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AEW DYNAMITE REPORT
FEBRUARY 14, 2024
AUSTIN, TEX. AT H-E-B CENTER
AIRED LIVE ON TBS
Commentators: Excalibur, Taz, Tony Schiavone
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Attendance: WrestleTix reported earlier today that 2,978 tickets have been distributed so far; arena is set up for 3,218.
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[HOUR ONE]
-The Dynamite opening theme aired. Then they cut to the arena as pyro blasted on the stage and Excalibur introduced the show. They went to close-ups of clusters of fans and then a wide shot of the stage, ring, and fans.
(1) JON MOXLEY vs. DAX HARWOOD
Cameras filmed Jon Moxley as he made his entrance through the concourse and then into the crowd. A clip aired from Collision of the angle with FTR answering a general callout by Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli. Excalibur said Mox is always ready for a fight, and tonight it’s a rare singles match by Dax. The bell rang 4 minutes into the hour. They battled back and forth for a few minutes before spilling to the floor. Mox threw Dax over the ringside barricade into the crowd. Back at ringside, Mox catapulted Dax into the ringside steps.
Back in the ring at 6:00 Dax powerbombed Mox out of the corner and scored a near fall after a sitout powerbomb. Dax suplexed Mox over the top rope and they both tumbled to the floor. They cut to a double-box break. [c/db]
Back from the break, Dax and Mox exchanged chops. When Mox climbed to the top rope, Dax popped up and superplexed him to the mat at 13:00. Dax applied a half crab. Mox escaped and stomped away at Dax and then went for an extended armbar on the mat. Mox broke free and set up a piledriver. Dax countered and tried for a piledriver himself. When Mox resisted, Dax scratched his back. Mox backdropped out of it and then landed a leaping piledriver for a two count. Dax came back with a brainbuster suplex for a near fall at 17:00. He went for a top rope headbutt, but Mox moved and then applied a sleeper for the tapout win.
WINNER: Mox in 18:00.
-Afterward, Mox held on to Dax. Cash Wheeler jumped in and attacked him. Claudio then charged into the ring and pulled Cash off of Mox. Mox and Claudio left through the crowd as Mox’s “Wild Thing” theme played.
(Keller’s Analysis: Really good match. I was curious how these two styles would mesh and they really made it work.)
-Renee Paquette interviewed Don Callis, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Konosuke Takeshita. Callis said they are a victim of their own success because nobody wants to wrestle Takeshita or Hobbs. He said the Revolution PPV is coming up, but they can’t find an opponent. He said he’s going to put together a match that will have people talking for decades featuring members of the Callis Family against each other – Takeshita vs. Will Ospreay.
(2) WARDLOW vs. BARRETT BROWN
Good to see Wardlow walking to the ring, although he was wearing a brace on his right knee. Brown, making his “AEW 2024 debut” according to the graphic, looked like a jobber. Adam Cole was on commentary. Wardlow won quickly with a powerbomb.
WINNER: Wardlow in 1:30.
-They showed The Young Bucks getting out of a private jet. They were wearing their blood-stained white suits. They stepped into a black SUV stretch limo. [c]
(3) ADAM COPELAND vs. DANIEL GARCIA
As Adam Copeland came out, Excalibur said this match could have huge implications on the title picture. “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard joined in on commentary. Taz asked if he’s become Garcia’s personal hype man. He said he’s a coach and mentor plus personal commentator. The bell rang 35 minutes into the hour. They battled back and forth for about four minutes before cutting to a double-box break. [c/db]
Back from the break, Garcia knocked Copeland off balance on the top rope. When Copeland went for a spear, Garcia kneed him and then scored a near fall with a jackknife cover. Copeland then put Garcia in an STF. Nick Wayne and Killswitch attacked Copeland and Garcia.
WINNER: No contest in 13:00.
-Christian strutted out with Shayna Wayne. When Christian grabbed a chair, Menard stepped up and grabbed a chair himself. Killswitch then attacked Menard. Killswitch chokeslammed Garcia next. Copeland then knocked a chair out of Christian’s hands with a chair. Christian begged off in the corner. Shayna then gave Copeland a low-blow from behind. Wayne then gave Copeland a leaping Wayne’s World cutter. Christian then placed Copeland’s head on a chair and then bashed him with another chair. Christian made out with his TNT Title belt. [c]
-A vignette aired on Swerve Strickland and “Hangman” Page.
-They went to Excalibur at ringside who said Copeland did walk to the back after being looked at the AEW doctor.
-Samoa Joe made his way to the ring. Joe said he is there with a spirit of apology. He said he wants the AEW ranking system to assure that only the “very best victims are served up in front of me for me to destroy.” He said everything was going so well until last week when Hangman and Swerve battled to a 30 minute draw. He said he thought that would kick them to the back of the line, but instead they “took a page out of the Texas playbook” and made their match “bigger and dumber.” He said he now finds himself in a three-way match at Revolution. He guaranteed they will walk in, but limp out. He said he stands there as the AEW World Champion and there isn’t anything anyone can do about that. Swerve Strickland’s music played.
[HOUR TWO]
Swerve walked out with Prince Nana. Swerve said he can’t help but think it’s become personal. He said he’s on his way to becoming one of the best ever and he advised Joe to put respect on his name. He said at Revolution, it’ll be Swerve’s House and he’ll be holding the AEW World Title belt above his head. “Hangman” Page interrupted.
Hangman said after last week’s match, he wasn’t mad. He said he wanted to set the record straight. He said he signed a contract for a match to determine the no. 1 contender for the World Title. He said Swerve couldn’t do it, and if it were up to him, the match would be between him and Joe without Swerve. He said they respect the belt and everything it stands for. He said he doesn’t make the matches. He said unfortunately Swerve “has been added to the match.” He said after everything he has done to him, he doesn’t deserve one second of his time. He got in Swerve’s face for an intense staredown. He said he didn’t deserve five more minutes. He said Swerve doesn’t deserve to be in the championship match. Swerve said it’s too late. Joe stepped in and said he’s going to whip both of their asses. He threw down the mic emphatically and left to his music as Swerve and Hangman yelled at each other in the ring.
(Keller’s Analysis: Really good segment to set up the World Title match at Revolution. Everyone was good here.)
-“Timeless” Toni Storm presents Wet Ink: She showed off her ankle tattoo and said it reminds her of an old friend who was so needy and desperate to make it, she had her pity. She said she showed her her ways and helped her sign a contract in Japan. She said she nurtured her on her bosom of brilliance and suckled on her teat of talent. She rubbed her finger over old photos of her and Deonna Purrazzo.
-Renee interviewed Purrazzo and said she talks too much. She said she’s going to break Toni’s arm and called her “bitch.”
-The Young Bucks stepped out of their limo and made their way through the parking garage at the arena. Then they made their entrance to a new theme resembling the opening to “Succession,” just as The Bloodline’s theme does. Excalibur said they’ve destroyed their legacy. Nicholas and Matthew insisted Justin Roberts introduce them as Executive Vice Presidents.
(4) THE YOUNG BUCKS vs. TOP FLIGHT (Darius & Dante Martin w/Action Andretti)
The bell rang 13 minutes into the hour. The Bucks wrestled in their white suits. Excalibur plugged that Rampage airs at 7 ET and then a replay after NBA All-Star festivities. He noted that Collision is prempted this Saturday but returns the following Saturday. The Bucks worked the crowd at ringside. Darius and Dante leaped onto them at ringside. They cut to a double-box break at 3:00. [c/db]
Top Flight took over against Matthew after the break. Nick broke up a cover by Darius. Dante leaped onto Nick at ringside. Darius gave Matt a Spanish Fly for a near fall at 10:00. Matt gave Darius a low-blow as Nick distracted the ref. The Bucks then landed the EVP Trigger for the win.
WINNERS: The Bucks in 11:00.
-Schiavone interviewed The Bucks in the ring. Matthew said they’re undefeated, so that makes them the no. 1 ranked team in AEW. He said he has reason to believe that beating a team the quality of Top Flight – he made a disdainful face – it’s safe to assume, they’re no. 1 contenders. Nick pointed at a graphic on the big screen saying they are no. 1 contenders. Schiavone was critical of their actions. Matthew took exception and said publicly disparaging the company’s EVPs is unprofessional and bush league and perhaps a breach of contract. Nick said that’s a $1,000 fine. He asked Schiavone if he has a problem with that. He knocked Schiavone down with a little nudge with his shoulder. Matthew said his brother is a bit of a hot-head and it won’t happen again. They offered to help Schiavone up. He looked on suspiciously and they appeared to prop him up for a EVP Trigger. Darby charged out for the save.
Darby said they didn’t initially want to hire him and instead hired their friends, “the California crew.” He said another EVP with brains was there, “and I’m not talking about Kenny Omega.” A “Cody!” chant broke out. He said last year they did an interview where they said they re-signed with AEW because the travel schedule was light and the money was good. He said their initial vision was gone. He took a shot at Brandon Cutler having a job and getting TV time. He said they want to be Sting’s final match, but he doesn’t think they know what they’ve gotten themselves into. Matthew asked if it’s official. Darby said, “It’s Showtime!” Excalibur said the match has been made.
(Keller’s Analysis: Don’t the Bucks have EVP power to make the match? They seemed reliant on Darby “making” the match official. Darby was good on the mic once again. The Bucks are obnoxious and fans are going to want to see Sting and Darby beat them up.) [c]
-Renee interviewed the Bang Bang Scissors Gang backstage. They suggested a 12-man tag team match to work on their cohesiveness. Austin Gunn said, “We’ve got two words for you: Guns up.”
(5) SKYE BLUE vs. WILLOW NIGHTINGALE
Willow was accompanied by Kris Statlander onto the stage. Julia Hart accompanied Skye Blue. Stokely Hathaway joined the commentators at ringside. The bell rang 37 minutes into the hour. They cut to a double-box break at 2:00. [c/db]
When Skye had Willow pinned with a victory roll, Hathaway distracted the ref so he couldn’t count the pin. Willow delivered a gut-wrench powerbomb for a three count seconds later.
WINNER: Nightingale in 8:00. [c]
(6) ORANGE CASSIDY vs. MATT TAVEN – Texas Death Match for the International Title
The bell rang 51 minutes into the hour. They brawled into the crowd early. They cut to a split-screen break at 2:00. [c/db]
They brawled in the crowd and onto the stage during the break. Taven suplexed Cassidy onto a table leaning against the stage. Fans (generously) chanted “Holy shit!” Cassidy was bleeding from his forehead at this point. They fought back to the ring. Taven threw Cassidy into the ring and then pulled another table out from under the ring. Taven leaned it on the announce desk. Cassidy leaped at him at ringside. They both avoided the table. A “Freshly squeezed” chant started briefly. Taven landed a leaping kick to Cassidy’s head and then wrecking ball kicked him toward the table. Cassidy stopped short. Taven then leaped and flipped toward Cassidy, but Cassidy moved so Taven crashed through the table. A loud “Holy shit!” chant broke out. Cassidy’s forehead was bleeding heavily at this point.
[OVERRUN]
As the ref began counting Taven down, fans chanted “This is awesome!” Cassidy found a box of chocolates shaped like a heart under the ring that was for Cassidy and from Chuck Taylor. Cassidy opened it and it was filled with thumb tacks. He poured them out center-ring. Cassidy set up a superplex, but Taven shoved Cassidy back-first onto the tacks. Taven went for a splash, but Cassidy moved, so Taven landed chest-first on the tacks. Cassidy then DDT’d Taven onto the tacks. A loud “AEW!” chant broke out.
Cassidy pulled a chain out from under the ring. Mike Bennett ran out and bashed Cassidy over the head with a wooden box. He threw him into the ring, then threw several chairs into the ring. Bennett stacked the chairs. Trent walked out with a box flowers, but pulled out a pipe and hit Bennett with it. Taven then threw a chair at Trent’s head. He then delivered a faceplant onto a chair. Cassidy landed an Orange Punch followed by a beach break onto the chair and tacks. Taven yanked off Cassidy’s front pockets. Cassidy hit Taven with the chain. Roderick Strong ran out and nailed Trent with a high knee. The ref counted Taven down.
WINNER: Cassidy in 14:00 to retain the International Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: They kept adding to the soup there. The crowd seemed to eat it up. This was just a revisiting of garbage wrestling of 20-25 years ago, so it explains why they went with this match last given all of the blood and apparatus, but on paper it’s among the weakest Dynamite main events they’ve had.)
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