callis. And if anyone needs a mouthpiece like Callis to inject some personality into his act, it’s Fletcher.

Winner: MJF

A video package aired hyping up tonight’s Anything Goes match between Jeff Jarrett and Bryan Danielson. Danielson said he was going to prove to Jarrett that he does have what it takes to be all in. Jarrett said he will be happy to help Danielson prove whether he’s ready to take on Swerve Strickland at All In for the World Championship.  Ricky Steamboat will be there as a guest to see the match, and he said he is happy to be there for the match between two people he respects so much.

 

Match 2: Mariah May vs.  Viva Van

Van charged May at the bell, but ran into a big Headbutt that stunned her. Mariah then took over, hitting a German Suplex and then a Missile Dropkick before stomping a mudhole into Van. May started jawing with the ref and Van tried to capitalize, but just got beaten up some more for her troubles.

This should have ended in a 20-second squash, but instead they felt compelled to go through a Picture-in-Picture break. When they returned, May was still in control, beating the tar out of Van before kissing her on the cheek and running her over with a Running Knee. May hit May Day, but opted to not pin Van, but rather sent a message to Toni Storm – who she will challenge for the Women’s Championship at All In – by hitting Storm Front for the pin.

After the match, a ringside attendant offered a present to May. She opened it, and inside was a photo of Toni Storm hugging May. On the back was written “Die Mariah Die” which is German for The Mariah The.

 

Mariah threw the photo down and turned around, and got attacked by Storm who was disguised as a ringside attendant. May was initially surprised but caught Storm with a knee to the gut. May got the high heel shoe and was going to clobber Storm with it, but Storm recovered and got the shoe. Before she could stab Mariah with it, the security team and a bunch of referees ran into the ring and separated them. Storm held up the photo in defiance as May headed to the back.

 

This was a showcase for May that could have – and should have – ended a lot quicker. The post-match stuff was fine.

Winner: Mariah May

A video package aired, hyping the All In match that will see Jack Perry defend the TNT Championship against Darby Allin. The video saw Perry smash a bunch of TVs with an axe. Which is what I want to do when I see a match featuring his Young Bucks buddies.

In the back, Darby Allin was wearing a fluffy pink bathrobe. He basically said that Jack Perry’s time as champion will come to an end when he fights Jack Perry.

 

Match 3: Bryan Keith vs. Katsuyori Shibata

The commentators said that Taz had been escorted out of the building by security at the behest of Chris Jericho, who joined the commentary team, accompanied by Big Bill.

The two of them hit each other hard, and the match spilled to the floor for a while, where Keith worked over Shibata’s arm. The match went back and forth between the ring and the floor during the Picture-in-Picture. They finally had a slugging exchange in the middle of the ring, with Keith getting the upper hand after a Headbutt and a few big throws.

Shibata then hit some strikes and locked on a Claw. He converted that into an Armbar, and Keith immediately tapped out.

After the match, Jericho and Big Bill ran into the ring and they put a 3-on-1 beating on Shibata.Keith and Bill held Shibata up, but before Jericho could clobber him with the TNT Title, HOOK’s music hit, and he ran into the ring. Keith bailed, and HOOK chucked Bill over the rope and to the floor. He blasted Jericho with some punches before Jericho scurried away.

The match was a bit slow and plodding, but was all about the return of HOOK anyway.

Winner: Katsuyori Shibata

In the back, Renee Paquette was with Orange Cassidy. His partners aren’t there tonight because of travel issues. Unfortunately, he is there, so we’re going to have to see him in a match. He said he found some local talents to team with him in his match tonight.

In the back, Renee interviewed Hangman Adam Page and reminded him that he has lost pretty much every match since returning to AEW. Page cut a too-scripted promo in a melodramatic soap-opera delivery like he was in a high school drama class. He apparently has unfinished business with World Champion Swerve Strickland.

 

Sit-Down interview with Swerve Strickland

They cut to an interview that Jim Ross conducted with Strickland earlier today. Strickland said that he is excited and motivated about being in the main event at All In. About his past evil actions, Strickland said that he’s had to make his own opportunities and that’s why he did what he did. He said that he knows that Danielson is going to be a tough opponent and knows that Danielson will be competing like it’s his last match ever. Because Danielson wants to use this march to prove his legacy. Strickland said that he controls the narrative. He doesn’t care about Danielson’s family. He said that he thinks Danielson’s body will give up on him, and that he will beat Danielson, and take over Danielson’s legacy.

This was fine. I love JR and think he’s the best play-by-play commentator of all time. But he didn’t look or sound 100% here, and it was kind of sobering.

 

Match 4: Orange Cassidy and FTR (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood) vs. Rush, The Beast Mortos, and Roderick Strong (w/ Matt Taven and Mike Bennett)

Taz was back at the commentary desk, and so was Don Callis, since his man Rush was in the match. What a shame that when FTR finally gets a TV match, they’re dragged down by the dreck that is Orange Cassidy.

FTROC took control early, and then when Orange Cassidy put his hands in his pockets, I hit fast-forward because I can’t stand that nonsense. I zipped through the Picture-in-Picture and when we returned, Cash Wheeler was trapped in the wrong corner and taking punishment from Strong and the luchadores. He finally made the tag and Dax mounted a comeback, nearly pinning Strong a few times.

Dax had Strong up top but Strong slipped through and Dax ended up on the mat where he was hit with a huge Somersault Dive off the top by Mortos. Mortos and Rush then distracted the referee, allowing Taven and Bennett to sneak-attack Dax on the floor.

They went through another Picture-in-Picture, and when we got back, Dax was getting beaten up in the ring. He got the tag to a fresh OC who cleaned house, including hitting a Spinning DDT on Mortos. He signalled for the Orange Crush but a distraction by Strong saw OC get turned into pulp with a Spear by Mortos.

The match got chaotic with everyone getting in the ring and hitting moves all over the place. Mortos hit a great Tornado Dive on Cash on the floor, but then got dumped over the ringside barrier by OC and he landed on Taven and Bennett who were sitting in the front row. Rush tried for a charging attack but ate an Orange Punch. And then another Orange Punch, which sent him staggering backwards into the Shatter Machine, and that was all she wrote for Rush.

 

After the match, the Acclaimed came out to the entrance ramp. Rather than engage in a war of words, FTR went out to the floor, and they tried to brawl, but a security team broke it up and separated them.

The match was a chaotic mess at times. Mortos has had a good showing since joining AEW, and they have an opportunity to truly make him a star. Hopefully they don’t do what TNA/Impact did with him and keep him as a low- to mid-carder, because he could really be a breakout star.

Winners: Orange Cassidy and FTR

It was announced that a Casino Gauntlet Match will take place at All In, with the winner getting a guaranteed shot at the World Championship.

They showed highlights from last Saturday’s episode of Collision that saw Christian Cage and the Patriarchy being assaulted by both the House of Black and the Bang Bang Gang. After that came a pre-taped promo by Christian and the Patriarchy. Christian said he talked with some people and on Saturday, the Bang Bang Gang will have to face the House of Black, with the winner getting a Trios Championship match against the Patriarchy at All In. But for that match, Christian will be the special referee.

A hype video aired for Hologram.

 

Match 5: Kamille (w/ Mercedes Mone) vs. Jazmyne Hao and Clara Carter – 2-on-1 Match

Carter and Hao might as well have been named Cannon Fodder, because that’s what they were for Kamille. She blasted Carter with a huge Boot to the Head, and then destroyed Hao with some strikes.

 

Cannon Fodder tried to fight back, but Kamille was having none of it. She hit Carter with a Torture Rack Powerbomb and then Hao with a Dominator, and then pinned them both simultaneously.

After the match, Mone took the mic. She told the fans not to chant for Britt Baker, who has been suspended, and won’t be back until she challenges Mercedes for the TBS Championship at All In.

She was interrupted by Tony Schiavone who said that Tony Khan has overruled the Young Bucks’ decision to suspend Baker, and he threw to the Khan-Tron where Baker appeared.

Baker said that she is committed to their match, and committed to AEW, unlike Mercedes who Baker said will leave whenever she doesn’t get her way. Baker said that AEW is her home, not a temporary stop. Baker said she will be the first female in AEW to beat Mercedes. And warned Mercedes that she will get her hands on her next week.

 

This was a great showcase for Kamille. And then they ruined it by putting Mercedes on the mic. But kind of salvaged it with Baker’s promo.

Winner: Kamille

A video package hyped Bryan Danielson vs. Swerve Strickland for the World Championship at All In. Danielson said if he doesn’t win the title, he will never wrestle again. It’s title vs. career.

They showed highlights (if you can call it that) of the match from last Saturday’s Collision where Claudio Castagnoli beat Lee Moriarty and Tomohiro Ishii in a three-way match to earn a title match against Kazuchika Okada for the International Championship. Okada and Claudio will go face-to-face next week.

 

Match 6: Jeff Jarrett vs. Bryan Danielson – Anything Goes Match

Ricky “the Dragon” Steamboat was introduced before the match and headed to the commentary desk.

Danielson was introduced first, and as he was coming down the ramp, Jarrett ran out and clocked him in the back with a guitar. Karen Jarrett and Jay Lethal ran out, seemingly questioning Jarrett why he did what he did, but Double J told them to leave. Jarrett smashed Danielson with the guitar again and then threw Danielson into the ring. As he did, Jarrett told Danielson he warned him to get ready – so presumably this is some kind of tough love lesson to motivate Danielson for his upcoming match against Swerve.

Jarrett then smashed Danielson with a chair before throwing him over the ringside barrier, and they brawled in the bleachers among the fans. They slugged it out up the stairs and headed into the concourse, where Jarrett blasted him with some garbage cans.

Danielson fought back with some beer can punches and then nailed him with some Yes Kicks, while the fans circled them in the hallway. A low blow by Jarrett stopped Danielson’s momentum, and then Jarrett threw a garbage can at Danielson, and then Suplexed him onto it. That looked excellent.

 

Jarrett’s fists had Danielson ping-ponging off the fans who had encircled the brawl, and if I were there, Tony Khan would be getting hit with a pretty substantial lawsuit today, but these people seemed more excited about being part of the show then the potential payday.

Danielson turned the tide and this time it was Jarrett who was Suplexed onto the garbage can before they fought their way back down the crowd and back to the ring during Picture-in-Picture. On the floor, Jarrett used a chair again, smashing Danielson a few times both on the floor and in the ring, pausing only to wedge a chair in the turnbuckles for later use.

Danielson fired back with a Running Elbow Strike and then a Running Dropkick in the corner before hitting ten punches and biting Jeff’s forehead. He then sent Jarrett to the f-l-double-o-r and hit a Flying Dive before laying in more Yes Kicks.

But the wily veteran Jarrett perfectly-timed a chair shot and hit Danielson in the knee when Danielson went for a Knee Strike. He tried to end Danielson with a top rope move, but Danielson turned it around and Jarrett hit the mat hard before eating a Missile Dropkick and even more Yes Kicks.

Jarrett dodged a Boot to the Head, and locked on a Figure-Four Leglock, looking to hurt Danielson’s leg even more. But Danielson escaped it by smashing Jarrett’s legs with a chair. They both got to their feet where Jarrett hit a Stroke, but Danielson kicked out.

 

Jarrett locked on a Sharpshooter, but Danielson rolled it over and transitioned it into the LeBell Lock, but Jarrett escaped. They had a slug exchange in the middle of the ring. Jarrett tried for another Stroke, but Danielson pushed him off, sending Jarrett into the corner where his head collided with Chekhov’s Chair. Stunned, Jarrett had no defense when Danielson hit a chair-assisted Flying Goat Knee that knocked Jarrett silly and down for the 1-2-3.

After the match, Karen, Lethal, and Sonjay Dutt came into the ring to check on Jarrett – who was bleeding from the head after that last kick – while Wheeler Yuta came in to check on Danielson’s knee.

Ricky Steamboat came into the ring and helped both men up and raised both of their hands. In a sign of mutual respect, Jarrett and Danielson shook hands and embraced.

This was a fun one. Despite the hardcore nature of the match, there wasn’t anything that looked like it actually hurt Danielson, as too many times it appears that he is taking unnecessary risks. At this stage of his career, Jarrett probably doesn’t need to take on these types of matches – but his performances are invariably good, and this one was no exception.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

 

Cue the music for Swerve Strickland who came to the entrance ramp, accompanied by Dancing Prince Nana. Swerve said that he, Jarrett, and Steamboat have all been world champions on this network, but he stands in the way of Danielson joining that club. Swerve said it would be an honour to beat Danielson at All In, retire him, and take his legacy.

Swerve said that if Danielson is in rough shape after the match with Jarrett, imagine what he will feel like after taking on Swerve. Swerve said that he would show how dangerous he can be when he takes on Wheeler Yuta in a match next week. He invited Danielson to sit ringside for the match so he can see how dangerous Swerve can be.

Swerve and Yuta faced off as the show came to an end.

 

 

AEW Dynamite - August 7th, 2024
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LJVM Coliseum - Winston-Salem, NC

This week’s episode was all about the build to All In. By that measure, it worked well. But was it enjoyable watch?  Not particularly. The main event was fun and the Kamille match was effective. But everything else was pretty meh.