The Opening
This edition of Dynamite was the go home show for Full Gear. It kicked of with a matchup between Bryan Danielson taking on Rocky Romero. They brought up on commentary the history between both men, mentioning their time training at the LA Dojo in the early 2000s and having matches against each other.
As well as their New Japan influences, citing Jushin Thunder Liger as a wrestler that heavily inspired both men. The match had that NJPW junior heavyweight feel from the 90s and both men performed well in a really good technical wrestling bout.
It had been a long time since they last wrestle each other but the chemistry was still there. It was nice seeing Rocky Romero have the time on a major TV network to show he still has it, and once again Danielson put on a professional wrestling clinic.
Bryan would get the win with the Tequila Sunrise as he continues to show his versatility when it comes to ending his opponents with an array of submission moves, also showing that he will target the damaged neck of Miro come their match in the final of the World Title Eliminator Tournament.
The Middle of the Card
Tay Conti, Anna Jay and Thunder Rosa took on Britt Baker, Jamie Hayter and Rebel in a six-women’s tag team match. The match to me felt off at times which was unfortunate, however, there still moments throughout that clicked. I thought Jamie Hayter looked impressive, and Tay Conti looked strong in the closing of the match as she got the win by pinning Rebel. The purpose of the match was to build towards the Women’s World Title match, while also pushing the upcoming Thunder Rosa vs Jamie Hayter bout. They also continued the tease of Thunder Rosa going after Britt Baker for the Women’s Title which was good.
Jungle Boy defeated Anthony Bowens by making him submit with the Snare Trap. Good match that gave Jungle Boy a strong win, while also allowing Bowens another opportunity to show his skill as a singles wrestler coming off his match on Rampage against Bryan Danielson. Post-match, Bobby Fish jumps and attacks Jungle Boy but Christian and Luchasarus for the save. They would have a backstage segment later in the show with Adam Cole, The Young Bucks and Bobby Fish with it being revealed that Cole had Fish go out to attack Jungle Boy. They also teased something involving the Undisputed Era and The Elite.
Wardlow killed Wheeler Yuta. The crowd were really into Wardlow’s dominance especially when he hit four back-to-back powerbombs. I thought that was a good sign and when the time is right to split up Wardlow and MJF, I think it has to the potential to be a great feud with the crowd getting behind him. After the match the Hardy Family Office attack Orange Cassidy and Chuck Taylor. Matt Hardy wraps a chair around the neck of Cassidy and hits a Twist of Fate and they would later announce a lumberjack match between the two for Rampage.
Other Segments
- Tony Schiavone was about to interview the Inner Circle, but as Inner Circle made their entrance they were jumped by Men of the Year and American Top Team. It was a simple but effective beatdown and doing it as the crowd were singing Judas added the extra heat going into their street fight at Full Gear.
- CM Punk and Eddie Kingston had a pull apart in the parking lot. It was short, but it’s all that it needed to be coming off their excellent war of words on Rampage.
- Video package on Ruby Soho vs Kris Statlander. I thought both sounded good and I am looking forward when they step into the ring.
- Miro had another one of his fantastic promos. I’m all in for the match with Bryan Danielson and it’s a match I have high expectations for. Miro is very captivating, and I would have no problem at all if they have him go over Bryan.
Lio Rush & Dante Martin vs Matt Sydal & Lee Moriarty
Lio’s speed was incredible. His character might be more of a heel, but it’s very hard to not cheer for him in ring. This was a fasted paced match with a lot of action, with some comparing it to the cruiserweight division in WCW back in the 90s.
It was another great showcase for Dante Martin, but also it allowed another up-and-coming talent in Lee Moriarty to show his potential too. Rush and Sydal got to show their experience and I enjoyed the dynamic of the two mentors going after each other and then the two students looking to one up each other.
Dante Martin and Lio Rush would end up getting the win. I’m looking forward to seeing more of Lio Rush in the future especially in singles actions. I think he could have some incredible performances against people like Miro, Malakai Black, among many others as the ultimate underdog using his quickness to evade the bigger threats.
Pac vs Dax Harwood
The final match on the show and it was a great hard-hitting contest. I always enjoy when we get to see Dax in singles competition as I think he is someone that really excels in one-on-one matches and while I am big fan of FTR, I also wouldn’t be against seeing more Dax singles matches.
It had a strong style feel to the match which involved a big spot with Pac hitting Harwood with a top rope brainbuster that didn’t look like a lot of fun. There was a moment in the match where Dax was bleeding on the chest and commentary linked it to the vicious chops from Pac.
Pac got the win by submission after locking Dax in the Brutalizer. Immediately after the match, Cash Wheeler ran down and attacked Pac. Lights go out and when they come back on Andrade and Malakai Black are in the ring. All four begin beating down Pac until Lucha Brothers run down, and Cody Rhodes comes out through the crowd to even the odds and send the heels retreating.
The Contract Signing
This was one of the rare times where AEW ended an episode with a segment that wasn’t a wrestling match, which I don’t mind from time to time as it makes it the segment feel special. Page sounds confident and says that he is going to take the World Title from Omega at Full Gear. There was no doubting himself and he is ready for the biggest match in career.
Kenny Omega mentions how he saw a little of himself in Adam Page. He also talks about he doesn’t even hate him and has respect for him. Page brings up how Omega is afraid of this version of Hangman and that Kenny tried his best to keep the confident Hangman suppressed.
It all leads to closing when Omega extends his hand for a handshake with Page as he says that let’s go out there on Saturday and tear the house down.
It’s all a ruse though. The cameraman in the ring removes his disguise and it’s revealed to be the return of Don Callis. Callis blasts Page with the camera which splits open the forehead of Hangman. Omega uses Hangman’s blood to sign the contract as the made is now made official.
There was a nice touch throughout the segment where the cameraman seemed a little off, but I didn’t think too much about it. But it made sense when they revealed it to be Don because he’s not an expert cameraman, so I like how they added that.
Final Thoughts: solid edition of Dynamite that did its job of being a go home show. Everything advanced well, and there was also some great wrestling during the night with the recommended matches being the opener and the last two on the card.