The AEW International Championship Series continues with a title match on tonight’s AEW Dynamite.
Konosuke Takeshita will defend the title against Orange Cassidy on tonight’s show with the winner going on to defend against Kenny Omega at the Revolution pay-per-view on March 9. Cassidy defeated Roderick Strong on last week’s Dynamite in the first match of the Series to earn this week’s title bout.
Bryan Keith will attempt to collect the bounty placed on Will Ospreay’s head by Don Callis on tonight’s show as Keith and Ospreay go one-on-one.
Action in the trios division will continue to be spotlighted on the show, with Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, and Roderick Strong of The Undisputed Kingdom facing Daniel Garcia, and FTR’s Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood in a six-man tag.
Harley Cameron will face The Vendetta’s Deonna Purrazzo in singles competition tonight in a bout set up on last Saturday’s Collision episode.
Ahead of his clash with MJF at Revolution, Hangman Page will wrestle on tonight’s show against an unnamed opponent. MJF will also appear live tonight.
Swerve Strickland and Prince Nana have also been announced for an appearance on tonight’s episode.
AEW Dynamite comes on the air with pyro hitting and Excalibur welcoming us before he’s cut off to the sound of an ambulance in the back where Cope kicks the doors open and says he wanted to give the Death Riders a preview of their ride tonight. We go back ringside to Excalibur, Tony Schiavone & Taz running down the card saying
Pre-recorded video of MJF getting his AEW “Bet On Yourself” tattoo laser removed, as he said he is getting rid of the biggest mistake of his life, something he got for the fans, as he’s watched on as hypocrites chant Cowboy Shit when he’s literally given them an arm and a leg. The fans witness the best to ever do it in real time, but they choose Hangman? He is now focusing on the three most important letters that matter, MJF.
A truck arrives to the arena with bull horns on the hood, as Hangman Adam Page steps out and power walks through the backstage area before making his way to the ring for the opening contest.
Hangman Adam Page defeated Aaron Solo
Bell sounds and Page fired off a big boot and corner punches in bunches. Solo floated over an attack and hit a corkscrew kick, but missed a follow-up clothesline, allowing Page to clock him with a standard lariat before a Buckshot sealed it quick. Page grabbed a chair and microphone and set it up in the ring in the post-match.
Page said there are three things he hates in the world, running out of biscuits, English Ivy (Hangman is a plant aficionado for those unaware on BlueSky) and when a little bitch spits in his face. So, he’s going to sit here and wait until someone finds him MJF and drags him to the ring to suffer the ass beating of a lifetime.
MJF makes his way out, wiping his hands off on a bloody towel before saying to cut his music. He asks if Page is nuts wanting to fight right now, as he’s heartless and MJF isn’t fighting him right now. MJF doesn’t know if he has a shot at Revolution, so he’ll leave to go home to Long Island to train his ass off. He stopped and said he’s awfully worried about Page’s friend, who he should probably check on. Now is the part where they find out who is actually real. MJF storms off and we see Christopher Daniels a bloody mess backstage. Page takes his chair and marches to the back, demanding where MJF went before finding Daniels, ordering medical staff (who ran out of the shot initially in the distance) to come tend to Daniels. Commentary told us Daniels was obviously the sacrificial lamb in this feud, but reminds us how far Page is willing to go to gain revenge for his friends and family.
We see Don Callis & Kyle Fletcher up in a suite ahead of the upcoming Bounty Match.
Highlights of Chris Jericho defending his ROH Title in a great match against Bandido on Collision is shown. Earlier today, Renee Paquette is backstage outside of Jericho’s dressing room, as she congratulates him on a successful defense. Jericho said he knows she’s there for how poorly she treated him last week. Paquette questions how Jericho got involved in this Will Ospreay situation and having Bryan Keith answer a Bounty? Don Callis walks out from Jericho’s dressing room with Mark Davis and called Ospreay a degenerate piece of garbage. Callis said Jericho assured him he has a solution about his Will Ospreay problem. and Jericho has a Bounty Hunter at his disposal and said Bryan Keith has what it takes to be a champion in AEW and beat Will Ospreay, as Bryan Keith is his man. Callis is thrilled and walks off with Davis by his side.
Will Ospreay defeated Bryan Keith in a Bounty Match
(One of the best showings from Keith in his AEW run so far, even in defeat, he looked fantastic here with Ospreay. I know he’s Jericho’s sidekick at the moment, but I’d love for him to win one of these Bounty Matches to give him some credibility as a threat. The Ospreay/Fletcher scrap in the post-match was a nice little step ahead of their Cage Match in 2 weeks, as the fans were on fire when they started to brawl.)
Keith got the early advantage, but a quick snap hurricanrana from Ospreay turned the tides. Both trade stiff chops but Keith connected with one to the windpipe, as Taz dropped an Abdullah the Butcher reference. Ospreay put on the brakes off a whip, hit a big boot and standing sky twister press for a near fall. Ospreay wound up for Hidden Blade, but Keith tried to take a powder, only for Ospreay to meet him with a slingshot dive. Back inside, Keith sidestepped a Pip, Pip, Cheerio attempt, sent Ospreay outside, where Ospreay seemed to jam his leg, putting Keith in control during commercial.
Back from break, Ospreay fired back with chops and a handspring corkscrew kick. Corner charging boot led to Pip, Pip, Cheerio flush for a near fall. Kawada kicks connected, but Keith responded with an enzugiri and big-time lariat. Ospreay managed a Stundog Millionaire followed but an Oscutter flush for a close near fall. Ospreay stared down Callis & Fletcher, but the distraction allowed Keith to hit a pump knee strike. Emerald Tiger Driver connects for two and the visual of Keith not believing the near fall was gif-worthy. Keith went for it again, but Ospreay rolled through into a Styles Clash and Hidden Blade for a great combo to get the win.
Post-match, Callis & Fletcher dared Ospreay to come up at them and Ospreay obliged, but Fletcher met him down the steps and we get our weekly separation of a brawl by security as fans chanted Let Them Fight. Ospreay celebrated with the fans as Fletcher stormed off.
We see footage of Timeless Toni Storm winning the AEW Women’s Title at Grand Slam and the follow-up attack by Mariah May last week on Collision. We’re told Storm has been told not to travel tonight, so we’ll get an update on her condition this Saturday.
A Momo Watanabe highlight video is shown of her time in Stardom as well as her winning the International 4-Way at Wrestle Dynasty to earn a title shot of her choice and we learn that will be the TBS Title and Mercedes Mone at Revolution.
Mone walks out of her locker room and said Watanabe made a big mistake choosing her. Billie Starkz walks into the shot, Mone called her kid and slaps the drink out of her hand. Starkz asks who the hell she thinks she is and Mone runs down her nicknames until Starkz says she forgot one, narcissistic bitch. Starkz re-introduced herself and said Mone should watch her back, as Watanabe walks up from behind. Mone ducks a baseball bat shot and bails, dropping her title. Watanabe picks up the TBS Title and said bye bye Mone Train, at Revolution, she wants the gold. It looks like Starkz & Watanabe are pairing up in AEW and I’m sure Athena will have something to say about this eventually. It was nice seeing Starkz back on AEW TV.
The Outrunners (Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum) defeated Murder Machines (Brian Cage & Lance Archer)
(Well, Murder Machines took about 95% of this match only for the classic entrance music distraction led to their quick downfall. I guess it appears The Outrunners are next in line for The Hurt Syndicate, but I would’ve liked Magnum & Floyd to get off at least some more offense instead of just lucking into this presumed title shot. I still believe this will be a 3-way and Archer & Cage will find their way into this match, as they’ve been built as the next challengers for weeks now. Unless they just flat out dispose of The Outrunners ahead of the PPV, which I hope doesn’t happen.)
Before the match, we see footage of The Outrunners making ESPN SportsCenter when they gave a pre-game pep talk to the Omaha Men’s Basketball team. Excalibur said Taz woke him up at 1 in the morning to tell him about it. Cage & Archer wasted no time at the start, but Magnum & Floyd recovered with a series of double dropkicks. Magnum low bridged both men and hit their poses for the crowd before being pulled to the floor, as Murder Machines got control into break.
We return to the fans loudly cheering on Magnum, who continued to get beaten down with corner splashes by Archer. Cage tagged in, but repeatedly missed charges, allowing Magnum to hit a jawbreaker, side-steps Archer and made the hot tag to Floyd, who ran wild. Repeated miscommunication from Cage & Archer until they got on the same page, Archer flattened Floyd with a boot, Cage dropped Magnum with a DVD and a combo strike got a near fall. Cage & Archer wanted the powerbomb/choke slam, but Magnum saved his partner as things broke down.
Archer no sold Floyd’s strikes before starching him with a right hand and choke slam for two. Cage & Magnum fought on the outside, as Archer wanted Black Out, but the Hurt Syndicate music hit. That was the distraction needed, as Floyd wiggled out, got an O’Connor Roll and flash pin. The Outrunners celebrate up the ramp as The Hurt Syndicate golf applaud them as Cage & Archer look furious. MVP told Magnum & Floyd be careful what they wish for.
Footage of Cope’s quest to take out Jon Moxley’s “Good Squad” is shown, starting with PAC last week on Collision with two Con-Chair-To’s. Moxley said Cope could’ve asked if he wanted a fight, he can appreciate someone around here actually wants to play for keeps. Claudio Castagnoli charges in and says his hats off to Cope, but it’s not him hunting them, now it’s Castagnoli hunting him.
Video package of Ricochet’s recent success is shown and his comments last week saying he wants to be a champion in AEW, then denying Prince Nana’s request of getting back the Embassy robe.
Swerve Strickland & Prince Nana Address Ricochet
Nana has a contract with him as he & Strickland come to the ring. Strickland said 3 years ago, he looked Tony Schiavone in his eyes and said he would win the AEW World Title. It’s fitting they’re wrapping up Black History Month when he made history when he fulfilled his destiny, as night in and night out, he showcased the AEW Title to the world. Strickland is no one his wonder and Nana was right when he said 2 weeks ago the AEW Title hasn’t been his focus for far too long, as he’s still the man of this place. Strickland needs gold around his wife, but must rights some wrongs and said to Ricochet they’re done when he says they’re done.
Right on cue, Ricochet’s music hits and he struts out wearing a backwards cap and the Embassy robe and asks if Strickland is stupid or dumb (Mercedes Mone’s line the last few weeks in her promos). Ricochet said winners don’t chase losers and runs down the Padres & Chargers, as Ricochet is getting massive heat during this promo. Ricochet said he’ll be something Strickland will never be again in AEW, a champion. Ricochet turns his cap around to show the Eagles logo. Ricochet denies Strickland’s challenge and said the next time Strickland sees him, he’ll have gold around his waste and he’s not talking about the Louis Vuitton either.
Nana said Ricochet might want to reconsider, as he talked to Tony Khan earlier today and he agreed the fans deserve a rematch. All Ricochet has to do is accept it and said whoever wins that match, will be the #1 Contender for the AEW World Title. Ricochet was upset, but gives credit where it’s due to Nana, as he realizes all he has to do is whoop Strickland one more time to get a World Title shot? Ricochet accepts and said not tonight, as everyone together in the arena can’t afford his fee, so they’ll do it in the City of Angels, at Revolution.
Ricochet’s music hit and he left, but Nana held Strickland back, saying he has to talk to him. Nana is proud Strickland is taking the steps to be AEW World Champion again, it’s what they all want, but he wants Strickland to go back to being who he used to be, the most dangerous man in AEW. Nana said he’s taken a lot of bullets for him, Hangman Page, Sting, The Hurt Syndicate, Ricochet, to see him walking around with his robe, his legacy, he needs Strickland to get that robe back and fix his legacy, if not, he doesn’t know if he can do this anymore. Nana dropped the mic and walked off, leaving Strickland to realize what needs to be done, as he can’t lose Nana.
Renee Paquette is backstage with Hangman Adam Page who said MJF is gone, he left, but when he finds him, if he doesn’t run him over, MJF will wish that he had. Page gets in his truck and leaves the arena.
Undisputed Kingdom (Adam Cole, Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly) defeated TNT Champion Daniel Garcia & FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood)
(An excellent Trios match to help further not only Garcia vs. Cole, but also it looks like FTR vs. O’Reilly & Strong. While Cole & Garcia we’re told is happening on Collision this Saturday, I wouldn’t be surprised to see that end in some sort of draw or double pin to take it to Revolution.)
Wheeler & O’Reilly jockeying for position early until the scrap leads to Wheeler getting the ropes and an up kick at O’Reilly. Cole & Garcia tag in, as each avoid the others series of kicks before having a stalemate and handshake. Harwood & Strong in now, as they trade stiff corner chops until Harwood nails a snap suplex and leg drop for a one count. Fast tag to Garcia, who rolls the dice with a neckbreaker for two. Cole broke up the count, Garcia was upset and had a face-off, which was stopped by an O’Reilly boot. All 6 men start brawling outside and ramps up incredibly quick with big time moves from everyone including shotgun dropkicks, superkicks, backbreakers on barricades and Tornado DDTs off the apron, leaving everyone down as things went to commercial.
Back from break, Strong is dishing out a series of backbreaker until O’Reilly charged off the apron for a diving knee on Wheeler. Gutbuster/Backstabber/PK combo from Cole, Strong & O’Reilly, but Harwood managed to kick out. Harwood was surrounded, hit with a series of knees, but Harwood sent Strong into Cole and sank in the Sharpshooter on O’Reilly, who got the ropes. Garcia & Wheeler reappeared and tried a triple Sharpshooter, but we got a triple small package from the Undisputed Kingdom before all 6 men were up and wiped out for another reset.
Cole & Garcia tag in legally as they ramp up and have a slugfest. Garcia took out Strong with a boot and turned Cole inside out with a lariat. Strong was caught in a Sharpshooter, as he no sold O’Reilly kicks to the chest, so O’Reilly sank in a guillotine. Wheeler applied an abdominal stretch, as while those four were literally tied up, Cole got a jackknife pin on Garcia for the flash win. Garcia had a blank expression, as Undisputed Kingdom stood tall. Garcia offered a handshake, but O’Reilly kicked it away, so FTR shoved he & Strong. Cole & Garcia separated their partners, as Strong spat at Harwood. We’re told Cole is getting a shot at Garcia for the TNT Title this Saturday on Collision.
We go backstage to Claudio Castagnoli searching for Cope, who bursts into the camera shot and they brawl into the arena and to the ringside area. Wheeler Yuta shows up and attacks Cope from behind, allowing Castagnoli to send Cope into the steps as Marina Shafir is watching on. Cope is thrown into the ring, as Castagnoli hits a chair shot to the back repeatedly until Yuta wanted to Pillmanize the neck, but Castagnoli waved it off and wanted a Con-Chair-To instead. Switchblade Jay White’s music hit and he stormed to the ring. The distraction allowed Cope to recover, grab the chair, hit a few shots and Spear to Castagnoli. Shafir hopped on Cope’s back, but he spun her off in time, right as Yuta charged in with a Busiaku Knee, hitting Shafir. White laid out Yuta with a Blade Runner, as Castagnoli was placed face first on a chair and given a Con-Chair-To by Cope. White held off Jon Moxley with a chair, as he was watching on helpless over the barricade. Cope set up Shafir to for a Con-Chair-To, but before he was about to do it, Willow Nightingale’s music hits and she walks to the ring to take Shafir out with a Con-Chair-To of her own. Moxley was left horrified (fitting, considering there was a Moxley Fears Willow sign ringside), as Cope & Nightingale stand tall, as this was a great segment with the babyfaces FINALLY looking strong over Death Riders, as Moxley’s numbers have begun to dwindle.
Harley Cameron defeated Deonna Purrazzo
(Cameron got a big ovation from the crowd, not just for her entrance, but the finish as well. For being only 3 years into the business, Cameron continues to improve and being in there with someone like Purrazzo will only benefit her. I enjoyed the match, as Cameron was able to string together offense at the end and finish looked good. I’m not sure where she goes from here, but I assume Saraya is coming back soon and I’d like those two to eventually feud as a way to have Cameron shown she’s no longer the lackey.)
Purrazzo went to the hair early before no selling a Cameron single leg, showing no respect from the start. Taya Valkyrie is watching on backstage, as Cameron got a cazadora arm drag, but tried one too many, as Purrazzo wanted her Venus De Milo, but Cameron rolled out. Tilt a whirl head scissors from Cameron, who followed up with a neckbreaker for a near fall. Purrazzo missed a corner charge, allowing Cameron to go up top, but got her legs swept out. Purrazzo decked Cameron with a pump kick and baseball slide to the outside as things went to commercial.
When things returned, Purrazzo connected on a spin kick and knee lift for a near fall, as she trapped Cameron in the Tree of Woe, but managed to kick her way out of it. Cameron mounted a comeback with an enzugiri and got the crowd going as she hit You’re A Wizard Harley shining wizard for a near fall. Cameron wanted a bulldog, but Purrazzo escaped into a pump kick and high stack powerbomb for two. Venus De Milo briefly applied, but Cameron got a roll-up for two. Both women up, as Cameron hit a reverse roll the dice for the victory.
Video package of the history of Orange Cassidy as International Champion is shown, as well as Konosuke Takeshita’s current reign as champion. We see the history Kenny Omega has had in the past with both men, as one of these men will face Omega for the title at Revolution.
We see Marina Shafir & Claudio Castagnoli loaded into the ambulance together as Cope, Willow Nightingale & Switchblade Jay White close to the door and send the ambulance on their way as commentary tells us it at this rate, it looks like Jon Moxley might have to go at it alone come Revolution.
Konosuke Takeshita (w/Don Callis & Mark Davis) defeated Orange Cassidy to retain the AEW International Title
(A phenomenal first-time singles meeting between these two. I thought this was one of the best Dynamite main events in a long time, as the number of counters these guys had for each other, especially in that closing sequence, was something I’d certainly go out of my way to check out. The crowd was going nuts in the final few minutes of this.)
Callis joined commentary with his personal protector Davis and said tonight we find out who the greatest International Champion is. Takeshita took off Cassidy’s sunglasses, broke and ate them, so Cassidy pulled out his backup pair, which infuriated Takeshita. After a shoulder block, Takeshita took off the sunglasses and presented them to Callis, who put them on to loud boos. The distraction allowed Cassidy to fire off a quick arm drag before both avoided a pump knee and Orange Punch into the stalemate. Takeshita dared Cassidy to hit him, so the slo-mo strikes were thrown, so Takeshita fired off a forearm. Cassidy answered with little kicks being ramped up in the corner, as Takeshita no sold, tried a suplex from the apron back inside, but as referee Bryce backed Takeshita off from a rope choke, Cassidy hit a slingshot DDT. Cassidy kipped up and played to the crowd, which was a huge mistake, as Takeshita rose up and decked him with a forearm, putting him in control into break.
Back from commercial, Cassidy battled back by flying off the top with a cross body, but Takeshita again couldn’t be kept down and he hit a big lariat. Cassidy avoided the Blue Thunder Bomb, floating over, trying his spinning DDT, Takeshita blocked, Cassidy tried a Stundog Millionaire, Takeshita countered into a wild Blue Thunder Bomb for two in an incredible sequence. Cassidy collapsed before Takeshita could hit the pump knee, so he tried a powerbomb, Cassidy countered, tried Beach Break, but both tumbled to the outside. Callis left commentary to try and get in some shots, but referee Bryce put a stop to it. Takeshita hit a forearm shot, but Cassidy cleared off the commentary table, daring Takeshita to fight him, putting his hands in his pockets. Takeshita obliged, wanted a powerbomb, but Cassidy connected on Beach Break as the table just barely broke.
Takeshita just broke the count back inside, as he rolled right into an Orange Punch. Takeshita went back outside, where Cassidy hit a suicide Tornado DDT, as he ripped his sunglasses off Callis. Cassidy went for a diving DDT back inside, but Takeshita waffled him with a forearm in mid-air. Takeshita wanted a Fire Thunder Driver, but Cassidy countered into a Stundog Millionaire. Cassidy wanted a cazadora, but Takeshita countered into a Bastard Driver. He went for another, but Cassidy turned it into a massive flipping cazadora for a near fall. Cassidy looked for the home run Orange Punch, but Takeshita cut him off one final time, this time hitting a Fire Thunder Driver for the win in a fantastic main event.
We’re told in the post-match that we’ll hear from Kenny Omega this Saturday on Collision, as Callis put Cassidy’s sunglasses on Takeshita to stand tall to end the show.
Comments