Dynamite: Copeland versus Suzuki; a match we didn’t know we needed

Boris Roberto Aguilar

Dynamite: Copeland versus Suzuki; a match we didn’t know we needed

Greetings and salutations! Its Wednesday and that means that its a new episode of AEW Dynamite. This week we are being treated to a match we never thought we’d ever see! Adam Copeland will face the murder Grandpa himself, Minoru Suzuki. Also on the show Swerve Strickland will take on Jeff Hardy. We will also have a AEW Trios Championship match as The Acclaimed and “Daddy Ass” Billy Gunn defend against Mogul Embassy. So without further ado, let’s get to the show!

Samoa Joe Speaks

Samoa Joe came to the ring and said that tonight is a night of celebration. Joe re-iterates that all opportunities need to be earned from here on out. Joe says that once they face him, it would be the worst night of their life. HOOK walks out and says that Joe beat him and he lost but said that he will face him again sometime. Joe then demands security to take him out of the ring….

Hangman Page VS Penta El Zero Miedo (with Alex Abrahantes)

Hangman and Penta shake hands and the two trade strikes. Penta with a kick, then a Slingblade for good measure to take Page down. Page slams Penta as a counter to a high-risk move and follows this up with a running Shooting Star Press that leads to a 2-count. Penta slowly comes back and the two trade chops now. Page sends Penta to the outside and then sends Penta hard to the ring post.

Back in the ring, Page continues his attack until Penta rallies back and sends Page outside. Penta with a dive to Page at ringside. Back in the ring, the momentum shifted again and Page hits a Death Valley Driver for a 2-count. Penta comes back with a kick, and vice versa, but Page wins this as he rocks Penta with a Powerbomb. Penta comes back with a Made in Japan. Page sends Penta to the outside and connects with a Moonsault. Penta is in the ring and Page set up for a Buckshot, but Penta evades it, that didn’t matter as Page hits a Clothesline and a Buckshot for the win.

Winner: Hangman Page

After the match, Page stares Samoa Joe down and says he’s going to take the title.

In the back, AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy is asked about facing Roderick Strong at AEW Revolution. Cassidy says he would have wrestled Strong last week but has to wait 6 weeks now. Cassidy says he’ll keep wrestling and defending his title while he waits. Cassidy then says he will wrestle on Collision.

In an interview with Alex Marvez, The Young Bucks were asked about their plans and they noted that backstage morale was through the roof. The bucks said that they were there to make sure the show runs smoothly. Top Flight walk by the Bucks, and The Bucks warn them that they will get fined if they’re late again. Top flight noted that theyve been there all day…

Wardlow (with Undisputed Kingdom) VS Trent Beretta (with Orange Cassidy, Rocky Romero, and Chuck Taylor)

Wardlow dominates Beretta, but Beretta gets a 2-count with a small package. Trent is able to send Wardlow outside and hits a dropkick through the ropes. Beretta jumps and Wardlow destroys him mid-air. Wardlow continues his attack as he sends Beretta into the barricade. Wardlow sends Beretta into the corner, but Beretta with a Knee Strike that sends Wardlow to the outside. Trent with a dive. He gets a chair and hits Wardlow while still on the outside. Beretta with a slam on the mat and then a tornado DDT, and ending this combo strike with a Spike Piledriver for a 2-count. Wardlow grabs Beretta and slams him, the hits a Powerbomb for the win.

Winner: Wardlow

After the match, Orange Cassidy, Rocky Romero, and Chuck Taylor check on Trent. Undisputed Era look on and Trent frustrated.

A video package hyping the match between Adam Copeland and Minoru Suzuki airs

Deonna Purrazzo and Toni Storm meet Face-to-Face

Renee Paquette introduces Deonna Purrazzo and AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm and her crew of Mariah May and Lutha. Storm brings up the body shaming that Purrazzo faced and said that there’s much more to shame her about. Storm acknowledges thatthey have history but says that doesn’t give her the right to demand a title shot. Storm notes that Purrazzo may be the best technical wrestler in the world, but she will twist Purrazzo’s lips so hard she’ll need an epidural.

Purrazzo says that she came to AEW to be champion and has no issues with earning a title shot. Purrazzo then says that this version of Toni Storm isn’t the one she wants to face. Purrazzo says she wants to wrestle the Storm she used to know. She says that version of Storm was one of the best in the world. Purrazzo tells Storm to find that version. Purrazzo brings up the face they have matching tattoos. This angers Storm as she throws her shoe at Purrazzo. Purrazzo tackles her and locks in an arm-bar. May with the save and Purrazzo with a high kick to Lutha as Storm runs away. Purrazzo stands tall as she holds the title over her head.

Jon Moxley is solo in the back and touts Blackpool Combat Club’s recent success. He says there’s always a bigger mountain to climb, and that’s what it takes to be elite. Mox says that there are too many people around here that don’t know what being “elite” means. Moxley says that he will maim anybody who can’t keep up and says that he will wrestle on Rampage.

Taya Valkyrie and her husband Johnny TV are in the back, Taya reintroduces herself and Johnny TV and says they’re the most TV-ready couple in AEW. She says she knows “The Virtuosa” very well puts out a challenge to Deonna Purrazzo.

Swerve Strickland (with Prince Nana) VS Jeff Hardy (with Matt Hardy)

Hardy hits a Swerve with a Russian Legsweep for a 2-count. Swerve comes right back with a Neckbreaker. The fight goes to ringside after Hardy dove onto Swerve. They fight thrugh ringside and into the crowd. Back in the ring, Swerve takes Hardy down, but hardy fights back and hits Whisper in the Wind. Strickland and Hardy continue to fight back and forth as they trade strikes. Hardy gets a bunch of strikes Sewrve is down and Hardy heads to the top, but Swerve is up and pushes Hardy off the top rope. Hardy with a Twist of Fate onto the steel steps. Back int he ring, Hardy sets up for a Swanton Bomb, but Swerve is up and hardy lands hard on the Mat. Swerve with a House Call for a 2-count. Hardy is up and gets a backslide on Swerve for a 2-count. Hardy tries another sneaky pin as he goes for an Inside Cradle. Swerve is up and hits a Flatliner, followed by a Delayed Vertical Suplex. Swerve climbs the ropes and hits the Swerve Stomp for the win.

Winner: Swerve Strickland

Backstage, Renee Paquette is with Hangman Adam Page and they talk about his perfect record in 2024. Swerve Strickland interrupts and the two argue and are ready to go to blows but Renee Paquette stops them as she announces that they will choose each other’s opponents next week on Dynamite.

Thunder Rosa VS Red Velvet

Velvet with the early advantage, until Rosa gets the momentum on her side as she hits a Running Dropkick in the ropes, followed by a Dropkick for a 2-count. Velvet hits Rosa with some body shots and stomps her, but Rosa hits a Shotgun dropkick followed by the Tijuana Bomb for the win.

Winner: Thunder Rosa

After the match, Rosa teases that she wants the AEW Women’s championship…

Darby Allin and Sting Interview

Darby Allin says that Sting has had an impact on his career since 2015. Allin says that seeing Sting not being able to end his career on his terms that night inspired him for how he goes out every night. Allin then recalls that in 2020 he sparred with Sting and knew Sting was back for good. Allin then says that since rankings are back, and they are undeafeated, they want a title shot. Allin asks Sting if he wants to finish his career as a champion. Sting in so many words says that he is “All in”. The Bucks were working hard a EVP’s during this as they are seen with headsets…

Backstage, AEW World Tag Team Champions Ricky Starks and Big Bill accept Sting and Darby Allin’s challenge. Starks says Sting won’t make it to AEW Revolution.

AEW World Trios Championship: The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) & “Daddy Ass” Billy Gunn (with Bullet Club Gold) VS Mogul Embassy (Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) (with Prince Nana)

Anthony Bowens starts things off with Brian Cage. Mogul Embassy gains the upper hand as Nana tries to interfere. As the interference is happening, Liona tosses Bowens to the floor. Mogul Embassy are then able to cut the ring in half and keep Bowens on their side. After some offense, Bowens rallies and tags Gunn, who clears house. The match breaks down into pandemonium 2024 as all 6 men brawl at the same time. Kaun with a chair but Jay White stops him, followed by The Gunns Powerbombing Nana through a table at ringside. Cage was dropped from behind by Bowens’ leg dro follwed by a Fame-Asser, Arrival, Mic Drop combo to give the champs a huge W.

Winners and still AEW World Trios Champions: The Acclaimed And “Daddy Ass” Billy Gunn

A quick vignette is shown for the upcoming return of Serena Deeb on Collision

Adam Copeland vs. Minoru Suzuki

Copeland and Suzuki trade punches and slaps right in the middle of the ring. Suzuki with a Knee on Copeland, then follows that up by locking in a Guillotine. The match spills outside and Copeland tackles Suzuki through a barricade. The ref is counting to 10 and both men barely make it back into the ring before the 10-count. Both men trade blows in the middle of the ring again and after some super Stiff punches, both men wobble down to the mat. Copeland hits the Impaler and then as he looks for a Spear, Suzuki evades and locks in a Fujiwara arm-bar. Copeland narrowly escapes and finally hits a Spear for a 2-count. Suzuki locks in a rear-naked sleeper and the ref checks on Copeland. Copeland nearly gets up at 2, but he manages to escape. Copeland then hits Suzuki on an unprotected turnbuckle and hits the Killswitch for the win.

Winner: Adam Copeland

TNT champ, Christian Cage is seen watching the match from the back. After the match, Copeland says that he has never been hit so hard in his life and extends a handshake to Suzuki, which was denied. Copeland says that it doesn’t surprise him. Copeland then says that the match was a war and that Cage knows nothing about a war. Copeland reminds everyone that he is still going after Cage. Copeland celebrates as the show closes…

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