Entertainment
AEW Dynamite live results: World title match, MJF returns
A World title defense, plus MJF’s return to AEW Dynamite are set for tonight’s episode.
Swerve Strickland will defend the AEW World Championship against Roderick Strong on tonight’s show in a match set up with an angle on Saturday’s Collision. The winner will defend the title against Will Ospreay at Forbidden Door on June 30.
After returning to AEW for the first time in 2024 at Double or Nothing, MJF returns to the flagship show on tonight’s episode.
In a bout originally scheduled for last week, Saraya faces Mariah May in a women’s division contest.
Wheeler Yuta will also return to the ring after missing months of action on tonight’s show. He teams with the rest of the Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli) against CMLL’s Volador Jr., Magnus, Rugido, and Esfinge in an eight-man tag team bout. Tony Khan announced yesterday that Yuta had officially been medically cleared.
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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone & Taz, as the music for MJF hits and he walks out with a leather jacket, minus the jean jacket this time.
MJF Returns to Dynamite
MJF said in case people wonder why his eyes are bloodshot and squinty, they’re in Colorado, baby. After plugging his new shirt, he’s here to put everyone on notice and prepared to wrestle probably some guy from Japan or Mexico at Forbidden Door. MJF talks about egregious claims and brings up the Rainmaker and how much money he makes, despite looking like he can’t afford a gym membership. Next is the guy who keeps “swerving around” part of the Mogul Embassy, who all turned on him. Swerve Strickland refers to himself as a business mogul, but he must’ve skipped his public speaking course. The most egregious claim was from a cockney cockhead who said he’s the best in the world, bruv. MJF said the last time he checked, Will Ospreay isn’t Chris Jericho, Adam Cole, Cody Rhodes, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson and Kenny Omega, since he never defeated all of them, but MJF did. If Ospreay wants to lie through his yellow, crooked teeth, Silly Billy isn’t the Best in the World, MJF is. MJF is the guy who did the impossible, becoming the face of AEW, creating some of the best matches and moments in this sport. He went from the most hated to the most beloved. MJF goes home to heal from his wounds and revisionists try to revise his legacy and name.
Rush’s music hits and he walks to the stage running down the crowd, saying while MJF has been gone, Rush has been working. MJF gets a big celebration for returning, but where’s his big moment? Rush said he’s going to take his moment and hit his tag line.
MJF said he understood none of that, but said while the mark Tony Khan was running the show, it wasn’t good, but with The Elite in charge, it’s even worse. MJF said Rush comes out in his dime store suit and said he’s looking dry, similar to what he’s made every woman he’s been with. MJF said some could call Rush a nepo-baby for having his family in the business. MJF put over Rush’s accomplishments in and out of AEW, but the problem is, MJF isn’t one of the best, he’s THE best. MJF ran down Rush in Spanish before Rush hits the ring and the fight is on. Christopher Daniels and security hit the ring to break it up, with both man breaking free before being separated for good.
-Video package is shown of Roderick Strong training ahead of tonight’s main event for the AEW World Title.
Rey Fenix (w/Alex Abrahantes) defeated Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly & Jay Lethal (w/Sonjay Dutt) to earn a shot at the International Title next week
(I’m not sure why this match wasn’t announced prior to the show, as this was a sprint of a 4 way if there ever was one. The result will probably be one of the most athletic matches we’ll see in AEW history next week, as Fenix takes on Ospreay.)
Lethal immediately hip tossed Fenix clear to the floor, where he teased a dive, but opted to Fargo Strut instead. This led to Cassidy flying in with a top rope cross body and dive out onto Fenix, as O’Reilly jumped in and targeted Cassidy’s arm, but Cassidy went to the pockets. Fenix sprung back in with a diving arm drag and kick combo before being decked by Lethal from behind. O’Reilly saved Fenix from Lethal Injection, but ate a thrust kick for his troubles. Wild series of comeback kicks and Nigel lariats by Fenix & O’Reilly, leaving everyone down into commercial.
When things return, Cassidy connected on a Stundog Millionaire on Lethal, but tried one on O’Reilly, who caught an arm bar. Fenix flew in off screen with a splash to break it up, as Lethal came diving in with a top rope elbow. Spinning DDT attempt by Cassidy was countered into a Figure Four be Lethal, but O’Reilly applied a guillotine on Fenix at the same time. The match broke down, as Fenix cleaned house, last man standing, but Cassidy hit his spinning DDT flush and popped O’Reilly with an Orange Punch. Lethal dispatched Cassidy with Lethal Combination and Lethal Injection on O’Reilly. Lethal went for a Figure Four on Fenix, who countered into a roll up for the flash pin and victory. It will be Will Ospreay vs. Rey Fenix for the International Title next Wednesday.
Post match, Don Callis & Trent Beretta walked to the ring, but as Cassidy was going to get in the ring, Callis handed Beretta a chair. Cassidy grabbed a chain from under the ring and wanted a fight, but Kris Statlander stood between them. Stokely Hathaway said Statlander will put her foot so far up Cassidy’s ass, he’ll be coughing up shoe leather. Statlander decked Cassidy before Willow Nightingale sprinted out from the back and Statlander & Hathaway bailed with Hathaway hilariously piggy backing on Statlander up the ramp.
-Chris Jericho arrives to the building with Big Bill & Bryan Keith and gives some pointers to their driver, since he’s had a drivers license for over 35 years. Jericho then takes the camera from the cameraman to properly frame Bill & Keith and waves to everyone backstage.
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-Renee Paquette is backstage with Willow Nightingale, who said she accepts that she lost at Double or Nothing and congratulates Mercedes Mone on her win. Nightingale said she did have Mone pinned, so there’s unfinished business down the line. Nightingale said Statlander betrayed her friendship while she was at her lowest. The smile is her strength, but after being stabbed in the back, you don’t know how dangerous that could be. Orange Cassidy walks in and gives a little fist bump before walking off.
-Christopher Daniels gets an entrance and announces on June 30th, at Forbidden Door, they will crown a new TNT Champion in a ladder match. Another qualifying match for that will take place right now.
ROH Champion Mark Briscoe defeated Brian Cage to advance to the TNT Title Ladder Match at Forbidden Door
(Competitive back and forth match this was, as Briscoe had the crowd loudly behind him throughout. I like as the Ladder Match grows closer; the competitors involved seem to be scouted the competition.)
Cage wasted no time controlling the action early with the power game, but Briscoe countered with his speed and baseball slide. Briscoe threw a chair in the ring, but Paul Turner quickly removed it, as this allowed Cage to recover and take control on the outside. After a superplex from the apron into the ring, it was all Cage throughout commercial.
Briscoe mounted a comeback with redneck kung-fu, as we saw Don Callis with Konosuke Takeshita watching from the crowd, as Takeshita qualified for the Ladder Match last week on Rampage. Briscoe, bleeding from the mouth, sent Cage crashing outside, as Briscoe set up a chair and hit a somersault dive. Back inside, shotgun dropkick got two, as we then see Jack Perry watching from backstage. Jay Driller blocked by Cage, who hit a ripcord elbow and sit out pump handle slam for two. Spinning Liger Bomb got another two for Cage, who wanted Drillclaw, but Briscoe floated over, hit a rolling DVD and Froggy Bow for the win.
Jack Perry applauded Briscoe’s win, but said it won’t matter, as no one is willing to make as big of a sacrifice for AEW than him. Perry said he’s destined to win the TNT Title, no matter what Tony Khan thinks.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with HOOK & Samoa Joe, who said he wouldn’t call this a mentorship, when he’s immediately interrupted by Tony Nese, Ari Daivari & Mark Sterling. Nese talks trash and Joe has to hold HOOK back, saying they’ll handle it on their time.
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-The Learning Tree approach Matt Menard & Angelo Parker backstage, as Jericho loudly congratulates Menard for taking over commentary on Rampage and Parker for his recent marriage and upcoming baby. Keith tells Parker to make sure his child respects Chris Jericho.
-The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass make their entrance as Max Caster starts by calling The Young Bucks the Extremely Vague Perverts when they’re cut off by Matthew & Nicholas Jackson on the big screen, asking if they read the employee handbook, saying they can’t insult the EVPs and cut the segment. Matthew tell them to clear the area, as The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass just slouch and walk to the back.
-Renee Paquette is joined by Swerve Strickland, who welcomes back the little b*tch, MJF, saying he’ll deal with him later. Strickland has an envelope with the contract to the Forbidden Door World Title match and tells Prince Nana to send this to Will Ospreay in London and he’ll pay for shipping. Strickland said he’s going to knock Roderick Strong off the mountain tonight and also brings up The Elite winning Anarchy in the Arena, the next time there’s a Team AEW, you don’t forget the AEW World Champion.
-Excalibur informs us it will be Title vs. Title at Forbidden Door TBS Title vs. New Japan Strong Women’s Title as Mercedes Mone takes on Stephane Vaquer. We then get a video package showing the history between both ladies and how Mone defeated Vaquer in the semi-finals of the Strong Women’s Title Tournament, the same night that Mone broke her ankle against Willow.
IWGP World Champion Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli & ROH Pure Champion Wheeler Yuta defeated Volador Jr., Esfinage, Magnus & Rugido
(Despite being out for six months, Wheeler Yuta didn’t miss a step here, as he got a big victory here tonight and stood tall with his BCC running buddies. I wouldn’t be shocked if we get a potential Danielson vs. Volador match eventually, as they were the two that were somewhat held back out of the 8. Maybe they were holding back for a singles match down the line.)
Yuta struck first by going after Esfinge and the match broke down into an all-out brawl right at the bell. Danielson & Rugido chop it out in the ring before Rugido fires off a head scissors, while Moxley & Castagnoli are wiped out by dives by Esfinge & Volador. Tiger Feint Kick to Danielson by Rugido before Yuta & Esfinge have a fast sequence with the crowd loudly chanting for Yuta. Moxley & Castagnoli return to clean house, as the BCC hit locomotion corner strikes on Magnus before a Hart Attack and Fastball Special connect heading into picture in picture.
Magnus fought free when things returned, as Esfinge used his speed to thwart an attack from all the BCC members before hitting two massive monkey flips on Castagnoli. After wrapping Castagnoli up like a pretzel, Esfinge nearly got the pin, as he missed a springboard, with Moxley meeting him with a Cutter. Rugido connected with a snap German, while Yuta connected on a Saito Suplex. Magnus, meanwhile, hit the corner double knees, but wanted it again and ran into the Giant Swing from Castagnoli, as Moxley was there with the dropkick mid revolution. Volador flew in with a float over Code Red, but Danielson broke it up. Tags made from Yuta & Rugido, who had another fast sequence before Rugidon nearly got the pin off a huge arm drag.
This Is Awesome chants from the crowd, as Moxley & Castagnoli clean house with Moxly hitting a Paradigm Shift on Magnus, while Volador hit a Déjà vu head scissors on Castagnoli. Danielson flew in with the Busaiku Knee on Volador, as Yuta hit the spinning Angle Slam into the Seatbelt Pin for the victory.
-Chris Jericho approaches someone in catering and helps him with the proper way to scoop food into a bowl, due to his experience.
-A video package on Daniel Garcia is shown, documenting his serious car accident a few years ago. Life is too short to let opportunities to pass you by and that’s why he took initiative last week in challenging Will Ospreay for the International Title. Ospreay can’t out grind and outwork Garcia.
-Cameras caught up with The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass trying to barge into The Elite’s locker room, but were held back by Elite security. They said at some point, The Bucks will have to deal with them. They call The Bucks jackasses and walk off.
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-The Bucks bring in The Patriarchy to their office, as Christian Cage said if there’s anyone he could trust in making things right, it’s the EVPs. The Patriarchy deserves to have gold and demand another title shot. Matthew said they agree and they all deserve gold, but said they’ll see what they can do, they promise they’ll be happy. If they continue to scratch their back, they’ll scratch theirs.
Saraya (w/Harley Cameron & Zak Knight) defeated Mariah May (w/Timeless Toni Storm & Luther)
(While I was surprised Saraya got the win, she was more than due for a victory, so this makes sense in that regard and May can get that win back down the line. The post-match proves that at Forbidden Door, the Shirakawa & Storm match will be for more than just the AEW Women’s Title, it appears it will be for the heart of Mariah May.)
Storm gave May, who is dressed like Storm during her Outcasts days, a kiss for good luck before joining commentary. Saraya attacked May before the bell, but May quickly fired back with a forearm. Storm tells May to smash Saraya’s tits in and AEW is where the Breast Wrestle. May hits the spinning side suplex, as Saraya was forced to regroup outside. The chase was on, as Cameron missed a lariat, but Saraya hit a thrust kick to take control during commercial.
May mounted a comeback with a charging corner forearm, handstand head scissors and shotgun dropkick off the top for two. May connected on Sweet Cheek Music for two, as Saraya battled back with the Knight Light cradle DDT that stuck May flush for two of her own. Saraya applied the sharpshooter chickenwing, as Storm pleaded that May can’t stay in this for long, as May gave up. Storm rushed the ring and protected May, but Saraya & Cameron attacked and put the boots to them.
Mina Shirakawa hit the ring and cleared house; comforting May before she & Storm had an intense face off. May stepped between as peacemaker, putting both women’s head to her bosom, as the match graphic is official for Forbidden Door, Storm vs. Shirakawa for the Women’s Title. Both ladies have a tug of war, trying to place May’s head to their chest, as Taz is demanding just what the hell is going on. I will take this opportunity to plug the latest Hey!(EW) on YouTube this week, as RJ City’s guest is Mina Shirakawa and it’s hysterical.
-The Learning Tree approach Private Party backstage and say maybe they should change their name to Public Party and open their party to more people. Keith said they’re disrespecting Jericho, who said next week, they’re inviting Private Party to TV Time with The Learning Tree.
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-Backstage, Bryan Danielson put over Wheeler Yuta winning the match for his team tonight, as he couldn’t be prouder. Danielson said 8 months ago, he said this was his final year as a full-time wrestler and to be honest, it hasn’t been what he wanted. He’s lost to Christian Cage, lost in the Finals of the Continental Class, lost to Okada in the Tokyo Dome. Every big match, he loses, as the straw that broke the camel’s back as losing Anarchy in the Arena. Danielson said his career isn’t over yet, so when Tony Khan announced the Owen Hart Tournament winner gets an AEW World Title shot at All In, this could be his last shot, if he’s going out, he’s going out on top.
Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) defeated Roderick Strong (w/The Kingdom) to retain the AEW World Title
(An excellent main event and yet another victory for Strickland, who has been on absolute fire during this run. Even in defeat, Strong continued his great performances and continues to show why he’s also one of the best in the game.)
After the feeling out process, Strickland picked up the pace with a handstand head scissors, dodge of the jump knee, but tried House Call, only for Strong to take a powder. Back inside, both trade corner strikes, with Strickland flying in with a dropkick to the knee. Strong took a hard buckle, but Matt Taven ran distraction enough for Strong to recover and hit a backbreaker across the top rope. Taven & Mike Bennett trash talked Strickland before Strong hit a baseball slide, only for Strickland to catch and catapult him into the post, leading to commercial.
Strong gained control over break, targeting the spine of Strickland, who fired off a desperation Swerve Stomp out of nowhere to create the reset. Leaping uppercut from the ropes hit, as did the rolling Flatliner and brainbuster for a near fall. Strickland wanted Big Pressure, but Bennett distracted enough for Strong to avoid it, but not the powerbomb/powerslam combo, which got Strickland two. Taven & Bennett again ran distraction ringside and caught Strickland on a dive, but Excalibur said they weren’t ejected due to not doing anything with Strickland, which is a little ridiculous. This all allowed Strong to hit a flipping suplex onto the edge of the ring, as back inside, a strike exchange ensued, before Strong hit a Code Breaker off a rolling Flatliner attempt. Strong with the Angle Slam, Tiger Driver and Sick Kick combo that got a close two.
Both men slow to recover, go to the apron, as Strickland swept out the legs and hit a slingshot Swerve Stomp to the floor. Back inside, Strong side stepped the House Call, but Strickland caught the pump knee and hit House Call for the victory. The match graphic is official for Strickland vs. Will Ospreay for the AEW World Title. The show ends with Strickland & Nana doing their signature dance with a little old lady in the front row, which was a pretty great visual.
AEW Rampage 6/7/24
- Serena Deeb vs. Mina Shirakawa
AEW Dynamite 6/12/24
- Will Ospreay defends the AEW International Title against Rey Fenix
- Private Party on TV Time with The Learning Tree