By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW Dynamite (Episode 105)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at Liacouras Center
Aired live October 6, 2021 on TNT
[Hour One] The Dynamite Anniversary opening aired and then pyro shot off on the stage while the broadcast team of Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, and Excalibur checked in on commentary. Ring announcer Justin Roberts stood inside the ring with the participants in the opening match and introduced them…
1. Bryan Danielson, Christian Cage, Jungle Boy, and Luchasaurus (w/Marko Stunt) vs. “The Super Elite” Kenny Omega, Adam Cole, and “The Young Bucks” Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson (w/Brandon Cutler, Michael Nakazawa). Jungle Boy and Nick started the match. Jungle Boy hit Nick with a dropkick and then Cole tagged in.
Danielson eventually took a tag from Jungle Boy and then worked over Matt with a series of kicks. Luchasaurus tagged in to a nice pop and continued to work over Matt. All four babyfaces hit running moves on Matt in the corner and had him beat, but Matt’s teammates arrived to break up the pin.
Most of the wrestlers fought to ringside where Nakazawa hit Cage with his laptop. Cage shook it off, but Cutler sprayed the cold spray in his eyes. The Bucks hit the Indy Taker on Cage at ringside. The doctor checked on Cage. Matt superkicked Stunt, who was checking on Cage.
Inside the ring, the heels isolated Jungle Boy. Cole put Jungle Boy in a camel clutch. The Jacksons ran the ropes a few times and then stopped and kissed Cole’s cheek. Danielson put the boots to Nakazawa at ringside and then returned to the apron. Jungle Boy performed a double DDT on the Jacksons and then made the hot tag.
Danielson and Omega ended up in the ring together and the crowd came to life. Danielson and Omega traded forearms or elbows until Omega kicked Danielson, who came right back with a clothesline. Danielson performed a top rope diving headbutt on Omega and had him pinned, but the Jacksons broke it up.
A short time later, Danielson performed a tiger suplex for a near fall. Danielson applied another submission hold, but Nick performed a top rope swanton onto him to break it. Both men tagged out. Luchasaurus tagged in and worked over all four oppoenents. Cole went for a Panama Sunrise, but Luchasaurus caught him and ended up chokeslamming him onto Omega.
Luchasaurus hit both Jacks with superkicks and then went to the apron and performed a moonsault onto one of his opponents There was a series of spots to the floor, including a suicide dive from Danielson, and a flip dive by Omega. Cole teased a dive, but he stopped and did his “Bay Bay” bit.
Luchasaurus chokeslammed Cole and covered him for a near fall. A “this is awesome” chant broke out. Cole low blowed Luchasaurus. The Super Elite set up Omega to powerbomb Luchasaurus, but Omega fell over. Oops. Jungle Boy returned to the ring and fought until the Jacksons caught him with a double superkick. Cole performed the Panama Sunrise on Jungle Boy and went for the pin, but Danielson broke it up.
Danielson fought all four opponents. Danielson threw kicks at a kneeling Omega, who blocked the grand finale kick and then held his leg while the other Super Elite members superkicked Bryan. The Super Elite members teamed up for a four-man BTE Trigger on Jungle Boy and then Cole pinned him…
“The Super Elite” Kenny Omega, Adam Cole, Matt Jackson, and Nick Jackson defeated Bryan Danielson, Christian Cage, Jungle Boy, and Luchasaurus in 18:00.
The broadcast team hyped previously advertised matches and Schiavone said he would be in the ring for a special announcement from Tony Khan. Ross hyped that C.M. Punk would appear after the break… [C]
Powell’s POV: A big ol’ spot fest to open the anniversary show. It was chaotic to cover, so I’m thinking nasty thoughts about Jake Barnett, who needed the night off but will be covering Smackdown in my place on Friday night. Anyway, the babyfaces were protected with Cage’s storyline injury leading to his departure from the match, and it’s interesting that Cole picked up another win over Jungle Boy.
Jon Moxley delivered a backstage promo. He said he’s been out of sorts lately, but there’s no man in AEW who can pin or submit him. He spoke about the ladder match and having an insane three month old at home. Moxley said AEW is his company, Philadelphia is his city, and the AEW World Championship is his belt…
CM Punk made his entrance. He stopped by the broadcast table to fist bump the trio before heading to the ramp. Punk performed a stage dive from the ramp into the arms of some fans. Punk went to ringside and stopped to talk with a young fan who was dressed like Orange Cassidy.
Punk stood in the ring while the fans chanted his name. Punk asked the fans if they were tired of it yet. He said he’s not tired of it and wants to keep the love-fest going. He showed off his new Jordan sneakers. He same he came from humble beginnings in Chicago and moved to Philadelphia for roughly three years.
Punk recalled his schedule at the time and how everything revolved around pro wrestling. Punk said he’s glad he’s back and immersed back in this community. Another CM Punk chant broke out. Punk said that because Philly will always be special to him, he would either wrestle for them or buy cheesesteaks. He asked the crowd which it would be. A “wrestle” chant started.
Punk said the fans could go buy themselves a cheesesteak because he was going to wrestle. Punk called out Daniel Garcia for a match on Friday’s AEW Rampage (which will be taped later tonight). “Let’s go,” Punk said before dropping the mic. Punk sat on the apron and took his shoes off and gave them to the young fan dressed like Orange Cassidy…
Powell’s POV: Somewhere in the upper deck is a kid whose family can’t afford front row seats let alone Jordan sneakers. Kidding. That was a nice gesture. I can’t say that Punk really sold me on his match with Garcia, but at this point there’s still value in simply seeing Punk in the ring again.
Footage aired of Arn Anderson on Busted Open, and then he was shown starting a trashcan fire outside of Cody Rhodes’ home. Cody walked onto a balcony and asked what he was doing. Cody joined Anderson, who told him that he can have hit shows and other things, but he’s not a very good wrestler right now. Anderson had Cody give him his tie. “Why don’t you just paint a star on your face and then everything will be cool,” Anderson said. Cody told him he didn’t need to throw the tie away. Arn slapped Cody and said, “You threw us away, dammit”… [C]
A vignette aired on Bobby Fish while comments aired. Fish said he’s the reason why Sammy Guevara would have the shortest TNT Title reign in AEW history…
Entrances for the TNT Title match took place. Bobby Fish came out to the song he and Kyle O’Reilly used when they teamed as Red Dragon in ROH. A pre-tape aired with Sammy presenting Fuego Del Sol with a new truck. Fuego joked that he would put it on the line for a shot at Guevara’s title…
2. Sammy Guevara vs. Bobby Fish for the TNT Championship. Fish went on the offensive early. They cut to a picture-in-picture break roughly three minutes into the match. [C] Fish performed a backdrop suplex for a near fall. Guevara came back with a standing Spanish Fly. Guevara went up top, but Fish cut him off by kicking his legs out from under him.
Fish executed an avalanche falcon arrow and covered Guevera for a two count. Fish followed with an exploder suplex for another two count. Fish threw a kick that Guevara ducked. Guevara hit Fish with the GTH and scored the pin.
Sammy Guevara defeated Bobby Fish in 9:15 to retain the TNT Championship.
Dan Lambert led American Top Team and Scorpio Sky to the ring. They ended up attacking Guevara. Fuego Del Sol ran out to help, but he was quickly outnumbered. “Judas” played and then Chris Jericho and Jake Hager ran out and quickly cleared the ATT fighters from the ring.
Lambert said that was enough of that stupid song. The music stopped, but the fans kept singing the lyrics. The fans continued to sing the verse. Lambert started his promo and was booed loudly. Lambert said AEW was coming to Miami, which is the home of ATT.
Lambert challenged the three babyfaces to face Junior Dos Santos, Ethan Page, and Scorpio Sky. Lambert said he would have Jorge Masvidal as his bodyguard. Jericho said he didn’t hear a thing that Lambert said. Jericho got another mic and said that his team would beat the living shit out of Lambert and his dipshit team. Lambert said he would see Jericho in Miami…
A pre-tape aired with “The Acclaimed” in a stairwell. Max Caster rapped about Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix. Anthony Bowens said he and Caster would stomp the “Scooby Doo villain asses” of Penta and Fenix and take the AEW Tag Titles on Friday’s AEW Rampage…
Excalibur hyped Khan’s announcement and Nick Comoroto vs. Darby Allin… [C]
Powell’s POV: It was nice to see Fish get an AEW match. Here’s hoping it won’t be the last. The crowd was outstanding during the Jericho and Lambert segment, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Jericho was being sincere when he said he didn’t hear a word that Lambert said.
Tony Schiavone stood inside the ring with referee Aubrey Edwards, who was holding a title belt bag. Schiavone said they changed the wrestling business under the leadership of Tony Khan. Schiavone spoke about Dynamite moving to TBS in January. He announced that there will be a TBS Championship in the women’s division.
[Hour Two] Schiavone had Edwards unveil the new TBS Championship belt…
A pre-taped sit-down interview conducted by Jim Ross with Darby Allin was shown. Allin recalled MJF talking about his uncle, who died after drinking and driving with him in the car when he was just five years old. Allin said he wears face paint on half his face because 50 percent of him is still dead inside. He said he faced death that day. Allin said MJF will not win the war mentally or physically…
3. Darby Allin (w/Sting) vs. Nick Comoroto (w/QT Marshall, Aaron Solo). Comoroto’s entrance was not televised. Allin dove from the top rope onto Comoroto and Solo before the match. They cut to a PIP break shortly after the match got started. [C] Allin performed a cutter on Comoroto coming out of the break. Allin followed up with a Coffin Drop and scored the pin.
Darby Allin beat Nick Comoroto in roughly 3:15.
After the match, Sting entered the ring. Marshall also entered the ring and gave Sting a Diamond Cutter. Sting no-sold it by popping right up. Sting kicked Marshall and gave him the Scorpion Death Drop…
Powell’s POV: Something tells me this isn’t what Dallas Page had in mind when he gave Marshall his blessing to use the Diamond Cutter. That said, this was a quick showcase match for Allin, and the broadcast team did their best to make it feel like a challenge for him due to the size difference with Comoroto.
A pre-tape aired with Evil Uno that it’s up to the rest of the Dark Order to figure out who calls the shots. The other members said they should all decide. John Silver and Alan Angels bickered for a moment until Anna Jay asked if they were on the same page or not. They all held up the Dark Order hand sign…
Dante Martin was interviewed by Tony Schiavone inside the ring. Martin said he has shown that he’s a problem for anyone in the locker room over the last few months. He said he was in the ring with Kenny Omega and gave him a run for his money. Martin said was wiling to fight anyone that AEW can bring him.
The lights went out. When the lights turned on, Malakai Black was standing behind him in the ring. Black removed his headwear and then spat mist into the eyes of Martin. Black put Martin down with his finishing kick. The lights went out again and Martin was down at ringside. “The House of Black accepts,” Black said… [C]
Ricky Starks stood inside the ring with the FTW Championship belt in hand. He spoke about the belt’s history in Philadelphia and said he has the same mindset that Taz had when he held it. Starks said he can’t say the same for the former champion. Starks said Brian Cage didn’t show up for work. Starks said he was going to challenge Cage to a Philadelphia Street Fight if he had shown up. Brian Cage ran to the ring and attacked Starks, who was pulled to ringside by Powerhouse Hobbs and Hook…
A video package aired with Thunder Rosa, Skye Blue, Ruby Soho, and Jade Cargill (and Mark Sterling) talking about their desire to win the new TBS Championship…
4. Hikaru Shida vs. Serena Deeb. Both entrances were televised. There was a trophy at ringside for Shida becoming the first female to win fifty matches. Schiavone explained that there will be a tournament to determine the first TBS Champion starting in January. Excalibur reminded viewers that Dynamite will air on Saturday next week (and the following week). Deeb performed a neckbreaker over the middle rope. [C]
Shida put Deeb in a front face lock and then performed an airplane spin while in that position. Shida followed up with a missile dropkick for a near fall. Deeb came back and went for a piledriver, but Shida avoided it. Deeb ducked a strike and rolled Shida into a pin for a near fall. Shida hit Deeb with a knee strike that caused Deeb to tumble to the floor.
Shida stood on the middle rope and then dove onto Deeb before rolling her back inside the ring. As Shida was returning, Deeb chop-blocked her knee. Deep performed a swinging neckbreaker for a near fall. Deeb went back to work on the knee. Shida kicked her into the corner and then hit her with a knee strike.
Shida avoided a chop-block and threw a kick to the head. Shida got a couple of near falls and then went for a kick that Deeb blocked. Shida threw a couple of knees to Deeb’s head, but Deeb came back with a rake of the eyes and an inverted dragon screw leg whip. Deeb hit The Detox for a good near fall. Deeb slammed Shida’s bad knee into the mat and applied the Serenity Lock, which forced Shida to tap out…
Serena Deeb defeated Hikaru Shida in 10:25.
After the match, Deeb grabbed the trophy from ringside and slammed it over Shida’s head…
Powell’s POV: I like that Deeb played spoiler. The crowd was very quiet for this match compared to everything else on the show. That’s likely a product of neither wrestler getting a lot of time on Dynamite or Rampage in recent months.
Alex Marvez caught up with Darby Allin in the underground parking area. Marvez said MJF asked Tony Khan for a match against Allin next week. Marvez wondered if Allin accepted the challenge. Darby said he thought he would never ask. A limo arrived and Allin removed his shirt, presumably preparing to fight MJF.
A hooded man attacked Allin from behind. Two other hooded men exited the limo. They ran Allin into a stop side by a barricade and left him lying. Another hooded man showed up and choked Allin with his own skateboard. Schiavone said the last man was clearly MJF…
Excalibur hyped CM Punk vs. Daniel Garcia, Jade Cargill vs. Skye Blue, Ricky Starks vs. Brian Cage in a Philadelphia Street Fight for the TNT Championship, and Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix vs. The Acclaimed for the AEW Tag Titles for Friday’s Rampage…
Lio Rush delivered a backstage promo. He said he’s a huge fan of Dante Martin. He once again stated that he’s a business man. He said Martin may need guidance if he takes the match against Malakai Black… [C]
Schiavone interviewed Britt Baker, who was with Jamie Hayter and Rebel. Baker was happy about the TBS Championship because “now all you jealous bitches in the back” can fight amongst themselves. She told them to have fun “fighting in your little tournament” while she watches from the top…
Entrances for the Casino Ladder Match took place…
5. Pac vs. Andrade El Idolo vs. Jon Moxley vs. Lance Archer, Orange Cassidy vs. Matt Hardy vs. “The Joker” in the Anniversary Casino Ladder Match. The first two entrants were Cassidy and Pac. Excalibur noted that the match could end if either man grabbed the poker chip that was hanging above the ring. The broadcast team exchanged anniversary pleasantries.
The third entrant in the match was Andrade El Idolo. Pac immediately kicked a ladder at him. Andrade and Pac ended up on the ladder. Andrade performed a sunset bomb from the apron. Cassidy, who had been down at ringside, did some spots on both men while keeping his hands in his pockets.
The fourth entrant was Matt Hardy, who came out and ran a ladder into all three opponents. Hardy set up the ladder and made a play for the chip, but Cassidy cut him off. Hardy ran Cassidy’s head into the ladder heading into the final PIP break. [C]
The fifth entrant was Lance Archer, who came out during the break with a man in his arms. Archer threw him at Andrade, who ducked. Archer was in domination mode. Archer stood tall in the ring as they returned from break and the clock counted down.
The sixth entrant was Jon Moxley, who entered through the crowd and was greeted by Archer. They brawled amongst the fans and eventually made their way to the ring. Schiavone announced that Darby Allin would not be cleared to compete against MJF next week and they would have more details on Friday’s Rampage.
The seventh and final entrant was joker “Hangman” Adam Page, who came out to a huge pop and pyro. Page and Moxley fought while the crowd chanted “Cowboy Shit” for Page. Page cleared Moxley to ringside and then caught Cassidy diving off the ropes and gave him a fallaway slam onto a ladder that was leaning against the ropes.
Pac cut off Page’s offense while Excalibur recalled their feud from the early days of AEW. Page and Pac ended up on top of a ladder. Page hoisted up Pac and then they crashed through a table below. Page came up holding his leg. Moxley took out Page with a Paradigm Shift.
Moxley made a play for the chip. Cassidy joined Moxley on the ladder, which Hardy tipped over. Hardy followed Cassidy to the floor and placed him on a table, the performed a leg drop off of a ladder and put Cassidy through the table. Archer knocked Moxley off the ladder that was set up in the middle of the ring.
Page returned with a Buckshot Lariat on Archer. Page climbed the ladder, but Moxley hit him from behind with a chair. Moxley climbed up the other side of the ladder and threw punches at Page, who fought back. A woozy Moxley fell from the ladder after an exchange of punches. Page pulled the chip down to win the match.
“Hangman” Adam Page defeated Pac, Orange Cassidy, Andrade El Idolo, Matt Hardy, Lance Archer, and Jon Moxley in an Anniversary Casino Ladder Match in 17:00 to earn a future AEW World Championship match.
Schiavone said he would speak with Page during the first commercial break of the Rhodes to the Top reality show that follows Dynamite. Ross closed the show by saying “Go Sooners, beat Texas” heading into the Red River Rivalry game on Saturday…
Schiavone’s post-show interview with Hangman Page: Schiavone asked Page when he would cash in his chip for an AEW World Championship match. Page had a beer in hand and gave another to Schiavone. Page explained that he was away from AEW because he and his wife had a baby. Page showed Schiavone a photo on his phone. Schiavone asked about cashing in the chip and whether he would have the Dark Order watch his back when he faces Omega. Page said he needed to catch up with some friends and excused himself without answering any questions.
Powell’s POV: An entertaining ladder match with a feel good return and win for Page. This definitely makes the AEW World Championship picture a little cloudier. Everything seemed to point to Omega vs. Danielson at the Full Gear pay-per-view, but now Page has officially earned the title shot. Will he cut in front of Danielson? Are we getting a Triple Threat?
Overall, this was a really good episode with plenty of match time along with some feud building segments. I will have more to say about Dynamite in my same night audio review for Dot Net Members. Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
Holy crap, that first match was HORRIBLE.
Everything wrong with the constantly shrinking pro wrestling business in one giant shitfest.
Everybody does their stupid dive, all 4 guys from one team are in the ring for over 3 minutes without the ref even pretending to count, the 4 obnoxious shit heels laughing about botching a spot with the dinosaur asshat, and the anniversary of AEW shows they’re still a bunch of fucking morons who still having the worst drawing national wrestling promotion ever.
That opener is why it doesn’t matter how many WWE stars they sign, or how many celebrities they put on TV, AEW is just a high budget shitty indie that occasionally does something right despite themselves.
In a totally original segment that we definitely haven’t seen an average of 3 times per week since AEW started, the Guevara match ended with a faction jumping a wrestler in the ring setting up yet another 6 man tag team match.
Deeb and Shida just put on the best match of the night by a mile.
Thoughtless is malfunctioning. Can’t accept a great wrestling program. Go watch Raw and watch the same match for the 100th time this year
Settle down Powell’s burner account.
The show has been garbage for morons. Just a bunch of no selling trash, people getting jumped in nearly every segment, and in the midst of that we had a solid promo from Punk, a good promo from Baker, and a good women’s match.
Then we got a main even of braindead bullshit from start to finish.
Lol. How can someone spent so much of his lifetime by straight out disliking something? But he, whatever.
Raw and Dynamite absolutely suck.
I thought his name was toothless?
Its clueless. Must have been a typo error. :p
Again, the little AEW losers can’t defend the product so they attack the person pointing out the obvious bullshit.
There’s a reason why AEW can’t increase their audience. 50% is their product is mostly terrible. 50% is their core fanbase are pathetic neckbeard losers that nobody else would ever want to spend time around.
And yet, here you are, watching weekly, spending your time talking to said pathetic neckbeards on a forum.
That’s what I don’t get man-you hate the product, you make that clear over and over again. That’s cool, you got every right to think the product sucks ass. But…why do you spend 3 hours a week watching and talking about the show you hate? I mean, I think Taylor Swift’s music is fucking garbage. So you know what I don’t do? I don’t listen to every new Taylor Swift album, then go do fucking track by track reviews on Taylor Swift forums. If you don’t like AEW, good for you! So jeez man, turn off the fucking TV and don’t watch it, it’s not that hard bro!
And yet, here we are with another week of AEW viewership dropping as they prove that the only chance they have is WWE castoffs, random celebrity appearances, and their version of loaded cards.
Dynamite is down another 100k viewers this week, and will probably lose viewers again next week, as there are only so many debuts/stacked cards they can throw out there before people see 90% of their roster and turn the show off.
And yet you didn’t do a thing to actually address my comments. If you hate the show, why do you watch? Why do you keep up with the ratings? I don’t keep up with the sales figures of Taylor Swift albums cause I don’t enjoy her music and don’t follow everything she does. Why do you do it for something you hate?
Are you going to duck the question again, or will you answer this time:WHY DO YOU SPEND THREE HOURS A WEEK WATCHING A SHOW YOU HATE?
I can’t think of anything more lame than someone who says they hate a product, watching it, then coming to say how much they hate it, talking to people who like it about how “XYZ” they are. I mean is there anything more lame than that? Talk about clueless, lacking self awareness, attached to thoughts and emotions, basement level behaviors. Thoughtless or thotless, you’re struggling either way. Just try to enjoy your life and appreciate things for what they are. Wwe and aew have their pros and cons but if you don’t like wrestling and high intensity spots you’re watching the wrong show. 4 man tag matches aren’t my preference either but they have a 2 hour show and want to give guys air time to have fun and do some cool ish. Just relax in your life in general cause you sound miserable.
I can’t think of anything more lame that people who identify with a bunch of untalented midget losers so closely that they can’t take constructive criticism about what is consistently the worst wrestling TV show to ever have a national reach.
We also need something other than the shitty moron dirtsheet idiots who think this garbage is good and defend it no matter how fucking awful it gets.
Great, start your own website.
Again, Thotless… Dodging the questions with more garbage commentary meant to swerve people you assume are as sensitive as you. NO ONE CARES. We get it. You watch a show you don’t like every week. You’ll hate the show more/less depending on how bad your day is going.
Didn’t you recently state you were “retiring from Prowrestling.net”? Just another mark borrowing opinions and lingo from Jim Cornette.
I’m getting a Rocky III Mickey/Rocky dynamic from the Cody and Arn storyline now. Arn toned it down from last week while still coming across as rugged and grounded, so that was better.
I was hoping Arn would stick to his “gun” gimmick.
Well he is not actually going to do what he proclaims, so it just comes across as a bluff. We can agree to disagree though. I’m interested to see if they can mold a revitalized persona for Cody that people embrace and are enthusiastic about.