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AEW DYNAMITE REPORT
JULY 12, 2023
SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN (CANADA) AT SASKTEL CENTRE
AIRED ON TBS
Commentators: Excalibur, Taz, Tony Schiavone
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
[HOUR ONE]
-The Dynamite opening aired.
-Excalibur introduced the show as cameras showed clusters of fans in the crowd.
(1) CHRIS JERICHO vs. KOMANDER (w/Alex Abrahantes)
Chris Jericho made his ring entrance. The announcers talked about Jericho acknowledging he was on a cold streak and was looking to reevaluate things. Fans sang his song to the end. The bell rang four minutes into the hour. Komander landed a corkscrew dive over the top rope onto Jericho at ringside. Jericho took over back in the ring when he caught a flying Komander with a forearm mid-air. He methodically chopped and suplexed Komander. Jericho did his “signature” (once you see it you can’t unsee it) overly casual soft whip of Komander into the ropes, but Komander flipped over him and then landed a reverse sidekick. Jericho tossed a charging Komander over the top rope at which point they cut to a split-screen break. [c/ss]
Jericho controlled the action during the break. Komander made a comeback after the break. He walked the top rope and landed a springboard shooting star press for a near fall. Jericho took a spill to ringside when Komander moved. Komander then ran the top rope and leaped onto another part of the top rope and then dove at Jericho (and pretty much completely missed, but Jericho bumped anyway). Fans chanted “Holy shit!” He threw Jericho back into the ring and played to the crowd before landing a Phoenix splash style kneedrop for a very near fall. (That didn’t look like it landed how he wanted.) Komander leaped off the top rope, but Jericho blocked him with what was intended to be a Code Breaker. He scored a two count.
Jericho went for a Judas back elbow, but Komander ducked. Komander then leaped at Jericho off the top rope, but Jericho caught him and put him into the Walls of Jericho for the tapout win.
WINNER: Jericho in 12:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Part of this were good, but several spots were flashy but sloppy.)
-As Jericho was celebrating, Don Callis walked out to his “noise” (it’s not really a song). Callis said the world is abuzz over the possibility that Jericho joins the Don Callis Family. He said 28 years ago they were part of a faction led by their mentor, “Bad News” Allen. He said he’s a little nostalgic and he put together a surprise video for him. A clip aired of them back in the day including Allen. Jericho said he remembers that was back in 1995. He told Callis that he still has all his hair, but Callis doesn’t. Jericho said Allen told them to always stick together. Callis said he made them promise. Callis said maybe he’s emotional over the buzz of them getting together, but he thinks Allen is up there in heaven with a smile on his face over the possibility of Jericho joining his Don Callis Family. He said there’s no pressure and he can make his decision when he’s comfortable, but he knows what Allen would want.
(Keller’s Analysis: That’s great they had that footage. It really does add to the story they’re telling here.)
-Excalibur narrated clips of the Jack Perry-Hook angle last week.
-They went backstage to Alex Marvez who said Perry won’t get out of his car. Marvez knocked on a window. Perry rolled the window down and said it’s an unfair work environment. Hook snuck into the car from the other side. Perry abandoned the vehicle, but Hook grabbed him by his hair. Perry broke free and ran. Hook looked at the camera and said, “Keep running, Perry.”
-Excalibur hyped upcoming segments including Nick Wayne’s debut. [c]
-Renee Paquette interviewed Callis in the back. She asked about Jericho. Callis said he’s going to make a big announcement later regarding who the fifth member of Blackpool Combat Club will be at Blood & Guts. He said he’ll go to the ring alone. Renee asked if he is worried about being alone. Callis said he’s not afraid of Kenny Omega.
-They went to the announcers on camera. Excalibur narrated a video recap of last week’s skit with MJF and Adam Cole. Then a new skit aired where they were doing shots at a bar. MJF said he is disappointed he’s not wearing the “Better Than You, Bay Bay” t-shirt. Cole said he lost it. Four women walked by who caught their eyes. MJF said there’s two for each of them. Cole said he really cares about Britt Baker. MJF said he admired that, then said, “Four for daddy.” He left with four women.
MJF walked back to the bar and zipped up. “The maximum ride is spent,” he said. Cole said he can’t talk like that on TV. “That’s disgusting!” he said. Cole said he never lost the t-shirt. Cole said he’ll put it on if MJF does what he wants to do next. Cole whispered something to MJF. MJF didn’t like it. They cut to Cole and MJF playing “Fight Forever.” MJF said playing video games isn’t his thing because he’s not a loser virgin. Cole got him to try. MJF said it’s actually fun, especially playing with a buddy. Cole asked if he had never played a multi-player game before. MJF said he’d need a friend for that and he sounded sad.
Cole paused the game and said when they were forced to be a team, he had every intention of blindsiding him. MJF said he was too and laughed. Cole said MJF is a cool dude. MJF reciprocated and they went back to playing. They won their tag match and then high-fived.
(Keller’s Analysis: At least Cole resisted temptation there more than he did last week when he gave to cheating during their match. This was amusing and the two showed some real chemistry here playing off of each other. I’m still along for the ride, but with some reservations about either MJF becoming too likable along the way or Cole looking like a sucker in the end.)
(2) DARBY ALLIN & ORANGE CASSIDY vs. SAMMY GUEVARA & DANNY GARCIA – Blind Eliminator Tag Team Tournament match
Darby and Cassidy came out first. Then Garcia and Guevara. Excalibur noted they came out to their individual entrance themes rather than the Jericho Appreciation Society music. The bell rang 36 minutes into the hour. Cassidy dove through the ropes at Garcia, but Garcia caught him and threw him into the barricade. He then slapped Guevara in the chest and went after Darby. Guevera shook his head with disgust over something. They cut to a split screen break at 3:00. [c/ss]
Darby hot-tagged Cassidy in, who went at Garcia and landed a Michinoku Driver for a near fall. Garcia came back with a sleeper and then a sharpshooter. Cassidy fired back with a Stundog Millionaire and then a DDT for a near fall, broken up by Guevara. Cassidy landed a Beach Break, but Garcia leveraged his shoulders down for a near fall. They rolled around the mat with various counters and eventually knocked each other down with boots to the chest. Both were down and slow to get up at 10:00.
When Garcia and Darby tagged in, they collided heads. Garcia, meanwhile, slammed Cassidy on the ring apron. Both were down at ringside as fans applauded encouragement to Darby. Darby ate a knee from Guevara. Guevara went for a shooting star press, but Darby moved. Garcia then put Cassidy in a sharpshooter at ringside. Prince Nana walked out and grabbed Darby’s skateboard. He told Garcia to use it. Garcia smiled and wound it up, but Darby grabbed it. Swerve Strickland gave Darby a running knee. Excalibur said Swerve was getting revenge for losing the tag match last week. Garcia then gave Darby a GTH for the win. A happy Garcia helped Guevara stand and they celebrated together.
WINNERS: Garcia & Guevara in 12:00.
-Excalibur showed the brackets. Guevara & Garcia will face the winners of the tag match later between MJF & Cole and Brian Cage & Big Bill.
-They went back to the ring where Garcia was checking on Darby and he shook his hand. Garcia stood at ringside and seemed a little perplexed by Guevara’s gesture. Guevara and Garcia left together.
-A vignette aired on Nick Wayne at home talking about his mom delivering the news of his dad’s death and how he is committed to making his dad proud.
(Keller’s Analysis: For being 18 years old, he spoke with confidence and polish and came across as really likable and mature enough to handle the pressure of AEW.) [c]
-Renee was ready to interview Cole. Cole was on the phone in the background, apparently with Britt Baker and he seemed distressed. Roderick Strong walked up to Cole in his neck brace and asked if he’s actually warming up to MJF. Cole said MJF isn’t actually a half-bad guy. Cole smiled as he read a text he just got from MJF who said he wants him to rock the t-shirt and do a double clothesline. Then MJF said he just saw Brian Cage in the hall “and I have the flu.” Cole called MJF right away and yelled that he isn’t actually sick.
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(3) ADAM COLE & MJF vs. BIG BILL & BRIAN CAGE (w/Prince Nana) – Blind Eliminator Tag Team Tournament match
Bill came out first followed by Cage with Nana. MJF’s music then played and he walked out. He paused and then Cole’s music played. Cole wore the “I’m Better Than You, Bay Bay” t-shirt. MJF went in for a hug, but Cole indicated he wasn’t ready for that (yet). MJF slapped fans’ hands on his way to the ring. MJF and Cole struck a pose together at the “Boom” part of the song.
[HOUR TWO]
Some fans chanted “MJF!” MJF opened against Bill. MJF went for a bodyslam, but he didn’t budge Bill and then sold a back injury. He turned and tagged out to Cole. MJF retreated. Cole chased him down. (I assume we’re supposed to believe MJF is feigning his fear because this is in such contrast to his typical ultra-confident World Champion persona.) Back in the ring, Cage did some push-ups and then struck a pose. Cole then did some push-ups. Fans counted along to ten as the ref blocked Cage from interfering. (Why? Is it illegal to attack your opponent showboating during a match?) MJF tagged back in and yelled, “Bodyslam!” Bill tagged back in. MJF got a little lift, but again grabbed at his back in pain. Fans chanted “You can do it!” MJF went down for push-ups instead. Bill stomped on him and punched away at his head. Bill then did push-ups. They cut to a break at 4:00. [c/ss]
Bill and Cage dominated MJF during the break. Back from the break, Bill yanked off MJF’s t-shirt and wiped his ass with it. Bill grabbed MJF’s throat. MJF bit his hand and then bodyslammed him. Fans popped. Both were down and slow to get up. Cole called for the tag as fans chanted “Holy shit!” Cage blocked the tag. MJF almost managed a piledriver on Cage, but his back gave out. MJF poked Cage in the eyes and then leaped to tag in Cole.
Cole gave Cage two pump kicks to the head. Cage blocked his next move, but Cole poked him in the eyes. MJF called for a double-clothesline. Cole enthusiastically tagged in MJF. They went for a double clothesline, but Cage stopped short. Bill then entered and clotheslined both of them. Bill then set up a double chokeslam, but Cole and MJF broke free and stereo superkicked him. Cage hit then each with clotheslines. He lifted both of them and overhead tossed them. Cage charged at MJF, but MJF side-stepped him. MJF then gave Cage a heat seeker clothesline. Cole then connected with the Boom kick for the three count. MJF continued to sell a back injury as he began celebrating with Cole.
WINNERS: Cole & MJF in 10:00.
-MJF held the mic mid-ring after the match as Cole’s music faded. MJF said he had one question for the crowd. “Do we have any Devil Worshippers in the house tonight?” he said. MJF told Cole to “do the thing.” Fans chanted, “Do the thing!” Cole then did the “Adam Cole, bay bay!” thing. MJF pushed their t-shirt before shifting to saying one of these days, they’ll hit the double clothesline. Fans began chanting “Double clothesline!”
MJF yanked on his t-shirt. Cole told him to stop touching him and said they need to work on that. Cole asked who was ready for “Story Time with Adam Cole.” He said never in his wildest dreams did he expect to team with MJF and have it work. He said it’s worked and so far they’re pretty damn good. He said he didn’t have high expectations for this team, but he does want to win the tournament. “Why stop there?” he said. He said if they win the tournament, they get a shot at the AEW World Tag Team Championships. He promised everyone that if they stay on the same page they’ve been on, everyone is looking at the new AEW tag champs. They cut to Strong watching on a monitor backstage, looking displeased with Cole seeming to bond with MJF.
-Excalibur plugged the final match of the tournament next week and cleared up that the winner of the tournament faces FTR for the AEW Tag Team Titles on July 29 on Collision.
-Renee interviewed Jake Hager backstage about the status of the J.A.S. The camera followed him into Jericho’s locker room. Hager asked Jericho, “You’re not really considering this, are you?” Jericho said there’s a lot of history there with Callis, so he needs some time. Hager took off his hat and said they have history too. He said he left behind an undefeated MMA career to be by his side, so he deserves to know. Hager said this affects both of them. He handed him his hat and left. [c]
-A commercial aired for Collision and Battle of the Belts VII.
(4) RUBY SOHO (Toni Storm, Saraya) vs. SKYE BLUE
The bell rang 22 minutes into the hour. When Blue and Soho battled on the ring apron, Storm interfered and rammed Blue into the ringside steps. The ref booted Saraya and Storm to the back. Excalibur asked if the damage has been done, though. They cut to a split-screen break with Soho in control. [c/ss]
Back from the break, Soho applied a half crab. Blue reached the bottom rope to force a break. Fans chanted “Ruby sucks!” Blue face-planted Soho, who grabbed her nose afterward. Blue climbed the ropes in the corner. Soho charged and knocked her off balance and then indicated she was faking the nose injury. Then she hit No Future for the win.
WINNER: Soho in 9:00 to advance to the final against the winner of the Athena vs. Willow Nightingale match on Rampage.
-A video recap aired of the C.M. Punk vs. Samoa Joe match.
-Q.T. Marshall threw to the world premiere of Harley Cameron’s “Rap Class.”
(5) “SWERVE” STRICKLAND vs. NICK WAYNE
Wayne came out to onto the entrance stage and was greeted by Darby. They hugged. Wayne then ran toward the ring. They showed his mom smiling and clapping at ringside. Then Nick pointed up, likely thinking of his father. The bell rang 39 minutes into the hour. Taz said he just turned 18 last Monday and is the youngest member of the active AEW roster. They countered and ducked each other in a rapid-fire sequence a minute in, leading to applause from the fans. Fans chanted “Let’s go Nick!” Nana grabbed at Wayne. Wayne turned to yell at him. Swerve put Wayne on his shoulders, but Wayne elbowed himself free and then head-scissored Swerve to the floor. They cut to a split-screen break. [c/ss]
Swerve took control during the break and settled into a chinlock. Wayne came back with a cutter and scored a two count at 7:00. Darby came out and cheered on Wayne. Swerve paused as he was setting up a back suplex off the ropes. Wayne battled himself free and took Swerve over with a huracanrana and then a leaping springboard cutter for a near fall. Swerve’s foot was on the bottom rope. Wayne followed up on the top rope, but Swerve countered mid-air into a powerbomb followed by a running side kick to the head for a convincing near fall. Darby cheered the kickout. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!” Swerve snapped Wayne’s arm with a stomp and sold a serious arm injury. Swerve then landed his finisher for the win. Swerve and Nana taunted Wayne’s mother at ringside.
WINNER: Swerve in 11:00.
-Excalibur hyped Rampage: Dark Order will speak about their victory last week on Rampage, Dustin Rhodes & Keith Lee vs. Matt Mendard & Angelo Parker, Toni Storm speaks, Takeshita in action, and Lance Archer vs. Trent Beretta. They showed clips of Archer winning matches recently in the U.K. and Japan. Then on Collision: Soho vs. either Nightingale or Athena, FTR vs. Jay White & Juice Robinson, and Punk vs. Ricky Starks. Then Battle of the Belts VII features Luchasaurus vs. Shawn Spears for the TNT Title. He then plugged Blood & Guts in Boston next week.
-Callis made his way to the ring. He said he knows the real Kenny Omega and said he’s a coward and a punk. Callis was interrupted by Omega. Omega ran into Takeshita and Jon Moxley in the aisle. Pac then showed up and nailed Omega from behind with a chair. The announcers wondered if he’s the final partner in the Blackpool Combat Club team. Pac, Takeshita, and Moxley stomped away at Omega.
Pac said he’s been waiting a long time for this. He told Omega he’s the fifth member and he’ll pay the price. Takeshita and Mox put a chair around Omega’s neck. Mox trash-talked Omega. Omega said they still have a fifth member to reveal, too. He said, “Check the screen.” The big screen revealed Kota Ibushi footage.
The Young Bucks then showed up and superkicked Takeshita and Moxley. Then Hangman hit them with a Buckshot Lariat. The heels fled as fans chanted “Cowboy Shit!” Hangman said they’ll finish this once and for all at Blood & Guts. Omega stood and said they will find out the hard way that a little barbed wire is nothing compared to what they’ll do to him. He said when all five members are down, that’s when he’s going after Callis. Omega coughed to sell the beatdown, but then said, “Good bye and good night, bang!”
ALSO CHECK OUT JASON POWELL’S REPORT AT PROWRESTLING.NET: AEW Dynamite results (7/12): Powell’s live review of MJF & Cole vs. Cage & Big Bill, Cassidy & Darby Allin vs. Guevara & Garcia, Nick Wayne vs. Swerve Strickland
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