A Tag Team Casino gauntlet match is on tap for tonight’s AEW Dynamite from Lexington, Kentucky — the fallout edition from last Saturday’s All Out.
The winner will challenge the Young Bucks for the AEW Tag Team titles at this month’s Grand Slam in Queens, New York. As of now, no teams have been announced for the bout.
An appearance by Jon Moxley is also set following Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli and PAC turning on AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson following his title defense over Jack Perry this past Saturday.
Perry will look to rebound from that loss as he puts his TNT title on the line against Lio Rush.
Ricochet will look to go 2-0 in his early AEW run as he faces current Ring of Honor Tag Team Champion Sammy Guevara for the first time since 2017.
Queen Aminata will face AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May in a title eliminator bout.
AEW Dynamite comes on the air with footage of Jon Moxley leaving All Out saying he hopes people don’t think he enjoyed what he did to Bryan Danielson, he didn’t. Danielson doesn’t have the stomach for this any longer, as two years ago, they made a commitment for something real, something that would last years after they’re gone. An idea that couldn’t be destroyed, not for money or recognition. Mr. Patience, Mr. Empathy, the greatest man he’s ever known, all he sees backstage is egos and jealousy when he looks around. Our mentor called Danielson the perfect wrestler, but saw himself in Moxley. His mentor told him guys like us, we are who we are, we can’t pretend to be anything else. He’s no villain or hero, he is however the one true king of these lands. We tried Danielson’s way, but diplomacy has failed and now, he chooses war. Footage of Danielson being rushed from the ring to through the backstage area was shown during the words of Moxley.
We then see Darby Allin skateboarding into the arena backstage tonight.
Christian Cage Addresses the AEW World Title Contract
Tony Schiavone introduces Christian Cage & The Patriarchy to the ring to loud boos before bringing up his Casino Gauntlet contract guaranteeing him an AEW World Title shot any time he wants. Cage said his son Nick Wayne told him the word on the streets is Cage has infinite aura. Now that Cage has this contract, it’s undeniable. All In, their Trios Titles were stolen from them, but when Killswitch grabbed him by the throat, he saw a look in his eyes, the lightbulb went off and he realized what he needed to be a monster, wrecking machine, a killer, who belongs to Cage. Schiavone brings up Cage teasing cashing in at All Out, as the fans chanted for Luchasaurus. Cage said he was prepared to sign the contract and make it official, but it wasn’t the time or place. Bryan Danielson’s days are numbered and if he thinks being suffocated was bad, it’s nothing compared to what Cage will do. He’ll make Brie wish she was the one with CTE. Not only is Cage the face of TBS now and forever, he’s the next AEW World Champion. As Cage held his contract in the air, we saw Kip Sabian at ringside before he walked away.
Renee Paquette is backstage with the Don Callis Family as well as International Champion Will Ospreay. Callis thanked Ospreay for being there and brings up Ospreay winning every Casino Gauntlet prior and that maybe tonight he teams with Kyle Fletcher tonight and bring in the AEW Tag Team Titles? Ospreay said he has his hands full with Ricochet, but Callis brings up the favor that Ospreay owe him, as Fletcher said he’s tired of being so close and not getting the job done. There’s not a single person he’d rather win the Tag Titles with than Ospreay. He accepts, but Takeshita is less than thrilled as Ospreay & Fletcher walks off.
The Scapegoat bus pulls up backstage and Jack Perry storms to the ring for the opening contest of the evening.
Jack Perry defeated Lio Rush (w/Action Andretti) to retain the TNT Title
(A relatively quick title defense of Perry here, as he needed a strong showing following his loss at All Out. It’ll be interesting if they continue to have an Open Challenge for Perry’s TNT Title or will a new challenger emerge for Grand Slam?)
Perry attacks right at the bell, as Excalibur informs us Bryan Danielson is at home recovering following Moxley’s All Out attack and Wheeler Yuta is by his side. Rush sent Perry to the floor, as he shoved Andretti, but was distracted enough for Rush to his a springboard boot. Perry fired off a chop, tried a DDT off the edge of the ring, Rush fought free, tried a moonsault of his own, but was caught with Snake Eyes onto the apron taking things to break.
Perry suckered Andretti into grabbing his foot, as he got caught by referee Aubrey, who ejected him from the match, in what has to be the lamest ejection arguably ever. This delay allowed Rush to battle back with his speed, connecting on multiple Tope Suicidas. Back inside, Perry ran right into a Spanish Fly for a near fall. Perry fought back with another Snake Eyes, this time into the middle buckle, as a Snap Dragon put Perry back in control. Commentary brought up Kenny Omega and wished him a speedy recovery, as Perry went for it again, but Rush countered into a Poison rana. Rush tried a springboard stunner, but Perry met him with a running knee strike and then a proper running knee to win it. Perry just walked to the back quickly with his title post-match.
Alex Marvez catches up with Jack Perry backstage, asking his thoughts about All Out. Perry said people like him are crucified in this life so they can be worshipped in the next. Perry threw in the TNT Title back into the Scapegoat bus and drove off.
Footage of the Lights Out Steel Cage match was shown from All Out between Hangman Page & Swerve Strickland. Renee Paquette then welcomed Page backstage, asking where his head is at now? Page said if he found 1,000 houses that Strickland called home, he would’ve burned them all to ash just to make him pay for what he did to Page and his family. He meant everything he did to Strickland. If anyone got in his way and tried to protect Strickland from him, he will find you and hurt you.
We heard a ruckus, as Paquette asked Hangman what the hell, as Page dropped some backstage workers before glaring at Top Flight & Leila Gray. He approached the Dark Order boys, who say they don’t even know who Page is anymore. Jeff Jarrett was next and said he’s seen a lot of guys take that demented path. He might be going the extra mile, but it all ends up in shame and regret. Jarrett said Page will regret the day he laid hands on Jarrett’s wife. He’ll learn the worst person he’ll ever look at is the one staring at him in the mirror. Page waffled Jarrett and tossed him into a bunch of chairs, as he stormed off with Karen Jarrett, Jay Lethal and a host of others tending to Jeff.
Komander & Private Party’s Trios Match Never Happened
The match was about to begin when Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Marina Shafir & PAC cleaned the ring. PAC said they’ve been very patient, but enough is enough. This company is broken, as what happened at All Out was inevitable, they are inevitable. As for PAC, he’s been very lost for very long, but not anymore, now he has something to believe in, a purpose. Diplomacy has failed, this company is theirs. Castagnoli & PAC stormed off, as Moxley & Shafir stood over the fallen Komander before walking off as well.
The Learning Tree arrives backstage in a Convertible, as Chris Jericho said he’s wearing the $7,000 jacket Orange Cassidy ruined 4 years ago. Jericho said that’s why he stole Cassidy’s backpack last week for not paying him back and will show everyone what’s in it later tonight. Big Bill said Cassidy must suffer the consequences.
Ricochet defeated ROH Tag Team Champion Sammy Guevara
(Exactly the kind of athleticism and flips that you’d expect from these two, as this was a good second match for Ricochet. I’m glad they’ve already set up his next opponent, as it’s smart to get him wins before entering any title program with Will Ospreay.)
Quick series of takedowns by both in the early going, as both flipped the other out of missed kicks to the midsection before trying thrust kicks, pulling up into a stalemate. This Is Flippy chants by the crowd as Ricochet flipped out of a trip, as a dropkick sent Guevara outside, as Ricochet cleared the top with a twisting press, landing on his feet. Both brawl up the ramp, as Guevara sent Ricochet face first into the entrance tunnel before climbing the stage and hit a big moonsault off of it. Guevara clutched his ankle as things went to commercial.
Back from break, Guevara was in control and he sent Ricochet into the barricade before connecting on a somersault twisting dive of his own, giving a shoutout to Tay & Luna. Guevara wanted a powerbomb on the stage, but Ricochet backdropped out. Double jump senton off the barricade by Ricochet, who followed with a springboard clothesline and running Shooting Star Press back inside for two. Sole butt from Ricochet, as Guevara tried a leap frog, but was caught in mid-air. Ricochet wanted a DVD, but Guevara countered into a Destroyer and top rope Cutter for a clue two. Guevara went up top, rolled through a Shooting Star Press, Ricochet tried a rolling Cutter, but Guevara caught him with a pump knee. GTH was dodged into a Ricochet Roundhouse Kick that led to a brutal Axe Kick. Ricochet hit the Vertigo sit-out reverse DDT for the victory.
Right as the match ended, Beast Mortos hit the ring and flattened Ricochet with a Spear. A frustrated Guevara grabbed a chair and made the save, offering a hand to Ricochet, who he helped up and showed respect as Mortos retreated.
-Highlights from the fantastic Chicago Street Fight between Willow Nightingale & Kris Statlander at All Out was shown.
Renee Paquette is backstage with Kazuchika Okada, who said defending his title at All Out was the hardest night of his life, as he fought off tears, it was so, easy. Don Callis walked in with Konosuke Takeshita, who Callis said Okada didn’t pin. Okada said Takeshita will be a champion, just not the Continental Champion, bitch. Takeshita got into Okada’s face and Okada walked off.
Darby Allin Face to Face with Jon Moxley
Allin walked to the ring with his skateboard to a loud ovation, as he said someone’s been looking for him, he’s right here. Jon Moxley & Marina Shafir walk out from the crowd as Shafir got right into Allin’s face and Moxley had her back off. Moxley said he doesn’t know what Allin has seen or heard, but nothing has changed between them. Allin cut him off and said that was enough, they don’t act like superstars, they don’t live in a fantasy world. Allin doesn’t take any of this for granted, AEW gave him everything and wants to tell Moxley a story. His first year in wrestling, he wanted to look for a hero, but after everyone he thought was that hero turned into a scam, it was Moxley who he saw and became his hero. When he lost to Moxley on the independents, he realized that maybe he could be just like Moxley. Allin would never do what Moxley did to Bryan Danielson to someone he loved, he would never do that to someone like Sting. Allin asked what Moxley wants from him?
Moxley said Allin has a guaranteed World Title shot, but that isn’t happening, as the World Champion is indisposed. That’s a blessing in disguise, as Allin isn’t ready to be a World Champion, so he’s going to need Allin to hand over his World Title shot to him. Allin asked if Moxley is stupid or has been drinking again? Allin said if he wants it so bad, do something about it. Moxley said he’ll earn it, Grand Slam, Allin’s World Title shot on the line. Allin is so far below Moxley that he’ll never be World Champion, but he’s the only one who has Allin’s back. Trust Moxley when he says Allin has no idea what’s going on, but that title shot will be his. He will teach Allin the hard way. Allin accepts and said if Moxley wants to burn AEW to the ground, don’t be surprised when he pulls Moxley into the fire. Moxley bowed to Allin and retreated with Shafir.
Alex Marvez is backstage with Christopher Daniels and asks him how this effects Grand Slam? Nigel McGuinness approaches Daniels and wants to talk to Tony Khan, telling Daniels to trust him, Khan will want to hear what he has to say.
Commentary took time to pay tribute to the lives lost 23 years ago on September 11th.
Mariah May defeated Queen Aminata in a Women’s Title Eliminator
(This match picked up after commercial, as the crowd was behind Aminata, who looked really good even in defeat. Post match set the stage for a Mina Shirakawa return, which is all May wants.)
Both ladies took turns with counters early, as that turned to stiff forearm exchanges. May switched to slaps and Aminata hit one of her own before a PK landed. Aminata missed the hip attack in the ropes, allowing May to choke away, kissing Aminata on the cheek, before hitting a dropkick to the back. May hit a knee lift on the apron as things went to break.
May hit a missile dropkick when things returned, but Aminata fought out of the corner and followed with a snap suplex and release German that folded up May. Aminata hit a charging punt kick right to the face for two. May wiggled free from a powerbomb, connected on a draping DDT for a near fall. Aminata again battled back, went up top, but rolled through a double stomp. May met her with a running dropkick and Storm Zero for the victory.
May took the mic and rolled around the ring, saying she still haven’t had her Women’s Championship Celebration. Something is missing, someone’s missing, Mina Shirakawa, please come back.
The Young Bucks are backstage and brought up how they wanted to have the greatest tag team division of all time when starting AEW, but 5 years later, they’re still here doing all the heavy lifting. They hear the whispers of the fans wanting a new team to take over the tag team division. Be upset the teams who aren’t good enough to beat them. Nicholas said this is the reason they booked this Casino Gauntlet and wishes good luck to the challengers; they’ll need it and they’ll be out there watching live.
Video package of Saraya and her family taking over Zero Hour at All In was shown and the return of Jamie Hayter.
Chris Jericho, Big Bill & Bryan Keith defeated The Iron Savages (Bronson, Boulder & Jacked Jameson)
Jericho is wrestling in his ruined $7,000 jacket and slapped Boulder to start, which didn’t bode well, as Boulder planted him with a punch. Jericho immediately tagged in Bill, who had a face-off with Boulder to Meat chants. Boulder hit a corner splash, but took too long to follow, missing the second, allowing Bill to hit one of his own and big boot. Keith made the blind tag, as Bronson was decked outside, as Jameson tagged in. Uppercut headbutt from Keith, who connected with Diamond Dust. Jericho made the tag, boot on Jameson to get the win.
Post match, Jericho welcomes the crowd and talks about his ruined $7,000 Sergio Georgini jacket (shout-out to David Brent), which is why he stole Orange Cassidy’s backpack. Inside it was a picture of Best Friends & Kris Statlander. Jericho said Cassidy is still obsessed with friendship and Jericho said there are no friends in wrestling and if he thinks he has friends, he’s being used. Pull your hands out of your pockets and head out of his ass and pay Jericho his money.
Cassidy was shown on the big screen and said he doesn’t have all of Jericho’s cash, but his boys do. Mark Briscoe & Kyle O’Reilly are shown in a backhoe and poured just about $7,000 worth of pennies into Jericho’s Bentley Convertible, as Cassidy tossed in one buck to make it exact. Jericho was furious, but it didn’t even look like the car was damaged.
Nigel McGuinness Lays Out a Huge Challenge
Nigel McGuinness is in the ring when things return from break. McGuinness said there’s something he needed to get off his chest. With Darby Allin putting his title opportunity on the line at Grand Slam against Jon Moxley, there won’t be an AEW World Title match. That’s good news for the champion, who is probably strapped to an Iron Lung, gasping for air like Justin Roberts when he was choked out by his own tie. It’s not so good for AEW, as a former World Champion himself, he believes Grand Slam should have the AEW Champion compete. McGuinness pulls out a piece of paper asking how many years he’s had to watch Bryan Danielson’s career, having success that should’ve been his.
Bryan Danielson is afraid of Nigel McGuiness, he’s afraid of the one match that everyone wants to see. Tony Khan isn’t afraid; he knows a money match when he sees one. So at Grand Slam, it will be Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness, who guarantees at Authur Ashe Stadium that Oasis will play him to the ring, but will Danielson join him with the Final Countdown or will it be the final match of The American Coward. Balls in Danielson’s court.
-HOOK is shown talking about how he respects Roderick Strong, but once his buddies attacked him after he choked Strong out, things changed. That’s not the Strong he respects, but he’s challenging Strong anytime and anyplace.
The Young Bucks take a seat out on stage ahead of the main event.
Will Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher Won the Tag Team Casino Gauntlet to Earn a Tag Title Shot at Dynamite Grand Slam
(Like the other Casino Gauntlets, this was as chaotic as it gets, with the most notable moment being how wildly over The Outrunners are with the crowd. They teased a near fall, but ultimately the earlier promo tonight setting up Ospreay & Fletcher was what led to the winners. It was a fun main event, as Grand Slam should be a great Tag Team title match.)
FTR and Kyle Fletcher & Will Ospreay were the starting two teams, as a fast-opening sequence from Ospreay & Wheeler. Ospreay tried a hurricanrana, but was launched in the air by Wheeler before Harwood caught him with a bounce back powerbomb that stacked Ospreay pretty bad. Fletcher hit a Michinoku Driver on Harwood before Ospreay moonsaulted off his teammates back for two. Flying lariat from Wheeler sent Fletcher crashing outside, as Harwood cut off Ospreay in the corner before hitting the Power-Plex for two. The Righteous are in third, as Vincent & Dutch ran wild on everyone before Wheeler cut them off, only to be planted with a Boss Man Slam by Dutch and top rope senton by Vincent for two. Ospreay nearly caught Vincent with a Styles Clash off a Sliced Bread, but Dutch cut him off. Half & half from Fletcher, who hit a diving Cutter on Dutch for two. The Kingdom are fourth, with Matt Taven & Mike Bennett immediately hitting a pop-up right hand, running DVD and knee strike on Ospreay for two as things went to commercial.
Back from break, The Acclaimed are fifth and stare down The Bucks before hitting the ring, taking the fight to The Righteous & Kingdom. Meanwhile, FTR, Fletcher & Ospreay brawl on the outside as Stokely Hathaway was shown applauding in the front row as it happened. Bowens & Caster cleaned house with two Fame-Assers on Harwood until MxM Collection are sixth, as they ran wild on The Kingdom, about to touch tips when The Acclaimed cut them off. A quadruple suplex spot ended up with big Dutch landing right on the legs of Bennett as we go to another break.
Top Flight are seventh and quickly fly around the ring with Taven taking a majority of the punishment. Dutch was spiked with a pop-up DDT by Darius, as Dante & Ospreay squared off. Both turned on the boosters as Ospreay hit a wall walk enzugiri, but Dante backflipped into a head scissors. Taven flew in with a springboard boot, until Fletcher turned him inside out with a lariat. Bowens with a combo until he turned right into Shatter Machine. Literally everyone dog piled to break things up as The Outrunners run out at eight and take the fight to everyone in sight to a massive ovation. Aside from FTR & Ospreay, Floyd & Magnum are the most over guys in the match as they hit a double team elbow drop and slingshot dive on The Righteous.
Grizzled Young Veterans are ninth, but FTR sprinted up the ramp and brawl with them to the back ahead of their tag match on Collision this week. Everyone piles up on the floor, leaving Floyd & Mansoor to do the superplex spot onto the stack. Back inside, the running double team slam nearly won the match, but Vincent barely broke the count to huge boos. Darius cleared the top with a dive onto the pile and shotgun dropkick back inside. Bennett with a piledriver, Fletcher with a brainbuster, Dante with a snap hurricanrana pin as he floated over Fletcher in the corner, tried a top rope cross over splash, but Fletcher got the knees up. Ospreay flew in with Hidden Blade and pinned Dante to win it.
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