AEW Dynamite Results
June 8, 2022
Independence, MO (Cable Dahmer Arena)
Report by: Josh Boutwell
Interim World Title Eliminator Series
Casino Battle Royale
Darby Allin vs. Tony Nese vs. Lance Archer vs. Eddie Kingston vs. Daniel Garcia vs. Colten Gunn vs. Austin Gunn vs. Max Caster vs. Rey Fenix vs. Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Ricky Starks vs. Jake Hager vs. Swerve Strickland vs. Keith Lee vs. Jon Silver vs. Konosuke Takeshita vs. Andrade el Idolo
Garcia, Allin, Nese, Archer and Kingston are the first group in. Archer Chokeslams Garcia and then Allin wacks him with a skateboard knocking him through the ropes. Allin then hits a tope suicida onto Archer. Kingston and Allin square off and start throwing blows at each other.
The next group in is Ricky Starks, Jake Hager, Rey Fenix, Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee. Starks eats a Code Red from Allin as he comes in but Starks comes back with a Spear. Lee and Swerve break out some double team action as they get in the ring and work over Nese. They toss Nese over the top but he manages to hang on and tries to Suplex Swerve to the outside. Swerve lands on the apron and Mark Sterling grabs Swerve’s foot. Lee stops Nese and eliminates him. Archer clotheslines Lee over the top but he lands on the apron and then comes back in and goes for a Powerbomb. Archer hangs on and attempts to Rana Lee over the top but Lee hangs on to the ropes and throws Archer out.
The next group in is Jon Silver, Konosuke Takeshita and Max Caster. Silver goes nuts with suplexes for everyone as he comes in and Caster does his freestyle on the way to the ring.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
The next group in is Powerhouse Hobbs, Kyle O’Reilly, Bobby Fish, Dante Martin and Wheeler Yuta . Allin hits a Coffin Drop onto O’Reilly and Fish as they come in the ring. Martin hits a Leaping Enziugri on Fenix knocking him over the top but Fenix hangs on to the top rope and hangs in there. Fenix dropkicks Caster off the top to eliminate him. Fenix hits a Double Backhandspring Cutter on the Ass Boys and then Lee tosses them out. Strickland comes from behind Lee and eliminates his partner!
The Joker, the final entrant, is Andrade el Idolo. Kingston tosses Garcia over the top and he lands on the apron. Kingston tries to T-Bone Garcia off the apron but he bites him. Hobbs eliminates Silver and Hager knocks Kingston off the apron before Yuta eliminates Hager and Garcia. Garcia and Hager put the boots to Kingston on the floor.
Takeshita hits a Blue Thunder Bomb on Starks but eats a Mafia Kick from Hobbs. He tosses Takeshita over the top and then he and Starks eliminate him. Martin tosses Starks over the top but he lands on the apron and then Hobbs shoves Martin into the ropes where Starks pulls him out to eliminate him. Starks tries to throw Fenix out but he comes back in with the Rebound Hook Kick. Fenix tosses Starks over the top and then hits a Leaping Enziguri to eliminate Starks.
Swerve tosses Fenix over the top but he skins the cat as a bunch of heels work over Allin. Swerve hits a Roundhouse Kick to Andrae and then throws Allin into Andrade. reDRagon double teams Allin but Swerve intervenes and hits some wild offense including a Cradle Backbreaker on O’Reilly. Allin hits a Diamond Dust on O’Reilly and then tosses Fish over the top to eliminate him.
Swerve tosses Allin over the top to eliminate him but turns around and Andrade kicks him in the face to eliminate him. The final five are Andrade, Fenix, O’Reilly, Yuta and Hobbs. Fenix hits a Lucha Armdrag off the ropes followed by a Ghetto Stomp on Andrade. Hobbs attacks Fenix from behind before hitting a Spinebuster and then dumping him over the top. Fenix hangs on to the top rope and as Hobbs is fighting with him, Yuta comes from behind and eliminates Hobbs. Andrade and O’Reilly toss Yuta over the top but he lands on the apron and hits a Missile Dropkick off the top. Yuta hits a Snap German on O’Reilly but he bounces right back with a Rebound Lariat! Fenix goes for a Springboard Cross Body but Andrade kicks him in midair.
Andrade tosses Fenix into the ropes but he spins back in with the Rebound Hook Kick! Andrade hits Fenix in the nuts as he went for the Springboard Cutter and then eliminates him! Yuta and O’Reilly toss Anrade out and then they start brawling on the apron with each other. O’Reilly catches Yuta with a Dragonscrew in the ropes and eliminates him.
Winner: O’Reilly
(JOSH’S 2 CENTS: Battle Royals are never my cup of tea and this was pretty break-neck speed as you would expect but it was fun nonetheless. It did its job and I don’t think many people are unsure of where this is all going. **)
In the back, Jon Moxley says he’s been “big game hunting” in NJPW and “Blazing the trails” with AEW and it’s funny how things will work out. He says it’s been a strange year and he told everyone back in January he would grab wrestling by the balls and he’s about to do that. He says O’Reilly is in the wrong place at the wrong time against the wrong guy. He says the Forbidden Door belongs to him and AEW belongs to him and the entire sport belongs to him.
(JOSH’S 2 CENTS: Great promo from Moxley, he seems pretty fired up for good reason.)
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
Jim Ross announces that CM Punk’s surgery on his foot went well and then a video package introduces the new AEW All-Atlantic Championship. A tournament will crown the first champion, PAC vs. Matthews is the first match in the tournament. Also, Ethan Page faces Miro, Penta faces Malakai Black and a NJPW match will decide who faces off in a 4-Way at Forbidden Door.
(JOSH’S 2 CENTS: This is beyond stupid. It makes literally no sense. A Trios Title has made the most sense for at least two years yet they do a title that no one will care about within weeks of it coming out. They just bricked a layup.)
AEW All-Atlantic Title Tournament Semifinals
PAC vs. Buddy Matthews
PAC and Matthews break out some beautiful mat wrestling to start things off. They both tease dives but stop each other from hitting them before brawling on the outside.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
PAC hits an insane Tornado DDT on Matthews as he was hanging up in the ropes. PAC and Matthews exchange forearms until Buddy gets the advantage as he strings together a series of strikes. Buddy goes for a Mafia Kick but PAC sidesteps him and hits a series of kicks of his own. Matthews comes right back with a Leaping Uppercut and then he goes for a Punt Kick but PAC rolls him up for two. PAC hits a Superkick but then eats a Leaping Knee as he came off the ropes.
PAC hits a Snap German and then a huge Lariat and both men are down. Buddy goes up top but PAC meets him with a Leaping Enziguri. PAC attempts a Superplex but Buddy tosses him off and hits a Sunset Flip into a Rolling Liger Bomb for a close nearfall. Buddy traps PAC’s head in the turnbuckles and goes to kick him but PAC kicks him away and then hits a Leaping Poison Rana off the top! PAC hits a Pump Kick and hits Black Arrow for the pin!
Winner: PAC via pinfall (Black Arrow)
(The title reveal sucks but this match was terrific. These guys work so well together and damn it I can’t wait to see more House of Black vs. Death Triangle stuff. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A TRIOS TITLE. ****)
Fenix and Penta come out and celebrate with PAC, while the House of Black walk out and console Matthews and then the six stare each other down.
In the back, Kingston says Hager cost him a chance to become World Champion and he hates the rest of JAS, too. He says he will get them all but he challenges Hager for a match on Rampage.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
Trent Beretta comes out and says Roppongi Vice deserves a rematch for the ROH Tag Team Titles because they didn’t lose last time. FTR comes out and they say they want to come out every week and prove why they are the best team in the world. Dax says if it was up to them they would defend the titles tonight but they know that Trent’s partner is in Japan. He says the problem that they have should be with Will Ospreay’s “bitch boys” and not them. Ospreay’s name is mentioned and he arrives! The fans go nuts and United Empire members Aussie Open and Aaron Henare attack FTR and Trent from behind. Will Ospreay comes into the ring and lays Trent out, as well, before United Empire stands tall.
(JOSH’S 2 CENTS: Finally, we get the crossover that everyone wants. I’m assuming we’ll see United Empire against FTR and Best Friends at Forbidden Door)
Adam Cole walks out to join commentary for the next match.
David Finlay Jr. vs. “Hangman” Adam Page
Hangman runs Finlay over but then eats a dropkick from Finlay as he comes off the ropes. Finlay takes Page down with an Armbar but Page rolls over and reverses the hold as they start exchanging some nice chain holds. Finlay takes Hangman down with a Hammerlock and transitions into a Front Facelock until Page shoves him into the ropes only to eat a shoulder block. Hangman leapfrogs Finlay and hits a Scoop Slam.
Hangman hits a Cowboy Kick after sidestepping a dropkick attempt from Finlay. Page throws Finlay to th floor and then knocks him off the apron as he tries to get back in. Page hits a Tope Suicida knocking Finlay into the barricade and then Page takes a swig of a fan’s beer. In the ring, Page attempts a Cowboy Kick but Finlay catches his leg and hits a Knee Breaker before hitting a chop block.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
Finlay goes for a Sharpshooter but Page fights him off and hits a Fall Away Slam. Hangman couldn’t nip up to his feet at first but manages to finally do it and then hits a Running Lariat followed by a Shortarm Lariat. Page backdrops Finlay over the top and follows up with a Springboard Clothesline knocking him to the floor. Page hits a Slingshot Plancha onto Finlay on the outside before rolling him back in the ring. Page hits a Pop-Up Powerbomb for two and goes for Dead Eye but Finlay escapes and goes for a rollup. Page blocks it but then walks into a Uranage Backbreaker from Finlay for two. Finlay hits a Corkscrew Uppercut in the corner and then goes for a Flying Cross Body only for Page to roll through it and attempt a Fall Away Slam. Finlay counters into a rollup for two.
Finlay goes for a German Suplex but Page lands on his feet and hits a big Lariat! Page hits the Buckshot Lariat for the pin.
Winner: Page via pinfall (Buckshot Lariat)
(Another excellent match tonight. Finlay looked great and worked over Page’s knee throughout the match with Cole continually pointing it out on commentary. I’d definitely like to see Finlay more in AEW. ***)
Page says there is a lot he’d like to say about the World Title but tonight isn’t the night. He says he wasn’t allowed to be in the battle royal and it doesn’t look like he’s going to be getting a title shot any time soon. She says since that’s the case he remembered there isn’t just one world title in wrestling. He challenges Kazuchika Okada for the IWPG Heavyweight Title!
Cole interrupts Hangman and says that he has been on a roll unlike anyone else and if anyone deserves a shot at Okada it’s him. He says that Hangman’s time is over and tells him to stay out of his way.
Thunder Rosa issues an open challenge to anyone on the roster and Marina Shafir walks up and says that she’ll be Rosa’s problem tonight.
Tony Schiavone welcomes Wardlow to the ring and he welcomes us to “Wardlow’s World.” Wardlow says he asked to not take part in the battle royal but the reason is that CM Punk is the champion and he wants to take the title from him. He tells Punk to heal up and he’ll be waiting for him.
Wardlow says a title he wants right now is the title he had won three months ago, the TNT Championship. He says it’s time for a change in AEW and then Scorpio Sky walks onto the stage and acts like he’s going to get in the ring until Dan Lambert and Ethan Page stop him.
Smart Mark Sterling whines about his lawsuit backstage and says he’ll throw out the lawsuit if Wardlow faces 20 of his security guards in an Elimination Match instead.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
In the back, the Young Bucks brag about their week last week and Matt says, “The Young Bucks are back baby.” They want their tag titles back but the Hardyz walk in and Matt reminds them that they beat them at Double or Nothing. Christian walks in with Jurassic Express and volunteers JE for a Triple Ladder Match. Lucha and Jungle Boyd didn’t look too thrilled.
AEW World Women’s Championship
Thunder Rosa (c) vs. Marina Shafir
Members of the Kansas City Chiefs are shown sitting ringside. Shafir takes Rosa down immediately but Rosa gets to her feet and hits a Monkey Flip. Both women hold on to each other throughout that sequence. Shafir finally breaks Rosa’s grip and throws her into the corner. She hits a Cravate but Rosa reverses it and puts her in a Top Wristlock. Shafir counters into a Rear Naked Choke but Rosa rolls backwards into a nearfall. Shafir ties Rosa up with a modified Death Lock but Rosa reverses it and throws Shafir into the corner and lights her up with strikes.
Shafir tries a Judo Throw but Rosa counters into a Shortarm Clothesline. Rosa hits a series of knees but Shafir catches the last one and attempts a Suplex. Rosa fights her off and hits a series of strikes until she walks into a Suplex from Shafir.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
Rosa hits a Flying Clothesline in the corner and a Slingshot Knee. She follows up with a Running Dropkick to the back as Shafir is hanging in the ropes. She hits a Northern Lights Suplex for two and goes for a DVD but Shafir escapes and takes Rosa’s leg out. She hits a series of elbows and then a Pump Handle Suplex for two. Rosa fights off another Suplex and hits a DVD for a nearfall. Rosa goes for a series of kicks but Shafira catches her leg and goes for a Suplex but Rosa escapes into a rollup for two.
Rosa misses a clothesline and Shafir goes for a Wheelbarrow only for Rosa to roll her up for the pin.
Winner & STILL Women’s Champ: Rosa via pinfall (rollup)
(JOSH’S 2 CENTS: That match was… GOOD. I was beyond shocked, seriously. Shafir has been awful every time I’ve seen her but this really played into what she does well. Rosa having the MMA background and being able to really roll around with her and mat wrestle helped, I’m sure. It was much different than anything else we’ve seen tonight, which also helped. ***)
Shafir attacks Rosa from behind and puts her in her submission finisher. Toni Storm runs out and breaks it up and hits a German Suplex on Shafir. Rosa hits the Fire Thunder Driver on Shafir. Storm grabs the title belt and looks over at Rosa before handing it to her.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
AEW Interim Heavyweight Title Eliminator Series Semifinals
Kyle O’Reilly vs. Jon Moxley
William Regal joins commentary for this one. They work some chain wrestling early on until Moxley just starts stomping the hell out of O’Reilly. “A good kick in the head solves a lot of problems,” Regal says. Moxley and O’Reilly exchange strikes with O’Reilly getting the better of the exchange. Moxley comes back with a series of clotheslines in the corner but O’Reilly takes his knee out and starts working it over. He hangs it up in the ropes and hits a Dragonscrew Legwhip. O’Reilly hits a Guillotine Knee Drop as Moxley’s leg was still hung up in the ropes.
—-COMMERCIAL BREAK—-
Moxley hits a Butterfly Superplex off the top and both men are down. They get to their feet at the same time and exchange strikes with O’Reilly going after Moxley’s leg again. They kick each other in the head and both go down. O’Reilly goes for an Armbreaker but Moxley counters into a Rear Naked Choke! Moxley puts him in a Hammerlock at the same time and O’Reilly literally bites the ropes to break the hold but then just eats a King Kong Lariat for two!
Moxley hits a series of elbows and knees and goes for the Paradigm Shift but O’Reilly blocks it and hits a Flying Knee. O’Reilly hits a Buzz saw Kick and both men go down again. Moxley hits a Diamond Cutter out of nowhere and then attempts a Cradle Piledriver but O’Reilly surprises Moxley with a Triangle! O’Reilly transitions into a Heel Hook but Moxley kicks him with his free leg until O’Reilly traps both legs. Moxley breaks the hold with punches and hits a Spike Piledriver! 1…2…NO O’Reilly kicks out!
O’Reilly and Moxley exchange strikes again and this time O’Reilly hits a Saito Suplex but Moxley jumps up and hits one of his own. They then clothesline each other at the same time multiple times before both collapsing on the mat. Moxley grabs O’Reilly in a Sleeper and transitions into the Bulldog Choke. Moxley hits a series of knees and then he hits the Regal Knee before dropping O’Reilly with the Paradigm Shift for the pin!
Winner: Moxley via pinfall (Paradigm Shift)
(That was one of the most intense one-on-one matches I’ve seen all year. O’Reilly has been on a damn tear the last two months and Moxley is now on an equal tear. Go out of your way to see this one, for sure. ****1/2)
Quick Results
1) Casino Battle Royale: Kyle O’Reilly def. Bobby Fish, Keith Lee, Swerve Strickland, Rey Fenix, Dante Martin, Max Caster, Cotlen Gunn, Austin Gunn, Lance Archer, Daniel Garcia, Eddie Kingston, Jake Hager, Wheeler Yuta, Tony Nese, Andrade el Idolo, Takeshita, Ricky Starks, Powerhouse HObbs & Darby Allin
2) AEW All-Atlantic Title Semifinals: PAC def. Buddy Matthews
3) Hangman Page def. David Finlay Jr.
4) AEW Women’s Title: Thunder Rosa (c) def. Marina Shafir to retain the title
5) AEW Interim Title Eliminator Series Semifinals: Jon Moxley def. Kyle O’Reilly