AEW DYNAMITE RESULTS (6/5): Keller’s report on MJF’s return to Dynamite, Swerve vs. Strong for AEW World Title, Mariah May vs. Saraya, more

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AEW DYNAMITE REPORT
JUNE 5, 2024
LOVELAND, COL. AT BLUE FCU ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON TBS

Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Taz

Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts

Attendance: WrestleTix reported earlier today that 2,435 tickets had been distributed so far; arena is set up for 3,032.

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LIVE ON YOUTUBE RIGHT AFTER AEW DYNAMITE TONIGHT

[HOUR ONE]

-They went right to the entrance stage as MJF walked out to his familiar theme song. The graphic said he is the longest-reigning AEW World Hvt. Champion. “Just like the old days,” said Schiavone. When his music stopped, fans cheered. He made the (obligatory?) reference to pot being legal in Colorado and that’s why his eyes might look funny. (Considering 24 out of 50 states have legalized marijuana, it’s time retire this reference when visiting Colorado.) He said he’s putting everybody on notice. He said he was licking his wounds at home sitting on his couch in his palatial estate “in the most magical place in the world, Long Island, New York.” He plugged Forbidden Door and joked that he’ll probably be wrestling “some random guy from Mexico or Japan.” He added: “Get your tickets today. Done shilling!”

He said watching from home, he heard “a bunch of children” making bold claims. He said Okada calls himself the Rainmaker, but looking at his body, it seems he cannot afford a gym membership. He said Swerve Strickland isn’t much of a leader since his whole crew turned on him. He said what offended to him was Swerve referring to himself as a business mogul. He said they tend to go to school, “but if you did, you must’ve skipped your public speaking course.” He then mocked Will Ospreay’s accent and phrasing. Fans chanted “Bruh!” He said Ospreay is not Chris Jericho, Jon Moxley, Cody Rhodes, Samoa Joe, Bryan Danielson, Kenny Omega, Adam Cole, or Hiroshi Tanahashi. He said he has defeated each of them. He then called his teeth “disgusting, crooked, and yellow-stained.” He said Ospreay isn’t the best in the world, because he is.

MJF said he became the face of AEW and created some of the greatest matches and interviews in the history of the sport. He said he became the most hated man walking the planet only to become the most beloved. He said when he went home “to heal from my wounds after carrying this place” and “people had the audacity to try to smear my name.” He was interrupted by Rush’s music.

Rush walked out. He told MJF he’s like the dirty, ugly Americans who never, ever shut up. He asked where his celebration is because he was busy wrestling while MJF was at home. He said he is going to take MJF’s spot “because when you mess with the bull, you get the horns!”

MJF said, “Rush, I didn’t get any of that, okay.” He said he doesn’t know what’s going on anymore with The Young Bucks in control. He said he thinks Brandon Cutler is running the truck. When Rush tried to respond, MJF cut him off and said he “doesn’t give a shit.” He was bleeped. He said Rush is wearing a dime-store suit. He said his bank account is dry, “like every women you’ve ever slept with.” He said he once paid him an exorbitant amount of money to take out Danielson, so he knows how dangerous he is. He said his father was a big star in Mexico, so some might call him a nepo-baby.

MJF noted that Rush is a former ROH World Champion who stepped to AEW and bludgeoned nearly everyone he stepped in the ring with. MJF said he’s not one of the best, he is the best. He said he respects and admires Rush, but when he interrupted him, he got mad. He raged briefly in Spanish. Rush charged into the ring. MJF and Rush brawled mid-ring. Excalibur said they need security to separate them. Security ran in along with Christopher Daniels.

(Keller’s Analysis: MJF showed there that he is at higher level than almost anyone else in AEW just in terms of cheer force and bravado on the mic, leaning into everything he says with a confidence level few have. That said, MJF’s schtick is tearing people down, but did his insults aimed at three top stars, including two babyfaces, cut too deep in the process of trying to get himself over? The crowd ate it up, for sure, but if he’s a babyface, it’d be better to aim his acerbic wit at heels and probably not undercut Okada for not having a pimple-ridden muscle-bound bodybuilder physique, since, you know, it’s not 1988. I didn’t get a sense of MJF’s agenda otherwise, since he didn’t talk about The Kingdom situation with Adam Cole or his ultimate aspirations in terms of a title match. That might be by design since that will play out more organically soon enough. He definitely injects a different kind of energy and vibe that wasn’t replaced in his absence.)

-A vignette aired on Roderick Strong, who narrated the video, which showed him and Matt Taven and Mike Bennett running up a hill training. He said he will end Swerve’s reign.

(1) ORANGE CASSIDY vs. JAY LETHAL (w/Sonjay Dutt) vs. REY FENIX (w/Alex Abrahantes) vs. KYLE O’REILLY – Winner Earns AEW International Title match

The bell rang 17 minutes into the hour. At 3:00, with all four down, they cut to a double-box break. [c/db]

Cassidy landed an Orange Punch on O’Reilly at 9:00. Lethal caught Cassidy with his Legal Combination seconds later. As he played to the crowd and set up his Lethal Injection, O’Reilly stepped into it. Lethal then set up a figure-four on Fenix, but Fenix rolled him up for a three count,

WINNER: Fenix in 10:00 to earn an International Title match.

(Keller’s Analysis: I know a small package is an actual wrestling move, but that’s the finish you save for when you want to make a win feel a little less decisive than someone getting pinned after getting hit with a signature finisher. Did Lethal need that ostensible “protection,” considering the small package isn’t exactly a definitive statement win for Fenix going into the title match.)

-Afterward, Don Callis walked out with Trent Beretta. A threatened Cassidy picked up a chain. Kris Statlander intervened and backed Orange down. Stokely Hathaway walked out and said Statlander is going to put her shoe so far up Cassidy’s ass, he’ll be spitting up shoe leather. Statlander punched Cassidy. Schiavone called it a cheap shot. Willow Nightingale ran out to the ring, so Statlander rolled out and retreated. She stood next to Cassidy. Schiavone called Stokely a snake.

-They went to the parking garage when a black Chevy SUV arrived. Chris Jericho, Bryan Keith, and Big Bill walked out. Jericho smiled and waved, then instructed the driver to come to a complete stop at stop signs. Jericho said he held a driver’s license for 35 years. He then thanked the SUV driver in a “Bray Wyatt Funhouse” style voice. He then gave tips to the person holding the camera. Bill then said he loves the little things in life like a sunny day. Jericho told the camera guy to get more practice and follow them inside. Jericho waved at everyone as he walked into the venue.

-They went to Excalibur, Taz, and Schiavone at ringside for a sports gambling sponsor plug. [c]

-Renee Paqutte asked Willow backstage about where her head is at after losing to Mercedes Moné and getting attacked afterward. Willow congratulated Mercedes on a win, but said she had her shoulders pinned down for an eight count. She said they will cross paths again. She said she wouldn’t trust Stokely as far as she can throw him, which is further than she anticipated. She said Statlander betrayed her when she was at her lowest. She said her smile is her strength, but after being stabbed in the back, “you don’t know how dangerous that can be.” In walked Cassidy and they fist-bumped (casually, of course).

-AEW Interim EVP Christopher Daniels walked out onto the stage and talked about the ladder match for the TNT Title at Forbidden Door. He said they’ll have another qualifying match tonight.

(2) BRIAN CAGE vs. MARK BRISCOE – Qualifier for the TNT Title Ladder Match for Forbidden Door

The bell rang 39 minutes into the hour. They cut to a double-box break at 3:00 after some offense by Cage at ringside. [c/db]

Briscoe made a comeback eventually and pulled a chair out from under the ring. He then leaped off the chair and landed a flip dive onto Cage on the floor. Briscoe landed a top rope dropkick back in the ring for a near fall. They showed Jack Perry watching on a monitor backstage. Cage came back with a flatliner for a near fall. They showed Callis and Takeshita watching from afar. Cage landed a sitout powerbomb for a near fall at 9:00. Cage flexed in front of Briscoe. Briscoe hit him with a forearm and then landed a running high boot to the face. He followed with a Death Valley Driver followed by a top rope elbowdrop for the win.

WINNER: Briscoe in 10:00 to earn a spot in the Ladder Match for the TNT Title at Forbidden Door.

-They cut to Jack Perry backstage who turned to the camera and said he’s proven no one will sacrifice more than him. He said Tony Khan will try to screw him again, but he can’t be stopped because “the universe has already chosen me.” He said one way or another, he is the next TNT Champion.

-They cut back to the ring as Briscoe played air guitar with his ROH belt. He then admired the TNT Title belt at ringside.

-Renee interviewed Samoa Joe and Hook. Hook was eating chips. Renee asked Joe if it’s “safe” to call him Hook’s new mentor. As Joe began to speak, “The Premiere Athletes” Tony Nese and Ariya Daivari walked with their manager Mark Sterling. Nese criticized Hook for still eating junk food after all these years and not respecting his body more. Hook fired back, “After all these years, you’re still losing matches?” Nese slapped the bag out of Hook’s hand. Joe held Hook back. Daivari said without his daddy to protect him, now Hook is relying on “the former champion.” They left. Joe said people like that don’t talk to them like that unless they know they can get away with it, and he noticed extra security. He said they’ll deal with them on their time. [c]

-Jericho, Keith, and Bill approached “Cool Hand” Angelo Parker and “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard backstage. Jericho said after years under his learning tree, their careers and their personal lives are better than ever. He noted that Menard is the new color commentator on Rampage. He told him to keep his face up and enunciate. Jericho congratulated Parker on his new bride with a new baby on the way. Jericho said he’s an eight-time champion and three-time parent. He gave him advice on parenting and said it’s easy. He over-smiled and said, “Thanks, guys.” Keith told Angelo to “be sure that baby respects Chris Jericho.”

-The Acclaimed made their entrance with their needlessly tall appendage Billy Gunn. Max Caster rapped about the EVPs and referred to them as perverts. The Young Bucks appeared on the big screen and said they had to cut their mics. They said the new AEW handbook says they cannot disparage the EVPs. He said they won’t be seen or heard. He ordered them to the back because their segment is cut. Fans chanted “Bullshit!”

-Renee interviewed Swerve and Prince Nana backstage. Swerve said, “Welcome back MJF, you little bitch.” (Reset the Bitch-o-Meter.) He said MJF finally showed up to work. “You mentioned my name, so I’ll deal with you, and not in a way you’re going to like.” He held up an envelope with a contract he said he signed for the Forbidden Door title match against him. He said it should be sent to Ospreay in the U.K. He said tonight he’s going to knock Strong off the mountain he climbed and bury him underneath it. He talked about “Team AEW” losing to The Elite. He said next time a Team AEW is assembled, don’t forget about him.

(Keller’s Analysis: The Elite are AEW’s EVPs, not outside invaders, so it’s never made sense that their opponents were dubbed Team AEW. I’m glad Swerve fired back at MJF and didn’t let it go. He didn’t try to match insults with him, but rather just said he’d deal with him.)

[HOUR TWO]

-Excalibur announced Mercedes Moné will be facing Stephanie Vaquer at Forbidden Door with their respective titles on the line.

-A vignette aired with Mercedes talking about admiring Japanese wrestling. She said the women were her heroes. She said they created a new title “which had my name written all over it.” She narrated over highlights of her previous match in New Japan Strong against Vaquer. She said she’s now coming for the title “that was meant to be mine.” She closed with, “Money changes everything.”

(Keller’s Analysis: Mercedes best mic work yet in AEW. Solid delivery. She didn’t lean heel at all there. Not sure if talking about wanting to win yet another title is enough to rally the fanbase, though. The mere acknowledgment of the title waters down what AEW’s titles mean if someone with an AEW title still wants one from somewhere else too. I don’t believe “belt collecting” draws ratings or sells tickets.)

(3) BLACKPOOL COMBAT CLUB (Jon Moxley & Bryan Danielson & Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta) vs. VOLADOR JR. & MAGNUS & RUGIDO & ESFINGE

Moxley, Danielson, Castagnoli, and Yuta walked out through the crowd. Excalibur said Yuta was just cleared to return after nearly six months away. The CMLL foursome then entered from the stage. The bell rang 6 minutes into the hour. A brawl broke out with everyone at the start. They cut to a break at 4:00. [c/db]

Claudio gave Magnus a giant swing at 9:00 and then Mox dropkicked him. Volador entered and sunset powerbombed Claudio; Danielson broke up the cover. A “This is awesome” chant broke out. More rapid-fire spots followed. Danielson hit Volador with his Busaiku knee for a near fall. Yuta then entered and gave Rugido a Samoan drop into a seatbelt leverage pin for a three count.

WINNERS: BCC in 12:00.

-They went backstage to Jericho approaching someone at the catering buffet and gave him a tip on loading his plate.

-A profile video aired on Daniel Garcia who narrated his backstory. He said going back home reminds him of being a 20 year old pro wrestler trying to make it, driving 12 hours to Maine for no money and six hours to Montreal to try to get an opportunity, but then getting in a car accident on his way home with leg injuries that could have ended his aspirations. He said he is grateful for that moment, though. He said he challenged Ospreay for a title match, and it was that 20 year old version of himself that inspired that challenge. “You cannot outwork me,” he said.

-The Acclaimed confronted The Bucks backstage. The Bucks were protected by security guys. Anthony Bowens said they’ll have to come face to face with them eventually and they won’t like it. [c]

-Christian Cage with Nick Wayne, Mother Wayne, and Killswitch talked to the Bucks backstage. He said he has carried the company on his back for a year and he deserves another title shot. Matt Jackson said they’re one of the best stables. He said they tried to gift their deserving friend a belt, but TK stepped in and blocked it. He said they still have some pull and he thinks they can make them happy. He suggested they keep scratching each other’s backs. Christian shook his hand and said it’s a great working relationship.

-Taz said, “That’s definitely a dangerous alliance,” he said. “Well, a dangerous group there. I used the wrong term. A little throwback.”

(4) MARIAH MAY (w/Toni Storm, Luther) vs. SARAYA (w/Harley Cameron, Zak Knight)

May did her Storm impersonation on her entrance. Saraya then made her entrance. Storm joined in on commentary. They showed her at ringside in black and white. Saraya attacked May before the bell. The ref ridiculously rewarded her attack by calling for the bell. (It’s so stupid that’s standard practice.) The bell rang 28 minutes into the hour. Storm said, “They say AEW is where the breasts wrestle, right?” Schiavone said, “The best.” When May made a comeback, Saraya retreated to ringside. Fans booed. Saraya strutted. May pursued her. Saraya ran away. Cameron took a swing at May, who ducked, but then Saraya knocked her down. They cut to a double-box break at 2:00 with Saraya in control. [c/db]

Saraya landed a package DDT at 8:00 for a convincing near fall. Storm said their training has paid off. Taz questioned how you train for that. May surprised Saraya with a small package for a two count. Saraya landed a quick thrust kick and then applied submission mid-ring for the verbal submission.

WINNER: Saraya in 9:00.

-Storm ran in to check on May. Saraya attacked her. Cameron went after May. Mia Shirakawa ran out to knock Saraya and Cameron out of the ring. Zak carried Saraya to safety. Shirakawa and Storm butted chests a few times. May split them and comforted them on her breasts.

-Jericho, Bill, and Keith walked up to Private Party. Jericho said he’s been to a lot of parties, and they’re better when they’re public. He said they should change their names to Public Party. They said Jericho doesn’t fit their dynamic, “respectfully.” Keith took exception. Bill said the people who need the advice the most don’t realize they need the help. Jericho said Private Party need more TV time, so he’s inviting them to join him on “The Learning Tree with Chris Jericho” next week. [c]

-In a backstage pre-taped promo, Danielson said Yuta fought like hell and came out on top after six months away. He said he couldn’t be more proud of him. He said eight months ago, he told people this would be his last year as a full time wrestler. He said it hasn’t been the year he wanted. He said he lost to Christian, failed to win the Continental Classic, and came up short against Okada at the Tokyo Dome. He said he’s losing every big match. He said the straw that broke the camel’s back was losing at Anarchy in the Arena. He said he has realized that his last year as a full time wrestler isn’t over yet. He talked about the Owen Hart Tournament and said he got fired up when he heard the winner gets an AEW World Title match at All In at Wembley. He said he’s going out on top.

(5) SWERVE STRICKLAND vs. RODERICK STRONG – AEW World Hvt. Title match

Justin Roberts did formal ring introductions. Then Taven and Bennett joined Strong on his way to the ring. The bell rang 51 minutes into the hour. At 3:00 Taven distracted Swerve as he climbed to the top rope. Strong then shoved Swerve and then dropped him across the top turnbuckle. Taven and Bennett trash-talked and taunted Swerve at ringside. Swerve fended off Strong at ringside and then catapulted him into the ringpost. They cut to a double-box break at 4:00. [c/db]

[OVERRUN]

When Strong took control, Excalibur talked about Strong having a 9-1 record with wins over O’Reilly and Cassidy. Fans chanted “Swerve’s house!” at 13:00. Strong hit a series of running elbows and then a Samoan drop and a powerbomb into a jackknife cover for a two count. Strong followed with a kick to the face for a two count.

Strong and Swerve battled on the ring apron. Swerve got the better of him and stomped him to the floor. He threw Strong back into the ring and set up House Call. Strong ducked after Swerve delayed the move to lead the crowd in chanting “Swerve’s house!” Swerve landed the House Call seconds later, though, for the clean win.

WINNER: Swerve in 15:00 to retain the AEW World Hvt. Title.

(Keller’s Analysis: Good match. Strong is really good. That said, he didn’t seem at all like a threat to win. I did like that Excalibur noted he is 9-1 this year, though. That made him getting the title shot a little more credible.)