SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
Man, there has been way too much of this recently.
Hey, I may watch, write, and talk about AEW, but I can’t put myself in the heads of all those in the company from the wrestlers to the crew to the front offices.
I can’t put myself in the heads of the family and friends of Ben Satterley. All I can do is sympathize with them, listen to their stories, and watch them perform for us in memory of a fallen comrade.
I’m not going to do a normal Hits & Misses column for this edition of AEW Dynamite. I’ll give my thoughts on what AEW prepared for us for two hours. This show was not meant to advance storylines or begin the road to the next big event. It was a night meant to be cathartic for everyone at AEW and those watching at home.
JON MOXLEY’S MESSAGE FROM SATURDAY NIGHT
My goodness, how impactful was that speech by Mox from Saturday night? What was meant to be a wrestling promo from a guy who lost a match became a moving message for life itself. Saying “you are going to lose people”…. saying “every day is a gift”…. are you kidding?
This was the best promo I have ever heard Jon Moxley deliver and it meant so much more than he ever could have realized just days later. How prophetic he was. I just had to shake my head and then pause the show so I could take some time to breathe before continuing. This is real life and how hard must it have been for all of these wrestlers, backstage personnel and commentators to be on live television for this show.
MOXLEY VS. ORANGE CASSIDY
A perfect opening match. Orange Cassidy’s match with Pac in 2020 was a classic that is still talked about. The history between Mox and Orange is well known. The emotion from both participants and Bryce Remsberg was clear and they did a great job eventually getting the fans to put the sadness aside for a few minutes and get into the match.
Just when my eyes dried up, Bryan Danielson arrived and the waterworks started again. It was another special moment when the storyline was forgotten and the two hugged it out in the middle of the ring while the camera perfectly framed the picture of Pac along with them. That was brilliantly done.
THE ELITE VS. CALLIS FAMILY
What a heart-wrenching message from “Hangman” Adam Page before the match.
As for the match, it was very cool to see the original Elite back together. Rocky Romero is an easy target week after week, but he played his role perfectly in this match, getting the fans to enjoy seeing him taking punishment from all four Elite members.
WILL OSPREAY VS. RICOCHET
Man, did they put on a show or what? How those two, who were very close to Pac, were able to pull off the moves and spots under that physical and mental fatigue is remarkable. I kept thinking the whole match that if anyone could do the Black Arrow anywhere close to how Pac did it, it would be one of these two.
When Ospreay looked to the corner, then to the sky, I knew it was coming. Obviously he pulled it off, but to see the raw emotion come out after was just so devastating and amazing at the same time. Again, I give so much credit to them for being able to perform under these circumstances.
MESSAGE FROM SATTERLY’S FAMILY
The message from the Satterley family delivered by Renee Paquette was touching and heartfelt.
AUSTIN CREED
Swerve, Kofi, and Austin Creed honoring Pac’s history as a Trios Champion was well done and there are a lot of videos out there with Creed and Pac (as Neville) from WWE/NXT that show you how long they have known each other and you could see on Creed’s face how much he was hurting.
– Marina Shafir winning with the Brutalizer was fitting.
BRYAN DANIELSON?? WAIT, WHAT?!
Just when I thought they couldn’t do anything more to surprise or move me, Bryan Freaking Danielson returns to the ring for one night only to join the Death Riders. This was just perfect.
THE VIDEO
Whoever put together that tribute video that ran at the end of the show deserves an Emmy (and a raise). It was perfect. “… till we meet again.”
FINAL THOUGHTS
I’m emotionally exhausted. What a show. You know, I have lost people over the years at my job as a local TV producer. Some of them were on-air talent and some were behind the scenes. I love my job, but it was tough to come to work and find a way to honor those people on those days. I commend everyone who was a part of this show for pulling it off.
Please also check out the weekly free podcast I’m part of, “The All Elite Conversation Club” that drops on Fridays on the PWTorch Dailycast lineup. Joel Dehnel and I have a great time breaking down all things AEW. Search “pwtorch” on your podcast app to subscribe. Send questions and comments to allelitecc@gmail.com.
