AEW Dynamite opened this week with Samoa Joe being blindsided and put through a table by Swerve Strickland in the opening three minutes of the show. We’ll have to wait to see the condition of the champion, who has a championship defense scheduled against Swerve at Dynasty and had his match against Dustin Rhodes moved from the first to the last match of the night.
Samoa Joe is ready for is #AEW World Championship Eliminator- WAIT A MINUTE!
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@SamoaJoe | @SwerveConfident pic.twitter.com/pkRLYBrpr4
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 11, 2024
The first match was for the TNT Championship, with Adam Copeland defending against Penta El Zero Miedo. To me, it appeared Adam Copeland was trying to keep up with Penta’s typical high-paced luchador style but didn’t have it in him. They performed well, and it wasn’t bad, but it did seem like Adam was slowing Penta down. The two had a good back-and-forth, and Adam Copeland retained the TNT Championship. After the match, Adam Copeland was attacked by Brody King of The House of Black. Who came to the rescue? Willow Nightingale, who “manned up” and saved Adam Copeland from further damage.
The House of Black wants to take care of Adam Copeland before #AEWDynasty!
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@RatedRCope | @BrodyXKing | @TheJuliaHart | @WillowWrestles pic.twitter.com/zQWDEpNfl9
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 11, 2024
The next segment featured The Young Bucks presenting some footage shedding light on the incident between Jack Perry and CM Punk. They suggested that Jack Perry was the scapegoat for a self-centered CM Punk. The footage had no audio but showed Punk walking up to Jungle Boy, starting a conversation, and throwing the first punch. FTR then took the mic in the ring, expressing their fatigue with the topic. They claimed to be looking forward to building AEW up and pandered to the audience, saying they would do it for them.
What is FTR’s response to the EVPs, Matthew and Nicholas Jackson?
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@DaxFTR | @CashWheelerFTR | @YoungBucks pic.twitter.com/Dc3TUJJij4
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 11, 2024
Will Ospreay took the mic with some things on his mind. He stated that he wouldn’t be able to call himself the best wrestler in the world until he beats Bryan Danielson, one week from Sunday at Dynasty.
Will Ospreay’s match with Bryan Danielson at #AEWDynasty is a little over a week away. What’s on the billy goat’s mind?
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@WillOspreay | @BryanDanielson pic.twitter.com/0yD7X4m1Zz
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 11, 2024
Hook, Chris Jericho, and Katsuyori Shibata faced off against Shane Taylor Promotions. All men rotated offense and looked good throughout the match. There was some drama when Jericho prevented Hook from being tagged in, insisting it should be him. This decision cost the team, as Shane Taylor secured the pinfall. Hook was visibly upset after the match, sending Jericho to the back before checking on Shibata.
What's gotten into Chris Jericho?!
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@730Hook | @IamJericho pic.twitter.com/OHTnvxkX4j
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 11, 2024
Kazuchika Okada won a squash match before accepting Pac’s challenge for his AEW International Championship at Dynasty. Pac made his way towards the ring before being blindsided by The Young Bucks’ The three continued to beat him down inside the ring until FTR came to take out The Young Bucks’ With Pac already out of commission, The Elite won the 3-on-2 fight before inflicting even further damage with a steel chair.
Challenge Accepted, but it's all breaking down!
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@rainmakerXokada | @BASTARDPAC | @YoungBucks | @DaxFTR | @CashWheelerFTR pic.twitter.com/qExISBWx2n
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 11, 2024
The night of blindsides continued as Toni Storm jumped Thunder Rosa on her way to the ring, right before Mariah May took on Anna Jay. Mariah May rolled up Anna Jay after a rather dull match. Anna Jay did not take the loss well, choking out Mariah after the match. Mariah would be saved by her former partner from the Stardom promotion.
Mina Shirakawa makes the save for her former partner, Mariah May!
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@MinaShirakawa | @MariahMayX | @annajay___ pic.twitter.com/7T5GPETmXA
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 11, 2024
Mercedes Mone was giving a backstage interview when the lights went out. When they came back on, she was on the ground, leaving us wondering who it was.
"I'm a history maker, I'm a game changer"
– Mercedes MonéWatch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@MercedesVarnado pic.twitter.com/mxYA2gM46G
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 11, 2024
The main event featured Samoa Joe taking on Dustin Rhodes. Joe busted Dustin open early, with a deep gash on his forehead. Joe focused on the cut, even prying it open with his nails. Joe dominated the match from this point, eventually hitting Dustin with the title belt behind the referee’s back to win. After the bell, Samoa Joe applied a deep choke on Dustin. Swerve, following the theme of the night, blindsided Joe, who quickly made his exit thereafter. Swerve vs Joe for the title at Dynasty.
Swerve Strickland is showing #AEW World Champion Samoa Joe that he is THAT MAN.
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@SamoaJoe | @SwerveConfident pic.twitter.com/418C12XyoA
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 11, 2024
That wraps up AEW Dynamite this week, stay tuned to Greenville Sports Media for more of my regular wrestling articles
Howe Fresh (of The Wrasslin Corner on The Real Fresh Channel)
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