AEW Dynamite Episode 250 opened with MJF challenging Will Ospreay for the AEW International Championship. After a slow start led by MJF that included rolling out of the ring at the start of the match and tearing up signs in the crowd, the match picked up and consisted of great reversals. Ospreay delivered multiple fantastic high spots. Will Ospreay set up a table, which led to some questions, considering this was a standard rules match. It would be forgotten as the two went back into the ring, where they both laid in some stiff work. After an extended back-and-forth in a figure-four, Will Ospreay would start to work on a leg/knee injury. This injury would be focused on by MJF and would also cost Ospreay in other ways, such as being unable to cover quickly. This was a longer match, and they eventually fought their way through the crowd. Ospreay would gain control and place him on the table set up earlier. Ospreay would climb to the top rope only to have MJF roll off of it and make his way back to the ring. MJF would then eventually gain control himself and place Ospreay on the table. MJF then climbed to the top rope only for Ospreay to give him the same roll-off treatment. Count-out rules were comically loose during this contest, but we did get numerous believable false finishes. Ospreay would then move on to work on a shoulder injury, even having the doctor come to check on him. Around the 40-minute mark, I had to ask myself if this would go to a 60-minute draw; these two men were kicking out of everything. MJF would eventually get Ospreay back on the table set up earlier and climb to the top rope. This time was the money shot as MJF hit a huge flying elbow. Somehow, they both found the fortitude to pick up the pace even further in the last five minutes, with even more amazing reversals and stiff work. The one-minute remaining announcement was made, and Ospreay would have MJF set up for a Tiger Driver. He has retired that move, and his hesitation to bring it back here cost him too much time. MJF would recover and secure the pinfall with about two seconds left (with the help of the Dynamite Ring). MJF is the new AEW International Champion after a one-hour banger.
TIGER DRIVER!
But will he do it?Watch #AEWDynamite 250 LIVE on TBS!@The_MJF | @WillOspreay pic.twitter.com/EKSghNFCSU
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 18, 2024
The next segment saw MJF and The Learning Tree in the ring for a promo. They began by showing footage of all the people they had injured in the past few weeks. Minoru Suzuki interrupted the promo with some paperwork in hand. It stated that Bryan Keith and Big Bill would be banned from ringside for their upcoming FTW Championship match.
"NEXT WEEK" – Minoru Suzuki
Watch #AEWDynamite 250 LIVE on TBS!@IAmJericho | @TheCaZXL | @bountykeith | @suzuki_D_minoru pic.twitter.com/rdsFrQfRsF
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 18, 2024
The next match was for the TBS Championship, with Mercedes Mone defending against Nyla Rose. Both would get in some offense, but the match itself was average. Mercedes would pull out a black glove with “CEO” written on it. She would use this glove to mock Britt Baker by using her finisher. She would follow it up with her submission to secure the victory. After the match, Mercedes would rip up the sign of a person in the crowd who was wearing a mask. This person would end up being Britt Baker. The two would be separated by security to end the segment.
The Doctor is in!
Watch #AEWDynamite 250 LIVE on TBS!@MercedesVarnado | @NylaRoseBeast pic.twitter.com/IXQw3S0Zdz
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 18, 2024
Mariah May would come to the ring impersonating the most recent “Timeless” gimmick of Toni Storm. To catch you up, Mariah won an opportunity at Toni’s championship, and Mariah turned on Toni last week on Dynamite. This promo felt very slow and drawn out without any substance.
"All Elite Wrestling..Is all about Mariah" – Mariah May.
Watch #AEWDynamite 250 LIVE on TBS!@MariahMayx pic.twitter.com/TavD5JMB0l
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 18, 2024
The main event would feature Kazuchika Okada versus Swerve Strickland. The match was pretty good, but it seemed to lack the usual pace and stiffness we expect from both men. As expected, this match was ruined when The Elite came to the ring to attack Strickland. The Acclaimed and Mark Briscoe would come to his aid. Next week, The Elite will take on Team AEW.
This main event match has all broken down!
Watch #AEWDynamite 250 LIVE on TBS!@rainmakerXokada | @swerveconfident pic.twitter.com/teUQK8G95W
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 18, 2024
That wraps up AEW Dynamite this week, stay tuned to Greenville Sports Media for more of my regular wrestling articles
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