AEW Dynasty airs tonight on pay per view from the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Missouri.
I have to apologize to everyone reading off the bat. I had a lot to talk about when it comes to All Elite Wrestling this month. Some of which might spill into this. I had a lot of things planned and then this little show on FX called Shogun popped up. I’m a bit, how do you say, dangerously addicted to a 10 episode miniseries. It has been a struggle to really get into the mindset for AEW shows, or any pro wrestling in particular. I plan to write about my feelings on the show when it completes this Tuesday and will get back to writing more about pro wrestling.
Go watch Shogun. I promise you. Your soul needs it.
Anyway. Wrestling. Yeah that thing.
Jon Moxley on Wednesday night returned to AEW after an absence which for some reason nobody takes into account when it comes to this cycle between Revolution and the Dynasty pay per view. It’s not just Jon Moxley. It’s Jon Moxley, it’s Hangman Page, it’s Kenny Omega, it’s Ricky Starks, it’s Britt Baker, it’s Adam Cole, it’s Christian Cage, it’s Darby Allin, it’s Jack Perry, and it’s Maxwell Jacob Friedman. So much of the core of AEW over the past few years has been either completely absent or recently absent from AEW shows. This is rarely taken into account when ratings discussion happens, even from the people who follow this intently.
You know that scene in The Departed when Frank Costello tells William Costigan he’s running with a new crew to try to sniff out a rat? That feels like the past few weeks of AEW. Except instead of finding a rat it’s finding new stars. Swerve Strickland, Will Ospreay, Kazuchika Okada, Adam Copeland, and Mercedes Mone have instead been relied upon to keep viewers week to week and keep the show from drowning in tough competition. Anyone who watches for the stars they’ve been invested in since 2019 have had to see a focus on new guys. Even Orange Cassidy, Mr. Consistent, hasn’t been on as much to allow others to get some shine.
Much of this is due to necessity. Kenny, Max, Darby, Cole, all of them are injured. Not sure the status of Britt Baker if she’s healthy or not. Hangman Page has been “suspended” due to his actions on attacking referees. Ricky Starks had a stinger scare in London, Ontario but aside from the AEW World Tag Team Tournament I don’t know if he had plans. Jon Moxley has been focused on New Japan Pro Wrestling and even won the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship from Tetsuya Naito in a shocker, and because of that, the go home show to AEW Dynasty focused a bit on Moxley’s return and his match against Powerhouse Hobbs instead of promoting the pay per view.
To build a Dynasty you can’t just rely on your original stars. You have to make new ones. And tonight will be very much about that. But without the original stars you’re not building a dynasty. You’re rebuilding one. Until AEW can get a lot of these names back they are only going to be rebuilding instead of conquering.
AEW Dynasty 2024 Zero Hour
Trent’s turn on Orange Cassidy and the Best Friends was a long time coming. It has been hinted at many times. I’m surprised it didn’t happen at Revolution. What’s disappointing is that it happened and it’s like the Best Friends have now just floated away. Why are they not fighting each other on this show? I guess AEW wanted more time to build up to the match between Orange Cassidy and Trent and didn’t just want them competing on the Zero Hour. But here they are, first with Sydal facing Beretta.
I’ve seen people complain about Sydal getting this match because he’s mostly just been losing in AEW but I’m sorry, Trent might be pretty but he isn’t a championship title. He’s just a guy. This is just an exhibition match. It will pad Trent’s stats but it will also be a good match because Sydal is one of the best workers out there.
Winner: Trent Beretta
I already detailed how I think OC should be fighting Trent this pay per view, but this match is just as much about giving Cassidy and Shibata something to do as it is about highlighting Shane Taylor Promotions. I feel bad for the crew because they all work real hard but struggle to get the crowd into their matches. Adding Anthony Ogogo was a good addition, and I hope he works more as a bodyguard than expecting him to wrestle. Moriarty and Taylor have it covered.
I honestly wouldn’t be against the heels winning this, but I hope Trent gets himself involved so they can make that a real program to head into Double or Nothing in May.
Winners: Shane Taylor and Lee Moriarty
Probably the most frustrating program of 2024. I spoke both in my article about Jay White and my predictions for Revolution as to why this wasn’t a match at Revolution. Did they need the extra time? Well they certainly wasted it. It’s not just Shogun that killed my interest in pro wrestling for the past month. It’s also former member of ShowGunn’s in Billy Gunn beating Jay White up pillar to post in a singles match that never should have happened.
I am trying to calm my blood before I go off on what a stupid decision that match was. Billy Gunn shouldn’t be beating anyone’s ass in 2024. I get that he was “angry about Jay White entering his home” but you could have told that story with Billy biting off more than he could chew, attacking Jay early like he did, but Jay taking advantage and systematically destroying Billy Gunn’s legs. And with Acclaimed promising not to come out, it’s a moment of the babyfaces watching as Jay White embarrasses their partner, the guy who was going to retire if they didn’t win the Trios Championship. Remember that? AEW hasn’t, because they’ve treated Billy Gunn as better than Jay White, and as the most important part of The Acclaimed. Disgusting.
Oh right, I already complained about this match. It’s the only thing I wrote this month. Anyway.
It’s time for The Acclaimed to break up. Max Caster is completely washed. He can’t do his raps anymore without everyone rolling their eyes. Whatever development he did as a wrestler in 2021 and 2022 is gone. Billy Gunn is not Sting no matter how much he thinks he is, and the faster he finds himself back in the World Wrestling Federation the better everyone is. Anthony Bowens needs to be free from the shackles of this group so we can see what he has as a solo competitor.
Bullet Club Gold should win this match, and following that? Jay White needs to be heated back up. Hopefully Juice Robinson makes his return tonight. Miss that crazy man.
Winners: Bullet Club Gold
AEW Dynasty 2024
This should be the Zero Hour match since it isn’t even for the Trios Championship but I guess the TNT Champion isn’t working the pre show.
House of Black is curious. For the past few months they had no steam and looked like both Malakai and Buddy wanted to be anywhere else. Brody King had a fantastic showing in the Continental Classic but they didn’t do much with him after. But recently the team has actually been looking like they are engaged and interested in being in All Elite Wrestling. Maybe Adam Copeland is responsible for the wake up call.
It’s good to see Mark Briscoe on the pay per view after his great match with Eddie at Supercard of Honor, but Eddie. Eddie my man. This is not what you need to be doing. It might be time for you to pull the trigger on a well needed heel turn. You’ve lost your championships (well, the New Japan Strong Championship isn’t lost yet) and that should mean re-gaining the chip on your shoulder. Whether it’s turning on Copeland to face him for the TNT or going after someone else (Roderick Strong?) I think AEW needs a heel Eddie Kingston going forward.
House of Black can take this.
Winners: House of Black
Have we been tired of Chris Jericho? Yes. As I outlined at the start, a lot of ratings movers in AEW have been out. That meant AEW has had to rely on Jericho more than they maybe would have if Kenny Omega and MJF were still around. Jericho needs a break and it’s clear the crowd is exhausted with him.
But Jericho is also smart, and he’s used that exhaustion to turn back heel. Are you tired of me? Do you think I hold all the young guys down? Fine. I’ll go nowhere and I’ll hold a young guy down. I’ll do everything you accuse me of, and I’ll do it while acting like I’m above it. The past week has been the freshest Jericho has been in a while.
I still think he needs a break, but I’m not against him milking this until Double or Nothing. Him beating Hook here and carrying what’s essentially an unofficial championship and being deluded about it would be good until the Calvary arrives. Once that happens? Take a break Chris. You earned it.
Winner: Chris Jericho
Mercedes Mone is hurt. Someone has to say it so I guess I will. She made her debut a little early and while you can call it false hope for her to wear wrestling gear and make challenges, the reality is she isn’t ready to go yet. Once she is? She’s going to be right involved in the mix.
I’m not a fan of Julia Hart, but she has been improving and has a connection with the audience. She’s also very young so I give her a lot of freedom to improve. I just don’t think it should be as TBS Champion. That’s why Willow winning this so she’s the champion when Mercedes is ready is the right way to go.
Julia also has been building a tag team with Skye Blue, and it could be best for both to work more tag matches than being expected to work 10 minute singles matches until they are on the level of the likes of Mercedes and Toni Storm.
Winner: Willow Nightingale
I am so happy Kyle O’Reilly is back. I am also very happy he rejected Undisputed Kingdom, a faction dead on arrival in All Elite Wrestling. The Kingdom is an ROH level crew, and this isn’t the Undisputed Era or Undisputed Elite. By the way, there was once a rumour that Undisputed Elite was actually going to be called Paragon. I hope they use that later on for something. Good name.
Roddy hasn’t been a great International Champion, but that isn’t entirely a bad thing. It wasn’t good for AEW to have a Men’s World Championship and then three titles basically masquerading at a similar level. Roddy is taking the belt down to the midcard and it’s good for AEW to have a championship that the midcard can work towards. Would I prefer less championships? Sure, but you can make it work.
I don’t think KOR wins this. Already a lot of championships changing hands tonight, and I think Roddy should instead drop to someone like Daniel Garcia. It’s a good way to bring back Kyle, and I hope to see what he does after this.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Ospreay has come to All Elite Wrestling with a lot of momentum which is great. He also has come to All Elite Wrestling in a very confusing manner.
Ospreay has come in with the Callis Family, but has also spent his time beating everyone in the Callis Family. Takeshita, Fletcher, and Hobbs have all dropped to Ospreay. So if the crew ends up turning heel on him, what’s he going to do? Just beat them all again? Makes little to no sense. Could Ospreay instead break them away from Don Callis? That makes a little more sense, but it’s still a matter of what the heck is Ospreay really doing right now?
The dream match with Danielson is a great idea. It’s going to be a spectacular match, and might end up the best match of the year. It would have been nice with a better story other than, “Here’s this dream match while Ospreay is distracted” but we’ll remember the match more than the program.
Some people have said they want this to be the main event? Be serious. This is a big match, and the crowds have been behind Ospreay. But this shouldn’t headline a pay per view without a great story or stakes or a championship. And that’s sort of the issue with Ospreay right now. He needs a real story. I know a lot of people want him to cut the line and go straight to winning the Championship at All In, but if you believe that? Tell me. What has Will Ospreay proved in pro wrestling to say he should win a championship in AEW faster than Jon Moxley or Kenny Omega? Get back to me on that one. Or not. Because he hasn’t.
Winner: Will Ospreay
Kazuchika Okada is the best wrestler alive. Kazuchika Okada has also been great every week in All Elite Wrestling, and maybe making a better argument to be Trios Champions with Young Bucks than the Bucks have been making for the tag titles, or the two teams fighting to unify two Trios belts.
Putting the Continental Championship on Okada was a great decision and a great way to keep him out of the main event picture. Everything I ask about Ospreay? Okada has. He has a championship. His match has purpose and stakes. And it’s a real story. PAC hates The Elite, and Okada is the new top dog. There’s also some fun things they could explore as both men are Dragon Gate alumni.
While Ospreay versus Danielson will likely get more critical acclaim, I am absolutely looking forward more to PAC and Okada. PAC has dropped some weight and got his speed back, while Okada is just perfection personified. Okada should retain, but will do it in great style.
Winner: Kazuchika Okada
Does anyone want to talk about the video? No? Okay. I’m good not discussing it. After all, we don’t really talk about all the other times CM Punk has shown he’s a poor fighter.
This is supposed to be the two best tag teams in the world and the two best tag teams of the past decade facing off against each other in a ladder match. For a Tag Team championship that was vacated. It should feel like the biggest match the division can provide. And yet… it’s just not there heat wise.
I have really enjoyed the Young Bucks in their current heel personas, more than I’ve maybe enjoyed the Young Bucks ever. The Succession music is wonderful. I wonder why they didn’t just get the music from HBO but hey that’s beside the point. The trios matches they’ve had with Okada have been spectacular. I just don’t know if their heart is in it for this program.
FTR, boy, I don’t really know what to do with them right now? I don’t think they should win this, and I don’t know what they would do other than it. Maybe if Adam Copeland wasn’t TNT Champion they could do Rated FTR as a Trios against Bullet Club Gold. Other that I am at a loss. Making this about the Wembley video has just put a bad taste in my mouth, and it’s going to lead to chants I don’t care to hear anymore.
I really hope both teams have gone over how they can make this a great match, because if it falls under expectations in any way? It should be the last time these teams ever face off against each other. Especially if the true best tag team in the world is coming into All Elite Wrestling soon.
Oh, and as for The Scapegoat? It makes sense that FTR is aligning with Daniel Garcia so Garcia can face him on his return. But if it was up to me? Scapegoat would be returning with Luchasaurus, and instead of teaming with the EVPs? He’d be beating them up for doing nothing while he was scapegoated. Anti-Hero Jack Perry and Luchasaurus versus Young Bucks for the Tag Championship at Double or Nothing is much better to me than giving people more reason to chant Muffin Man.
Winners: The Young Bucks
There are some people who do not like Timeless Toni Storm. I absolutely love her. I think she’s done a great job with the character, and her promo this week on Thunder Rosa covered in makeup and blood was her best promo in the company, maybe in her career. Her work with Mariah May has been fantastic and I am really looking forward to when they take the next “All About Eve” step in the story. Does Mariah May play a heel, or does Toni? Do either end up the heel, or does it end up becoming something entirely different?
Having Thunder Rosa back is nice due to her overcoming injury issues, but she’s absolutely lost a step in the ring and I haven’t really enjoyed any of her performances since. There is nothing taking me off the view that Toni should win this and look towards her next opponent.
Winner: Toni Storm
AEW Dynasty 2024 Main Event
It’s Swerve Strickland’s time.
There isn’t a wrestler in AEW history that has got big as organically like Swerve Strickland. I’ve heard some silly people say things like he’s been protected for two years. Swerve last year was losing by DQ to Dustin Rhodes and putting Hiroshi Tanahashi over in the second AEW Collision. He’s been steadily rising by being an undeniable star in every program he’s been in win or lose, and usually losing. It wasn’t until the Hangman Page program where he’s defiantly won twice, and nearly won in the 30 minute draw. Hangman Page did an incredible job making Swerve Strickland on his level, and now it’s time to go all the way.
It’s important for AEW to not mess this up because there’s a feeling I get from AEW fans that they’ve lost confidence in Tony Khan listening to them. They turned Swerve from a bastard upper midcard heel to one of the biggest babyfaces in the company. This is the second time they’ve done it, with the first time being turning MJF babyface during his World Title reign. This time Tony can do it right by having Swerve win the championship as a babyface, with all of the goodwill that creates.
Let me bold it so people understand, because a lot of people miss this when saying stuff like Will Ospreay should jump the line or Samoa Joe should hold the belt for another PPV cycle. Let me say it as loud and clear as one can:
SWERVE STRICKLAND WINNING THE AEW CHAMPIONSHIP IS AEW PROVING THEY CAN EXECUTE MOVING SOMEONE UP TO THE MAIN EVENT AND REWARD FANS FOR THEIR INVESTMENT IN SOMEONE WHO DID THE WORK.
It’s extremely important in 2024, right now, for AEW to crown Swerve Strickland. Make it clear that Tony is willing to have his hand forced by the fans and build around the person who did it. Half the work is putting the championship on him. The other half will be the shows actually built around Swerve as champion. That one I’m not so sure happens, as Tony has already at times billed Will Ospreay matches ahead of Joe/Strickland confrontations. That needs to change and change quick.
Samoa Joe was always a placeholder champion. I have believed for years that the original plan on MJF was for him to hold the belt to the midnight hour and claim he was leaving AEW as the world champion only for CM Punk to stop MJF from doing what he once did in WWE. I think that’s why the pay per view was called World’s End, as it was MJF pretty much trying to destroy AEW out of his own avarice. It didn’t end up that way, and someone had to beat MJF before he took time off. That ended up Samoa Joe.
But Joe also deserves credit for at least being reliable. He hasn’t been an exciting champion but he isn’t a bad name to hold it. He’s sturdy. And he will be the right guy to drop to Swerve Strickland.
Earlier in this I spoke about how there’s so many people who were the faces of AEW between 2019 to 2021 who have been out and the pressure has been instead put on the likes of Swerve and the new debuts of Okada, Ospreay, and Mone to carry the AEW flag. Those faces are slowly going to return, and it has started with Jon Moxley. If there’s one man in AEW who can represent the past, present, and future of the company? It’s a guy like Swerve Strickland, who would have absolutely been in AEW if he was a free agent in 2019. Someone who was willing to put in the work, to grind, to build, to develop, to get better, to learn from past mistakes, to pivot, and to evolve. AEW fans have watched Swerve Strickland grow from the guy who WWE absolutely blew it in calling up from NXT, to a tag team champion with Keith Lee, to the leader of a heel faction, to the man who got cheered over the Protagonist of AEW, to now the number one contender for the World Championship. You can’t get any more real than Swerve Strickland, and AEW needs something real right now. The old faces will return. The new faces will keep shining. And the crown jewel of the Mogul Embassy should now become the crown jewel of All Elite Wrestling.
Winner: Swerve Strickland
