AEW Dynamite 2/22/2023

AEW Dynamite 2/22/2023

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2023/02/aew-dynamite-2152023.html

AEW All-Atlantic Title - Orange Cassidy (c) vs Wheeler Yuta

There was some good stuff here as they did get stiff with each other and showed some fight in them. However, OC was still doing his usual nonsense even though it was a title match and even though he was so angry with Yuta in this. Claudio came down during the match to slap Yuta and OC even hugged Yuta during the match. 

Claudio came out after again and stopped Yuta from hugging OC. 

Adam Page and Evil Uno were interviewed. Page cut off Uno as he talked and Uno said Page has done it so many times that it makes him feel like The Dark Order is not on his level. Uno asked him not to get involved and said it's time for Dark Order to stand up for itself.

Ricky Starks came out to talk, wearing sunglasses that were way too small for him. 

Starks said he was moving on from Chris Jericho said Jerciho never wanted to give him a rematch. Starks then said he had an open challenge available for the PPV. He said he knows someone is itching to et on the card and said let's do the thing. The JAS's music then hit and Jericho came out. Jericho said Starks isn't done with him until he says so. Jericho said he could beat him anywhere or anyplace, but says it won't happen as Starks is not on his level. Peter Avalon then came out, with short hair. Avalon hasn't been on this show in over a year. Jericho then laid him out with a judas effect.

Jericho said you can't have Revolution without him. Jericho said maybe he should take the contract and embarass him. Starks said Jericho would probably do it then cheat and get help. Starks then hinted that he didn't think Jericho could beat him by himself. Starks then confirmed it. Jericho said he could beat him but said he didn't have a pen to sign the contract with. Starks then gave him a pen. Jericho signed it and agreed to the match with the JAS being barred from ringside. Jericho then said nobody outsmarts the Ocho and Starks grinned as he got his match. This wasn't bad.

The various teams in the battle royale tonight talked about how they would win.

The Acclaimed vs Big Bill and Lee Moriarty

The Acclaimed botched a double team backbreaker early and during the break, Bowens got pushed off the middle rope to the floor, nearly getting stuck. We had multiple people thrusting here and the Gunns came out to watch during the break.

Bowens made his comeback as we returned then did an over the back leg drop. Bill got thrown into the rails then the Gunns beat up their dad. The Acclaimed chased the Gunns and put Bill into the post. Lee then did an odd suplex lift into flatliner. Bowens hit the arrival then Max hit the top rope elbow for the win.

This wasn't anything too special with lots of shenanigans and Big Bill being on the losing end like usual.

Christian Cage was interviewed on the stage by Tony before The Acclaimed had left. Jungle Boy dropped him and left him laying.  JB went to conchairto him but took a low blow then got hit in the head with a chair. JB got busted open then Christian stood on his head.

We saw clips of Wardlow talking to Joe last week. Joe then said he scalped him to send a message that he is not a man to be messed with. He said the biggest mistake he ever made was to step in the ring with him. 

Skye Blue vs Saraya

Toni got on the apron early to distract Skye. Skye came back after a little with a christo then she took a bad lightning spiral for 2. Skye hit a 2nd rope crossbody then a bad step up knee. Toni distracted the ref and got hit then Saraya hit a bad kick and put her in a queen angelito stretch variation to win.

This had multiple botches and was a mess with shenanigans.

They went to spray paint Skye after but Jamie Hayter came out to stop it with Britt Baker. Ruby Soho then came out and motioned that she wanted a title shot

Bryan Danielson came out to talk. He talked about MJF putting a bounty on him then injuring Regal and Daniels. MJF then came out. He said a girl broke his heart and said the only thing he has left is his title. He said it's the only thing that prevents him from overdosing on pills. MJF said Bryan has a family and wife that he wished he had, though he said on twitter he is married and we've seen him with girls, so I don't get that. MJF then talked about Bryan's concussions and said by risking his life, he takes everything he wants for granted. He said Bryan is no better than his drug addicted mentor Regal and is addicted to the spotlight. MJF then said he wanted to speak to Bryan's children and Bryan threatened to kick the crap out of him. MJF then told his kids that he would make Bryan pay for his selfishness and said he would make sure he can't play with him again. He then got in the ring and said he'd give him early onset CTE and Bryan attacked him. The fight was then broken up and Bryan ran at MJF outside hitting a stiff shot.

This promo was all over the place and didn't fit MJF's story at all. I liked the fight, but everything up to it didn't make much sense for MJF's character.

They went to recap the fight then they got cut off by Tony interviewing Hayter and Britt. The micing was bad on this and we didn't hear the first half of it. Hayter ended up challenging Saraya and Ruby Soho to a 3 way at the PPV.

Revolution Tag Team #1 Contenders Battle Royale

There were 20 people in the ring and no intros for this. It was super hard to follow and figure out what was going on and they went to PiP break during it to make it worse. Vance accidentally fell when he wasn't supposed to then Penta was thrown over right after to make up for it. Silver got gorilla press'd out by Butcher and Danhausen got in then was thrown out by 2.0. Danhausen then cursed 2.0 and they were thrown out by Best Friends from behind.

We then went to a 2nd break. Trent got saved by landing on OC's shoulders then Jay took a hard fall out to the floor. Danhausen chased Sonjay to the back and Santam Singh saved Jarrett from elimination. Jarrett then threw out Trent Beretta to win it.

This was long and was your typical battle royale that wasn't that good. There was too much going on to really follow things and they Vance accidentally eliminated himself when he wasn't supposed to be.

The House of Black did their usual promo where they talk without really saying anything. They said they want to discuss the status of the Elite being trios champs face to face on Rampage.

Tony Khan did an announcement. He allowed Adam Cole to make it. Cole said there would be a 1 hour show after Dynamite called AEW All Access in March. I have zero interest in this and it'll likely show the behind the scenes stuff that exposes the business. Cole also said he'd return that night to Dynamite.

Jarrett and friends did a promo. The Gunns walked in and said they should take care of their business before Revolution. Jeff wasn't interested and Lethal wasn't either. Dutt liked it though.

Jon Moxley vs Evil Uno

Oh boy, I'm just so stoked for this. Uno hasn't been on Dynamite for over a year and nobody expects him to win.

Uno rushed Mox to start and hit a bunch of forearms. Mox came back with shots then got whipped by Uno. Uno facekicked Mox off the apron to the outside then hit a tope con hilo off the top rope to the outside on him. Uno was then put into the steps. Mox hit crossfaces and busted him open, because every Mox match needs blood. Uno the hit piledrivers on Mox then Mox bulldog choked him. Mox then did a backpack sleeper and won it.

It went too long. It had blood for no real reason and Uno got too much in as expected.

Silver and Reynolds then jumped Mox after like true faces and the Blackpool Combat Club came down to help Mox. Adam Page then beat up Mox and Mox ran out on a buckshot lariat attempt. Mox of course also bladed somewhere during this because that's what he does.

Overall thoughts: It wasn't a great looking show on paper and a lot of it was what I expected - the battle royale wasn't too good, OC screwed around, the women's match wasn't good and Uno would be presented as a serious contender instead of just being squashed. I'll be very surprised if this does a good rating, but at least they did get some matches set-up for the PPV.