All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite: October 2, 2024

October 3, 2024 7:41 AM - Season 6, Episode 1

Britt Baker makes a hometown return, Ricochet and Ospreay have a rematch seven years in the making, plus a champion-vs-champion main event. Five years to the day since the premiere of Dynamite, AEW celebrates five years and begins the sixth by announcing a new 3-year streaming deal with Warner Brothers and airing it's longest episode to date, with a 30 minute overrun.

(Full Wrestling Observer Recap)

Blackpool Combat Club sends a dramatic warning to Wheeler Yuta & Bryan Danielson

I don't know which bit is more frightening: Marina Shafir yelling at the screen in Russian, Claudio acting genuinely hurt and confused, or Moxley basically promising a murder at WrestleDream.

AEW International Championship Match: Will Ospreay (c) vs. Ricochet is declared a draw, followed by a disqualification

"Holy Sh*t & This Is Awesome chants right at the bell, as a fast series of takedowns, kip ups and pin attempts lead to a wild sequence of counters similar to their Best of Super Juniors stalemate, ending in a double Spiderman pose. [...] Ricochet ducked Hidden Blade and connected with one of his own before going up top and hit the Shooting Star Press for a super close near fall. Pump kick spiked Ospreay, who floated over Vertigo into a Poison Rana, one that Ricochet answered with one of his own. Ospreay desperately fired off a Hidden Blade and collapsed onto Ricochet with both men’s shoulders down and Rick Knox counted them both out. Justin Roberts got the word from Knox and we’re told it’s a draw.

Both men get their bearings and want to keep going, as Roberts was informed by Tony Khan that it will continue. Bell sounds and both slug it out with forearms and high kicks. Ospreay hit a Hidden Blade, but as he went for the pin, Konosuke Takeshita hit the ring and caused the DQ. Takeshita took out Ospreay with the Power Drive Knee and Ricochet with a roaring elbow and Falcon Arrow. Takeshita took the International Title, held it high before placing it between Ricochet & Ospreay. Exactly the high flying and incredibly athletic match you’d expect, as the crowd was with them the entire time. We’re obviously getting this match again eventually, but this was a nice preview of what these two are capable of in an AEW ring for those uninitiated to their past incredible matches. Takeshita’s appearance at the end was questioned by commentary to maybe be at the request of Don Callis, who has an excuse that he wasn’t even there for this."

MVP -- making the first of two appearances this episode -- drops in on Mercedes Moné to offer his business card

I am a Sasha Banks stan from way back in the day -- I mean I was there for NXT TakeOver Brooklyn in 2015 when she drove down to the ring in an Escalade and I have to admit that this new incarnation in AEW is not working. Part of the problem is that she exists with no context, just a free-floating heel. If I were booking, she would have inserted herself more directly into the Willow vs. Kris Statlander feud, "buying out" Kris and Stokely to form her own faction because of petty hatred for Willow. She needs a new Bayley to push against, is what I'm saying.

TV Time with "The Learning Tree" Chris Jericho

Jericho saying that Mark Briscoe couldn't beat him, but his (late) brother Jay could have, is a real "Oh Shit" moment for a promo.

Darby Ellin makes a very emo-kid promo and issues an open challenge for WrestleDream.

Hangman Adam Page defeated Juice Robinson

"A fairly even back and forth brawl this was, as Robinson put up a good fight, but heel Hangman’s Revenge Tour continues to roll on for any and all in his way. The bigger story here is the return of Switchblade Jay White, as this has to be Page’s next opponent, assuming it’s at the PPV. It’s good to see White back, as I’m hopeful this will be more of a singles run for White, as that Bang Bang Gang vs. The Acclaimed storyline really did a number on him (and everyone involved)."

Britt Baker defeated Serena Deeb

"This was Baker’s first match since All In and prior to that, she had only had two matches since being out for nearly a year, so she just needs more time to knock the rust off, which you can tell is there. Hopefully ring time will help with that, as having Mariah May in the crowd would lead one to believe we’re getting a match down the line. Baker entered through the hometown crowd, as Brittsburgh gave Baker a strong ovation. [...] Post match, Deeb attacked and sank in a half crab before Queen Aminata hit the ring and took down Deeb with forearms. Deeb escaped as Aminata checked on Baker, who looked a little surprised by the assist."

While this match did involve more women than just the two in the ring, it was still the only women's match in this "longest episode of Dynamite ever." Sheesh.

Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen) defeated Iron Savages (Bronson & Boulder w/Jacked Jameson)

"Kassidy took the mic and said at the beginning of the year he said 'new year, new champs' and doesn’t care about his hand, Quen doesn’t care, either. They will be the next AEW World Tag Team Champions and calls The Young Bucks out for right here and now. Matthew & Nicholas Jackson rise from the stage and said you can’t have a 5 year anniversary without your EVPs. Matthew said they have a substantial overrun tonight and said how about they put the titles on the line right here and now? The Bucks power walk to the ring, but put on the brakes, due to their limited dates, they’re not going to waste one in Pittsburgh."

MVP makes his second appearance this episode to needle Prince Nana, and introduce Shelton Benjamin

Gonna need an update to that meme ASAP, thx.

Champion vs. Champion Match: AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson defeated AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada to retain -- Okada's title was only at risk if he was pinned within the first 20 minutes, while Danielson could lose his at any time.

"This was really good storytelling until the finish, in my opinion. Okada was working like a New Japan 10-man tag match for the first 20 minutes, but kicked things into the gear everyone knows and loves when his title was no longer on the line. I’m not sure if we’ll ever get this match again in AEW, but I hope we do. [...] Danielson wants the home run shot, but Okada countered a Busaiku Knee into a Rainmaker that turned Danielson inside out. Both throw forearms while on their knees and feet, as Danielson collapsed, but instead started firing up. Danielson flipped out of a German suplex, as both traded Busiaku Knees for a close two. They traded Rainmaker attempts, with Danielson hitting his for another close near fall. Anvil elbows from Danielson, who powers up into a spinning Future Shock, gets the wrist clutch and short arm lariat until we see Claudio Castagnoli showing up in the front row, as is PAC. Okada made eye contact with Castagnoli and that distraction was enough for Danielson to duck a lariat and hit a backslide for the pin, as Okada was shocked, while Castagnoli smirked.

Post match, Okada hit a Rainmaker on Danielson before flipping off Castagnoli & PAC before storming out with his Continental Title. PAC & Castagnoli get in the ring and pull Danielson to his knees, as Jon Moxley appears with Marina Shafir. Mox told Danielson to get this through his blueberry picking brain, as everything he’s doing is because he has to. If this was anyone else, he would’ve put him out of his misery years ago. Wheeler Yuta sprinted out with a hammer, as Moxley and company bailed, but Moxley got right back in the ring and stared down Yuta, daring him to use it. Yuta pondered what to do, but Danielson charged at Moxley while Castagnoli went to hold off Yuta. Danielson & PAC and Castagnoli & Yuta fought, with Castagnoli never throwing a strike. The BCC bailed, as Yuta took the mic and said he’s tired of being treated like a child by Castagnoli and others. He can make his own decision and fight his own fights. Next week, Title Tuesday, if Castagnoli & PAC want to get to Danielson, they’ll have to go through Yuta, too. Danielson announced the match and Tony Khan made it official for next week."

After the show went off the air, Danielson made a speech that sounded a lot like a goodbye, so who knows? Maybe he truly is losing at WrestleDream and hanging up his boots.

posted by The Pluto Gangsta (3 comments total)

Wheeler Yuta did not speak incorrectly, next week's Dynamite will be on Tuesday, October 8 with a 9PM Eastern start time, probably due to some sport-related thing.
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 7:44 AM on October 3

I am happy to say that with the announcement of AEW streaming on Max starting in January I will be able to start commenting on these again (and not just for the PPVs)!
posted by Parasite Unseen at 9:59 AM on October 3 [1 favorite]

Wrestletalk's Luke Owen pointed out that, by the time this new deal with Warner Brothers ends, Dynamite will officially have run longer than WCW Nitro, which means negative nancys like Eric Bishoff and Jim Cornette can go eat a bag of rocks.
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 11:21 AM on October 3 [1 favorite]