Tonight's AEW Dynamite from Ontario, California is the go-home show for Saturday's Full Gear pay-per-view.
The Like a Dragon Gaiden street fight will feature Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, Paul Wight, and Kota Ibushi teaming against Konosuke Takeshita, Powerhouse Hobbs, Kyle Fletcher, and Brian Cage. Omega & Jericho will face The Young Bucks at Full Gear with a future AEW Tag Team title shot on the line.
Blackpool Combat Club's Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta will take on Orange Cassidy & Hook on tonight's show. Cassidy defends the International Championship against Moxley at Full Gear.
Prior to his two matches at Full Gear, World Champion & ROH Tag Team Champion MJF will speak on tonight's program. MJF & a mystery partner defend the ROH Tag titles on Saturday, plus MJF defends the World title against Jay White at Full Gear.
The Young Bucks will be in tag team action this evening against Penta El Zero Miedo & Komander.
In a TBS title eliminator match, Red Velvet will face Skye Blue. The winner will be added to the Kris Statlander vs. Julia Hart TBS Championship match at Full Gear.
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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz as we see footage of last week’s attack by masked men on The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass, as we’re told security has been beefed up tonight.
Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta defeated International Champion Orange Cassidy & FTW Champion HOOK
(This was easily the most competitive HOOK match in his AEW career I’d say. He held his own with the upper level of competition, as we are absolutely getting HOOK vs. Yuta for the FTW Title, but as of this moment, it’s not official for the PPV, yet. I like having Cassidy being forced to realize maybe one of the biggest moves in his arsenal might not work against Moxley this Saturday, thus really shaking his confidence going forward.)
Cassidy & HOOK went through the crowd to attack Moxley & Yuta before the bell, as there was an all out brawl before the match officially began. HOOK & Yuta went to the ring to start things off, as Moxley & Cassidy continued in the stands. HOOK connected on an El Camino and Judo throw on Yuta before Moxley made the tag and dared HOOK to fight him, as HOOK obliged with a release German. Moxley quickly fought back and made equally as fast tags with Yuta, keeping HOOK isolated. HOOK tried REDRUM on Moxley, but was pulled outside by Yuta, as Cassidy came flying in with a dive to save his partner. Cassidy made the hot tag and hit a diving top rope DDT on Moxley before unleashing the little kicks that ramped up in intensity. Moxley countered as tilt a whirl DDT and turned it into a Hart Attack with Yuta as the BCC were in control heading to commercial.
Moxley mocked the little kicks from Cassidy, but ate a kip up dropkick that led to the double down. Yuta & HOOK tagged in and slugged it out until HOOK hit a Northern Lights for two. Yuta was able to skin the cat low and hit a release German, but HOOK answered with one of his own. Yuta no sold into a rolling elbow and both collided with a double clothesline. Both slowly rose to their feet, but Moxley leveled HOOK from behind until Cassidy made the save. HOOK leveled Yuta with a lariat, but took too long to follow up and Moxley appeared with a Cutter out of nowhere. Cassidy popped in and leveled Cassidy with an Orange Punch, but Moxley no sold it and sent Cassidy packing. HOOK was planted with a Death Rider, as Yuta got the seatbelt pin for the victory.
Post match, Moxley said Cassidy is and will always be nothing and he’s going to grind him to dust and become the International Champion again. Excalibur talked about the confidence of Cassidy being shattered due to Moxley no selling the Orange Punch. HOOK briefly had REDRUM applied to Moxley and Taz said that seemed to have more an effect on him than the Punch did.
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Hangman Adam Page & Swerve Strickland Face To Face
Tony Schiavone is in the ring and informs us all that if there is any physicality tonight, the match Saturday will not only be called off, but each man will be suspended for the rest of 2023. Schiavone tried to ask Strickland how he justified going into a Page’s house when Strickland took the mic, but Page answered and said it’s because Strickland is a waste of life and a dumbass. Page said Strickland is dumber today than he was 2 years ago when he got fired. Page says Strickland doesn’t have it in him to be AEW Champion, he’s not man enough, and it’s the reason his fiancé left him and why his kids won’t talk to him. Strickland surrounds himself with yes men, as Prince Nana is just using him while doing his little dance.
Page said the money Nana makes Strickland he uses to buy weed from high school kids and after Page is done kicking Strickland’s ass, he’s kicking Nana’s ass and taking his weed. You can audibly hear Taz cracking at that line. Strickland should never have come into Page’s house, but they don’t need cops because Page is the judge, jury and executioner at the bottom of hell. Page said the stipulation was not to lay hands on Strickland, but they didn’t say sh*t about Nana, as Page decked Nana and security intervened. Page beat down security and laid one out with a Buckshot Lariat as Strickland & Nana bailed and looked on from the ramp. Strickland never said a word during this segment.
-Lexy Nair is backstage with Roderick Strong & The Kingdom, as Strong said he knows who The Devil is and they call Adam Cole, who appears on the TV. Strong said 100% Max is The Devil, but Cole said it’s not Max, maybe it’s Strong, which Strong denied. Cole quickly hangs up, leaving Cole and crew frustrated.
Skye Blue defeated Red Velvet in a TBS Title Eliminator Match
(This match had a few hiccups in the early going, but really picked up in intensity the second half, with the crowd very much into it. With this win, Blue advances to Full Gear in a triple threat match for the TBS Title against Julia Hart and champion Kris Statlander.)
Kris Statlander is shown watching backstage; as Velvet blocked an arm drag and it led to a delayed stare down. Velvet did her splits into a choke in the corner, as Blue bailed outside to regroup and it benefitted, as a DDT on the apron led to Blue smashing Velvet into the barricade and steps, controlling the action heading into break. Blue was visibly heeling it up during picture in picture, mocking Velvet.
Velvet was trapped head first in the corner, where Blue fired off a thrust kick, trying a follow up powerbomb, which Velvet rolled through and there was a series of one count pin attempts before both ladies connected on head kicks into a double down. Velvet was up first with a cazadora into a bulldog for two. Both ladies went for their home run shots, but Velvet went for another bulldog, only this time, Blue caught her with Skye Fall for two of her own. Velvet countered the step up knee in the ropes into a powerbomb with a high stack.
Velvet hit a wheelbarrow victory roll out of the corner ala Cassandro, tried Just Desserts, but Blue rolled out and both ladies traded thrust kicks. Blue blocked a merry go round kick, hit a knee lift and really had to work for a Code Blue to win it. Statlander was again shown watching, but Julia Hart was as well this time.
-A video package of Miro talking about his hot and flexible wife bringing in a storm to AEW. For years, he stood by and let her do whatever she wanted. CJ has a tendency to bring out the worst not only in herself, but Miro as well. Miro said he plans to show that to Daniel Garcia this week on Collision.
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-RJ City is backstage with Mariah May at a locker room that says Not Toni Storm, as Luther answers at first and slams the door shut, so RJ has to put in a good word. Luther opens the door and May told Storm how much of a fan she is, she’s come from Stardom, just like Storm did. Storm said she wasn’t doing autographs and didn’t catch a word of that. May said if she needed anything and left, as Storm told Luther to get Tony Khan to give her a tune up match on Friday and also a luffa.
Samoa Joe defeated Jon Cruz
(Well, I guarantee Serpentico was cheering for Cruz in this one, but it was just not mean to be. The missed cross body is absolutely gif worthy.)
Cruz tried to throw low kicks and Joe just checked them all and flattened him. Joe lit up Cruz with corner shots, ending in an enzugiri. Cruz tried to fight back and attempted a cross body off the top, which Joe side stepped and Cruz’s reaction mid air was priceless. Joe slapped on the Coquina Clutch for the quick win. Joe took the mic post match and again offered MJF his hand of friendship, but the time is running out. “I am Samoa Joe and I am inevitable.”
-A video package of Tony Khan’s Continental Classic announcement is recapped from Collision this past week. Bryan Danielson is the first participant in the 12 man G1 style field. If Danielson can’t get to New Japan for a G1 before his full time career wraps, might as well bring the G1 to him. I can't wait to see who else will be involved in this.
The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) defeated Penta el Zero Miedo & Komander (w/Alex Abrahantes)
(This match was phenomenal and filled with just as many high spots that you would expect from these four. As if there were any question The Bucks would be heels going into Saturday, this answered that, as they actually got the crowd to boo them for the finish. While I miss Rey Fenix, it’d be foolish to say Komander didn’t shine here, he was excellent, as were Penta & The Bucks as well.)
Nick and Komander started fast, but both men’s partners made blind tags and we get a wild series of missed moves before everyone collided with big boots and a quadruple kip up. The Bucks shook hands, but turned it into a Superkick Party and opted to shake hands with each other instead. The Bucks followed with double dives before back inside, Matt ran right into a superkick by Penta. An assisted rocket launcher cross body by Komander connected, but as he flipped into a cazadora, Nick was right there with a slingshot face buster heading into picture in picture.
15% friendly fire by The Bucks as things returned from break, as Komander hit a step up twisting hurricanrana on Nick off the ropes, followed by a tight rope walk hurricanrana sending Nick crashing onto his brother outside. Penta met The Bucks soon after with a dive, before one Sling Blade back inside on Matt and another dive on Nick. Penta started a Superkick Party of his own before Komander launched off his partner for a double spike DDT. Penta dropped Matt with Made in Japan for two, as Komander wants his rope walk Shooting Stat, but Matt caught him with rolling Nothern Lights. The Bucks tried a Meltzer Driver, but Komander cut things off, while Penta hit Fear Factor on Nick on the apron. Komander, meanwhile, hit a snap hurricanrana pin on Matt for two.
While Matt was in a fireman’s carry by Penta, Komander walked the ropes and sprung off his back to deliver a Destroyer onto Nick, as Penta hit his new fireman’s carry Jackhammer for two. Matt & Penta had a slugfest before trading superkicks and pump kicks. Matt held his leg and referee Rick Knox checked on him, allowing Nick to hit multiple low blows and Judas Effect on Komander. The Bucks connected on the BTE Trigger to win it.
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-Lexy Nair is backstage with The Young Bucks and asks them why they cheated to win tonight? Matt said sources told him The Bucks don’t give a damn anymore, as Kenny Omega walked in and talked about The Bucks of old. Nick said their heat isn’t with Omega; it’s with Jericho, someone he won’t have to team with anymore after they win on Saturday and can focus on The Elite again. Jericho walks in and tries to get Omega to leave with him, calling The Bucks “kids” as a pull apart happened between The Bucks & Jericho, as Omega was just stuck in the middle.
The Gunns (Austin & Colten w/Juice Robinson) defeated Peter Avalon & Jacoby Watts
Instantly The Gunns chucked Avalon outside and hit 3:10 to Yuma on Watts to win it. Post match, they told MJF this is what happens when it’s 2 on 2, imagine what it’ll be like 2 on 1 at Full Gear.
-A video package of Wardlow training is shown, who said he saw fear in the Devil’s eyes, as MJF’s time is running out. As God as his witness, Wardlow will make The Devil his bitch, as the camera cut to The Devil before quickly cutting away.
Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, Kota Ibushi & Paul Wight defeated Konosuke Takeshita, Powerhouse Hobbs, Kyle Fletcher & Brian Cage in a Like a Dragon Gaiden Street Fight
(A whole heck of a lot happened in this match and I tried my best to cover it all, but there were some wild spots in this one. They did keep Paul Wight’s involvement in this to a minimum, but the one bump he took looked brutal. Speaking of brutal bumps, seeing someone take a brainbuster on a bicycle was wild, as was the superplex to the floor by Cage on Omega. This feud has to continue at least somehow, since the only unofficial Don Callis Family member took the loss here.)
Ibushi & Omega are in their ring gear, while Jericho & Wight are rocking suits. Immediately everyone starts brawling, as Jericho got a bat shot in on Fletcher, as Wight was there to choke slam him off the stage through a table before going backstage, leaving it three on three. Ibushi & Takeshita are in the ring slugging it out, as Ibushi absorbs the strikes before Omega joins and The Golden Lovers fire off their signature double team offense. Ibushi & Omega take a really long time, waiting for Cage & Takeshita to get into position to hit the double Golden Triangle moonsaults. We see Wight & Hobbs outside of the arena, with Wight slamming Hobbs on the hood of a car. Jericho & Omega take turns whacking Takeshita & Cage with signs before Omega tries to use a barbed wire bat, but Takeshita fights him off, as Cage launched Jericho into the ring attendant table. Ibushi rode a bicycle down the ramp, as Excalibur couldn’t help himself to do a Dusty Rhodes impression, as Ibushi had a pipe in hand and hit the lightest shots you’ll ever see on Takeshita & Fletcher before actually taking a neck bump off the bicycle by a Cage clothesline.
Outside, we cut to Hobbs, who actually has Wight up in a bodyslam position and tosses him off a stack of wood onto the hood of the car in a wild looking spot. Back to the ring, Takeshita has the bicycle in the ring and is using it as a weapon on everyone in his path before delivering a brainbuster on Ibushi onto the bicycle. We go to commercial and when things return, Jericho & Takeshita are backstage brawling, while Hobbs is trash talking Wight, who is still being attended to by doctors following his fall.
Cage set up tables ringside, as Fletcher has recovered and returned to the ring, as a pallet has been brought in the ring, where Omega was slammed on it via double suplex. Fletcher wanted a bottle shot on Omega, but Omega fought off both men and popped Cage with a V-Trigger. Fletcher charged and Omega blasted him with the bottle, possibly cutting his own hand in the process. Ibushi flew in to save his partner, while Takeshita & Jericho continue their brawl backstage, where Takeshita climbed the refrigerators, dove off and Jericho used a fire extinguisher before hitting a Judas Effect. The Golden Lovers wanted a home run shot on Cage, but Hobbs appeared and laid both out with World Strongest Slams. In an amazing spot, Cage hit a superplex from the ring to the floor through the set up tables before going to another commercial break.
Jericho appeared in the crowd and made his way to the ring to get revenge on Hobbs, who was there to meet and flatten Jericho with a spinebuster. Hobbs missed a corner splash and Jericho hit a Code Breaker, but Cage was there for a F5. Omega & Fletcher took turns with Snap Dragons, as Fletcher, bleeding from the bottle shot, brought Ibushi to the apron and hit a Tombstone through a sign set up on a stack of chairs. Omega & Jericho hit a V-Trigger and Judas Effect on Hobbs before duct taping him to the ropes and taping his mouth as week. Somehow, Ibushi is up before Fletcher and tosses chairs to Jericho & Omega. Cage was still alive, as he dropped Jericho with a pump handle slam, tried a Drill Claw on Omega, but Jericho hit a bat shot. After a few V-Triggers and One Winged Angel on Cage, Omega won it.
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MJF walks to the ring and said no matter how hard he tries to out run his past, it’ll catch up to him, sometimes he feels cursed. MJF apologizes to The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass for getting caught up in the crossfire that is MJF and hopes they feel better. All MJF has ever wanted was to be a champion and he’s proud to say he’s made it to that mountain top. However, the air up on that mountain is thin and sees challengers trying to climb up at every direction. MJF is afraid he’s going to let the fans down, just like he did Adam Cole & The Acclaimed. The old MJF would’ve ran, but despite being afraid, he’s not willing to quit and you need to send an army to make him come down off the mountain. Jay White has been walking around with a title he hasn’t earned and this Saturday has a chance to knock MJF off the mountain, but he doesn’t think he can, nor will anyone else. MJF said whoever stole his Devil mask, he will find them and there will be hell to pay.
Switchblade Jay White appeared on stage and told MJF to cut the act and stop embarrassing himself. MJF is trying so hard to be the hero when he’s always been the villain. MJF isn’t fooling anyone with his Devil mask diversions, since MJF has said he’s the Devil on multiple occasions. White said MJF should know how quickly the fans will turn on him, but MJF knows that because he hasn’t changed. White said MJF’s days as champion are numbered and said all his catchphrases before saying he had two words for MJF…Get Him. Bullet Club Gold snuck in from behind and was laid out with a Left Hand of God by Juice Robinson and 3:10 to Yuma by The Gunns, as White hit a Blade Runner for good measure, covering MJF for a three count. Commentary talk about how MJF is all alone and he has no allies heading into Full Gear. The show ends with Bullet Club Gold standing tall over MJF, with Samoa Joe watching from backstage, Taz saying the offer still stands; MJF might want to take Joe up on it.
AEW Collision 11/17/23
· Dax Harwood takes on Rush
· Saraya & Ruby Soho vs. Kris Statlander & Hikaru Shida
· Miro vs. Daniel Garcia
AEW Rampage 11/17/23
· Renee Paquette has individual sit down interviews with MJF & Switchblade Jay White
· Timeless Toni Storm takes on Emi Sakura
AEW Full Gear 11/18/23
· MJF defends the AEW World Title against Switchblade Jay White
· Hangman Adam Page vs. Swerve Strickland in a Texas Death Match
· TNT Champion Christian Cage, Luchasaurus & Nick Wayne vs. Sting, Darby Allin & Adam Copeland
· Orange Cassidy defends the AEW International Title against Jon Moxley
· The Golden Jets (Chris Jericho & Kenny Omega) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson)
· Hikaru Shida defends the AEW Women’s Title against Timeless Toni Storm
· Kris Statlander vs. Julia Hart vs. Skye Blue for the TBS Title
· Ricky Starks & Big Bill vs. FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) vs. Kings of the Black Throne (Malakai Black & Brody King) vs. La Faccion Ingobernable (Rush & Dralistico) for the AEW Tag Team Titles
· MJF defends the ROH Tag Team Titles against The Gunns (Austin & Colten)