The build to AEW Dynasty continues on tonight’s Dynamite.
Before his three-way International title defense at Dynasty, Kenny Omega will be in action on tonight’s show against Blake Christian in a non-title match. Omega defends against Mike Bailey and Ricochet in a three-way at the Dynasty pay-per-view set for April 6 in Philadelphia.
AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm teams with Thunder Rosa on the show against Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford. Storm will defend her title against Bayne at Dynasty.
After being recruited by MVP two weeks ago, MJF will give his answer to The Hurt Syndicate as to whether or not he will join the group on tonight’s episode.
The Rated FTR trio of Cope, Dax Harwood, and Cash Wheeler will have a sit-down interview with Tony Schiavone on the show.
Three more singles matches are also announced, with Kyle Fletcher vs. Brody King, Konosuke Takeshita vs. Mark Brisoce, plus Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Mark Davis.
AEW Dynamite comes on the air with a Minecraft inspired intro video package and LED boards in partnership with the movie releasing on April 4. Excalibur welcomes us alongside Taz & Tony Schiavone as they throw it to the opening contest of the evening, Kenny Omega vs. Blake Christian. They show highlights of Christian during his time in Ring of Honor, as well as Zero Hour last month at Revolution. Omega is out to his Battle Cry theme this week.
AEW International Champion Kenny Omega defeated Blake Christian (w/Lee Johnson)
(Straight up statement victory for Omega here, as Christian got in a few shots, but once Omega got going, he wasn’t going to be stopped. The post-match was kept simple, as Speedball Bailey will put aside the respect he has to win the title, Omega is about legacy and Ricochet (congratulations on getting married) is about the gold and the girl.)
Omega fired off headlock takedowns in the early going, but Christian responded with his agility, kipping up and flipping Omega off. Series of chops and high stack back suplex from Omega, but Christian used his speed for a dropkick, mocking the Omega gun pose before gouging the eyes and hitting a spear on the apron. Christian connected with an inverted tope before heading back inside, tried a handspring elbow, but Omega got a pump knee. Johnson ate a right hand on the apron, as Omega hit Christian with multiple Snap Dragons and leg trapped neckbreaker on the knee. V-Trigger lands flush followed by a One-Winged Angel to win it.
Post-match, Omega took the mic and said it’s unfortunate that he can’t wrestle every week like he’d like to, but promised them he’d make it quick tonight, so Tony Khan had no choice but to sign on the dotted line to let him wrestle. Omega said it’ll be a lot longer of a battle at Dynasty when he faces Ricochet & newcomer Speedball Bailey. Right on cue, Bailey’s music hits and he comes to the ring to a solid ovation. Bailey congratulated Omega on the win, saying he’s an inspiration, he admires Omega as a person and champion, but come Dynasty, he won’t hold back or hesitate to kick his head clean off and take the International Title. Crowd booed this and Bailey played into it, when Ricochet interrupted on the screen.
As much as he’d like to be there in person, fortunately for everyone, today is his wedding, the best day of his life, until April 6th, when he beats Cornball and the former Best Bout Machine to become International Champion. Ricochet said continue to argue about the inevitable, as he’ll leave Dynasty with the gold and the girl.
Omega said congratulations are in order, but Dynasty isn’t about making friends, he has a cat, he doesn’t need anymore friends. As big of a piece of garbage as Ricochet is, Bailey isn’t Omega’s friend, as there’s only one thing Omega has time for, his legacy, the International Title. Omega said both Bailey & Ricochet are both stepping stones and bids the crowd adieu and Goodbye & Goodnight, bang!
Footage of Bandido regaining his brother Gravity’s mask on Collision was shown, as was the young kid who flipped Chris Jericho off. We go to The Learning Tree backstage, as Jericho said it’s time for all the masks to be removed. Jericho said Big Bill & Bryan Keith have been under the branches of the Learning Tree so long, without using the wisdom bestowed upon them. Jericho questions if they believe it’s still worth it being associated with him, if so, prove it to him. Bill & Keith walk off as Jericho congratulates Bandido on getting Gravity’s mask back, but he didn’t want Gravity’s, he wants Bandido’s. Jericho challenges Bandido to a Title vs. Mask at Dynasty. Is it worth the sacrifice to possibly make Bandido’s mother cry again? He thinks it is and he’ll see him at Dynasty.
MJF Answers MVP
MJF came to the ring, chucked his gum into the crowd and immediately took a shot at Prince and their Minnesotan accent before telling them to shut the hell up. MJF took out the MVP business card and invited MVP to the ring to talk, as he’s been looking at this card for two weeks. Loud chants for MVP and “We Hurt People” as MJF said we can all agree MVP is a legend in the sport of wrestling and compliments the new cane. After everything that happened between MJF & Adam Cole, he promised that he’d never do the “friends” thing again, but there’s something he noticed about Montel, is that he doesn’t do friends either, he does business. MJF said his decision is he’d like to be in the business of hurting people. MJF offers his hand out, but before MVP can shake it, Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin come to the ring, as Benjamin especially gets a loud ovation from the Minnesota crowd.
Face-off between Lashley & MJF before Lashley offers his hand, asking for the business card. Lashley hands MVP his Tag Team Title and rips up the card before putting a fist up to MJF’s face. MJF told MVP he thought they were cool, as MVP holds back Lashley & Benjamin, as MJF bails to the back.
Bryan Keith & Big Bill interrupt and said don’t worry, they aren’t out to join their group therapy session, they have real business to address. MVP told Bill to get his bitch on a leash, as Bill said he sees the Tag Team Titles, but doesn’t see a challenger, as MVP hilariously said neither did he. Bill said he can’t tell if MVP is American Psycho or Iceberg Slim are you a pimp or business man? MVP said he’s a little bit of both, so he’s about to have his boys look like bitches. Big Bill said MVP is the MVP of being The Hurt Syndicate’s bitch and said he never lost the Tag Team Titles, as when he held the titles, Sting beat his partner and retired, so he never got a rematch. MVP said why don’t they actually win a match and then they might get an opportunity to fight for the titles. Lashley & Bill had a face-off before The Hurt Syndicate walked off.
Renee Paquette is backstage with Timeless Toni Storm & Thunder Rosa, bringing up the main event tonight and them teaming 3 years ago, as Storm said not much has changed since then, but Rosa reminded her so much has changed. Storm has a butler now and last time, Storm tried to knock her out. Storm said you make mistakes in the heat of passion. Rosa wants what she never lost and Storm said enough of this gay banter, Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford, you’re about to be double teamed like you never dreamed. Rosa said tonight you meet the team of, Storm interrupted Thunder Tits! Rosa had to remind her it’s Thunder Storm, but Storm said not anymore, it’s not. This got a chant from the crowd, as this segment was hilarious. Paquette was barely able to keep it together.
Kyle Fletcher (w/Don Callis) defeated Brody King
(I was happy not just by the amount of time this match got, but how the crowd was really behind King, even in defeat. It’s the result you’d expect with the Callis Family cheating their way to victory, but King put up a great fight and I’d love to see this happen again eventually. Regardless of how he got it, this was a good way to get Fletcher back in the win column following Revolution.)
Fletcher charged with offense immediately, but he ripped off his pants like he’s channeling Taichi, which gave King time to recover. Callis tried to yell at his client to turn around and when he did, King leveled him with chops, a scoop slam and running senton. For some reason, Fletcher tried chopping back and was flattened as a result. Wisely switching it up, a running leg lariat hit, but King caught a boot and sent Fletcher over the top to the floor with a clothesline as things went to commercial.
King controlled most of the break, but was eventually sent into the commentary table, allowing Fletcher to be in the driver’s seat when things returned. Both trade shots, until Fletcher dodged multiple lariats, but was dropped by a Boss Man Slam for the double down. Fletcher was sent outside, as King followed out with a big Tope Suicida. Placed on a chair, King wanted a cross body against the barricade, Fletcher leaped off the steps and ultimately posted King, hit a PK and Tope Suicida of his own. Fletcher wanted the count-out, but King broke the count at 8. Fletcher quickly up top for a Macho Man elbow drop for two. Fletcher wanted a brainbuster, but King reversed into an Exploder into the corner. To the apron both go, as King wanted a piledriver, Fletcher escaped with thrust kicks, but King hit a DVD on the edge of the ring, as we go to our second break.
Slugfest when things return, as they trade thrust kicks and rolling elbows that leave King standing tall. Short lariat led to a Gonzo Bomb attempt, but Fletcher slid out, took out the knee and hit a stalling Tombstone for a close two. Fletcher went for a corner charge, but King turned him inside out with a lariat. Both stumble to their feet, as King gets a splash, but Callis took the official, allowing Mark Davis to show up and save Fletcher from a cannonball. King tried to fight his way out of the corner, but Davis ran distraction, as Fletcher gouged the eyes and hit his top rope Brainbuster for the win.
Post-match, Callis shook Davis’ hand as Aussie Open put the boots to King until Powerhouse Hobbs’ music hit. Excalibur said the Davis/Hobbs match shouldn’t be until later in the show, as Hobbs entered through the crowd and attacked Davis & Fletcher from behind as King hit a clothesline, sending Fletcher & himself to the floor, as we’re told Davis & Hobbs is happening, next.
Powerhouse Hobbs defeated Mark Davis (w/Don Callis)
We’re told it was chaos during the break, as security, referees and Christopher Daniels were separating Hobbs & Davis, as Callis joined commentary and said Hobbs should be arrested. Davis & Hobbs tossed the security from the ring, as the bell sounded to each trading clubbing blows, as Davis hit a suplex, Hobbs no sold and hit one of his own. Callis said he replaced Hobbs in the Family because he’s bigger, stronger and tougher. Davis hit a brutal sliding forearm to the face in the corner, but Hobbs hit a backdrop off a piledriver attempt, followed by a snap powerslam. Hobbs lowered the straps, hit corner clotheslines to the sound of Meat chants, but both were on different pages, as I think Hobbs went for his Spinebuster right as Davis went for an enzugiri, causing both to fall down. They recovered, Davis hit the enzugiri, but ran right into a Spinebuster to give Hobbs the rather quick win.
Lexy Nair is backstage with The Patriarchy minus Christian Cage, as she asks what is going on with Nick Wayne? Nick said things are finally making sense to why Cage did what he did at Revolution, but he’ll address Cage when he’s there with him face to face. Last week was how you properly execute a plan, glaring at Kip Sabian, as did Mother Wayne, as they walked off, with Sabian eventually following.
Renee Paquette is backstage with Hangman Adam Page, as she mentioned Page entering the Owen Hart Tournament last week. Swerve Strickland charged in and asked if he heard Page saying he’d get into his business with the AEW World Title? Page said bitch, did I stutter? Prince Nana came in and had to pull Strickland away.
Rated FTR Sit-Down Interview
Tony Schiavone is sitting down with all parties earlier today saying they are all basically next door neighbors and Cope is responsible for some of the biggest breaks in FTR’s career. Dax Harwood interrupts and apologizes, saying their goal was always AEW Tag Team Titles, but after four months of helping Cope, who failed twice…Cope interrupted and said he’s making it seem like he kept them from the Tag Titles, but that wasn’t his intention, he helped them, as Death Riders tried attacking them and put bags over their heads. Harwood said they were directionless for four months, as Cash Wheeler said everyone knows he & Harwood are best friends, but not many know what Cope has done for him. When Wheeler was struggling, living in his car, Cope gave him a place to live without worries. Harwood again apologized, saying he took things too far last week, but said they helped Cope go for his goals, but their goal is the Tag Titles and went to call out the Hurt Syndicate, but Wheeler cut him off, saying he still wants to go for the Trios Titles. Cope agrees and if there’s juice left in the tank, let’s do it and challenges Death Riders to the Trios Titles at Dynasty. Harwood agrees and says Top Guys, Out. Cope interrupts and says Rated FTR, Out. Harwood agrees once more to end the segment.
I think we all know where this story is going.
Swerve Strickland Calls Out Jon Moxley
Massive ovation and chants for Prince Nana & Strickland, who said he’s here not to call out the Death Riders, but Jon Moxley and said he better have the balls to look at him eye to eye. Moxley’s music hits and he walks out from the crowd, alone. Nana goes to the floor, leaving Moxley & Strickland alone, as Strickland said he’s been allowing this to go on for far too long. People have asked why Strickland hasn’t lent a hand to fight the Death Riders and asks what happened to Moxley, he used to be revered, respect, he went hand in hand with the AEW World Title. Now, Moxley hides behind Claudio, PAC, Yuta & Marina Shafir and has the nerve to say no one wants to be World Champion, but Moxley doesn’t have the nerve to be Champion himself, which is the reason why Moxley hides the AEW World Title, he can’t stand to look at himself in the mirror holding it anymore. Strickland asks Moxley how his back is doing and said everything Moxley used to describe himself as, is looking at him right now.
Claudio Castagnoli appears behind Prince Nana, as Strickland turned and glared, but Moxley called him off. Moxley said it’s not about himself at Dynasty, it’s about Strickland and questions who and what he is, really? Moxley knows exactly who Strickland is and what he could be, as he had high hopes for Strickland, but on April 6th, he’ll let Strickland be everything he thinks he could be. How far is Strickland willing to go, when you’re in pain and tired, the world bearing down on your shoulders and everyone gunning for you, will you endure or will you look for a way out and take others with you? Moxley said Strickland hasn’t suffered enough yet, but he will at Dynasty. Moxley’s sport has taken over by billionaires, Hollywood talent agencies and kids who sees the world through a filter, but guys like Strickland gives Moxley hope for the future, making him believe what he put his body through was for a reason. Moxley said he’s going to make Strickland work for it, he’s not about handouts and he’s will to go right now. Moxley said it shouldn’t be a problem, as Strickland is “The Most Dangerous Man in AEW”.
Marina Shafir charged to the ring and got on the apron with a crowbar, but Willow Nightingale soon joined her with a pipe. Strickland said Moxley is finally facing someone who is smarter than he is. Moxley bled pints, Strickland bled buckets. Moxley fought in Texas Death Matches, while Strickland won them. Strickland will continue to lead the Dynasty era, letting him continue to play Jon Moxley on TV. Moxley called off Castagnoli & Shafir, as they all retreat through the crowd, with Shafir being visibly pissed, so she came back and swept Nightingale off the apron as the ladies slugged it out. Castagnoli carried Shafir away, as Nana tried his hardest to hold back Nightingale. There was a brief face-off between Nightingale & Moxley, which was pretty great, not going to lie.
Katsuyori Shibata had apparently gotten a camera and was filming Samoa Joe & HOOK, who are walking backstage where Joe asked why HOOK held onto REDRUM a little too long on Max Caster on Collision? HOOK said he’s fun to choke out, as they walked up on Caster talking to Top Flight & AR Fox, trying to get his chant going to them. Caster noticed Shibata and the camera, as Joe choked him out, agreeing it is fun. The Opps shook Top Flight & Fox’s hands as HOOK told the camera “til the death.”
Renee Paquette is backstage with Switchblade Jay White, who officially enters the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. Last year, it didn’t work out so well for White, who lost to Page thanks to Christian Cage and got hurt for months in the process. Before we get to the tournament, how about one of the original Collision Cowboys return this Saturday Night and issues an Open Challenge.
Top Flight (Darius & Dante Martin w/AR Fox) defeated Alex Findley and Devo Knight
Action Andretti & Lio Rush are seated in the front row watching on, as Big Bill & Bryan Keith were shown watching backstage. Darius hit almost a Spear into a Manhattan Drop on Findley really tweaking his knee in the process. Dante tagged in, corner enzugiri and big top rope cross body. Shotgun dropkick into a release German Suplex, as Darius hit almost a Muscle Buster before Darius hit a massive Frog Splash for the win.
We’re told Bill & Keith vs. Top Flight is official for Collision.
Video package for Will Ospreay is shown saying it’s time for him to lead AEW into a new generation. When you hear this is where the best wrestle, it’s where Billy wrestles and it’s time to restore the feeling. Ospreay will be live on Dynamite next week.
Konosuke Takeshita (w/Don Callis) defeated Mark Briscoe
(This was a damn fine battle, as I could watch these two wrestle each other in some capacity every week. Having three matches on the show tonight, The Callis Family went 2-1 with one clean win and one tainted victory. So a little bit of everything tonight from the Callis crew, who I’m glad are looking strong, despite not currently challenging for titles.)
Callis again joins commentary and said, despite being a degenerate, Briscoe is a fantastic wrestler. Early enzugiri from Briscoe and thrust chop in the corner led to a rolling Death Valley Driver, went up top, but Takeshita cut him off and hit a massive superplex for two. Both trade corner charges with forearms, as Briscoe sent Takeshita over the top with a clothesline, geared up for a dive, but Takeshita quickly recovered, came back to the ring and hit a big boot. They go to the apron, where Takeshita spiked Briscoe with a DDT as things went to break.
When things returned, Briscoe was biting the forehead of Takeshita to fight out of the corner, allowing him to get back into things. Flying forearm led to palm strikes in the corner from Briscoe, as he dragged Takeshita to the floor, this time hitting a baseball slide, somersault senton off the apron and cannonball Suicida. Briscoe ran the barricade and hit a diving elbow before going back inside, looking for a Froggy Bow, but missed. Takeshita hit a wild release German, but Briscoe no sold and turned Takeshita inside out with a lariat for two. Callis left commentary to cheer Takeshita on, as Briscoe wanted a Jay Driller, but Takeshtia spun out into a forearm battle. Both went for home run shots, traded Exploders four times until Takeshita exploded with the charging knee for two of his own. Takeshita missed a home run lariat, as Briscoe hit the Jay Driller, but Takeshita got his foot on the ropes. Briscoe wanted the Cutthroat Driver, but Takeshita wiggled free, hit the rolling elbow and Raging Fire for the victory.
We go backstage to the AEW Trios Champions, Death Riders, as Yuta said he already hates FTR’s guts, while Cope tried to rip him from his family, but his family is much stronger than Cope’s. Castagnoli said when the going gets tough, you start throwing hissy fits. PAC said it’s their arrogance they find it so hard to stomach. It’s Rated FTR who has the audacity to challenge them? That’s not how things work around here, they challenge Rated FTR to survive the Death Riders at Dynasty.
Alicia Atout approaches The Hurt Syndicate backstage and asks if MJF is in or out? MVP politely asks her to step aside, as Lashley questions why MVP would invite MJF into their group? MVP says last week he told Lashley & Benjamin to take some time off, something MVP never has, as they always talked about getting a 4th man. Lashley said MJF is so grimey, but MVP said he likes that quality, but if they don’t want him in the crew, it’s something they can revisit, but now, they need to focus on this Big Bill situation.
Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford defeated AEW Women’s Champion Timeless Toni Storm (w/Luther) & Thunder Rosa
(You couldn’t have made Bayne look stronger than they have the last few weeks and have done a great job building her into a legit threat to win the Women’s Title. The reaction Storm gave in the post-match was great, as everything she attempted didn’t have much effect at all, making her have to regroup big time if she wants to retain her title come Dynasty.)
Excalibur was upset Justin Roberts didn’t use the name Storm suggested they went by earlier in the show. There’s actually a Thunder Tits sign in the front row, as Bayne didn’t budge from an early Rosa shoulder block and hit a spinning body slam. Bayne turned her back and posed, as Storm tagged in, but so did Ford. Shoulder tackle from Ford, who followed with a springboard arm drag, seemed to deck Storm with a shining wizard, but Storm I think was supposed to duck it, as she no sold and tagged back in Rosa to double team Ford. Rosa sprung off Storm’s back for a shotgun dropkick on Ford for two as things went to break.
Ford & Bayne controlled Rosa the entire commercial, as Ford decked Storm off the apron before hitting her handspring back elbow on Rosa, licking her face in the process. Rosa & Ford slug it out until they collide with a double clothesline. Storm & Bayne tag in and finally collide, but Bayne no sold clotheslines. Bayne missed a sledgehammer, allowing Storm to clothesline her to the floor, but landed on her feet and pulled out Storm. After being sent into the steps, Storm hit a Tornado DDT, but rolled back into the ring, where Ford met her with a Matrix Cutter. Rosa returned with a Death Valley Driver on Ford, as Bayne was back, laid out Rosa with Fate’s Decent, but Storm came back in to fight her off.
Leg sweep in the corner led to Sweet Cheek Music, but Bayne no sold and Storm couldn’t believe it. Ford got a waist lock, but Storm moved and Bayne hit her partner with a pump kick. Storm charged at Bayne, but was dropped with Fate’s Decent to give Bayne the clean pin on the Women’s Champ. Ford celebrated with Bayne, as Rosa tended to Storm, who was left looking spooked that everything she threw at Bayne had no effect.
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