AEW Dynamite airs live tonight with the hook of The Elite and Blackpool Combat Club selecting their fifth Blood & Guts team members.
Ahead of next week's Blood & Guts episode, the fifth member of both The Elite and The BCC's teams will be revealed on tonight's episode. The teams currently stand as Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, and Adam Page for The Elite, and Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, and Konosuke Takeshita for Blackpool Combat Club.
Also set for the show, Chris Jericho will take on Komander.
Nick Wayne is set to make his AEW debut, taking on Swerve Strickland.
The Owen Hart Foundation Women's Tournament continues with a semifinal matchup between Ruby Soho & Skye Blue.
The Blind Eliminator Tournament also continues with a pair of semifinal bouts. World Champion MJF & Adam Cole will face the team of Brian Cage & Big Bill in one semifinal, while Orange Cassidy & Darby Allin take on Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia in the other.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz, as they throw it to the entrances for our opening contest.
Chris Jericho submitted Komander (w/Alex Abrahantes)
(This was a good back and forth opener with commentary really putting over how unique it was for Jericho to be out here and win on his own, as no Jericho Appreciation Society members were ringside. Komander did his main high spots, but tried one too many, as Jericho had it scouted leading to the finish. Post match, Don Callis really pulled at the heartstrings of Jericho, again making his pitch to join his family.)
Komander tried firing out of the gate with strikes, but Jericho quickly regained control only to have Komander do the corner headstand into a dropkick. A multi springboard hurricanrana sent Jericho to the floor, as Komander followed it up with a Tornillo. The crowd chanted for Y2J, as a running knee off the apron connected for Komander, but back inside, Jericho caught him with a forearm shiver in mid air. Hard chops led to a brainbuster, but Komander fought back with a combo of kicks before being hip tossed to the floor by Jericho.
A suplex from the apron back inside got Jericho two as he blew kisses to the crowd, flipping them off in the process. Komander hit a springboard head scissors, but Jericho quickly answered with two powerbombs. A missed Lionsault allowed Komander to get two count off a La Magistral attempt. Jericho caught a charging Komander with a major lariat and went to the corner, as Komander fought off a superplex attempt and hit the rope walk Shooting Star. Jericho missed his springboard attack and went to the floor, as Komander wowed the crowd with his rope walk dive and Phoenix Splash back inside for close two. Komander went for a rope walk leap, but turned right into a Code Breaker in mid air. Komander dodged a Judas Effect, tried a springboard Dragon Rana, but Jericho countered into the Lion Tamer for the submission.
Don Callis’ ominous music hit and he was immediately booed by the Saskatoon crowd. Callis said the wrestling world is buzzing about Jericho joining the Don Callis Family. Callis mentioned being in a faction with Jericho 34 years ago along with their mentor Bad News Allen and showed footage of them together in 1995 as Callis called themselves a couple of Gods. Jericho remembers Allen said they should always stick together, while Callis said Allen is up in heaven smiling at the possibility of them joining forces as he made his way to the back, leaving Jericho again with much to consider.
-Alex Marvez is in the parking lot beside a car saying he’s been waiting for Jack Perry, so he’s just going to knock on the window. Perry said it’s an unsafe working environment before HOOK opened the door, as Perry scrambled to get away, with the child locks being his downfall. Perry escaped, popped HOOK with a forearm and ran again, as HOOK looked into the camera and said to keep running.
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-Renee Paquette stopped Don Callis, who said later tonight, he’s going to go out and make the big announcement for who the 5th man will be for the Blackpool Combat Club at Blood & Guts. Paquette said it’s surprising to go out alone with Kenny Omega in the building, but Callis said Omega is someone he’s not afraid of. Back to the commentary table, Tony Schiavone called Callis an idiot, which was the perfect segue for Excalibur to call MJF an idiot and throw it to the next bonding session between the AEW World Champion and Adam Cole.
-MJF & Cole are at a bar having drinks when four ladies walk by and say hello, as MJF said two for Cole & two for him, but Cole said he can’t, as he loves Britt Baker. MJF said more for daddy, as he went off with the four ladies. MJF walked back a bit later saying the Maximum Ride is spent as Cole said he’d put on the shirt MJF got for him if they do what he wanted next, which was playing the Fight Forever video game. MJF was appalled until finding out his stats and we learn he’s never had a friend to play multi-player with. Cole & MJF both admit they were both going to attack each other when their guard was down and both agree to win the Blind Eliminator Tournament and win the AEW Tag Team Titles. We get a slow motion high five to end this insane segment. Tony Schiavone said that’s four minutes of his life he’ll never get back.
Daniel Garcia & Sammy Guevara defeated AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy & Darby Allin in a Blind Eliminator Semi Final
(This was a fun tag match, one I wish we would’ve seen more of because of the commercial, but the story told was a good one. Guevara didn’t know of the interference and you can play into that, all while building a potential Strickland & Allin match.)
A fast opening sequence with Cassidy & Guevara, as multiple arm drags led to both men posing. Allin jumped in and took out Garcia on the floor with a low tope and got a few roll ups on Guevara before Garcia tripped Allin up and smacked Cassidy into the barricade. Garcia hit a spinning front chancery on Allin and kept him isolated throughout the break.
Guevara whipped Allin right into Garcia on the apron, as Allin hit a Code Red, but didn’t realize Garcia made the legal tag. The tables turned, as Garcia missed a corner charge and ran into Guevara as Cassidy made the hot tag and ran wild. Garcia blocked the DDT, but was dropped with a Michinoku Driver by Cassidy for two. Garcia dodged Orange Punch and got a body scissors into the Dragon Tamer. Cassidy escaped, hit a Stundog Millionaire followed by an up and over Stunner from Allin. Guevara jumped in and almost immediately planted with Beach Break as Garcia & Cassidy traded rolling crucifix pins before both collided with big boots for the double down. Allin & Guevara made the tag and clonked heads with everyone down now.
Guevara hit a pop up knee, but missed the follow up Shooting Star Press. Garcia locked on the Dragon Tamer ringside on Cassidy, as Prince Nana walked to the ring and told Garcia to lay Cassidy out with Allin’s skateboard. As a tug of war started with Allin, the ref & Garcia, Swerve Strickland came in from out of nowhere and hit Allin with a running knee before escaping with Nana through the crowd. Guevara, who was unaware of what happened, hit the GTH on Allin and got the pin.
-A video of Nick Wayne is shown of him training growing up and the story of his mother sitting him down to tell him his father had passed away. Nick said he wondered what was going to happen next as he didn’t have a father figure any longer. Nick said he wants to continue the legacy of the Wayne name as footage of training with Darby Allin is shown. Nick said he’s been ready for this moment his entire life, knowing what professional wrestling has meant to his family. This was a really good video package.
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-Renee Paquette is backstage with Adam Cole, who is on the phone, trying to explain to Britt Baker what happened when he went out with MJF at the bars. Roderick Strong walked in and asked if he’s really falling for MJF’s BS, as Cole said he has nothing to worry about, MJF isn’t a half bad guy. Strong & Cole had issues when they first met, but Cole now sees Strong as brother. Cole cut off Strong when he got a text from MJF wanting to hit the double clothesline before rethinking that after seeing Brian Cage in the hall. Cole walked off to call MJF when Strong & Paquette just shook their heads. I’m not sure if this ends with Strong turning on Cole, but this whole thing has kind of made Cole look ridiculous, even if he is playing MJF.
AEW World Champion MJF & Adam Cole defeated Big Bill & Brian Cage (w/Prince Nana) in a Blind Eliminator Semi Final
(The first half of this match was all comedy, but the finish was pretty fun with the crowd into it. I thought Cage & Bill looked really impressive with their first round win and wouldn’t mind them teaming more often, but there was no way they were advancing with the story being told with MJF & Cole. If these two don’t turn on each other at the same exact moment, you’re going to have whoever doesn’t pull the trigger first look like an absolute idiot.)
Cole took his jacket off to reveal the Better than You Bay Bay shirt MJF got him. MJF got the crowd chant for a bodyslam, which in fact didn’t happen when he tried it on Bill. Cole & Cage tagged in and took turns doing pushups, which Cole did more of and angered Cage before MJF & Bill tagged back in. MJF failed another bodyslam attempt, as Bill told MJF not to have Cole show him up and do more pushups. Bill immediately punted MJF in the ribs and kept him isolated with Cage during break.
Bill ripped off MJF’s shirt and that’s what caused MJF to hulk up and hit the big time bodyslam, which the crowd erupted for. MJF floated over a Cage lariat, got an eye poke and hot tag to Cole, who hit a series of pump kicks and eye poke of his own. Cole & MJF both yelled for the double clothesline, but Cage put on the brakes and it was Bill who connected with the clothesline of his own. Cole & MJF escaped a double chokeslam with superkicks, as Cage hit a Samoan Drop and Fall Away Slam combo. Cage ate a superkick on the apron, as MJF hit a Heat Seeker, while Cole lowered The Boom for the win.
Post match, much like last week, MJF got the crowd to chant for Cole to do the thing, which was the Adam Cole Bay Bay chant. MJF put over their new tag team shirts as Cole said it was Story Time with Adam Cole. Never in Cole’s dreams did he expect a tag team with MJF to work, but he has high expectations on winning this tournament and Tag Team Titles. If they stay on the same page, Cole promises they’re looking at new champions. Cole & MJF hit the go home line together saying We’re Better Than You, Bay Bay as we see Roderick Strong backstage watching, annoyed at this new friendship.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Jake Hager outside Chris Jericho’s locker room. Hager said Jericho knows we’re coming in and asked if Jericho is considering joining Callis’ family. Jericho said Callis is making some good points, mentioning the history with Bad News Allin and said he needs some time to think. Hager took off his purple bucket hat and said years ago he saved Jericho in Abu Dhabi, while Jericho brought Hager into AEW. Until Jericho can give Hager a straight answer, he can’t stand by his side and handed Jericho the purple hat before walking off.
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Ruby Soho (w/Saraya & Toni Storm) defeated Skye Blue in an Owen Hart Tournament Semi Final
(Blue thankfully didn’t have to deal with the numbers game very long, but Soho was still too much to handle despite a good fight. Soho moves to the finals of the Owen Tournament for the second year in a row and hopes to change the finish from what happened last time.)
Blue avoided a ripcord early and slapped Soho in the face before finding herself on the apron. Storm ran distraction, but failed, as Blue was superkick happy and took out everyone before dropping Soho face first on the edge of the apron. Storm tossed Blue into the ring steps and the referee saw it, but instead of disqualifying Soho, he sent Saraya & Storm to the back. Soho repeatedly drove the knee of Blue into the steps and yelled the Owen Hart trophy would be hers.
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Back from break, Blue managed a thrust kick with the good leg and hit a nice neckbreaker for two. Soho avoided the step up knee, kicked out the bad wheel, but Blue wanted Code Blue, only to have Soho counter into a single leg crab. Blue got the ropes and dropped Soho with a spinning Full Nelson slam for two, as Blue went to the top rope, but was crotched by Soho. A No Future off the ropes led to Soho getting the win.
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-QT Marshall is backstage to introduce Harley Cameron’s music video on The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass. She rapped so fast that it’ll take listening to this about 50 more times to catch all the disses she threw out.
Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) defeated Nick Wayne
(Wayne put up one hell of an effort and the crowd was loudly behind him, but Strickland was too much and ruined his AEW debut. I really enjoyed this match and the future looks very bright for Nick Wayne in AEW.)
Darby Allin walked out with Wayne, before letting him head to the ring alone as we see Wayne’s mother sitting ringside. Commentary talk about the history between Strickland & Wayne on the independent scene, as a fast opening sequence led to a lightning quick series of counters into a stalemate. Wayne hit a snap hurricanrana and leaping uppercut, but soaked in the moment too long, which allowed Strickland to attack. Strickland was sent to the apron, as he nearly got a DVD, but Wayne countered into a hurricanrana that sent Strickland flying to the floor into commercial. Back inside, Wayne had his legs kicked out and hung up on the bottom rope, as Strickland hit a running low neckbreaker to the floor.
Strickland lit up Wayne with strikes until Wayne hit a superman forearm shot and shotgun dropkick. Strickland blocked a springboard stunner, but Wayne countered into a standing Sliced Bread for two. Wayne went for his Wayne’s World springboard cutter, but Strickland caught him in mid air with two Torture Rack backbreakers. The crowd is loudly behind Wayne, as Darby Allin is shown on the ramp cheering Wayne on as well. Wayne fought out of the corner with a massive avalanche Poison Rana, followed by Wayne’s World, but Strickland’s foot made the rope. Both men go up the ropes again, but this time Strickland countered a super hurricanrana into a super powerbomb and The Last Call kick for a close two. Strickland smirks at Allin and snapped the left arm back before hitting the JML Driver for the victory. Allin came to the ring post match, as Strickland stared down Wayne’s mother.
The Fifth Men for Blood & Guts Revealed
Don Callis walks to the ring alone and said Omega & The Elite deserve what is coming to them at Blood & Guts, as Omega is a coward and a punk. Kenny Omega walked to the ring, but was attacked by Jon Moxley & Konosuke Takeshita until being blindsided by the returning PAC with a steel chair. Omega was rolled in the ring and had the boots put to him by Moxley, Takeshtia & PAC as they held Omega for Callis to put the boots to him with his bedazzled loafers. PAC took the microphone and said Omega had no idea how long he’s waited for this, as Omega shattered his nose and took his Trios Title from him, so Omega pays the price. They were about to Pillmanize Omega’s neck and Moxley asked if Omega had last words, as Omega started laughing saying to watch the screen.
We see a video package of KOTA IBUSHI, who is the fifth man for The Elite, as the lights come back on and The Young Bucks & Hangman Page are in the ring to send Moxley, Takeshita, PAC & Callis packing. Page said next week they end this once and for all. Omega said Blood & Guts will prove that people like the BCC will never prosper as once everyone is down and out, Omega is coming for Callis. Omega says Goodbye & Goodnight.
AEW Rampage 7/14/23
· Willow Nightingale vs. Athena in an Owen Hart Tournament Semi Final
· Lance Archer vs. Trent Beretta
· Konosuke Takeshita will be in action
· Keith Lee & Dustin Rhodes vs. Matt Menard & Angelo Parker
· We hear from AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm
· We hear from The Dark Order
AEW Collision 7/15/23
· FTR defend the AEW Tag Team Titles against Switchblade Jay White & Juice Robinson in a 2 out of 3 Falls Match
· CM Punk vs. Ricky Starks in the Men’s Owen Hart Tournament Final
· Ruby Soho vs. Willow Nightingale or Athena in the Women’s Owen Hart Tournament Final
AEW Battle of the Belts 7/15/23
· Luchasaurus defends the TNT Title against Shawn Spears
AEW Dynamtie 7/19/23
· Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Konosuke Takeshita & PAC vs. Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, Hangman Adam Page & Kota Ibushi in a Blood & Guts Match