Pantoja’s AEW Dynamite Review 2.23.22

AEW Dynamite

February 23rd, 2022 | Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut

Tag Team Battle Royal

We opened with 10 tag teams surrounding the ring. IS IT GONNA BE THE TNA REVERSE BATTLE ROYAL? Nah, they just head in at the bell. Jurassic Express and Christian Cage came out to watch. The teams involved were the Young Bucks, Ass Boys, reDRagon, Santana and Ortiz, Reynolds and Silver, Private Party, 2.0, Butcher and Blade, Best Friends, and FTR. Both teammates have to get eliminated to be gone. Most of this was standard battle royal fare with the Ass Boys going out first. There was a fun spot where Matt Hardy saved Isaiah Kassidy from elimination only for it to fail and Matt was stunned. Trent nearly got eliminated but landed on OC’s shoulders and returned to throw out Bobby Fish heading into the commercial break. Returning, we were down to FTR, Matt Jackson, Kyle O’Reilly, Trent, John Silver, and Santana. FTR interference backfired and made it so Cash was out, leaving one member from each surviving team. We got a fun callback to the Santana/Ortiz vs. Best Friends feud as Trent and Santana went at it. They fought on the apron until Matt and Kyle got rid of them. They seemed for form an alliance against Harwood and Silver. “Johnny Hungry” chants. Harwood got sent out by a returning Fish. Kyle and Matt went to throw out Silver together only for Kyle to turn on him and send both out after 18:21. Pretty standard stuff though the back half was strong. [**¾]

The Young Bucks started arguing with reDRagon. It seems obvious that the Bucks will be the second team in that PPV match. Their argument was cut short by the arrival of a pissed off Hangman Page. He went right after reDRagon and the Bucks didn’t help, instead exiting and keeping their truce with Hangman. Adam Cole hit the ring for a fight but Page sent him packing and then started “Story Time with Adam Page BAY-BAY.” He spoke about Cole becoming champion everywhere he has gone but now he has overstepped things and is stepping closer to a grave. He’ll fall into it with a BOOM at Revolution. Good promo from Page.

Bryan Danielson was interviewed about facing Daniel Garcia tonight and he said he was looking forward to it since Garcia had a good mentor in William Regal. Imagine how good he could be with him or Moxley as a mentor. Danielson also promised an answer for Moxley tonight.

Time for more promos as MJF walked down to the ring. He cut off his music for a serious talk about when he met CM Punk in 2007. He struggled in school with learning disabilities but made the football team only to get beaten with quarters for being Jewish. MJF then said that his saving grace was wanting to be just like CM Punk. He had tears in his eyes and his voice cracked as he talked about what it all meant. Then, Punk left in January 2014 and left him when he needed him the most. So, MJF promised to become the best in the world in spite of Punk and that he wouldn’t leave kids who need him high and dry. He called Punk a gutless coward and guaranteed that he wouldn’t quit at the PPV because that would make him a quitter like Punk. He’s better than Punk and Punk knows it. Holy shit, there’s a good babyface in there as MJF played this straight with a passionate promo filled with emotion. Punk came out to talk to MJF and was confused on how legitimate that was. Great stuff.

Backstage, 2.0 and Daniel Garcia were pissed that Danielson wanted to mentor Garcia. Now that Garcia is on his way to becoming the best in the world he wants to swoop in? Garcia doesn’t need a lesson in violence and he’ll show that to Danielson.

Kings of The Black Throne (Black 11-2, King 2-0) vs. PAC (30-16-2) and Penta Obscuro

I miss Daredevil PAC. Penta’s darker persona isn’t Lucha Underground’s Pentagon Dark but Penta Obscuro. Well, technically it’s the same thing. No record popped up for Penta as maybe he’s considered 0-0. He got off to the hot start with a dive but for most of this match, he didn’t feel any different from normal Penta. PAC didn’t fare as well, getting walloped by King and then taking the eat through a break. The Malakai snap German suplex on PAC looked especially vicious. Penta got the hot tag but the numbers game got to him. PAC and Penta had the Lucha Brotehrs’ finisher cut off and then Penta held Black’s mouth shut to prevent the mist. He then rolled him up to win this in 7:34. Again, not as good as they could do but still entertaining. [**¾]

A fight broke out after the match and Malakai threatened to crush Penta’s throat with the shovel he came out with. As he went to do it, the lights went out and when they came back on, Buddy Matthews was in the ring. Malakai looked like he’d seen a ghost. But SWERVE bro as Matthews jumped the faces, aligning with Malakai. Cool idea but why would Black set it up that way? Why not just crush Penta’s throat with the shovel? Anyway, instead of that killer move, they beat up the faces and stomped Penta’s face on a chair. Buddy being around is dope but the segment dragged a bit and didn’t make much sense.

We got a promo to hype Thunder Rosa vs. Britt Baker. Their contract signing is on Friday. Britt’s whole “never beat me on paper” thing just sounds dumb.

Eddie Kingston hit the ring for a face to face with Chris Jericho and security was in the ring with them. Jericho wanted them to just talk and Kingston said this is a wrestling company, get Statlander and Nightingale out here to work. This isn’t a sports entertainment company, he can go down the block. Jericho told a story about how he saw Kingston as a jobber until he watched him against “what’s his name” (Cody) and believed in him. However, he doesn’t buy into his sob story and mentioned that Kingston was jealous that he didn’t become a star until 38 while Jericho did at 22. He knows he’ll never be a Chris Jericho. Kingston was over the talking and wanted to fight at Revolution. Jericho asked if he understood what the fear of success is (Kingston hilariously said no, he only has a GED). Jericho started talking about Eddie’s family being failures and that’s what Eddie thinks of himself. He can’t win the big one and in AEW, Jericho is the big one. He’ll fight him at the PPV and if he wins, Jericho will respect him. Kingston said not to bring the Jericho who loses Mimosa Mayhem matches or got thrown off a cage by MJF. He wants the one who as a World Champion, made Levesque hate him, and earned Tenryu’s respect in WAR. If he doesn’t get that Jericho, he’ll eat him alive. Jericho will bring that version of himself and he knows Kingston is a loser. Great promo here. Jericho is much better as a heel and Kingston is always fantastic on the mic.

Andrade talked with Matt Hardy and Private Party in the back. Matt can’t wait to see Andrade as TNT Champion. He also pitched an idea for the PPV. Matt, Isaiah Kassidy (who won the tag match on Dark), and Andrade against Sting, Darby Allin, and Sammy Guevara in a tornado trios match.

Face Of The Revolution Qualifying Match: 10 (52-18) vs. Ricky Starks (40-8)

Will 10 win and continue us on the road to the BIG MEATY MEN SLAPPING MEAT ladder match or will Ricky Starks change that up? Most of this match seemed to take place during the commercial break which isn’t great. 10 used his power to overwhelm Starks who eventually swung the momentum and got stuff going during the break. Returning, 10 trapped him in a full nelson and delivered a huge discus lariat. He wanted the full nelson again but Ricky went after the mask. With 10 distracted, Starks hit a spear to win in 5:55. Not much to this though I’m here for Starks getting PPV time. [*½]

Backstage, the Young Bucks complained to reDRagon about double-crossing them. Kyle said he blacked out. The Bucks said they’re more motivated now to win next week so they can kick Kyle and Bobby’s ass at Revolution.

AEW TBS Championship: Jade Cargill [c] (27-0) vs. The Bunny (32-20)

I absolutely LOVE Jade’s new hair color. This is a good idea for a TV match. Bunny is a veteran who can help control things since that’s not where Cargill shines yet. She has had some lackluster longer matches but people forget that she is legitimately in her first official year or so and she’s ahead of most people at this point. The biggest takeaway here is that Jade looked more natural in there than ever. You can see the improvement. Bunny used a leg sweep into the guardrail to take control through the commercial break and hit a big knee. Commentary did a good job of explaining that people have had more time to scout Jade so it’s getting harder for her. Matt tossed brass knuckles to the Bunny and Smart Mark sent the TBS Title to Jade. The champ used the belt to block the knuckles. Matt and Mark were both ejected to a pop. That led to a rollup near fall and some kicks by Bunny but Jade countered the Rabbit Hole into Jaded to retain in 6:43. That was pretty dan solid and I enjoyed that. [**½]

Post-match, Jade got on the microphone to say that she is on the way to 50-0 and wants to know who is next for her. Tay Conti responded to say that she’s the one to beat her ass. Jade mentioned Revolution and they came face to face until Jade kissed her forehead. Bunny entered to fight Tay cue to their history. Tay took her out but left herself open to a pump kick. Anna Jay chased Jade away with a chair before she could do more.

Keith Lee was interviewed about qualifying for the ladder match and the rest of the field. Ricky Starks interrupted to say that Team Taz runs things and tell him to stay in his lane. That set up a Lee/Hobbs showdown because we love BIG MEATY MEN BUMPING MEAT.

RAMPAGE!

· Orange Cassidy vs. Anthony Bowens in a ladder match qualifier

· Serena Deeb’s Challenge

· Thunder Rosa/Britt Baker contract signing

· Andrade vs. Sammy Guevara for the TNT Title (PULL THE TRIGGER DAMMIT)

DYNAMITE

· Casino Battle Royal for the other Tag Title spot

· Adam Cole and reDRagon vs. Hangman Page, John Silver and Alex Reynolds

Bryan Danielson (14-1-2) vs. Daniel Garcia (17-14)

Honestly, the most excited I’ve been for a main event in a while. Garcia was not afraid to trade strikes with Danielson early, bringing that violence he promised. Danielson seemed to be playing with him a bit and that pissed off Garcia. As expected, they fought through the break and Garcia held serve upon return until Danielson hit a huge knee. However, his knee was damaged from a sick looking chop block earlier so he couldn’t fully capitalize. They went into a kneebar where they both just kicked the shit out of each other. Garcia found a way to escape Cattle Mutilation and applied a VICIOUS looking ankle lock. From there they moved onto strikes again and Garcia again hung tough with the best. Danielson blocked a submission and stomped on the head before choking him out with the triangle sleeper in 10:24. A hell of a match. It’s like Danielson is hand picking his opponents and making the most of it. I loved this match and Danielson again proves why he’s the best to ever do it. [****]

Danielson went to cut a promo about whether or not Garcia was violent enough today but 2.0 jumped him. Jon Moxley arrived to clean house. Danielson saved him from a chair shot and Garcia fell to the Paradigm Shift. Danielson got a mic to say that if they need to bleed together before teaming up, he’ll give Moxley a match at the PPV and he can make him bleed without using a chair.

8.0

The final score: review Very Good

The 411

A prime example of how you can have a great episode of wrestling TV even if the matches aren’t all bangers. Nothing on this card outside of the main event topped three stars. However, every bout was entertaining (outside of Starks/10) and then you indeed have a great main event. The real kicker was that this show had several great promos to set up the PPV and I loved them all.