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AEW DYNAMITE REPORT
“FYTER FEST”
AUGUST 23, 2023
DULUTH, GA.
AIRED ON TBS
Commentators: Excalibur, Taz, Tony Schiavone
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
[HOUR ONE]
-A graphic acknowledged the death of Terry Funk.
-The AEW Dynamite opening aired.
-Excalibur and Tony Schiavone introduced the show as the camera panned the audience.
-Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks made their ring entrance for a six-man tag against Austin & Colten Gunn & Juice Robinson. The lights then went dark for a few seconds before a spotlight shined on Juice and the Gunns on the stage, posing in a circle, backs to each other. Omega and the Bucks jump-started the fight on the ramp.
In the ring, Juice jabbed Nick in the gut with a chair. When the ref grabbed the chair, Juice punched him. The Bucks stereo superkicked Juice. The Gunns attacked the Bucks as Jay White cheered them on. As a brawl continued, Excalibur said the match was a no contest and was thrown out. Schiavone said it never got started because the bell never rang.
Takeshita entered and nailed Omega with a clothesline. Boos rang out. As Jay and Juice choked Nick with a cable at ringside, FTR walked out to their music. They brawled with the heels on the ramp and at ringside. The Bucks joined in. Omega recovered and made a comeback against Takeshita. He set up a One-Winged Angel, but Takeshita slipped free and retreated.
(Keller’s Analysis: Since the bell didn’t ring, and the match was advertised, are they going to regroup and have them come back out later? Will Juice be suspended for striking a referee? Overall, this added steam to the six-man tag at All In and featured FTR and the Bucks standing side by side.)
-Excalibur said it was a hot start to Dynamite headed into All In at Wembley this weekend.
-Renee Paquette interviewed MJF backstage She asked how he feels going into All In at Wembley in front of over 80,000. “I’m going to be real chubbed up,” he said. “If there’s one thing I know about myself, it’s that I can’t get enough of people chanting my name. So Daddy’s trunks are going to be awfully tight in Londontown.” He said he’s the 2023 version of British Bulldog if he was Jewish and a good public speaker. “I love you crooked-teeth Brits, too,” he added. He asked the fans to make the main event the loudest in the history of pro sports. He said he’d buy everyone a pint. Renee asked if he really would. MJF whispered that he didn’t mean it, but he’d make Tony Khan buy it.
Renee asked about wrestling twice including an ROH Tag Title match. He said it’s the most pressure he’s felt in his life. He said it’s the biggest event in pro wrestling. He said it doesn’t happen without the people who paved the road in pro wrestling prior. He said it’s insane that he’s the biggest headliner in pro wrestling history. He listed big names of the past: Hulk Hogan, Bruno Sammartino, Dusty Rhodes, John Cena, The Rock, Stone Cold, Triple H, The Undertaker. He said he’s standing on the shoulder of giants. He said if he wins this weekend, he might become a giant himself. He said it’s a lot of pressure, but he’s ready for it.
Renee said people are speculating about whether his relationship with Adam Cole is authentic. She threw to clips of tension between them, but left out Cole teasing kicking him from behind last week. MJF said he’s never had a genuine friend before. He said he’s not trying to be funny. He said it’s real.
He said Adam has made him a better person in a short period of time, showing him he can trust and he can let his guard down. He said Adam isn’t just his friend, but he’s also his brother. He said brothers fight and push each other and are competitive, but at the end of the day, brothers hug it out. He said he understands why fans have reservations about trusting him. He said he’s far from perfect. He asked everyone to imagine the worst thing they’ve ever done and then said he’s probably done it twice.
He told fans he’s been vulnerable for the first time in his life and he told fans to go on the journey with him and be vulnerable with him “and I promise you, you will be rewarded – and that is the first promise in my life I intend to keep.” He said he’s not just a scumbag, he’s their scumbag. MJF said he can’t wait to headline the show with his best friend. He smiled.
(Keller’s Analysis: MJF has a special, unique personality for pro wrestling. There’s never really been a character like what he’s become. He played this just right, where if he turns on Cole, half the fans will say, “I told you so!” And if he doesn’t turn on Cole, everyone will embrace him and believe he really has become a better person.)
-Jon Moxley began his ring entrance. [c/ss]
(1) JON MOXLEY vs. REY FENIX (w/Alex Abrahantes)
Rey Fenix made his ring entrance after the break. The bell rang 18 minutes into the hour. Excalibur said it remains to be revealed who the three mystery partners will be of Blackpool Combat Club. Mox avoided Fenix when he ran the top rope and springboarded toward him. Mox hit a lariat and scored a two count before they cut to a split-screen break at 4:00. [c/ss]
Back from the break, Mox scored another near fall after a leaping piledriver mid-ring. At 13:00, after intense back and forth action in the ring, Fenix set up a top rope move. Mox bit him and then landed a top rope Death Rider for a convincing near fall. Mox applied a sleeper mid-ring right after Fenix kicked out. The ref eventually called for the bell after sensing Fenix was out.
WINNER: Mox in 14:00.
-Afterward, Wheeler Yuta and Claudio joined Mox in the ring in triple-teaming Fenix. Wheeler held a crow bar. Eddie Kingston and Penta were about to come out for the save when Ortiz blocked them on the ramp. Santana then marched out. Schiavone said it’s been over a year since they’ve seen him. Santana and Penta brawled. Ortiz hit Kingston off-camera with the loaded sock. (How did they miss that shot?) Then he hit Penta with the sock, also. Then Wheeler hit Fenix with a crowbar, also missed by the director. (How did they miss that shot, too?!) Chuck Taylor, Trent Beretta, and Orange Cassidy walked out, so the heels retreated to ringside. Penta and Kingston rolled into the ring to check on Fenix. The doc also kneeled and checked on him. Kingston and Penta frantically called for a stretcher to help Fenix.
-They went to Excalibur, Schiavone, and Taz at ringside. Excalibur shifted to plugging a sports gambling sponsor. He was in “solemn mode” to help sell the situation with Fenix. Even Taz seemed disturbed by the turn of events. [c]
-Back from the break, they showed Yuta hitting Fenix with the crowbar and standing on his head afterward. Then they went live backstage to Fenix being loaded into an ambulance. Renee approached Kingston. She said she wasn’t trying to be insensitive. He asked if she saw what her husband just did. Kingston shoved the mic away and said he’ll fix it at Wembley.
(Keller’s Analysis: It is really awkward for Renee to be an interviewer who is known to be married to a heel who just led a brutal attack like that. Good to see Santana and Ortiz back together in time for Wembley.)
-Renee interviewed Sammy Guevara backstage earlier in the day. She talked about him coming to Chris Jericho’s aid after Will Ospreay attacked him. Matt Menard, Angelo Parker, and Danny Garcia walked in. Menard asked Sammy what he’s been thinking.
Sammy said Jericho is his friend. He said he doesn’t agree with everything he has done, but Jericho is blinded by his friendship with Don Callis. He said he’s known him for 30 years. He said when friends are in the wrong, you need to be there for them. He said he promised he’d always have his back. Parker said it’s always Sammy who’s there for his friend, but he asked Sammy if Jericho would be there for him. He said it’s something to think about. Garcia gave Sammy an icy death stare before turning to leave.
-Schiavone stood mid-ring and introduced Ospreay for the contract signing with Jericho. When Ospreay and Callis walked into the ring, Schiavone apologized for omitting Callis’s name. He then introduced Jericho, who walked out with Guevara by his side. Callis said everybody wants to know why he did what he did last week. He said it can be summed up in four words: “Will By God Ospreay!” He said the only thing better than having Jericho in the Don Callis Family would be playing a part in ending the greatest career of all-time. Fans booed and chanted “Shut the f— up!” Callis said he had to make Ospreay an offer he couldn’t refuse, which was Jericho’s “head on a platter at Wembley.” He said he threw away 34 years of friendship in favor of money and power. He said he chose writing history over watching it, and he chose Ospreay over Jericho.
Callis said a couple of years ago Jericho almost died in England. He said he’ll be in Ospreay’s corner at Wembley to be sure that job is finished. Ospreay told fans to shut their mouths so he could talk. Ospreay said the match at Wembley is going to change his life. He said the day before he wrestles Jericho, he’s doing an indy show to get as many paydays as he can to put his four year old step-son through school. (What a heel!)
He said will be the only person to say he’s defeated Omega, Okada, and Jericho in two months. He said in six months his contract with New Japan comes up. He said he knows the millions he is worth because he is the best wrestler in the world. He said he’s better than the Elite, Bryan Danielson, and C.M. Punk. He said beating Jericho is rocket fuel for his future. Ospreay then signed the contract.
Jericho then took the mic and told Ospreay he wouldn’t have accomplished those thing if it weren’t for him. He said five years ago, the pundits and sheet writers and Meltzers were all predicting he’d be in a wheel chair before he was 30 years old like his hero, the Dynamite Kid, because he was so reckless. He said he cold-called Ospreay and told him to tone it down because, if he didn’t, he wouldn’t have the longevity that he’s had. He said listening to him gave him a chance to be one of the top all-time stars in the business. He said he was supposed to face him 2021 in the TokyoDome before the lockdown, but there’s no lockdown now. He said this is the biggest show in pro wrestling history, so it’s the biggest match of his career.
He said it means more than any WrestleMania and any TokyoDome event. He said this match means more to him than anyone else. He said he’s coming into the match from the top of the mountain with everyone trying to knock him off, with every dipshit social media hater trying to predict his demise. He said he has to be the best Jericho he’s ever been to beat him, but Ospreay has to be the best Ospreay he’s ever been to beat him.
He told Ospreay to prove it to his family in front of 80,000 of his countrymen. “And don’t make me regret that I picked up the phone and called you five years ago and don’t make me regret that I kept you from being in a wheelchair.” Ospreay knocked the mic out of his hand. Ospreay got in Jericho’s face. Jericho slapped him. Security separated them quickly. Taz worried Schiavone would break a hip if he didn’t get out of there. [c]
-Renee’s sitdown interview aired with Adam Cole. She threw to highlights of his friendship with MJF so far. She asked what that all means to him. Cole said not in a million years did he think he could become best friends with MJF. He said they’ve had a ton of fun together. He said Max helped him find himself again.
He said when he first came back from his injury, his confidence was at an all-time low. He said MJF restored his confidence and he’ll love him forever for that. She asked what it would mean to Cole to become the AEW World Champion. Cole said he never got into pro wrestling with the intention of being just a wrestler; he said his intention was to become the best. He said being AEW World Champion solidifies you as being the best pro wrestler. He said he doesn’t just want to win the match, he needs to, so he will.
[HOUR TWO]
Renee asked about how the Kingdom and Roderick Strong are questioning Cole’s trust in MJF. They closed with Cole last week considering hitting MJF from behind. Renee said those moments make people question their friendship. Cole lost his temper and stood up. He said there are no issues between him and Max. He expressed frustration that people can’t believe that. He stormed off.
(2) DARBY ALLIN & NICK WAYNE vs. SWERVE STRICKLAND & A.R. FOX (w/Prince Nana)
The bell rang three minutes into the hour. Two minutes in, Swerve and Fox set up a move on Wayne and Darby on the ring apron. The counter by Darby was botched. Wayne landed a leaping cutter on both Swerve and Fox at ringside. Darby then hit a double coffin drop seconds later. They cut to a split screen break at 2:30. [c/ss]
At 8:00 Darby broke up a cover on Wayne to save the match. He then flip dove onto Swerve at ringside. Darby put Swerve on a chair, but Fox landed a shooting star press on him. Fox put Darby on the chair at ringside. Swerve landed a double stomp that slid onto Darby’s throat and chin area when he landed. Wayne was bleeding from under his nose. Taz said the nose is probably broken. Swerve kicked him in the face. Fox gave him a corkscrew brainbuster for a two count. Wayne took a beating for a while, but kept kicking out of pin attempts. Wayne avoided a top rope 450 splash by Fox and then bridged back for a three count. Darby met Wayne on the ramp and celebrated the win with him. They showed Wayne’s mom smiling at ringside.
WINNERS: Swerve & Darby in 11:00.
-Swerve broke into a maniacal laugh afterward. He told Fox he always comes up short in big opportunities. He said this was a test. He said he couldn’t even beat an “18 year old child.” He said he can’t trust him in the match at Wembley. Fox looked crestfallen. Nana said on behalf of the Mogul Embassy, “A.R. Fox, you are fired.” Brian Cage then attacked Fox.
Swerve had his back turned in the corner. Darby and Wayne marched back out with Sting with them. Swerve, Nana, and Cage left the ring. Darby told Fox that he wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for him because he changed his life. He said no matter what he’s done to him, he’ll always credit him for what he did for him. He helped him up and said, “I love you, man.” He hugged him. Darby said this Sunday, he asked who they’ve got to face them at Wembley. Swerve and Nana laughed.
Christian Cage and Luchasaurus walked out. Christian said they were two steps ahead of them. He addressed Wayne and said it’s nice to meet him in person. He brought up his dad and noted that he’s dead. He said he never heard of his dad, so he doesn’t have a lot to look up to. He said if he were him, he’d steer clear of Wembley to avoid seeing a coffin door close on someone else he cares about. He told Wayne if he plays his cards right, he can be there to mentor him. He said everyone knows every fatherless man needs a mentor. Christian’s music played to close out the segment.
-Renee sat between the Young Bucks and FTR backstage. She asked about FTR running out to the aid of the Bucks. Cash said it’s not because they’re friends or buddies, but rather they want to find out at Wembley who is better. The Bucks said, “Fair enough.” Renee asked if it feels like the biggest match of their careers. Matt said it felt impossible before the first All In to draw 10,000 fans now it’s bigger. Nick said he feels that he and Matt are made men, whereas FTR have to beat them to make their case as the best.
Cash said there’s a lot in play in this match. Dax said this match is personal to them. Dax said the only tag team that stands in the way of their legacy is the Bucks.
Matt said he gets it and he mocked Dax’s voice and how he so often brings up his family. Matt said they are the reason they have jobs in AEW. Matt said it just got awkward, but one day when it’s all said and done and they decide to hang up their sneakers, they will be known as the best tag team ever. He said FTR will be known as the team the Young Bucks named on their YouTube show. Dax said the Bucks are the foundation now and they’ll crack their foundation at All In. [c]
-A brief video package aired on the four-way match for the AEW Women’s Title with soundbites from the competitors.
(3) RUBY SOHO vs. SKYE BLUE
As Soho made her way to the ring, a split-screen soundbite aired where she said she’s got her sights set on Kris Statlander’s title. A soundbite aired with Skye on split-screen, but it was cut short by Soho attacking Skye. The bell rang 29 minutes into the hour. Soho dominated for the first two minutes. Skye made a comeback and leaped off the ring apron onto Soho on the floor as they cut to a split-screen break. [c/ss]
Skye landed Skye Fall after the break. Soho came back with a No Future and then Destination Unknown for the win. Afterward, Soho looked into the camera and said, “Kris, I’ve got my eyes on you.”
WINNER: Soho in 7:00.
-Renee interviewed Strong, Matt Taven, and Mike Bennett backstage. She asked Strong what he knows that they don’t about MJF and Cole. Strong said at the end of the night, they’ll find out who the real MJF is and who the real Adam Cole is. (#Foreshadowing).
-A clip aired of House of Black putting Billy Gunn’s boots in a trash compactor.
-The Acclaimed marched out looking serious and determined. Schiavone said he’s never seen them like this. Anthony Bowens called House of Black to the ring. Schiavone said they’ve had enough. The lights went black. Fans cheered. The House of Black made their way to the ring and got in a fight three-on-two. The Acclaimed’s music then played and Billy Gunn walked out to the ring. House of Black retreated to ringside. Taz said he didn’t even know he was there. Excalibur said Max Caster and Bowens probably didn’t know.
Billy said they wanted his attention and now they’ve got it. He said a couple of weeks ago, after they beat him for the second time, he unlaced his boots and left them in the ring. He said he was okay with retiring, but last week they jumped Max and Anthony “and hurt one of my kids.” He said that wasn’t enough, though. He said they destroyed his boots. He said they pissed on his legacy. He said for that, he will wrestle one more time in front of 80,000 people. “I’ll take everything from you,” he said. He said the fun-loving Daddy Ass can’t make the trip, but there’s a bad ass coming to London by the name of Billy Gunn.
-Excalibur plugged Collision: Punk & Darby & Sting & a mystery partner vs. White & Swerve & Luchasaurus & Christian, Butcher & Blade & Kip Sabian vs. Kingston & Penta & Cassidy, and Jack Perry plans to retire the FTW Title. Then he hyped the All In line-up.
-The Hardys began their ring entrance. [c]
(4) AUSSIE OPEN (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis) vs. MATT & JEFF HARDY – ROH Tag Team Title match
They cut to a split-screen break at couple minutes in. [c/ss]
WINNERS: Aussie Open to retain the ROH Tag Team Titles.
-Afterward, Fletcher and Davis had a few words about facing MJF and Cole. The MJF and Cole blended entrance music played and fans cheered as they walked out together. They got in a staredown with Aussie Open mid-ring. As Cole and MJF turned to leave, Aussie Open yanked them back toward them and went on the attack. They had them down and then gloated to the crowd.
They set up a double-clothesline, but Cole and MJF fought back. Then they set up a double-clothesline on Davis, but Davis ducked under the ropes. MJF then signaled for the Kangaroo Kick. Davis hit MJF from behind. MJF saved Cole from a Fletcher attack from behind. Cole went for a superkick, but Fletcher moved. MJF caught his boot. They stared at each other intensely. MJF picked up his AEW World Title belt. MJF pushed his way past Cole with his shoulder. He dropped the belt and looked at his Dynamite Diamond ring. Then he put it in his pocket and asked Cole for a hug. They hugged. Cole stared at MJF as MJF played to the crowd. Excalibur pushed All In one final time.
FINAL NOTE: I’ve got to go host the live post-show, but I’ll add commentary later to this report so check back tomorrow
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