11/23 AEW DYNAMITE TV RESULTS: Keller’s report on Full Gear PPV fallout, Regal explains himself, Jericho vs. Ishii, Starks vs. Ethan

AEW DYNAMITE REPORT
NOVEMBER 23, 2022
CHICAGO, ILL. AT WINTRUST ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON TBS

Commentators: Excalibur, Taz, Tony Schiavone

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[HOUR ONE]

-The Dynamite opening theme aired.

-Excalibur introduced the show as the camera panned the crowd and pyro blasted. He narrated a clip of William Regal tossing brass knuckles to MJF, leading to the title change.

-Regal stood mid-ring and was bombarded with boos. He asked if they’d like to hear from their new World Champion, Mr. Friedman. He said they will hear from him, but not until next week. He pretended not to know what city he was in. He asked and then said, “Chicago? Oh, that’s worse than I thought.” Fans chanted “Regal sucks!” He said Mr. Friedman at the moment is on the set of a major motion picture. He said everyone is wondering what the union is between them. Fans chanted, “F— you, Regal!” He said,”So uncouth.” He said he’ll explain everything next week. Jon Moxley’s music played.

Moxley made his way out through the crowd. Excalibur said he had MJF “dead to rights.” Taz said Regal might want to leave the ring. “He screwed Mox over badly,” Taz said. Bryan Danielson ran into the ring and stopped Mox from going after Regal. He tried to talk calm into him. Mox respected Danielson and held off as Danielson pleaded with him. Danielson said Regal did a bad thing, but Mox has done bad things too. “So have I,” he said. “We’ve all done bad things.” He asked him to please leave Regal alone because he had a bad neck and had had two brain bleeding episodes. Tony Schiavone said Danielson is right that if Mox attacked him, that’d be it for Regal. Excalibur asked if that means Regal gets a free pass. Schiavone said Regal is a master manipulator. Mox paced and had some words for Danielson. He was hyperventilating and seething. Danielson slapped him, but then apologized right away. “Holy hell,” said Schiavone.

Danielson said Mox knows the struggles that he’s dealt with. He said his dad struggled with the same things, and this is more than wrestling. He said when his dad had those struggles, he didn’t understand. He said the only person who taught him was Regal. Fans booed. He told Mox to block out the booing fans and please listen. He said because of Regal, he was able to understand his dad’s struggles. He said he was able to love his dad in the years before he died because of Regal. He asked Mox to imagine someone teaching his daughter to love him in spite of his struggles. Fans chanted, “Bullshit.” Danielson told him to save it for him. He said he loves Regal. “I love this man,” he said. Mox turned his back and leaned on the top rope and shook with anger. Taz said he was boiling. Mox turned and shook Danielson’s hand, but then told him to get out of the ring. Danielson stepped away.

Mox stepped up to Regal’s face and said: “Lordship, I only want one thing from you. I want you to run.” Fans “oooh’d.” He told him to run as far away as he can and never, ever come back. He told him to walk away and keep on walking. He dropped the mic. Regal turned and left with a bit of scowl on his face. Taz said it’s heavy. He said thanks to Danielson, Regal caught a break. They showed a split screen of Regal leaving and Mox watching from the ring. Fans sang “Na na na na, good bye.”

(Keller’s Analysis: A bit of a punt in terms of explaining why Regal and MJF aligned like that. There’s a lot to explain. Danielson’s case to show mercy to Mox was sufficient, and Mox was great in barely being able to contain himself. This is chapter one of explaining things, and I hope they have some substance to reveal in coming weeks and this all sorts out with clear heels and babyfaces. The good news for AEW is the Chicago fans were booing Regal and resented MJF not being there, so it seems like the fans are ready to move away from cheering MJF. Hopefully he doesn’t offset that by talking about his love and passion for pro wrestling and having to prove doubters wrong anymore.)

-Excalibur said, “What a start to Dynamite. Then he plugged some matches.

-Backstage, Renee Paquette interviewed Keith Lee. He had his back turned to the camera and she asked where things stand. She said this has been bubbling under the surface for a while. Lee turned and then Swerve Strickland approached. Renee walked away. Lee told Swerve to choose his words wisely. They stared at each other. Lee took off his jacket. Swerve put his hand up to the camera lens and said, “Let’s talk.” Lee said, “Okay” and nodded. They cut to a commercial. [c]

(1) ORANGE CASSIDY (w/Chuck Taylor, Trent Beretta, Rocky Romero) vs. JAKE HAGER – All-Atlantic Title

Excalibur said this will be Orange’s biggest test yet because Hager is perhaps the best pure wrestler on the roster. Excalibur plugged the early start for Rampage on Friday. Hager put on his purple hat. Cassidy handed the ref his sunglasses, but Hager took them from the ref and put them on. Cassidy tried to take Hager’s hat, but Hager pushed his arms away. He put his hands in his pockets and slow-kicked his legs instead. Hager watched patiently, then took a swing at him. Cassidy ducked and then dropkicked Hager and kipped up. Cassidy yanked off Hager’s hat, which upset Hager. He charged, but Cassidy ducked, so Hager tumbled to ringside. When Cassidy was about to put on Hager’s hat, Matt Mendard, Angelo Parker, and Daniel Garcia tried to stop him. Romero yanked Garcia to the floor. Meanwhile, Cassidy went after Hager, but Hager caught him and rammed him into the ringpost and then the ring apron. They cut to a split-screen break. [c/ss]

Hager put his hat back on and controlled the action during the break. Taylor, Beretta, and Romero caught Cassidy mid-air. Hager charged. Cassidy slipped out of his path, but Hager knocked the other three over. Back in the ring, Cassidy landed a Stun Gun and a tornado DDT. Cassidy went for an Orange Punch, but Hager caught him mid-air with a uranage for a near fall. Hager put his cap back on and charged with a swing splash attempt. Cassidy blocked it. Hager went for an anklelock. Cassidy struggled to break free. Then he yanked off Hager’s hat. Cassidy landed an Orange Punch and then a roll-up for the win.

WINNER: Cassidy in 9:00 to retain the All-Atlantic Title.

(Keller’s Analysis: They told a nice story with the match with Hager being the bigger wrestler obsessed with his hat and bullying Cassidy. Cassidy utilized his gimmick well to agitate Hager. Fun match.)

-Afterward, Q.T. Marshall walked out with the Factory. The announcers took digs at Marshall, calling him garbage. The lights went out and then when they came back on, Julia Hart was standing on the ramp. Then in the ring,  House of Black attacked Cassidy and the Best Friends. The Factory watched from the ring apron and applauded. Fans cheered too. “Welcome back!” they chanted. Malakai Black, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews then attacked the Factory. They fended off “prelim wrestler” (as Excalibur called then) and security guys. Brody King gave one security guy Dante’s Inferno. Malakai asked fans, “Members of the House of Black, please rise.” The light went out again. Excalibur said he thinks House of Black are going after everyone.

(Keller’s Analysis: Fans are so set on cheering Black and his faction, he could make a good opponent for MJF because fans would likely side with Malakai, and the goal seems to be getting MJF booed again.) [c]

-Highlights aired of the cage match between Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus. Jungle Boy said he felt that they shared a moment that neither of them will ever forget. “I’m glad I won,” he said. “I kicked your ass.”

(Keller’s Analysis: That was weird. I’m glad he ended by saying he’d glad he won, but wrestling isn’t some Broadway play where you’re proud of the “entertaining product.” In pro wrestling, the cameras should be portrayed as basically happenstance to wrestlers, who just want to fight to win titles and settle grudges. When there’s “curtain calls” after a blood feud cage match, it just extinguishes those emotions. I understand he has an on-camera history with him, but Luchasaurus has tried to destroy him in recent months. Save that kind of commentary for outside of the narrative structure of the TV show.) [c]

(2) RICKY STARKS vs. ETHAN PAGE (w/Stokely Hathaway) – AEW Eliminator Tournament final

Ethan did some heelish mic work before the match. Starks’s left shoulder was heavily taped up. Ethan controlled the early minutes. Starks rolled to ringside to catch his breath. Ethan shoved Starks into the ringside barricade and then into the ringside steps as they cut to a split-screen break. [c/ss]

Ethan controlled the match during the break. Starks went for a dive, but Stokely pulled Ethan out of the way so Starks crashed to the floor. The ref ejected Stokely from ringside. Stokely threw a fit and then left once Ethan assured him he’d be okay. Ethan threw Starks into the ring. When he climbed to the top rope, Starks knocked him off balance. Ethan lifted Starks for a slam, but Starks fought free and then superplexed Ethan to the mat. He set up his Roshambo, but Ethan blocked it and powerslammed Starks for a two count. Starks speared Ethan twice in a row for a three count. Excalibur said Starks will wrestle MJF at the “Winter is Coming” episode of Dynamite on Dec. 14.

WINNER: Starks in 13:00 to win the Eliminator Tournament.

(Keller’s Analysis: Solid match that told a story of Starks fighting from a disadvantage given his ribs.)

-A video package aired on the TNT Title match at Full Gear, including Wardlow saying he was very angry when he woke up Sunday without the TNT Title. He said he watched Samoa Joe attack him with the belt from behind. He said Joe’s not the most dangerous man in the world nor is he the true TNT Champion. “This is Wardlow’s World,” he closed with.

(Keller’s Analysis: AEW is doing a much better job emphasizing what happened at the PPV and including follow-up soundbites.) [c]

-They went to the announcers on camera. Excalibur wished the audience a Happy Thanksgiving. He commented on clips of Jade Cargil confronting Bow Wow at his concert in Miami after Full Gear.

-Renee asked Jade and her Baddies what’s going on between her and Bow Wow. She said had nothing more to say about that whack-ass rapper. She said she’s happy she finally got her belt back with no help at all. She said she was happy to see Red Velvet back and they’ll have a celebration next week in Indianapolis. Velvet asked why they aren’t celebrating tonight. Jade said, “Chicago, been here, done it, whack crowd, moving on.” She said she’s going to have her legal representative Mark Sterling make an official no comment. Sterling made Keira Hogan sign a paper ejecting her from the Baddies. He said she didn’t live up to her duties and Jade will no longer need her services.

-Excalibur hyped upcoming matches.

(3) DEATH TRIANGLE (Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix & Pac) vs. THE ELITE (Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks w/Don Callis, Brandon Cutler) – 2nd Match in their Best of Seven series for Trios Titles

The Elite came out to their new entrance theme. The C.M. Punk loyalists booed and then loudly chanted “C.M. Punk!” The Bucks strutted into the ring and pranced around. The announcers talked about the Trios match at Full Gear. Next, Death Triangle made their entrance with Alex Abrahantes. A “F— The Elite!” chant rang out. Callis joined the announcers on commentary and said Chicago sure loves them. Excalibur noted that Pac suffered a broken nose at Full Gear, but he was cleared.

When the Elite got early advantage and stomped away at Fenix, fans booed. Excalibur talked about the Best of Seven Series between these two teams. Callis said Omega is in the best shape he’s seen him in in seven years. Callis said it takes a team of trainers and seven hours of work per day to look so good. He said there’s stretching, conditioning, and a personal chef. Fenix recovered and cut off an Omega dive with a face plant and then leaped off the top rope with a tornado dive onto the Bucks and Kenny at ringside. “This is wild!” exclaimed Schiavone.

[HOUR TWO]

Fans began singing. Taz said it felt like a soccer game. Seems as if the fans got the Punk chants out of their system and got absorbed in the action. The fans still booed any offense, especially by the Bucks. A “F— you Bucks!” chant started. Nick played into it and smiled. They cut to a break with Matt in control against Pac. [c]

Eventually Fenix landed a running flip dive onto the Bucks at ringside. Matt mule-kicked Pac as the ref was looking elsewhere. Alex explained to the ref what happened. Cutler then tossed the hammer to Matt. The announcers agreed that turnabout would be fair play. Pac had his own hammer and he hit Matt first and then made the cover and got a three count. Afterward, Fenix was upset with Pac for using the hammer.

WINNERS: Death Triangle in 19:00 to take a 2-0 lead in the Best of Seven series.

(Keller’s Analysis: Dazzling match. It’s great hearing a crowd all fired up on a pro wrestling show again. During the match, the Bucks were mocking the backstage fight with Punk including Omega biting Pac’s arm and Punk missing the Buckshot Lariat. The Bucks are not running from their rep for being passive aggressive toward their enemies.)

-They showed the calendar of matches and cities for the series: Indianapolis, Ind. on Nov. 30, Garland, Tex. on Dec. 14, San Antonio, Tex. on Dec. 21, Denver, Col. on Dec. 28, and Los Angeles, Calif on Jan. 11. The predictability of this going to a seventh and deciding match is pretty solid given they’re basically advertising the final match in L.A. next year.

-They went to the announcers on camera. Excalibur hyped the upcoming matches.

-Renee stood on the stage and said she had a massive announcement. She said due to the uncertainty of when Thunder Rosa can return to action, AEW and Rosa have reached a mutual agreement. Rosa has agreed to relinquish the championship. Renee complimented Rosa’s title reign and her decision to give up her title now. She introduced new AEW Women’s Champion Jamie Hayter next. Hayter walked out with Britt Baker and Rebel. As Hayter began to talk, Baker interrupted. She underlined that Hayter is the undisputed champion now. She said the word “Interim” isn’t even in their vocabulary. She then led Hayter to the ring.

(Keller’s Analysis: Is Baker going to interrupted Hayter’s attempts to speak as part of their bit, like Wayne Bloom (father of NXT’s Von Wager) did to Mike Enos in their days as Destruction Crew in the AWA)?

(4) BRITT BAKER & JAMIE HAYTER & WILLOW NIGHTENGALE (w/Rebel) vs. TAY MELO & ANNA JAY & SKYE BLUE

They cut to a break a few minutes in. [c/ss]

Back from the break, Sky Blue was rallying until Hayter intercepted her and gave her a Hate Breaker. Baker then then finished her with a running stomp.

WINNERS: Melo & Jay & Blue in 9:00.

-Backstage, Renee interviewed Dante & Darius Martin and FTR. Dax complimented them and said they should take over tag team wrestler in coming decades just as he and Cash have done for years. Darius and Dante said they’ve long admired FTR and challenged them to an ROH Tag Title match. Cash said they’ve admired them and never say not to a fight, so they’re on. They shook hands.

(Keller’s Analysis: That should be something special.)

-Max Caster rapped and made a reference to breaking up Lee and Strickland. They entered the ring as fans sang “Go Scissors Me Daddy!” as they entered the ring with Billy Gunn (who’s coming across as the dad in “Modern Family” buddying up Dylan). Anthony Bowens did his bit, then said his shoulder is starting to feel better. Sonjay Dutt, Jay Lethal, Jeff Jarrett, and Satnum Singh interrupted on the big screens. They took exception to Caster mentioning them in his rap. Jarrett threatened them with a guitar shot as fans chanted “TNA sucks!” Billy said he wanted Jarrett off his screen. He then closed with their catch phrase.

(Keller’s Analysis: Seems like The Acclaimed will indeed be on TV every Wednesday even if they don’t have much of substance to say. This did serve to set up something between both factions.)

-Excalibur hyped Rampage: FTR vs. Top Flight, Darby Allin vs. Anthony Henry, plus Chris Jericho will speak, Dark Order vs. Butcher & Blade & Rush, and Hikaru Shida in action. On Dynamite next week, Death Triangle vs. The Elite and MJF speaks.

(5) CHRIS JERICHO vs. TOMOHIRO ISHII – ROH World Title match

Ian Ricabonni joined the announcers on commentary. He said Jericho is on pace to become the greatest ROH Champion of all-time in terms of strength of schedule and quality of opposition. Ishii came out first. Fans sang “Judas” as Jericho made his entrance. Excalibur talked about the history between them in Japan decades ago. They cut to a break about four minutes in after some hard chops and back and forth action. [c/ss]

Jericho was bleeding heavily from his chest down his abdomen during the break as he and Ishii exchanged hard chops to the chest for several minutes. Taz said engaging in a striking battle isn’t working for him. They battled at ringside and then back in the ring. Jericho dropped Ishii with an elbow to the side of his head. Ishii came back with a back suplex. Jericho delivered his own suplex. Ishii stood and then collapsed. Jericho landed a quick Lionsault for a mere one count. Fans popped. “What a match, what a two hour program,” said Schiavone.

Jericho looked on with his jaw dropped. He landed a Code Breaker for a two count. Ishii blocked a Judas Effect and then headbutted Jericho. Jericho went for a Walls of Jericho, but Ishii powered out and hit a Code Red. Ishii played to the crowd and then nailed Jericho with a hard running lariat for a near fall. Jericho then applied the Walls of Jericho mid-ring. Ishii rolled onto his back. Jericho dropped some strikes and then re-shifted Ishii into the hold with a high torque. Ishii teased tapping, lifted his middle finger, and then tapped. Taz declared Jericho the best ROH Champion ever. Ricabonni said he won without cheating or bending the rules.

WINNER: Jericho in 15:00 via tapout to retain the ROH Title.

-Afterward, Jericho had some words for Ricabonni on the stage. Claudio Castagnoli came up behind Jericho and punched him.