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AEW DYNAMITE REPORT
JULY 6, 2022
ROCHESTER, N.Y. AT BLUE CROSS ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON TBS
Commentators: Excalibur, Taz, Tony Schiavone, Jim Ross
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
[HOUR ONE]
-Excalibur introduced the show alongside Taz and Tony Schiavone.
(1) SCORPIO SKY (w/Dan Lambert, Ethan Page) vs. WARDLOW – Street Fight for the TNT Title
They cut to the back and followed Wardlow’s journey all the way to the ring as Justin Roberts introduced him. Sky came out accompanied by Ethan Page, Lambert, and a number of MMA fighters. Excalibur noted that they were in the hometown of the late Brodie Lee, so it was appropriate they’d open the show with this match. Wardlow knocked Sky to the mat with a shoulder block a minute in. Sky kneed him low. Exacalibur noted it’s legal in a Street Fight. A graphic hyped Christian Cage and Luchasaurus would speak along with Butcher & Blade vs. Keith Lee & Swerve Stricland and ThunderStorm vs. Marina Shafir & Nyla Rose, and Jon Moxley vs. Brody King for the AEW Interim Title. Excalibur noted King won the battle royal last Friday to earn the title shot.
Wardlow tossed Sky across the ring as he recovered from the low blow. Sky rolled to the floor to catch his breath. When Wardlow went after him, Lambert hit Wardlow on the back with a hard slap. The MMA crew blocked Wardlow from retaliating. Sky then threw Wardlow into the ringside steps. The MMA crew stomped away at Wardlow as they cut to a split-screen break. [c/ss]
Sky controlled the action during most of the break. Wardlow shoved Lee off of him in the corner after the break, then leaped off the rope with a flip senton. The crowd popped, many stood. Wardlow then set up Sky for his powerbomb. Lambert ordered his MMA guys to enter and go after Wardlow. Wardlow fended them off one at a time as several took flatback bumps for him. He pressed one guy onto the crowd of others on the floor. Sky then hit Wardlow in the head with the TNT Title belt for a convincing near fall.
Sky went for a TKO, but Wardlow broke free and shoved Sky into Lambert. Wardlow then one-arm slammed Sky. He pulled his straps down and played to the crowd. He let his hair down and then powerbombed Sky. He looked to the ceiling and then delivered another. And quickly another. He stood on Sky’s chest and won the title. Golden confetti blasted as Wardlow celebrated.
WINNER: Wardlow in 9:00 to capture the TNT Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: That was dominant, and it made Sky look pretty weak considering his offense only came from help from around ten others.)
-They went backstage to a pacing Moxley with a boiler room as the backdrop. Moxley said a lot of people have lost money betting against him. He said people hope he lets his guard down and let someone unexpected give him a beating. He said people think Brody King is that person, but he knows what kind of monster he is. He said he took a man whom he deeply respects in Tanahashi and beat his face in, then took part in Blood & Guts. He said that match was fun, like golfing on a sunny afternoon for him. He said he knows exactly who King is. He said he’s done his homework. He said he’s seen him in New Japan and he knows his friends and his enemies. He said he will be swimming in deep waters with the most dangerous shark in the game. “Step up or get stepped on,” he closed with.
(Keller’s Analysis: That’s a pro wrestling promo from someone who knows who he is.) [c]
-“Smart” Mark Sterling and Tony Nese approached Keith Lee backstage. Sterling said they’re trying to get Swerve Strickland banned from the roster. Lee said they have trust issues, but they’re a team and they’re still winning. “Unlike you,” he said to Nese before walking away.
-Christian Cage and Luchasaurus walked out. Schiavone said it blows him away that Luchasaurus has stayed aligned with Christian. Christian entered the ring and said after Blood & Guts, somehow he’s the Cage everyone is talking about. He said the fans want to know why Luchasaurus decided to remain aligned with him. As he was about to talk, Matt Hardy walked out to the Hardy Brothers’ music. Matt said he is unreal, “like the Michael Jordan of being an asshole.” He said Jungle Boy was his friend and he got to know him really well the last few months. He said JB trusted him, yet he screwed him over. Matt entered the ring. Christian said Matt doesn’t know JB the way that he and Luchasaurus do. “You’re starting to make your brother sound like the sober one,” Christian said. Fans gasped. Schivaone said someone should unplug his microphone and drive his ass out of there. Fans chanted “Asshole! Asshole!” at him.
Hardy said Christian is using Luchasaurus to ride him as long as he can to make more money. He said he’s as guilty because he used Private Party and Butcher & Blade the same way “and I hate myself for that.” Hardy said his life has been a mess the last couple months, but maybe he deserves it. “Maybe karma’s coming to get me,” he said. He said he’s there to make sure no one else gets taken advantage of. Christian said he’s out there because of his massive ego. He said he’s a clout chaser and he can’t stand it when his name isn’t being mentioned. He said he’ll use his kids, his wife, his father-in-law, even a lawnmower to get attention. “You’ll even turn a blind eye to your brother and his issues just so you can ride his coat tails for one last run,” he said.
Christian said Matt can’t stand that he’s the hottest, most influential star in AEW “and you just wanted to be near me.” He said it’s embarrassing, more embarrassing than his “loser, screw-up brother.” When Matt went after Christian, Luchasaurus headbutted him and then slammed him into the ringside steps. Hardy fought back briefly but Luchasaurus took over again and kicked his head into the ringpost. He then chokeslammed Hardy through a table at ringside covered in confetti from Wardlow’s win. Christian sat on a chair next to him and said his name is back in the headlines thanks to him.
-A video package aired on Blood & Guts last week with Matt Menard, William Regal, Ortiz, Claudio, and Angelo Parker commenting as highlights aired.
(Keller’s Analysis: That was a tremendous tightly edited video that drove home that Bloods & Guts was a big deal and has ramifications.)
-Jake Hager and Claudio stood backstage on opposite sides of Schiavone. Hager said Claudio has never been a world champion and it’s about time he has respect as an undefeated MMA fighter. Claudio said he beat Zack Sabre Jr. in his first match and then helped the Blackpool Combat Club beat Hager and the people he carries the bags for. He said he’ll go 3-0 next week.
(2) THE BUTCHER & THE BLADE (w/Bunny) vs. “SWERVE” STRICKLAND & KEITH LEE
Butcher and Lee locked up at the start. Butcher got frustrated when Lee overpowered him and then grabbed a chair at ringside. Blade yelled “top five” at him to tell him not to get DQ’d so they can have a chance to win and move up in the rankings. Swerve tagged in against Blade next. Bunny got in the way of Swerve, distracting the referee, giving Butcher an opening to take a cheap shot at Lee. Blade then swept Swerve’s legs so he fell hard to the floor. They cut to a split-screen break. [c/ss]
Butcher shoved Lee into Swerve, then as Lee looked flustered, Butcher and Blade double-teamed him. Then they double-teamed Swerve leading to a near fall. Lee barely made it in for the save. Excalibur called it 2.999. Lee crashed into Blade in the corner, but almost knocked Swerve off the top rope. He grabbed his hand and then they delivered a tandem powerbomb move with Swerve leaping off the top rope leading to the pin on Blade.
WINNERS: Lee & Swerve in 9:00.
-Afterward, Powerhouse Hobbs and Ricky Starks walked out and had some words for them. Starks said they’ve proven Swerve and Lee aren’t on their level and are several levels below them. Starks got himself really worked up and ran up and down the ramp. The Young Bucks then walked out to their music. Matt Jackson said Ricky practically cued up their music for them with what he was saying. Matt said they don’t have to apologize for anything because they started the company. He said everyone is eating well, but they set the table in the first place. Nick Jackson said their match was four-and-a-half stars at Double or Nothing. “That’s an off-night for The Young Bucks,” Nick said. He said they didn’t get the job done, though. Matt said they have a proposal for them. “Triple or nothing,” he said. “How about a three-way tag team title match.” Fans chanted “FTR! FTR!” Nick grabbed the mic and said, “We’re better than them and you know it. Come on, guys.”
(Keller’s Analysis: Good to see the Young Bucks seem present and engaged in front of an audience holding court in the tag team division.)
-A produced vignette aired with Malakai Black hyping the Brody King match against Moxley later. He said the House will make sure tonight goes beyond the physical realm of pain.
-Eddie Kingston made his ring entrance. Excalibur said he wasn’t able to achieve the ultimate satisfaction by making Chris Jericho tap out. Taz said Kingston wasn’t being a team guy by complaining like that. Schiavone interviewed Kingston mid-ring. He gave a shout-out to Wardlow, congratulating him. He also congratulated Claudio. He said he’s a nice guy, growing up, maturing. He made a noise that suggested he wasn’t taking that last comment seriously. Kingston said Jericho made a liar out of him because he didn’t taste his blood. Jericho interrupted from the big screen and said he should watch to see how crazy he can get. They panned back and showed Tay Conti slamming a SUV door on Ruby Soho’s hand (which she oddly raised into perfect position to get smashed, for some reason.)
(Keller’s Analysis: Honestly, that angle was ruined by Ruby putting her hand in perfect position for the car door to be slammed on it. What was that all about? Eddie giving Wardlow a shout-out was great. That ties together different segments and makes titles seem important.) [c]
-The Dark Order entered the ring, including Brodie Lee’s son, “Negative-1,” in a mask. Evil Uno said they had an important announcement. He thanked them for supporting them for so long. “That’s why it’s very important I get to say this: The six of us are here to stay,” he said. “Dark Order is forever.” He said there will be a new chapter with a new proclamation. He handed the mic to Brodie Lee’s son. Q.T. Marshall interrupted and asked how long they have to put up with “this charity case.” He asked if they have to deal with him until he’s 18. Marshall said he understands his dad is from Rochester, but he isn’t his father. He said his father is a legend. Uno held back Brodie’s son as Marshall said he takes after his mother, not his dad. He challenged him to a match or else he’d rip the heads off of his toys one by one. “Hangman” Adam Page came out to his music and joined Evil Uno in attacking Marshall. They threw Marshall into the ring where Dark Order demolished him. Brodie’s son then said told Q.T. he would beat him right now, but he’s going to wait until his teens. Excalibur said he’s playing the long game. Uno carried him on his shoulders.
-They went to Excalibur and Taz. Excalibur introduced Jim Ross, who came out to his entrance theme. Excalibur said Ross is joining them for the second hour of Dynamite.
[HOUR TWO]
(3) RUSH (w/Andrade, Jose the Assistant) vs. PENTA OSCURO (w/Rey Fenix, Alex Alahambres)
Penta flip dove onto Rush a few minutes in. Alex speared Jose at ringside. Fenix and Andrade pulled them apart as they cut to a split-screen break. [c/ss]
Rush controlled for a while after the break. He landed a top rope senton for a near fall. Penta landed a cutter and then delivered a Fear Factor. Andrade put Rush’s boot on the bottom rope, so the ref noticed the boot and stopped his count. Fenix pointed at Andrade. Rush then yanked off Penta’s mask and small packaged him for the win.
WINNER: Rush in 12:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Lots of good athleticism and some clunkiness in the sequences.)
-Excalibur hyped that Samoa Joe would defend his ROH TV Title against Jay Lethal on July 23 on the ROH Death Before Dishonor PPV event.
-Sonay Dutt, Lethal, and Satnum Singh talked about the match against Joe. Lethal said they’re not taking him lightly, but they are taking his championship. [c]
-Backstage, Sterling and Nese walked up to Orange Cassidy, Chuck Taylor, and Trent Beretta. Sterling asked Cassidy to sign paperwork to remove Strickland from the roster. Cassidy said he won’t read anything without his lawyer present. Danhaussen walked in with a wrinkled sheet of paper. Nese said he’d make him sign it. Sterling said there’s money in this. Sterling said Cassidy and Nese could wrestle on Rampage, and if Nese wins, Cassidy will sign it. Danhausen interrupted and made the same suggestion, adding “and we’ll make a lot of money.” Danhausen said “sustained” and “hearsay,” which irritated Sterling.
(Keller’s Analysis: Danhaussen was funny there.)
-The Acclaimed came out ready to rap. The Gunn Club barged past them, interrupting Max Caster before he started. Billy Gunn joined the Acclaimed in protesting.
(4) BEAR COUNTRY & FUEGO DEL SOL & RUFFIN’ IT vs. THE ACCLAIMED (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) & GUNN CLUB (Austin & Colten Gunn)
Fans chanted “Ass Boys!” from the start. Caster was a beat late saving Austin from a pin by Bear Bronson, but Austin lifted his shoulder to save the ref from having to stop her count for no reason. Bowens tagged back in and took it to Bronson with chops and kicks. Bowens tagged in Caster, who landed a top rope Mic Drop elbow. Austin tagged himself in and made the cover and got the three count. Billy Gunn wasn’t happy how that played out.
WINNERS: The Acclaimed & The Gunn Club in 4:00.
-After the match, the Gunn brothers argued with Caster & Bowens. The Gunns attacked them. Billy yelled at them, but then turned and clotheslined Caster. Taz said, “Blood is thicker than water.” Bowens stood and asked Billy to scissors him. Billy gave him a Fameasser instead.
(Keller’s Analysis: That was a payoff for the angle they’ve been doing, but it wasn’t great in execution. And the fans didn’t seem to know who they wanted to cheer for, which isn’t a good sign.)
-A promo aired with Miro who talked about Malakai.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good stuff, as usual, from Miro.)
(5) MARINA SHAFIR & NYLA ROSE vs. THUNDER ROSA & TONI STORM
They cut to a split-screen break a few minutes in. [c/ss]
Taz said Tony Khan just told him they’re going to stay with the main event as long as it takes. Excalibur called that “big news.” (That felt more like a reason to mention Tony Khan’s name on TV than big news. Just have Ross or Excalibur make note of it.) Toni landed a hip attack on Shafir, then Rosa joined her for a spike Fire Thunder Driver for the win.
WINNERS: ThunderStorm in 9:00.
-Schiavone interviewed Jade Cargill and Stokely Hathaway along with Keira Hogan. Jade asked Stokely why he brought Leila Grey into the mix. He said if there can be an Interim AEW Champion, there can be an Interim Baddie. He told her to trust the process. Jade sneered and said if she doesn’t deliver, that’s his ass.
-Excalibur plugged Rampage: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Kingston, Mercedes Martinez & Serena Deeb in action, Lee Moriarty & Jonathan Gresham vs. Gates of Agony (w/Tully Blanchard), and Cassidy vs. Nese. Then next week on Dynamite’s Fyter Fest, Hager vs. Claudio, Bucks vs. Starks & Hobbs vs. Lee & Swerve. He also plugged the ROH PPV featuring Wheeler Yuta vs. Daniel Garcia in a Pure Title defense.
-Schiavone interviewed Daniel Garcia backstage who said Yuta doesn’t strike any fear into his heart. He said he can call him a pro wrestler or a sports entertainer, but he’ll also call him “the best.”
-Ross said the main event tonight has slobberknocker written all over it. [c]
-A promo aired with FTR backstage who talked about being a few weeks away from Death Before Dishonor. Dax challenged the Briscoes to a rematch at the PPV.
(6) JON MOXLEY vs. BRODY KING – AEW Interim Title match
William Regal joined in on commentary. Moxley came out second and made his way through the crowd. King landed a hard chop to Moxley’s chest in the corner seconds into the match. Mox dropped to his knees, then stood and got in Brody’s face. Mox side-stepped a charging Brody at ringside, then rammed him back-first into the barricade. Brody and Mox battled back into the ring. Mox took Brody down with a dragon screw and then applied a figure-four mid-ring. They cut to a split-screen break. [c/ss]
Brody took control during the break. Mox avoided a Brody cannonball in the corner. Both were down and slow to get up. Taz stressed they’d stay with the match as long as it took. Fans chanted “Moxley!” as he went on a string of offense. Mox stomped away at Brody’s face. Brody fought back and landed a piledriver for a near fall. Brody stood on the bottom rope in the corner and lifted Moxley with a sleeper applied. He then landed a cannonball and scored a two count. Mox gave Brody a Paradigm Shift. Brody slumped. Mox dropped some 12-6 elbows on him and then applied a sleeper. Brody leaped backwards to crush Mox and break the grip. Mox then caught him with a Bulldog Choke for the win.
WINNER: Moxley in 13:00 to retain the AEW Interim Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good main event. It maybe ran a minute past the top of the hour.)
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