AEW Dynamite comes at ya live from the Indiana Farmers Coliseum (their logo has Garfield!) in Indianapolis, Indiana! That’s right, AEW comes back to the Midwest, the best part of the United States. This episode has stories of when push comes to shove, when two men with histories of broken necks clash, and when two friends compete in tournament action. Let’s dig in!
MJF Speaks Live
Following the shove by Samoa Joe at All Out, the owner of the Triple-B has some words to say. It’s been a long time since Maxwell Jacob Friedman was that young man who was pushed in that NXT hallway. He’s not going to stay punked out by the aging wrestler, no matter how intimidating and formidable he is, or how much Adam Cole tries to stop this. Pride is too damning.
Darby Allin vs Nick Wayne (World Title Eliminator Tournament Quarterfinal)
Master versus protégé here, as Nick Wayne tests just how far he’s come against the man who helped bring him to All Elite Wrestling – but can he overcome? Darby Allin, he may be due for a match against fellow pillar, MJF, after all.
Trent Beretta vs Roderick Strong (World Title Eliminator Tournament Quarterfinal)
Both men with bad neck issues? No problem! These hard-hitting goofballs are set to fight for a chance at MJF and the Triple-B! Beretta and his team of Best Friends have seen highs and lows, but what if he were to climb just a bit higher? Of course, Roderick Strong is a backbreaker, so he could use his strength and brute force to make his way to an end of heartache. Maybe then, Adam Cole will leave MJF and come back to him in this soap opera saga. Preaching to the choir here, but Roddy’s gimmick as a sad, pathetic, injured dad with glasses has been hilarious and a great key player in the main event storyline and if I were in charge, this run would never end. Not in my neck of the woods, at least.
Kris Statlander (c) vs Emi Sakura (TBS Championship)
Statlander defends her gold against the Queen, Emi Sakura! Though she didn’t appear on the card for All In, it’s nice to see her featured more on television lately – a trend I hope Tony Khan maintains! Kris hits hard as a buff competitor, but Emi Sakura is stiff as well, and is no slouch!
Jon Moxley (c) vs AR Fox (AEW International Championship Open Challenge)
Following his momentous win over Orange Cassidy at All Out which I’m sure was an absolute bloodbath of epic proportions, Jon Moxley defends his new gold against indie veteran AR Fox. Fox, who had been kicked out of the Mogul Embassy ahead of AEW All In, likely needs something to move him forward after this betrayal by Swerve Strickland stripped him of any momentum he would have had. Could he overcome the tenacity and deadliness of the Blackpool Combat Club leader, or will Mox retain in an effort sure to make his reign just as memorable as Cassidy’s?
There you have it folks, a night of action and revenge and friendship. What will the night have in store for us? For now, I think the locker room may be more at ease with the removal of CM Punk within the company, but perhaps the rift and drama created by his presence may have some lasting impact. It’s hard to say, but we shall see, because I have faith!
Catch AEW: Dynamite tonight at 8ᴘᴍ ET/ 7ᴘᴍ CT on TBS.
