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AEW DYNAMITE REPORT
SEPTEMBER 6, 2023
INDIANAPOLIS, IND. AT INDIANA FARMERS COLISEUM
AIRED ON TBS
Commentators: Excalibur, Taz, Tony Schiavone
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
[HOUR ONE]
-The Dynamite opening theme aired. Excalibur then introduced the show as the camera showed the crowd.
-Orange Cassidy walked out as Excalibur and Taz talked about Cassidy losing his AEW International Title to Jon Moxley at All Out. Cassidy looked dejected. His forehead was bandaged. Tony Schiavone talked about him taking a savage beating. Fans chanted “Freshly squeezed! Freshly squeezed!” He waited out the chant, then said, “Hey.” He said they told him to stay home, “but I was like, nah, I’m not going to do that.” Fans laughed.
Cassidy said with or without a title, he’ll be there every single week. He added, “My name is Orange Cassidy and I do not have a catchphrase.” His music played and he rolled out of the ring and headed to the back. Moxley’s music took over as Cassidy got to the ramp. Moxley walked out through the crowd to the ring.
Clips aired of the Mox-Cassidy match at All Out on a three-box screen with a live view of Moxley and Cassidy in the other two. They showed Cassidy looking over his shoulder at Moxley entering the ring and celebrating with the belt he coveted. As Fox came out with Darby, they paused and looked at Cassidy.
(1) JON MOXLEY vs. A.R. FOX (w/Darby Allin) – AEW International Title match
The bell rang six minutes into the hour. Fox landed a dive over the top rope onto Mox at ringside a minute in. Excalibur plugged other segments and matches scheduled for the show. Taz loved the photo they showed of Roderick Strong looking despondent in a neck brace.
Mox took over at 2:00 and fans chanted “Moxley!” They cut to Nick Wayne and Darby watching the match on a monitor backstage. Fox landed a leaping DDT for a soft two count. Mox fought back and tossed Fox into the crowd as they cut to a break. Excalibur said it was “picture-in-picture,” but it wasn’t. [c]
Back live, Mox was absorbing Fox’s clotheslines mid-ring and then gave him double middle fingers. Fox hit a leaping cutter and then kipped up. He played to the crowd, then charged at Mox. Fox hit another leaping cutter.
Mox came back with a King Kong Lariat and a Death Rider for the win. Darby consoled with Fox afterward. When Moxley left, Darby raised Fox’s arm.
WINNER: Moxley in 9:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good opener. It’s not always clear how AEW awards title matches to people, though. There’s a tournament going on to earn a shot against MJF at Grand Slam, and Fox walks in and just gets a shot at a title that headlined an AEW PPV three days earlier.)
-On the big screen, they showed Nick Wayne walking away from the monitor after watching Darby raising Fox’s arm in the ring, he bumped into Christian and Luchasaurus. Christian said, “Nick, you’re a fine boy.” He said after finding out last week his dad used to be a pro wrestler, he did research on him. “He was even worse than I thought he was,” he said. He said if he wants a true mentor, he should be looking at a champion. He looked at the TNT Title belt as he said that. He began to walk away and said, “Say hi to your mom for me.”
-Kris Statlander made her ring entrance. [c]
(2) KRIS STATLANDER vs. EMI SAKURA – TBS Title match
This match was billed as an “open challenge” match for the TBS Title. The bell rang 22 minutes into the hour. Sakura knocked Statlander off the ring apron and hard to the floor. She charged at her against the steps. They exchanged chops mid-ring. They took turns hitting big moves. Sakura held Statlander upside down and then dropped her onto her knee for a two count at 4:00. Statlander won with Wednesday Night Fever a minute later. A celebrating Statlander yelled, “Anytime, anywhere, anyone!”
WINNER: Statlander in 5:00 to retain the TBS Title.
-A vignette aired with Roderick Strong, Mike Bennett, and Matt Taven. Strong said his parents didn’t know how to be parents with drinking and drug problems. He talked about pro wrestling being an escape for him from that world. He said he grew up alone and he’s going to win the Grand Slam tournament alone.
(Keller’s Analysis: This is the most interesting and entertaining Strong has ever been. His down and out demeanor is so well played.)
-Don Callis made his way to the announce desk. Then Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara made their way out to Jericho’s “Judas.”
(3) AUSSIE OPEN (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis) vs. CHRIS JERICHO & SAMMY GUEVARA
The bell rang 32 minutes into the hour. When Jericho and Guevara took Davis down with a dual shoulder block, they struck a pose together. Jericho and Guevara set up a delay-drop suplex where they held Fletcher upside down for around 20 seconds. Callis scolded Davis for not interrupting the move and just watching from his corner. They cut to a split-screen break at 3:30. [c/ss]
Guevara hot-tagged out to Jericho after the break. Fletcher and Davis double-teamed Jericho a minute later. Guevara leaped off the top rope with a cutter on Fletcher. Fans chanted “Holy shit!” Guevara landed a running corkscrew dive onto both Davis and Fletcher.
Back in the ring, Aussie Open took over again at 8:00. They landed the Aussie Arrow on Jericho for a near fall. Sammy gave Davis a Spanish Fly. Jericho then attempted to put Fletcher in a Walls of Jericho. Fletcher escaped and landed a running kick to Jericho in the corner followed by a brainbuster suplex for a near fall. He pounded the mat in frustration.
Jericho collided with Guevara on the ring apron, then Fletcher rolled him up for a near fall. Jericho fired back with a Judas Effect for the win.
WINNER: Jericho & Guevara in 11:00.
-Guevara looked upset with the collision. He turned his back to Jericho and shook his head. Jericho had to grab his arm to raise it, but Guevara yanked it away. Schiavone said accidents happen in the course of battle and they should know that. Jericho and Guevara shoved each other. Two security guys entered the ring to separate them. Guevara left through the crowd. Jericho looked concerned. Schiavone said he’s sure they can patch things up.
-Excalibur threw to a video package on Ricky Starks vs. Bryan Danielson with soundbites from Starks. He said he didn’t tap out and nobody can tap him out. He said it’s time for somebody like him who does what he says. “Don’t give me a piece of bread and tell me I’ve been fed,” he said. He insisted he is everything he says he is.
(Keller’s Analysis: So who is the babyface here? Starks is showing all this conviction and passion, but also with a touch of meta whinyness that doesn’t really fit the story fans have seen with their own eyes on TV about him. I’m not a fan of characters that seem built around wrestlers complaining about how they’ve been booked, and this seems to be in that territory. If you turn off the sound, though, there’s a star there with the intensity and passion in his delivery and facial expressions. Just give him better material and a strong, more definitive, consistent character to work with.)
-They advertised that Danielson would speak on Collision on Saturday. [c]
-Renee Paquette interviewed Don Callis and Takeshita backstage. There was an easel next to them with a black cover. Callis said under that black covering is the next target of Takeshita, but they won’t reveal it until next week.
-MJF made his ring entrance, mic in hand, sporting both the AEW World Hvt. Title belt and an ROH Tag Team Title belt. MJF said, “The Devil has arrived in Hoosier country!” He said he lived there during his days on the indy scene. He said after he won the ROH Tag Team Titles successfully, he got to the back and “that mark Tony Khan told me I have to wrestle again on September 20th.” He said he then realized it’s Grand Slam in his home state. He said MJF is coming back to New York, New York. He said whoever wins the Grand Slam tournament is going to find out the hard way that no one is on the level of the Devil.
He said there is one person in particular who might need to be taught a certain lesson. Fans chanted “Joe! Joe!” Joe’s entrance theme interrupted MJF as he was about to say Joe’s name. Joe said he heard MJF in the back and heard a little piss and vinegar in his voice, so he wanted a front row seat to what he had to say. He asked him, “What seems to be the problem, kid?”
MJF took issue with being called “kid.” Fans sang, “Joe’s gonna kill you.” MJF said the reason Joe came out there so fast is because he must’ve confused his music with an ice cream truck. Joe said, “Ahhh, that’s good.” He said the last time he had anything to do with an ice cream truck, “I was busy being the biggest star of the other company’s network.” He asked MJF again, “What’s the problem, kid?”
MJF said what’s really funny about him is that he happens to be a pretty funny guy himself. He asked the fans if they want to see him get a little creative. Fans cheered. “Hey everybody, look, it’s Pillsbury Joe Boy. Hey, that’s Samoa Dough!” He then made fun of his penis side. Joe said, “Jokes and venom.” Fans chanted “Tiny dick!” Joe said that’s something coming from a guy who’s circumcision was delayed because the rabbi had a lack of stuff to work with. Fans oooh’d. Joe said it appears MJF is having a tough time comprehending what is going on. He said spending time with the “Midwest mouth-breathers” probably made him stupid.
Joe asked MJF what his problem is and called him kid. MJF got in Joe’s face and said if he calls him kid again, he’ll knock his teeth down his throat. MJF said that’s how he wants him to react, but Joe can skip ahead in line. He said he needs to win a tournament. Fans chanted, “F— you, Joe!” Joe said a lot of fans are sounding like their mothers, so relax.
[HOUR TWO]
MJF said Joe should know what he was like as a kid. He asked if everyone is ready for storytime with MJF. He talked about his tryout in Brooklyn when he was 19. He said he knocked it out of the park. He said he got pulled to the side by William Regal and told he was too young to sign. He said he kept telling that to him via email for months and blew him off. Fans chanted, “He f—ed up!” He said he knocked his British ass out and he “sent him back to NXT where he belongs.” He said if Joe plays his cards right, he’s next.
He said later that evening, he was informed of an opportunity to be a security guard and walk a wrestling legend to the ring. He said he had a chance to meet Joe back then, but Joe decided to take a 19 year old kid just trying to do his job and shove him into a brick wall and laugh at him. Fans booed. MJF said he know why he did that. He said he knows how scumbags think because he’s “their scumbag.” He gestured toward the crowd and they cheered. “He’s our scumbag!” fans chanted. MJF said he’s not a kid anymore. “I am a generational talent,” he said. “I am the AEW World Champion.” He said he’s the man who headlined the most historic PPV of all time. “I am MJF!” he yelled. Fans cheered. Joe stared at him. Fans chanted “MJF!” loudly. MJF told Joe to stay out of his way “or else I am going to kill you.” Fans sang “Max is going to kill you!” MJF closed with his catch phrase and threw the mic down.
Joe said, “That was a point beautifully made.” He said he didn’t think of MJF as a kid when he pushed him back then. He said he didn’t think he was a kid back then. “I thought you were a little bitch,” he said. MJF slapped Joe. Joe smiled and said he’s trying to provoke him, but he won’t take his bait. He said he’s going to win the tournament and take everything from him. He told him to have a nice day.
MJF turned to leave the ring, but Joe kicked the middle rope into MJF’s crotch. He stomped away at him and then held up the AEW World Title belt. MJF recovered and low-blowed Joe from behind and beat him up in the corner. MJF tore off his shirt and threw it down, then charged at Joe. Joe caught him with a uranage and then set up a Muscle Buster. Adam Cole ran out to the ring, so Joe retreated.
MJF was helped out of the ring, but he was crying in pain as he held his shoulder and neck area. He was helped up the ramp. Joe said he’s going to tear him to pieces next time he sees him. He closed by calling him “bitch” again.
-Roderick Strong, Bennett, and Taven walked past MJF and approached Cole and yelled at him. Taven took off Strong’s neckbrace.
(Keller’s Analysis: Really good set-up for a match between them down the line. It took a while for fans to choose sides, but once Joe called them mouth-breathers, they turned hard against Joe. Joe is so good in these situations and it’s nice to see AEW’s bench has him able to step up into a main event program like this.) [c]
(4) RODERICK STRONG (w/Matt Taven, Mike Bennett) vs. TRENT BERETTA (w/Chuck Taylor)
The bell rang 15 minutes into the hour. Beretta took control at 3:00 and landed a DDT. Strong rolled to the floor to recover. When Beretta went after him, Strong shoved him into the ringpost. They cut to a split-screen break with Strong in control. [c/ss]
Strong landed a sudden jumping knee strike and a backbreaker for the win.
WINNER: Strong in 11:00 to advance to face the winner of Darby vs. Nick Wayne later.
-They showed the brackets. The other side of the bracket features Joe vs. Jeff Hardy and Penta vs. Jay Lethal.
-Renee interviewed Toni Storm backstage. Storm was staring off to the side in a distracted fashion. Renee asked her about spraying Soho in the face with paint to cost her a chance to beat Statlander. Storm said she can’t remember everything and it’s just a blur. She said they must look forward. Renee said they can do that. She brought up the four-way match next week to earn a shot against Saraya at Grand Slam. She asked for her thoughts on that match. Storm said Renee is nosy. She said next week she’ll have a sneak peak look at her life. She walked away and told her to look for the shoe. She then threw her shoe at her. Renee ducked and yelled, “Ah, come on!”
-“Hangman” Adam Page walked out to his music. [c]
-Schiavone interviewed Hangman about his battle royal win last Sunday night. He said he had one day’s notice he was going to be in the battle royal. He said he donated the $50,000 to the Chicago Public Education fund. He said he used to be a high school teacher in Virginia. He said teachers are underfunded, underpaid, and underappreciated. He said he wanted to look ahead to the rest of 2023. He was interrupted by Swerve Strickland’s music. Prince Nana led him to the ring and introduced Swerve. Swerve said he was in a coffin for two weeks and it gave him some perspective.
Swerve asked Hangman if doing charity now means he’s a mascot for AEW. He said the money going to a Chicago educational system is for kids who won’t become anything anyway, so it’s a waste of money. He said Hangman won a match on the pre-show instead of being in a title match on the main PPV. He said Hangman was a cornerstone of AEW when AEW started. He said he’s accomplished a lot, but look at him now.
He said he’s noticed that he seems to have lost his confidence or doesn’t even want it anymore. He said he hasn’t gotten new ring gear in almost a year and he hasn’t gotten new merchandise on the website in a year. He said he got a contract extension so he’s eatin’ good. “Oh, it’s been showing,” he said, pointing at his stomach. He said he doesn’t have singles matches or singles promos on Dynamite anymore. He said he’s riding in the backseat as The Elite drive “because you’ve gotten comfortable.”
Swerve said if he got the opportunities Hangman has gotten, he’d be AEW’s first btlack world champion by now. He told Hangman he has a choice to ride off in the sunset like cowboys in movies he used to watch as a kid or Hangman can find that fire going again and show him, the fans, and himself what “Cowboy Shit” is all about. He said he can also fight him for that spot. He said he has no regard for anybody. “Either way, I’m coming for that spot that you act like you don’t even want,” he said.
Hangman told him he’s heard enough of this. He said if he wants a match with him, go to the back and get it, but he’s done with this. He shoved him and left the ring, hands on hips. Swerve said it’s a shame his wife and kids have to see him walk away from his responsibilities. Hangman returned to the ring and shoved Swerve and yelled at him. Brian Cage attacked Hangman from behind with a clothesline, a powerbomb, and a Drill Claw.
(Keller’s Analysis: It’s easy for fans to watch Swerve say what he said to Hangman and nod along, thinking Swerve was probably onto something. Hangman didn’t exactly have a convincing retort. Once Swerve brought his family into it, that lit a spark in Hangman. The Brian Cage attack was vicious.)
-Excalibur plugged Rampage: Young Bucks vs Angelo Parker & Matt Menard, Joe vs. Hardy, and Penta vs. Lethal. They went to soundbites with the participants in the Grand Slam tournament matches. Jeff said he needs to be World Champion again. Excalibur then plugged Collision: Strong vs. Darby or Wayne and Hardy or Joe vs. Penta or Lethal, Danielson will speak, Bullet Club Gold will wrestle, Saraya and Soho speak, plus The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn will speak. Then Dynamite features the Grand Slam tournament final, Baker vs. Shida vs. Nyla Rose vs. Storm in a four way, Hangman vs. Brian Cage, and Callis reveals his latest “masterpiece.” [c]
(5) DARBY ALLIN vs. NICK WAYNE – Grand Slam Tournament match
Darby made his ring entrance first. Then Wayne. Then bell rang 46 minutes into the hour. They shook hands at the start. They cut to an early split-screen break. [c/ss]
Darby applied a figure-four mid-ring at 6:00. They ran the ropes and collided mid-ring with simultaneous body blocks. Both were down and slow to get up. They stood up and took turns hitting each other. Darby told Wayne, “You hit like an 18 year old.” He told him to hit him harder. Wayne surprised Darby with a side kick and scored a two count. Christian’s music played and he walked out. Wayne looked around and asked the ref, “What is this?” [c/ss]
Back from the break, 58 minutes into the hour, Wayne head scissored Darby off the ring apron to the floor. Christian joined in on commentary. They showed Strong watching on a monitor backstage. Wayne hit a leaping neckbreaker off the top rope for a near fall. Wayne went for a leaping cutter off the top rope, but Darby blocked it and Wayne crashed to the mat. Darby set up a Coffin Drop, but stopped short and made the cover instead. Christian said it was a stupid, foolish decision by Darby. They exchanged a series of leverage near falls. Darby landed Code Red for a two count. Darby then applied an arm capture submission hold and then stomped on his head. The ref called for the bell.
WINNER: Darby in 17:00 to advance.
-As a graphic advertised Strong vs. Darby next week, Christian wondered out loud what happens if Darby doesn’t make it to the next match. Christian mock applauded as Darby’s music played to end the show.
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