Dynamite TV report for 10/12/2022

[Liz]

Arena: Coca-Cola Coliseum

City: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Last Week's Rating: 1.038,000 overall; 0.33 in 18-49 demo

I wrote last week that Tony Khan needed to do something about the discipline in AEW.  Also that Sammy did 'nothing wrong'.  The latter of which isn't strictly true, as he could've just let things go instead of heading to Twitter.

So here's a baseline solution – heavy fines for anyone with 'Twitter fingers' – and next time two guys are going at it like that, for God's sake have them brought straight to your office the second they get to tv.

It's Wednesday night, it's Dynamite.  Let's go.

Excalibur welcomed us to the first ever episode emanating from Canada, along with Taz and 'the newest member of our broadcast team!' Mrs Moxley.  Or 'Renee Paquette' as she introduced herself.  Then Christian.  As Schiavone remarked that it was a good way to spoil the moment.

After crapping on the Maple Leafs, the vet introduced his 'right hand of destruction', Luchasaurus.

Jungle Boy Jack Perry vs Luchasaurus

Backstory: LS was JB's 'best friend' before leaving him for Christian

Cage joined on comms, Jungle Boy eyeing him from the stage.  The name change now very much confirmed.

Jungle Boy attacked as the bell rang with a shotgun dropkick, shots in the corner, dropkick to the back after sliding through the legs, lastly choking the big guy in the ropes.  But was caught out of the air and dropped via German suplex.  Then sent to the outside via a huge shot to the mush.  LS set up a table at ringside as Christian very deliberately kept calling Excalibur 'JR'.

'We want tables' chant.  Erm, yeah, he's already set it up.  Not too sharp up North (joke!).

JB began targeting the arm, the big fella shook it off, flinging his former friend around ringside, including a vicious throw into the barricades, slamming him back into the ring as the first break beckoned.

Avoiding a spear in the corner as we returned, the smaller guy took to the air but was caught again, fighting off the chokeslam, heading to the apron, attempting to hoist LS atop his back.  Essentially, the two exchanged moves looking to send the other through the table at ringside, culminating with a sunset bomb from inside, planting Luchasaurus through the table off the apron.

Protesting that it should be a DQ, Christian headed to ringside, buying his man time, the giant sitting up as JB struck with thrust kicks but was clotheslined to the mat, onto the shoulders for a DVD.  Count of two.

Sitting the smaller man up top, the big guy followed but was crotched, 10 punches, tree of woe.  But the youngster was then caught between the legs, slammed face first and chokeslammed – via the weaker arm –  allowing him to kickout at two.

Luchasaurus looked for his new move, the Cutthroat, Jungle Boy countered into a crucifix bomb for another close two as the crowd counted along.  JB set up the Killswitch, the big guy fought out, hoisting him up onto the shoulders, from where Jungle Boy countered into a poisonrana, dragging the remnants halfway back up to hit the Killswitch.  But Luchasaurus kicked out at two.

A frantic Jungle Boy went straight for the Snare Trap, the dinosaur in trouble (that feels stupid to write), Christian interfered, allowing 'Saurus to chokeslam the youngster off the top, then hit the Burning Hammer for the win.

Otherwise hot crowd died at that finish.  The Killswitch would've been the right ending and the right victor.  Especially considering Christian won at the PPV.

WINNER: Jungle Boy

An already busy Renee was with Stokely, Ethan Page and Jose the Assistant.  The Firm've purchased Private Party's contracts.  Matt Hardy burst in, challenging the group.  Page challenged Kassidy for Friday.  If Isiah wins, they're free; Page wins, they own Hardy too.

QT Marshall was in the ring with Nick Comoroto, making fun of the WarJoe name.  Seriously, this is an actual match?

WarJoe vs QT Marshall & Nick Comoroto

Backstory: See above

Big pop for Joe as usual, chants of 'Joe Joe Joe!' leading him to the ring.  Manhattan Drop and a senton to Marshall as Wardlow brawled with Comoroto at ringside.  Joe stepped aside as QT came off the top, never not great.  Goldberg-style 'Wardlow' chant as the big guy entered, a lariat to QT bringing Comoroto in, greeted by a pair of overhead belly-to-bellies.  With ease I might add.

Spinebuster and a tag to Joe, who held Comoroto in place for a senton atomico, then locked in the Kokina Clutch for the quick win.  Though they weren't quite done: a powerbomb bye-bye for the fans in the T-Dot.

Until interrupted by Brian Cage's music, who came out with Prince Nana (wearing a crown, leather jacket, tee & jeans?) & the Gates of Agony.  After a bit of baiting from Cage (why give him a mouthpiece then let him talk?), FTR hit the scene to their usual pop.  Fresh off wrestling their first tag team match in the company in six months!

FTR challenged the three for Friday, doing a hell of a job setting up Shawn Spears' return.  Unfortunately.

A Big Rig ended the segment.  Which was fun.

WINNER: WarJoe

Schiavone with Jericho and 2.0.  Switchblade said Danielson made it personal by trying to poach Garcia.  Shouty shouted.  Jericho said Garcia was family, his little brother, and last week Danielson forced him to hurt his little brother.  Jericho casually referred to himself as the 'greatest wrestler ever to come out of Stu Hart's dungeon' – genius way to subtly attempt to be booed.

'All honor... the Ocho'.

Billy Gunn vs Swerve Strickland

Backstory: Gunn cost Swerve & Lee the tag titles

Enormous pop for the Acclaimed.  Caster made a lot of refs I didn't get, presumably hockey ones.  Crowd liked them though.

'Ohhh scissor me daddy'.  Billy got a bigger pop taking off his shirt than most'll get all night.  Taz played along with Corey Graves' comments from Raw Monday.

Using his power, Gunn sent Strickland to the mat via a couple shoulder blocks, threatening to pull his trunks down, allowing Swerve to strike from the apron, slipping in through the ropes via dropkick.

Gunn sent to the outside, Swerve vaulted out for a knee drop, quickly back inside, awaiting the vet's return with heavy shots to the sternum.  'Let's go daddy!' chant as the crowd urged Gunn on, who responded with a loose tilt-a-whirl slam, unable to put weight on the leg Swerve'd presumably worked over during the break.

Greeted with a couple clothesline and a Jackhammer as he returned to his feet, Swerve was set-up for the Fame-Asser but slipped out, rolling-leaping Flatliner, cat-like leap to the top, Swerve Stomp.  Gunn kicked out.  Didn't like that.

Swatting away a dropkick, Swerve hooked a cradle, and the ropes, for the win.

Didn't see much of it – seemingly the story of the match (the leg assault) – happened during the break, and Gunn looked very slow.

About to Scissor regardless, Acclaimed and Billy were interrupted by Smart Mark, who's trademarked the Scissor and will get all their royalties etc.  'Scissor me Daddy Nese' ended the segment.  What is Tony Khan's obsession with Tony Nese?  In a company full of great teams, the champs should be facing better.

WINNER: Swerve Strickland

MJF was being asked about nearly shaking Yuta's hand last week etc.  Before he could speak, Hathaway interrupted.  Calling himself 'Daddy', Max said if the Firm did anything else without permission, he'd be fired.

MJF said he didn't even know himself if he'd have shaken Wheeler's hand.  Said he had 'no choice but to be the bad guy.'  He hated himself when he looked in the mirror, when he walked through the curtain... but that's what was needed to win the title.

Very good, very intense promo, at least hinting toward a turn.

Schiavone mid-ring to introduce the champ.  Quickly grabbing the mic, Moxley said the other wrestlers 'think they want what I got', many 'crumble under the pressure, some faster than others...' (whoever could he be talking about?).  Being the champ is tough, painful, with no room for emotion.

The moment he mentioned Hangman's name, Page was out.  Holding out his hand, Mox handed over the mic.  Page set it meant a lot that Mox respected him, reciprocating the feelings – 'a lot of times I looked at you and saw the kind of man I wanted to be'.

MJF was shown watching from above.

But when Mox called him a 'kid' last week, he lost a little respect for him.  Firing up, right in Moxley's face – 'am I a kid to you!?'

'That's exactly what I think about you' Mox responded.  'If you got the shot to take me out, I don't think you got the guts to pull the trigger.'

Things got kind-of insider for a bit as Page lamented that he's watched as his 'best friends... disappear' (the Dark Order) and that his 'old friends' have gone too (getting an 'oooh' from the crowd.

'I'm left with nothing, I'm angry, I'm pissed off, I'm anxious, depressed, the medicine isn't working but I keep coming back because I'm a man!'  Punching himself in the head as he said it.  Very intense.  'Cowboy shit!' broke out.  MJF's facials were phenomenal.

'I don't care if your mother's in the crowd', Page'd do anything to take back his belt, all he had left was his shot and his word.  Tonight he gave Moxley his word, next week he'd take his shot.  Before bumping Mox on his way out as Taz speculated that this was what Moxley wanted to bring out of Hangman.

It wasn't as good as last week because, much as I like Page, he's just not the talker Mox is.  But this was still good and built next week's contest as a big deal between two proud former champs who respect each other but don't necessarily see eye-to-eye.

Chris Jericho vs Bryan Danielson, ROH Title

Backstory: Jericho's doing everything he can to take the 'honor' out of ROH

Video package played, highlighting the challenger's past ROH affiliation.  Bobby Cruise was back, Riccaboni & Regal joined on comms.

Thank you!  Jericho scrapped Judas after a few bars, emerging to 'Lionheart' music.

Offering a handshake alongside a smirk, Jericho had his hand kicked away, straight into a roll-up as Danielson bagged a quick two.  Before quickly descending into a slugfest: headbutts, chops, strikes – leading to Jericho being vaulted outside, Danielson following with a tope as the crowd decided they'd sing Judas anyway.

Still on top, Danielson struck with ten punches in the corner, Jericho firing back with chops, backing Danielson all the way across to the opposite corner for 10 of his own.  The pair then fought their way to-and-fro as they continued backing each other all the way across, corner to corner, chops then ten punches, all culminating in a top-rope hurracanrana from the 52-year-old.

Back from break, the challenger was back on top, the champ returning fire with a ddt, sending Danielson to the apron, springboard dropkick, then vaulting onto Danielson on the outside.  Vintage Jericho! 😉.

'Ocho' chants from the crowd as Danielson hooked the arms up-top: avalanche butterfly suplex, right into the LeBell Lock, elbows to the back, square in the middle, Jericho's hand hovering.  Before fighting out, right into the Walls, though Danielson slipped under the legs, into ground and pound, the challenger booed heavily as he applied the Walls himself.

By slipping into a cradle, Jericho broke the hold but was treated to a roundhouse as he rose, sending him straight back down for two slaps of the mat.

'This is awesome!'  It's certainly very good so far.

Hammer and anvils, Jericho fighting out into a fireman's carry slam, Lionsault missed, challenger hit a leaping knee from the top, another, back to the top but greeted by a Codebreaker for two.

After ducking another roundhouse, Jericho sent BD into the ref, the combatants then landing simultaneous clotheslines, both crashing to the mat as Matt Menard sent the belt in to his boss.

Poised as Danielson slowly dragged himself up, Daniel Garcia beelined to the ring, ripping away the belt, more boos.  Began to boo myself as Riccaboni blathered on again about that stupid code of honor.

But it was all a – say it with me – Swerve Bro!  Garcia planting Danielson with the belt.  I wouldn't have a problem with this if they hadn't fought last week and Garcia hadn't lost to Sammy.  Perhaps they can explain it away.

Challenger's lights out, ref back in, Jericho to the cover, 1...2...3.

Was waiting for the kickout.

Big hug for Garcia, who still didn't look all that pleased.  The rest of the BCC – sans the champ – marched straight to the ring with purpose, the heels bailing quickly.

Not normally a 'match didn't last long enough' guy, but this felt just a tad premature.  Though what we saw was very good action.

WINNER: Chris Jericho

Renee backstage with Nyla, Vickie Guerrero and that girl whose name they still haven't told us (Renee's so good, she actually interacts rather than asking a question and just standing there).  Nyla said she was the champ because 'nine-tenths of the law' and all that.  Anna Jay interrupted, challenging Nyla for Friday.  Rose was very good here.

Particularly liked the 'Vickie, Vickie, Vickie (said like a record scratch), let's remix this.'

Toni Storm & Hikaru Shida vs Britt Baker & Jamie Hayter

Backstory: Presumably a backdrop to continue the Britt/Saraya story (the latter is apparently cleared for action) & maybe set Hayter up as #1 contender?

Hayter chants as she and Shida started us off: misdirect from Shida, quick dropkick, tag to Toni.  European uppercut, hammering blows followed with a boot to the face, the champ preparing Sweet Cheeks Music as Britt grabbed the leg, allowing Hayter to strike with a huge kick to the face, the crowd cheering as the ads arrived.

Shida missed a flying knee, then locked Britt's arm, shots to the face, this time landing the knee.  To the corner, more right hands as the crowd chanted her name until Hayter interfered, being brought in from the outside via suplex, Britt then eating one on top of her partner.  Meteora for two, very good sequence.

Double teaming took Shida off her game, Britt got the glove but Shida fought back until running into a double thrust kick, sliding lariat from Hayter, Stomp from Britt, Storm broke up the pin.  This is rapid.

Swinging ddt from Storm, sliding elbow strike by Shida, Storm Zero, Britt beaten, Hayter broke it up, then fired up but was fought off via headbutt.  Swinging ddt off the apron from Storm to Jamie, taking both out.  Inside, Britt countered out of a pin into Lockjaw, Shida slid back into the pin for two.

Back to their feet, elbow strike, falcon arrow, Shida to the cover, a series of roll-ups and counters ending when Shida finally locked down the pinfall.

The faces shook to end a very good, hiccup-quick contest.

WINNER: Hikaru Shida & Toni Storm

Pac vs Orange Cassidy, All-Atlantic Title

Backstory: Long backstory going all the way back to the first months of the company.  More recently, Pac cheated to defeat Cassidy.

Main event slot suggests a title change as the announcers talked about whether Pac was 'burning the candle at both ends' by defending two titles.  I wasn't even aware of this match.  They haven't once mentioned it during the show.

Straight to the Orange Punch, Pac ducked, series of kicks, dropkick, running elbow in the corner, pump kick, Pac well on top as the crowd chanted 'freshly squeezed.'

Pac put Cassidy's hands in his pockets for him, then hit the kicks, completely mocking Cassidy.  Pac was great here, hilarious as he kept pausing for an extra step backwards.  A pissed off Cassidy fired back, sending Pac outside but was caught mid-dive, dropped on the mats at ringside via falcon arrow as the ads arrived.

Pac is fantastic.

Returning to Cassidy struggling at the top of the ramp, we were shown footage of him being tombstoned on it during the break, Pac looking for a countout victory.  Rolling and stumbling, Orange just about made it back in time.  Right into the Brutalizer.

Getting his foot on the ropes, Cassidy broke the hold but was still out in the middle as Pac headed ringside for his favorite toy.

Where he was cut off by the ref, allowing Cassidy to strike with a tope into a ddt, swinging ddt back in the ring, Orange Punch, scramble to cover, 1, 2, kickout!

Cassidy to the top, Pac slowly rolled to the apron, continuing the theme.  Caught with a kick coming off, Cassidy turned it into a Beach Break on the apron.  Dispensing with the elbow pad, another Orange Punch was set-up but Orange was caught and spiked with a suplex, right back into the Brutalizer.  Pac bleeding heavily from the ear as Cassidy again got the ropes with his feet.

Pac to the outside, again searching for a weapon, Danhausen unmasked to intercept him, then Cursed Pac.  Pac punched him out.  Thanks Pac.

Again cut off by the ref, he grabbed another hammer from under the ring but was met by a stiff right as he re-entered, Cassidy grabbing the hammer, thinking about it, before handing it to the ref as Pac rolled him up for two.  Straight back up, Orange Punch, another, new champ!

Really enjoyed this.  Hottest the crowd was all night.  Pac's just great and the tweek of him mimicking Orange was a lot of fun.

WINNER: Orange Cassidy

Next Rampage:

Ethan Page vs Isiah Kassidy, if Page wins, Matt Hardy belongs to the Firm; Isiah wins, PP are free

Anna Jay vs Nyla Rose, ostensibly for the TBS Title

Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli vs Butcher & Blade

FTR & Shawn Spears (The Pinnacle) vs Brian Cage & Gates of Agony (The Embassy)

Next Dynamite (Tuesday 18th):

Jon Moxley vs Hangman Adam Page, AEW World Title

MJF speaks

Hikaru Shida vs Toni Storm, AEW Women's Title

Renee sit-down interview with Bryan Danielson & Wheeler Yuta

Overall impressions

Ohhh Canada.  On the subject of impressions, first ones are key.  And this one can't have been anything other than good before a new Canadian audience.  Very good show from top to bottom, big crowd, matches set-up for next week.  Big tick.

Check Out:

Jericho vs Danielson

Shida & Storm vs Britt & Hayter

Pac vs Orange Cassidy