AEW Dynamite Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from August 25
On the heels of CM Punk's seismic return to pro wrestling Friday night on Rampage, All Elite Wrestling hit the airwaves Wednesday night with an episode of Dynamite that promised an appearance from The Best in the World.
What did Punk have to say about his match with Darby Allin on September 5 at All Out in Chicago, and did anyone else attempt to make a name for themselves at his expense?
A packed card rounded out the show and further set the stage for the upcoming pay-per-view over the Labor Day weekend.
Orange Cassidy vs. Matt Hardy
A (not so) tense back-and-forth between Orange Cassidy and Matt Hardy gave way to the latter delivering a Side Effect that drove Freshly Squeezed into the arena floor and allowed his rival to seize control.
Cassidy attempted a comeback with Beach Break, but his injured back would not allow him to hoist his opponent. Hardy capitalized on the momentary opening, delivering a Splash Mountain Bomb for two. Cassidy finally did mount a comeback with a crossbody and DDT for consecutive two counts.
Cassidy delivered a senton bomb a la Hardy's brother, Jeff, and set up for a Twist of Fate but the heel blocked. He added a middle-rope elbow drop to the back for another two. Cassidy countered an attempted Leech by Hardy and stacked him up with a roll-up for the win.
Result
Cassidy defeated Hardy
Grade
C+
Analysis
This was a fun, inoffensive opener that gave Cassidy the win but kept the door open for the continuation of the rivalry. Hardy performed admirably despite having a broken nose, showing the toughness and grit that has defined his career.
Cassidy is one of the perpetually over stars AEW could put out and know he won't get drowned out by fans chanting for someone else. He kept them engaged and the result was an energetic start to the show.
Chris Jericho Addresses His AEW Future
Chris Jericho made his way to the ring, one week after a crushing defeat at the hands of MJF.
The frustrated veteran vowed to attack MJF anytime, anywhere until they settled their differences. He proposed one more match for All Out and promised he would go to the commentary table full time and never wrestle in AEW again if he lost.
The idea of ending Jericho was too tempting for MJF. He arrived on the scene, cut a braggadocious promo and accepted the challenge.
Grade
D
Analysis
If there’s one thing AEW didn’t need, it's another match between Jericho and MJF.
Yes, the television has been entertaining, but the feud has gone on long enough and already accomplished what it set out to by elevating MJF.
Another match does nothing but water down the feud and will struggle to keep fans invested with the shiny new toys and stories unfolding elsewhere in the company, especially if they're not certain that what they are watching will actually end things.
Lucha Bros vs. Varsity Blonds
The Lucha Bros and Varsity Blonds battled in a Tag Team Title Eliminator Tournament match.
The veteran duo of Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix controlled the action heading into and coming out of the commercial break, but Brian Pillman Jr. and Griff Garrison mounted a considerable babyface comeback late.
Pillman scored a quality near-fall, but his frustration told the story of a wrestler running out of options.
Moments later, the masked antiheroes of the tag division put a halt to the onslaught and scored the win to advance to a showdown with Jurassic Express.
The Young Bucks and The Good Brothers attempted a sneak attack, but the babyfaces cleared them to close out the segment.
Result
The Lucha Bros defeated Varsity Blonds
Grade
B+
Analysis
The Lucha Bros are at the point where they can have a match with two broomsticks and still have the fans hanging on every spot. They are as good as any team in the industry, including The Young Bucks, so it is no surprise that AEW would want to feature them prominently in this tournament.
Their work with the Varsity Blonds not only provided a quality match but it also helped elevate them. Pillman and Garrison will benefit from having matches against teams as great and celebrated as Penta and Fenix.
It makes sense that the Bucks would want to try to get a jump on Lucha Bros and Jurassic Express. They have repeatedly struggled to beat those teams and will not want them to emerge victorious from the tournament. Unfortunately for them, they are one step closer to that.
Red Velvet vs. Jamie Hayter
Red Velvet's ongoing rivalry with AEW women's champion Britt Baker continued as she battled her hired muscle, Jamie Hayter, in singles competition.
Velvet rolled early but a momentary distraction by Baker and Rebel allowed Hayter to throw her into the guardrail and assume control of the bout.
Back from the break, Velvet fought her way back into the match, but another momentary distraction and a botched moonsault gave way to a lariat clothesline and win for Hayter.
After the match, Kris Statlander hit the ring and ran the heels off, heating up her rivalry with Baker ahead of All Out.
Result
Hayter defeated Velvet
Grade
C-
Analysis
You could tell at different points in the match that Velvet and Hayter have not had a ton of ring time with each other. The effort was there and the match hit the storyline spots it needed to, but the overall quality was lacking.
For all of the effort of those within it, the women's division continues to be a portion of the AEW product with room for improvement. It is heading in the right direction, but the lack of genuine storylines hurts its ability to gain the sort of traction with the audience that other elements have.
Baker is over, yes. Now it's time for those in charge to get the rest of the division there.
CM Punk's Dynamite Debut
CM Punk made his second AEW appearance, joining Tony Schiavone in the middle of the ring for a special promo.
Asked what brought him back to wrestling, Punk credited the young stars in the locker room, naming Jungle Boy, Brian Pillman Jr. and Rey Fenix, among others. He had been asking himself if he could still go.
He said he retired the moniker "Voice of the Voiceless" because AEW has a voice. As the chants of “Yes!” filled the arena, he reminded fans that is another guy's gimmick and told them to be patient in that regard.
Punk said it is less about proving doubters wrong and more about proving himself right. The fired-up former WWE world heavyweight champion closed out the segment by greeting fans, friends and family around ringside.
Grade
A
Analysis
This was the fiery promo we expect out of Punk. He had the fans feeding out of the palm of his hand, reacting with an enthusiasm we don't see to such a degree elsewhere. The tease of Daniel Bryan only further enhanced the excitement and energy.
Punk making this run less about proving doubters wrong and more about proving to himself that he can still go is a great way to frame it. In doing so, he puts over the young talent in the company and labels them as a measuring stick to judge himself, rather than the reverse.
Hopefully, AEW and president Tony Khan won't lose sight of that element of Punk’s return because the matches against young talent should be the focus of this run, with those big title matches and grudge contests sprinkled in.
Trios Match
Jon Moxley, Darby Allin and Eddie Kingston battled The Wingmen’s JD Drake, Cezar Bononi and Ryan Nemeth. Sting seconded the babyfaces while Peter Avalon joined the heels.
The heels beat down Moxley during the picture-in-picture commercial break before a tag to Kingston sparked the comeback for the fan favorites. Allin tagged in and delivered an Avalanche Code Red to Drake for a near-fall while Sting confronted Avalon at ringside.
As the action broke down, Allin delivered a Stunner to Drake and added a Coffin Drop for the win.
Daniel Garcia attacked Allin after the match, leaving him reeling to end the segment.
Result
Allin, Moxley and Kingston defeated The Wingmen
Grade
C
Analysis
This was a high-energy bout, if nothing else.
It was nice to see the underrated Wingmen get some TV time, but the idea of Nemeth, Bononi and Drake beating down Moxley was laughable. They are hardly a top faction in AEW so working over a former world champion, a fairly dominant competitor like Kingston and the guy facing CM Punk at All Out was a bit curious.
It probably should not have gone as long as it did, but it was at least entertaining and spotlighted top babyfaces. It also got Garcia on the screen and continued his ongoing TV program with Allin. No harm, no foul, even if it was mostly inconsequential in the long run.
Christian Cage and Kenny Omega Clash Ahead of All Out
AEW world champion Kenny Omega, Don Callis, Michael Nakazawa and Brandon Cutler made their way to the ring. Before they could even get into a promo, Impact world champion Christian Cage arrived.
A verbal back-and-forth gave way to Cage saying he wasn’t sure what was worse: Callis taking advantage of a 10-year-old Cage or 37-year-old Omega letting it happen now. Callis countered by saying Cage will be in a familiar position at All Out: second best.
A beatdown of Christian ended with Frankie Kazarian hitting the ring and making the save.
Grade
C
Analysis
As a segment aimed at garnering heat for Cage vs. Omega at All Out, this was essentially every other interaction between those involved. Each side landed a verbal blow or two, but you would be hard-pressed to suggest this did any more to drum up excitement for the title match.
Yes, Cage and Omega will tear the house down on Sept. 5, but the real main event of the PPV is Punk vs. Allin, regardless of where it falls on the card. Nothing about this did anything to change that.
The Gunn Club vs. The Factory
The rivalry between Paul Wight and QT Marshall that will culminate at All Out wrote its latest chapter Wednesday when Marshall led The Factory's Aaron Solo and Nick Comorotto into action against Billy, Colton and Austin Gunn.
The Gunn Club overcame an onslaught by their opponents, capitalizing on a momentary distraction by Wight at the commentary position to score the pinfall victory on Marshall.
Result
The Gunn Club defeated The Factory
Grade
C
Analysis
A night of perfectly acceptable wrestling continued with a solid-enough six-man tag team match that served as the background for the escalation of Marshall's feud with Wight...a feud no one was asking for and one that hasn't exactly exceeded expectations to this point.
Malakai Black vs. Brock Anderson
For the last week, Arn Anderson has worried about the well-being of son Brock as he prepared for his match with the dangerous and devastating Malakai Black.
He was right to.
Black withstood an early onslaught and blasted Brock with Black Mass for the pinfall victory.
After the match, Arn stood between the Dutchman and his son, preventing a steel chair assault. Black responded with Black Mass, only for The Enforcer to block it. A low blow gave way to a Black Mass that did land before Lee Johnson made the save and stared down Black to close out the show.
Result
Black defeated Anderson
Grade
C
Analysis
Black remaining an unstoppable force with a finisher capable of obliterating any opponent is exactly what he should be at this point. He is still over and will have another, more significant, showdown with Cody Rhodes down the line, so protecting him makes sense.
Having him systematically take out members of The Nightmare Factory? Even more.
What did not make so much sense was Black cowering from Lee Johnson.
Yes, Big Shotty was impressive against Miro, but Black has been seemingly unbeatable since arriving. Ruining that aura by having him leave rather than confront Johnson made little sense, even with the endgame being a showdown between the two in the near future.