wrestling / TV Reports
Pantoja’s AEW Dynamite Review 2.9.22
Image Credit: AEW
Loading...AEW Dynamite
February 9th, 2022 | Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey
I forgot NXT was airing on a different network and didn’t record it, so no review for that.
Wardlow kicked off the show by begrudgingly carrying cardboard cutouts of MJF beating CM Punk to the ring. The other members of the Pinnacle got actual entrances with over the top announcements, showing how Wardlow isn’t as respected as the rest. Even lame ass Shawn Spears got one. MJF was brought out on a chair like he’s King Mabel or something. Anyway, MJF bragged about being better than the best in the world and how he beat CM Punk twice in Chicago. Of course, Punk interrupted and brought help in the form of Mr. Sting and that little kid he has working for him. Punk threatened the Pinnacle with bats if he didn’t get his rematch. Hilariously, Punk said he actually wanted a rematch with the guy who really beat him, Wardlow. He also planted more seeds about how Wardlow needs to leave the stable. FTR interrupted and wanted a rematch too, teasing them redoing the Greensboro six man tag. Anyway, MJF decided that Punk, in his condition, could get his rematch if he finds a partner that isn’t Sting or Darby and beats FTR tonight.
Backstage, Andrade spoke with Mr. Sting and that little kid about signing the little kid. Darby again declined and said he would be the next TNT Champion. Andrade said he’s gonna be the next champ so they have that in common. Good god, avoid Darby/Sammy and give Andrade the title. He’s wasting away like it’s WWE right now and he’s a FAR better option as champion than Samuel.
The Blade (43-24) vs. Wardlow (41-7)
Oh, we’re at the stage now where Wardlow is beating heels. According to commentary, MJF signed this for Wardlow at the last minute (though it was announced before the show), so Wardlow had no chance to put on his pads. Since Blade is an actual roster member, this wasn’t the typical Wardlow squash. They worked through the commercial break though Wardlow mostly remained in control. Wardlow finished him off with the Powerbomb Symphony after 6:11. Not much in terms of interest but it did the job of furthering Wardlow’s popularity and push. [**]
We cut to a video of Penta digging up his old mask in a graveyard, while we heard that Malakai is going to face the consequences of this darkness. I LOVE LUCHA UNDERGROUND. PENTAGON DARK. Gimme Vampiro.
Chris Jericho came out for the Inner Circle nonsense. He was only with Sammy and Hager as Santana and Ortiz came out on their own, adding to the divide. Jericho wanted to know why they didn’t tag him in a few weeks ago. Santana delivered an outstanding promo, calling out the fact that Jericho only cares about himself and that anytime they gain momentum, they get sidetracked for stupid Inner Circle issues. He might as well have been talking to Tony Khan and AEW bookers for how terribly they’ve been handled. Santana evens aid that he wanted to drop Jericho a while back but Ortiz stopped him. Jericho’s response made no sense as he just talked about how Eddie Kingston put it in their head and that Eddie has no pull like he does. When Jericho suggested they call Homicide and Hernandez instead of this LAX, Sammy tried to play peacekeeper but Jericho shouted at him. Sammy got all pouty and then quit the group, walking out. Eventually, it led to Ortiz suggesting he and Santana against Jericho and Hager next week to settle this once and for all. Despite my lack of caring for this group at all, especially now, this was a good segment.
The Young Bucks got into a brawl with Roppongi Vice in the back and took out Rocky with help from Adam Cole. Then, Jay White appeared and laid out Trent. He mocked Nick’s earrings and walked off. That’s a huge deal as Jay is one of my favorites.
Face Of The Revolution Qualifying Match: Isaiah Kassidy (42-45) vs. Keith Lee (0-0)
The big debut is Keith Lee, which wasn’t unexpected but it’s cool. He LAUNCHED Kassidy at the bell and the majority of this match was just him dominating as he should in his debut. Keith Lee is such an easy guy to book because he will always wow the crowd as he did here but WWE couldn’t figure out anything for him. That’s wild. Kassidy got in a couple of spots but this was one-sided. Matt Hardy even walked out. Lee won with the Big Bang Catastrophe in 4:26. I know it was basically a squash but it worked so well it gets a good rating. [**½]
Post-match, Private Party tried an attack but Lee kicked their asses.
We got a vignette for Mercedes Martinez vs. Thunder Rosa in a No DQ match next week. God, give me Thunder over Britt in the MAIN EVENT of Revolution.
Sammy Guevara did his stupid cue card gimmick during the break.
CM Punk (11-1) and Jon Moxley (44-4-1) vs. FTR (30-5)
Punk’s chosen partner ended up being Moxley to a massive ovation. He flipped off FTR upon arrival but bowed to Tully. Really good back and forth to start here with Moxley and Punk going at it with FTR individually. The faces had the advantage there as they are better in singles situations. FTR took control when they busted out their great tandem efforts. Attacking Punk’s leg, isolating him in the corner, etc. Surprisingly though, the Punk in peril section was relatively short. Moxley came in throwing suplexes like his name was Kurt Angle. During the break, Moxley got put through a table and nearly got counted out. That set up Moxley as our official face in peril. They did it in a smart way so he didn’t look weak and Punk got the hot tag as the guy involved in the feud. When it happened, the match went to the next level. The guys brought together so many close calls and near falls without ever making it feel forced. There weren’t finisher kick-outs either, instead doing pin breakups and things like that. The biggest kick out was Punk after a shot with the ring bell. Moxley and Punk even did a Doomsday Device like this was LOD against the Brainbusters. The GTS getting countered into the Big Rig was spectacular and the pin save added to the drama. Tully even got involved and Punk hit him with a goddamn GTS. Punk added one on Cash at the same time as Moxley hit a Paradigm Shift, winning in 19:26. That absolutely ruled and Punk has back-to-back weeks with bangers. FTR may kind of be floating but they’ll always deliver in the ring. [****¼]
AEW TBS Championship: Jade Cargill [c] (26-0) vs. A.Q.A. (0-0)
The biggest issue with this match is that it went too long. Jade is oozing talent and charisma but she’s not ready to carry matches that go beyond a few minutes. The crowd also doesn’t know A.Q.A. so they had no reason to be invested. It also kind of sucks that she lasts a while with Jade while Julia Hart and Anny Jay didn’t. There were some sloppy moments throughout this, not helping things. Jade mostly dominated and the highlight was her using a Tour of the Islands. She finished with Jaded in 7:31. It wasn’t good, though I like Jade. [*]
Backstage, The Young Bucks questioned Adam Cole not telling them about Jay White coming in since Jay was Kenny’s enemy in the past. Adam just said to trust him.
Katie Arquette (0-1) vs. Serena Deeb (14-5)
This is Serena Deeb’s Five Minute Rookie Challenge, not to be confused with Rodney Mack’s Five Minute White Boy Challenge. I‘m guessing Deeb added “rookie” to the title so Rodney didn’t come back to challenge her. Deeb won this in quick fashion, doing so in 1:00. [NR]
RAMPAGE
· Young Bucks vs. Roppongi Vice (please, I’ve seen this way too much)
· Bryan Danielson will speak
· Hook vs. Blake Li (QT’s student)
· Britt Baker vs. Robyn Renegade
· Jurassic Express defends the Tag Titles against the Ass Boys
DYNAMITE
· Thunder Rosa vs. Mercedes Martinez in a No DQ match
· Jake Hager and Chris Jericho vs. Santana and Ortiz
AEW World Championship Texas Death Match: Hangman Page [c] vs. Lance Archer
This feud has been cold as hell but the match could make up for it. In the back, Archer and Hangman brawled before entrances and came down to the ring. Archer got sent through a glass wall and was busted open within minutes. You have to win by Last Man Standing rules, so Page hitting the Buckshot Lariat early didn’t end it. Dan Lambert ran out as Archer whacked Page with a trash can lid to unscrew the top rope. The idea was to remove the Buckshot Lariat from the equation. They worked through a commercial break and now Hangman was badly busted open. Man is on a Triple H in 2003 level of bleeding in his matches. Jake Roberts got involved with a short-arm clothesline but Archer stopped him from doing the DDT and then Hangman hit one of his own. Archer used a fork as a weapon and then hit a Blackout to the outside onto steel steps. More like Madman Page for taking that bump, which makes no sense. Archer could’ve won there but brought Page in to use barbed wire. Page wrapped it around his arm and hit some strikes before vaulting off the referee’s back to doing a Buckshot Lariat that sent both through tables outside. That was creative as hell. That kept Archer down as Page got up, winning in 15:24. An absolute war that was a very good title defense. [***¾]
Post-match, Adam Cole came out and handed the title to Hangman, signaling that he wants the next shot. I know it was unsanctioned but the man did just lose to Orange Cassidy. As good as Cole/Hangman will likely be, it doesn’t feel like a huge deal. If they’re doing Rosa/Baker at Revolution, it should definitely close the show over this.
