10/18 AEW DYNAMITE TV RESULTS: Keller’s report on Moxley defending against Hangman, Storm vs. Shida, Dalton vs. Jericho, Renee interviews Danielson and Yuta

AEW DYNAMITE REPORT
OCTOBER 18, 2022
CINCINNATI, OHIO
AIRED LIVE ON TBS

Commentators: Excalibur, Taz, Tony Schiavone

---

[HOUR ONE]

-Excalibur introduced the show as pyro blasted in the arena.

(1) DEATH TRIANGE (Pac & Penta & Rey Fenix w/Alex Abrahantes) vs. ORANGE CASSIDY & THE BEST FRIENDS (Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor) – AEW World Trios Championship

Orange Cassidy and The Best Friends came out first. Cassidy had the TNT Title belt in a nap sack over his shoulder. (After Dynamite last week, Cassidy said he didn’t like carrying things, so the Best Friends gave him a nap sack.) Schiavone said that was “the most unique” championship ring entrance he has seen. Excalibur plugged the Renee Pacquette interview with Bryan Danielson and Wheeler Yuta, Schiavone’s interview with William Regal, Chris Jericho vs. Dalton Castle for the ROH Title, and Jon Moxley vs. Hangman Page for the AEW World Title. Excalibur called it “Title Tuesday.”

A few minutes in, Death Triangle surrounded Cassidy and took turns kicking him, then all three kicked him at once. They cut to a split-screen break at 4:00. [c/ss]

Back from the break, Beretta rallied against Death Triangle. On-screen graphics reminded viewers of key matches later. Pac eventually went to ringside to grab the ring bell hammer. Fans booed. Fenix spun him around and disagreed with his decision. He said he didn’t need it and yanked it away. Cassidy rolled up Pac for a near fall. Pac ducked an Orange Punch, but Cassidy came back with another attempt that connected. Both tagged out to Penta and Beretta, respectively.

Beretta blocked a Destroyer and then he and Chuck hit a double-team Strong Zero on Penta for a near fall, broken up by Fenix. Fenix delivered a double-cutter on Beretta and Taylor. Fenix hit a spinning heel kick followed by a package piledriver on Beretta for the win.

WINNERS: Death Triangle in 12:00.

(Keller’s Analysis: Good opener. Interesting to see Fenix taking issue with Pac’s attempt to cheat. Taylor and Beretta put in a good effort here without some of the drawbacks sometimes in their matches when things can look too cutesy or occasionally slo-mo.)

-A video package aired hyping the AEW World Title match, including comments from both Mox and Hangman. Mox was shown driving through Cincinnati and talking about being back home. Hangman said this is his night.

(Keller’s Analysis: As is well-established, I’m a big fan of making World Title matches feel a level or two bigger than standard TV main events, and the frequent mentions and this video package are accomplishing that so far.)  [c]

-Schiavone interviewed Britt Baker with Jamie Hayter and Rebel backstage about the Toni Storm vs. Hikaru Shida match for the AEW Women’s Title. Baker said they’re mildly interested, but extremely disgusted that neither she nor Hayter are the champions. Hayter said one of them will be champion by the end of the year. “Toni time is over,” Hayter said.

-Excalibur said the Storm vs. Shida match has been ten years in the making. They showed some photos of them years ago together and on the indy scene.

(2) TONI STORM vs. HIKARU SHIDA – AEW Interim Women’s Title match

Excalibur said the first time Storm and Shida crossed paths was in June of 2013, a tag team match in Japan. Excalibur talked about two titles Shida holds in Japan. Storm knocked Shida off the ring apron with a hip attack at 2:00. They cut to a split-screen break. [c/ss]

Storm took over and dominated during the break. Shida made a comeback and scored a two count after a top rope dropkick. Shida landed a meteora a minute later followed by a gut-wrench sitout faceplant for a two count. She quickly followed up with a Falcon Arrow set-up, but Storm escaped and landed a released German suplex. She followed with a hip attack. Shida came right back with a powerslam on Storm and made the cover as if she expected to win. Shida reversed a Storm roll-up for a near fall. Storm followed with a suplex into a bridge for a near fall. Storm hit a tornado DDT seconds later followed by a Storm Zero for the win.

WINNER: Storm in 9:00 to retain the AEW Title.

(Keller’s Analysis: Good match. Non-stop hard-hitting action.)

-Afterward, Hayter and Rebel attacked Storm. Baker’s entrance theme then played. She walked out wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers’ jersey. Then Saraya charged out to her music. She tackled Baker. They brawled at ringside. Meanwhile, Rebel hit Storm with a crutch as Hayter held her. Next, Riho’s music played and she jogged to the ring and ducked a Rebel crutch swing and then knocked her down with a dropkick. She ducked a charging Hayter, who tumbled over the top rope. Fans chanted “Riho!” Riho leaped off the top rope onto Hayter at ringside. Storm’s music then played to continue her celebration, which was interrupted a couple minutes earlier. Storm and Riho left arm-in-arm.

(Keller’s Analysis: A lot of top AEW women in one segment, all taking sides. The women’s division felt more full and substantial here than it has in a while.)

-A video package aired on the Wardlow & Samoa Joe feud with The Kingdom. Wardlow said he has zero tolerance for disrespect. He vowed to physically hurt The Kingdom. Samoa Joe said they’re two men who were given six million ways to die “and you still chose the wrong ones.”

-Renee interviewed FTR backstage. They had their ROH, AAA, and IWGP tag belts over their shoulders. She said they are currently the no. 1 contenders to the AEW Tag Team Titles. She asked when they plan to expand their collection. Dax Harwood said she’s been there for the beginning of their journey. He said they want to be known as the greatest of all-time. He listed some top contending teams for their current belts. He said they want the fourth belts – the AEW tag titles. Cash Wheeler said he can’t live with himself until they get those belts. Swerve Strickland & Keith Lee interrupted. Lee was eating an apple and Swerve was snacking on nuts. Swerve said he and Lee are the no. 1 contenders because FTR have made other companies their priority over AEW. Lee apologized to FTR for the interruption. Swerve told him not to apologize to them. Lee said he agrees FTR deserve a title shot. Dax suggested they wrestle next week for true no. 1 contendership. Lee said, “Indubidibly.” Swerve said, “Wha? What?”

(Keller’s Analysis: This feels like real progress with the AEW Tag Title situation with what seems like the two most deserving challengers.)  [c]

-Alex Marvez interviewed Sonjay Dutt and Jay Lethal standing opposite Darby Allin in the parking garage entrance ramp. Lethal asked for a rematch. Darby said he beat him once and he’ll beat him again. Sonjay interrupted Darby and said they know his weakness. He said Darby looks like a trash bin. Darby told Marvez to leave. Darby shoved Lethal and Dutt. Lethal and Dutt attacked Darby and threw him into the garage door. They closed the door on Darby’s abdomen. He cried out in pain. Lethal then put Darby in a figure-four leglock as he was trapped under the door. Officials ran in and tried to pry Lethal off of Darby.

-Excalibur and Taz reacted briefly, then threw to Schiavone in the ring.

-Schiavone stood mid-ring with Regal and asked about the AEW Title match later. Before Regal could answer, MJF’s music interrupted. MJF walked out with a mic in his hand. Regal put on his brass knuckles. MJF told him he can put those away because he’s there to tell a story. He said he owes it to him to listen, whether he realizes it or not. He told Cincinnati to bear with him. Fans booed. He said when he was 19 and training for one year at the Creative Pro Wrestling Academy, he was pulled aside by Brian Meyers and Pat Buck, his trainers. He said congrats, his hard work paid off, and they got him “WWE extra work.” He said he put on his best suit and packed his gear and went to the Barclays Center.

He said he and other extras were assembled and greeted and spoken to by Regal. He said Regal proceeded to tell them they were going to have tryout matches before the event. He said they were put in a single-file line and wrestled in front of onlookers – Arn Anderson, Dean Malenko, Adam Pearce, and Regal. He said the wrestlers locked up, but then Malenko rang the bell and told them to get out. He said it was his turn second. He said he realized he was fighting for his life “because, make no mistake about it, professional wrestling is my life.” He said everyone looked at him like he had eight heads after he won the match, except for Regal who pulled him away from the group. He said Regal brought him to a separate room and told him to sell himself to him in three minutes. “And boy did I,” MJF said.

He said by the time he was done talking, Regal’s jaw was on the floor. He said Regal promised him a job. He said he realized he did it and he wouldn’t be looked at “by all the naysayers as a five-foot-nothing ADD-riddled Jew boy; no, no, I was going to be a Superstar.” Fans applauded. He said his dream was about to be accomplished, but then Regal asked his age. MJF said he was 19, and he said Regal looked at him and said, “Kid, I’m sorry, but you’re much too young.” Fans booed. MJF said his dreams evaporated. Fans chanted, “You f—ed up!” at Regal. MJF said his heart stopped, but Regal resuscitated it with his version of hope.

He said Regal told him he doesn’t recommend many for jobs, but when he does, they get jobs, which included Claudio Castignoli, Bryan Danielson, and Jon Moxley. He said Regal told him he sees something in him, and when he’s older, he’ll endorse him for a job. He told him to work his ass off and send him a match and a promo every month. He said after the first month, Regal thanked him and said he looked forward to reviewing his progress. Same thing in month two.

He said in the third month, Regal sent him a promo that he has saved on his phone to this day. He called out Regal for smirking. MJF said he’s read it every single day since. MJF pulled out his phone and read the email. “Max, I’m a very, very busy man. I’ve got talent from all over the world to watch and I’ve just had to sit for minutes watching you ‘show me your acting skills.’ Do not reply to this, but how would this make me say, ‘Oh, I know, let’s hire Max.’ Make a name for yourself in the wrestling world and you’ll be noticed. That means being a high-level performer. When you do, trust me, I’ll know. Unfortunately for you, the game has changed. WWE exclusively hires the best talent in the world and the top world class athletes. When you’re one of them, maybe send me your stuff. Yours sincerely, William Regal.”

Regal chuckled. MJF said that he sent that email to a 19 year old child with a dream, and he slaughtered it. He was fuming and said he wanted to quit wrestling and kill himself when he read that email. MJF stepped away from Regal’s face and took some deep breaths. He said he knew if he did that, Regal and all the naysayers would win. He said now the tables have turned. He said it’s 2022 and Regal is nothing but a sad, withered old man who got fired. “And now you have snuck into my company like a flea-ridden rat.”

He said he’s MJF, the 26 year old kid who’s on top of the business, a generational talent who his former employers now would take several lives simply to get him to put pen to paper in the bidding war of 2024. He told Regal that he reads that email every day, not to put a chip on his shoulder, but when he needs a good, hearty laugh. He said Regal has become nothing but a joke. He yelled that he’s about to become the AEW World Champion. “I’m better than you and you know it!” he said, before throwing the mic down. Fans cheered and chanted “MJF.”

Regal picked up the mic and said, “Well done.” Fans booed Regal. He said MJF mentioned being 19. He said when he was 16, he had to join a carnival and fight grown men to get in the industry. He said he wasn’t trying to cast him aside, but rather he saw somebody who was going to be a big, big star. He said he wanted to light a fire under his backside.

He got worked up and talked about his journey, getting beat up as a teenager and crying himself to bed, but being determined to become a pro wrestler. He said MJF held onto it for seven years and it brought him there. He said MJF had it easy and called him “sunshine.” He said he needed to practice so people would take notice of him. He said he’s become an incredible talent at age 26. He said before MJF was born, he was insulting Schiavone and beating people up, but he’d never put his hands on him.

He said he’s an ODV, an Oddly Decent Villain. He said anyone who steps in the ropes is fair game, but you never put your hand on someone like Schiavone. He said MJF always had it in him, but he let him down because he took shortcuts. He said he hasn’t proven anything to him yet. He said MJF hired people to do his work for him, such as grabbing the ring.

Regal said he uses brass knux because he likes hitting people with them. Fans laughed. He said if he wants to be a real bad guy, don’t take shorcuts, make a name for himself by doing it right. He paused and said he should show the world if he’s willing to take another shortcut. Regal turned his back to MJF. MJF put on his Dynamite Diamond Ring. He wound up. Regal extended his arms. Regal smiled and turned around after a few seconds. He said, “You still have a lot to prove.” He dropped the mic and left. MJF put his hands on his hips and looked emotionally spent and full of contemplation.

Excalibur said Regal just “completely undermined MJF.” Taz said he knows what Max said has been weighing on him for a long time and he needed to get it off his chest, but he looks conflicted now.

(Keller’s Analysis: It’s difficult to analyze this without knowing what the intent of it was. MJF has worked hard, and to a great degree succeeded, in getting the fans to boo him, as evidenced by the crowd reaction tonight compared to a few weeks ago. But then he said with passion how being a pro wrestler meant everything to him, which turned the crowd in his favor and against Regal. Regal, essentially the manager of the babyface AEW Champion defending his title later, was being booed. Regal recovered nicely and won back a lot of fans when he talked about his journey starting three years younger than MJF and how MJF went too far when he put his hands on Schiavone. It was compelling and gripping, but I felt like the journey was difficult to confidently evaluate because it seems like doing big concept, buzz-generating segments is potentially taking precedence with MJF over just getting fans clearly emotionally invested in either wanting him to succeed or fall flat on his face. The message at this stage is clear – MJF is a dedicated, single-minded, ambitious, talented wrestler in the ring and on the mic, and fans appreciate that about him, but he’s got a choice to take shortcuts and take out undeserving victims along the way or be a top tier generational wrestler who has some decency and lines he won’t cross in his efforts to get to the top.)

[HOUR TWO]

-A video with vintage ROH clips of past champions, including C.M. Punk by the way along with Tyler Black (Seth Rollins), hyped the ROH Title match including soundbites from Jericho and Castle.

-Renee interviewed Billy Gunn and The Acclaimed. They talked about “Smart” Mark Sterling copyrighting scissoring. Anthony Bowens said on Friday, it’s trademarks vs. titles. Caster said they’ll stomp Sterling in the nuts on Friday.

-Excalibur plugged The Acclaimed vs. The Varsity Athletes on Rampage on Friday for the AEW Tag Team Titles.

-Renee interviewed Danielson and Yuta in a sit-down setting. She asked about Danielson coming up short in the ROH Title match. Danielson talked about his disappointment. Danielson then reacted to the Daniel Garcia situation. He said Garcia has a chance to be better than him and, with the right guidance, he could end up becoming the best wrestler  he’s ever seen. Renee noticed Yuta react to Danielson’s comments. Yuta asked how he was surprised at what happened with Garcia. He said he and Claudio saw it coming, and Garcia was just using him all along. He said he was a snake. He said he thought it meant something when he bled for the Blackpool Combat Club. “I guess I shouldn’t have met my hero. It doesn’t mean anything to you, clearly.” He got up and left.

(Keller’s Analysis: Can’t they just let the Garcia turn last week breath a little before having Yuta get upset at Danielson for clearly indicating he thinks Garcia has more potential than Yuta. I didn’t like decision to have Garcia go against Danielson last week, but adding this to it immediately is just too much. Are we supposed to side with Danielson because he was just speaking the truth or side with Yuta because he’s stayed loyal to Danielson and is clearly talented also and should have expected more of an endorsement from Danielson after what Garcia did last week?)

(3) CHRIS JERICHO vs. DALTON CASTLE (w/The Boys) – ROH World Title match

Castle came out first, stepping off of a throne with a video screen behind him showing peacock feathers. He strutted to the ring, with his Boys dancing behind him. Ian Riccaboni joined the announce team. Other shirtless boys in shiny blue shorts waited for Dalton and formed a human step for him to walk on to enter the ring. Jericho came out to “Judas” this week, which fans liked.

Dalton reached deep into his trunks and pulled out his hand and gave Jericho a middle finger. Jericho chopped away at Castle. Schiavone said that was nothing like a Code of Honor. Castle played to the crowd and charged at Jericho. Jericho side-stepped him and threw him to the floor. The Boys fanned him. Castle jogged around ringside and fans began cheering,. He then gave Jericho three overhead suplexes. Excalibur hyped the ROH Final Battle PPV on Dec. 10. Excalibur hyped other upcoming AEW dates. Hager stood on the ring apron to try to slow Castle’s momentum. Castle threw his Boys through the ropes at Jake Hager at ringside in retaliation. The Boys celebrated as they cut to a split-screen break. [c/ss]

Jericho and Castle collided mid-air a few minutes later. The Boys stole Hager’s hat. Hager flipped out and attacked The Boys as fans booed. He put his hat back on. Castle kicked Hager through the ropes. Jericho rolled him up from behind for a two count. Castle countered with a body scissors headlock. Jericho slipped free and put Castle in a Walls of Jericho. Castle grabbed the bottom rope to force a break. Jericho raised his arms and was booed. Jericho yelled at the ref, who stood up to him and butted his chest. Castle caught Jericho with a clothesline for a two count.

Jericho and Castle kneeled and exchanged punches and chops. Castle delivered a German suplex into a leverage pin attempt for a two count. Fans chanted “This is awesome!” Castle landed the Bang-a-rang for a near fall. Jericho then caught Castle out of nowhere with the Judas Effect spinning elbow for the win. Riccaboni said Jericho didn’t cheat and abided by the Code of Honor. He said he can get behind him if he keeps wrestling like this.

WINNER: Jericho in 13:00 to retain the ROH Title.

-Jericho joined his crew on the stage. He said he’s going to desecrate the legacy of ROH, which means he’s done with ROH ring announcers, champions, and even commentators. Angelo Parker and Matt Menard grabbed Riccaboni and held him for Jericho to hit with the ROH belt. Jerry Lynn yanked the belt out of Jericho’s hands. Jericho kicked him and gave him a tombstone on the belt. J.A.S. gloated over Lynn’s KO’d body. Excalibur said Jericho has crossed every single line.

(Keller’s Analysis: Good match, and good post-match angle.)

-A video package aired on the Christian Cage-Jungle Boy-Luchasaurus saga, narrated by Christian. He said Luchasaurus was the brains.

-Excalibur hyped Penelope Ford vs. Willow Nightengale, Preston Vance vs. Rush, and Hook vs. Ari Daivari on Rampage. Next Wednesday on Dynamite, FTR vs. Swerve & Lee, Riho vs. Hayter, Claudio & Yuta vs. Jericho & Garcia, and Danielson vs. Sammy Guevara. [c]

(4) JON MOXLEY vs. “HANGMAN” ADAM PAGE – AEW World Title match

Hangman’s ring entrance began 33 minutes into the hour. Regal joined the commentators. Mox came out second. They showed MJF clutching his chip from a luxury suite. Hangman marched over to Mox and jump-started the fight. They brawled before the match officially began. Fans booed Hangman as he kicked Mox on a chair and suplexed him on the floor. Security followed Hangman into the crowd where he set up a leap off the platform over the entrance area Mox walked through. He then leaped onto Mox. They cut to a split-screen break as Hangman stood with his arms extended. [c/ss]

During the break, they brawled to the ring. Back from the break, Excalibur said the match was officially under way. Mox was already bleeding from the forehead. Hangman rammed Mox’s head into the steps at ringside. Hangman got in an extended beating. Fans booed Hangman when he kipped up, then popped when Mox surprised Hangman with a cutter. A few minutes later, they battled on the ring apron. Hangman landed a Dead Eye. Mox fell to ringside. They cut to another split-screen break. [c/ss]

Back from the break, there was a dueling chant of “Let’s Go Moxley / Hangman Page!” They stood and exchanged strikes. Hangman got the better of Mox with a lariat, but Mox fired back with a King Kong Lariat. Both were down. The ref had a doctor check on Hangman, who wasn’t moving. Regal said Mox wouldn’t want the match to end this way. They rolled Hangman over and he began moving his right arm. The match was officially stopped. Fans didn’t really react. Mox looked on with a bloodied face. Roberts announced Mox as the winner. Excalibur said that wasn’t how Mox wanted to retain his title in his hometown.

WINNER: Moxley in 13:00 to retain the AEW Title.

-Regal walked out and approached Mox. Schiavone looked on with concern. Excalibur congratulated the medical staff for identifying the situation. Regal chatted with Mox as Excalibur shifted to hyping upcoming matches on Rampage. They were only 52 minutes into the hour at this point, so there was more time to fill. They went back to the announcers on camera.

Taz said things were disjointed given the injury to Hangman and the medical staff tending to him. He said he’s been through injuries and no one wants to see it. He said he hopes he’s okay. Mox held the mic and said he hopes and prays Hangman recovers to 100 percent and can walk and talk again and play with his baby again and perform for the fans again. He said it’s a dangerous game and you have to put every single thing on the line if you want to be successful in pro wrestling. He said since he’s on live TV and he still has a lot of energy, he said he was listening to someone who was talking a lot of shit. He said he usually lets him to talk shit because he’s not worth wasting energy on, but he called MJF’s “little suburban ass” to the ring.

MJF’s music played. He dragged a ref to the ring with him. He had the chip with him. Regal got in MJF’s face and asked what he was doing. Schiavone said MJF still has his street clothes on. Schiavone said Mox has been through a tough battle and he might think he has the advantage.

MJF took off his shirt and looked ready to fight. Mox gave him two middle fingers, but then MJF rolled out of the ring. He handed Regal the chip and ran to the announce desk. He grabbed a mic and said Regal wants to talk about him cutting corners and not being a man, but the fans know he’s a man. MJF said he’ll cash the chip in, but he wants it when Mox is 100 percent. He said he doesn’t want any excuses so that when he beats him clean in the middle of the ring, there’s no question he’s better than him. He said he’s cashing it in at Full Gear.

He called Regal a piece of shit. He said for the first time in his miserable life, he’s going to earn it. Taz said he guesses Regal got through to MJF. MJF played to the fans who were cheering him. An “MJF” chant started, although it faded quickly. Mox said something that was that got bleeped. He said he can’t even get a mic to work and said the show is going downhill. Mox said what MJF is going to earn is the heel of his boot in his mouth and his teeth rolling around the inside of mouth. He got bleeped again. He said he’s earned his fist going up his ass. MJF stared back at him. MJF said his head is going to pop off like a Pez dispenser. He said some wrestlers don’t make it out of the ring standing, and they’ll find out what MJF is made of and show the world that getting in the ring with him is dangerous as all hell. He dropped the mic. Mox’s music played as Excalibur got in some final plugs.