
"AEW Dynamite Episode Sets the Stage for Unforgettable Revolution PPV"
- Jeremy Erick
- Mar 2, 2023
- 9 min read
The latest episode of Dynamite, just days before the Revolution PPV, was jam-packed with exciting matches and thrilling moments. Headlined by the Face of the Revolution ladder match, featuring some of the most death-defying competitors in the world, the episode also included an AEW All-Atlantic title defense by Orange Cassidy, a Casino Battle Royale to determine the fourth team to compete for the tag titles at Revolution, and Bryan Danielson and MJF speaking one last time about their 60-Minute Iron Man match for the AEW World Championship.
In the AEW All-Atlantic Championship match, Orange Cassidy faced his biggest challenge yet in Big Bill. Despite a chokeslam that drove him through the timekeeper's table and the presence of Stokely Hathaway at ringside, Cassidy retained his title with three consecutive Orange Punches, including one from the top rope. Cassidy's win added to his impressive string of victories and highlighted his exceptional work as the All-Atlantic Champion.
Other notable moments from the episode included the announce team running down the history of the Cow Palace in San Francisco, where the show took place, and a bloodied Jon Moxley cutting a prerecorded promo on "Hangman" Adam Page ahead of their Texas Death match at Revolution. The House of Black also made their presence known by attacking The Elite during their entrance, sending a clear message to the AEW trios champions.
As Revolution approaches, the episode of Dynamite set the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable PPV event.
"Powerhouse Hobbs Emerges Victorious in Wild Face of the Revolution Ladder Match"
The Face of the Revolution ladder match was a wild and chaotic affair, featuring some of AEW's most exciting talent. Powerhouse Hobbs, Ortiz, Eddie Kingston, Konosuke Takeshita, Action Andretti, Sammy Guevara, AR Fox, and Komander all brought their A-game to the ring, showcasing awe-inspiring athleticism and creativity throughout the contest.
Komander's high-flying moves were particularly impressive, but the presence of the Jericho Appreciation Society's Daniel Garcia almost helped Guevara secure a tainted victory. However, it was Hobbs who ultimately emerged victorious, earning a future shot at the TNT Championship after sending Takeshita crashing off the ladder.
The match was a true spot fest, with some great storytelling in the form of Garcia and Guevara working together to eliminate Andretti. But it was the big moments that really shone through. Hobbs winning was a welcome creative decision, as he has long been deserving of a prominent feature in AEW. It remains to be seen if this victory will allow him to build momentum towards a championship, but it was undoubtedly one of the more defining victories of his young career.
Kingston and Ortiz's personal rivalry was evident from the start, as the two brawled to kick off the match. Komander wiped out the field with an incredible dive to the floor, while Fox took a nasty bump on a ladder that refused to give. Andretti and Guevara executed an ugly falcon arrow bump that appeared to affect them both, while Garcia interfered on behalf of his JAS teammate, Guevara.
Hobbs ultimately wiped Takeshita off the ladder, climbed it, and won the match. And after the dust settled, Wardlow appeared and attempted to attack Samoa Joe, who managed to escape unscathed. Instead, Wardlow powerbombed a security guard onto a group of his colleagues while Hobbs watched on. All in all, the Face of the Revolution ladder match was an exciting and memorable event for AEW fans, showcasing the best and brightest talent the company has to offer.
Peter Avalon vs. Chris Jericho; Christian Cage's Challenge to Jack Perry
Chris Jericho wiped Peter Avalon out with the Judas Effect a week ago, costing the comedic act an opportunity to accept Ricky Starks' open challenge for a match at Revolution.
Wednesday night, the veteran found out the hard way what happens when you deprive a hungry competitor, as Avalon took the fight to him from the outset.
Jericho weathered the early storm, though, and earned the win with a Codebreaker.
After the match, he threatened to beat down Avalon further until Starks made the save. It was a trap, though, as the Jericho Appreciation Society jumped Starks and left him lying, sending one last message ahead of Revolution.
The Starks-Jericho program feels far colder than it should be given who is involved. Maybe it is because the babyface has already beaten the heel twice; once in singles action and once in tag team battle.
Whatever the case, it feels like a contest that is nowhere near as hot as it should be. It will be up to Starks and Jericho to rectify that through effort and storytelling.
As for the Christian Cage and Jungle Boy segment, the less said, the better. Christian cut a promo with Renee Paquette in which he denounced "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry as a future champion, claimed he still sees wrestling as a business, and challenged his former protégé to a fight at Revolution.
Perry answered with a video package that felt like something The Undertaker would be a part of in WWE, complete with ominous music and a slow-motion walk in a forest.
To be honest, the whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth. While it's great to see Jungle Boy getting a championship push, it's frustrating to see Christian Cage, a part-time wrestler, come in and diminish his accomplishments by calling him a bad choice to be a champion. The segment was poorly executed and felt like a throwback to the cringey promos of the 90s. Hopefully, the match at Revolution will be able to redeem this underwhelming buildup.
Result
Jericho defeated Avalon
Grade
C
Top Moments
Jake Hager's purple bucket hat was over more than anything that went on in this segment.
Either Perry watched a bunch of Undertaker stuff on Peacock or Tony Khan mixed up his promotions as the burial vignette that Jungle Boy responded to Cage's challenge with felt like something The Deadman would be a part of in WWE.
"The Redrum Reigns Supreme: Hook Retains FTW Championship Against Hardy in Impressive Showing"
FTW champion Hook faced one of his toughest challengers yet in the form of veteran Matt Hardy. While Hardy was able to put Hook on the defensive more than any other opponent, the young star ultimately came out on top, countering Hardy's moves into the Redrum submission hold for the victory.
This match was a perfect showcase for Hook's potential, as he was given a chance to sell and show off his skills against a seasoned competitor like Hardy. Plus, the suddenness of the victory only served to reinforce the devastating power of the Redrum.
However, while Hook's performance was impressive, the larger issue at play here is the overall direction of The Firm. Once touted as a group of ruthless mercenaries, the faction has devolved into something more akin to a midcard stable, with a lack of clear direction or purpose. This is a shame, as the idea of a faction of hired guns could be a compelling addition to AEW's roster.
But for now, the focus remains on Hook and his continued ascent as one of AEW's brightest young stars. And with performances like this one, it's clear that he has a bright future ahead of him.
Result:
Hook defeated Hardy by submission to retain the FTW Championship.
Grade:
C+
Top Moments:
Hathaway removing his cast to reveal that the broken hand caused by Hook was a charade.
AEW women's champion Jamie Hayter and Britt Baker sending a message to Saraya and Toni Storm ahead of Revolution.
Riho Scores Upset Victory Over Toni Storm, Ruby Soho Makes Presence Felt Ahead of Women's Title Match
The AEW Women's Division continues to heat up as Riho scored a surprise victory over Toni Storm in a match that had major implications for Sunday's three-way dance for the AEW Women's Championship.
The match between former women's champions started with a clash between the AEW originals and the outsiders. Toni Storm, accompanied by Saraya, was looking to continue the momentum she has built in recent weeks. Meanwhile, Riho was looking to prove that she can still hang with the best in the division.
Down the stretch, Storm controlled much of the contest and appeared to have the upper hand. However, a late distraction by Britt Baker and AEW Women's Champion Jamie Hayter allowed Riho to score the pinfall victory from out of nowhere.
The loss was a surprising one for Storm, who had been on a roll since her debut in AEW. However, it was a big win for Riho, who proved that she is still a force to be reckoned with in the division.
After the match, Ruby Soho made her presence felt, adding fuel to the fire ahead of Sunday's title match. Soho has found herself in the middle of two warring teams, with Hayter and Saraya on one side and Riho on the other. A brawl between all involved led to security involvement, adding to the tension and excitement ahead of Sunday's event.
Overall, the match between Storm and Riho was a surprisingly effective bit of business, both in terms of in-ring action and the final build for Sunday's title match. The two competitors had solid in-ring chemistry, while the storyline that has put Soho in the middle of two warring teams has done a great deal to bring attention and focus to the women's division.
Soho vs. Hayter vs. Saraya for the AEW Women's Championship should be a boatload of fun and continue the upward trend of recent women's wrestling storytelling in AEW. Fans can expect a heated and exciting match that will showcase the talent and athleticism of some of the best female wrestlers in the world.
As AEW continues to build and develop its Women's Division, matches like these will be crucial in establishing new stars and creating compelling storylines. With Riho's upset victory and Soho's interference, the stage is set for a thrilling three-way dance that will leave fans on the edge of their seats.
"Cassidy and Danhausen win disappointing Casino Tag Team Battle Royale"
The Casino Tag Team Battle Royale has been a staple of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) programming, featuring a mix of established tag teams and emerging stars vying for a shot at the AEW World Tag Team Championship. This week, the match determined the fourth team in the upcoming title bout at Revolution, but the results left a lot to be desired.
The Dark Order's Alex Reynolds and John Silver entered first, followed by a mix of teams including Blackpool Combat Club, La Faccion Ingobernables, Lucha Bros, and Aussie Open. However, the absence of Best Friends' Chuck Taylor and Trent Beretta, who were not cleared to compete, left a void that was filled by Orange Cassidy and Danhausen.
The battle royale itself was lackluster, with only half-hearted storylines and a clunky-yet-predictable finish. Cassidy and Danhausen managed to emerge victorious, despite Cassidy taking a beating earlier in the night from Big Bill, and fending off a late assault by The Butcher and The Blade.
Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal, who earned their spot in the tag title match last week, attacked before The Acclaimed made their entrance, leading to a brawl that was ultimately won by the babyfaces.
While Cassidy and Danhausen make sense given their history with Jarrett and Lethal, the match at Revolution feels more like a mishmash of characters and ongoing storylines than a dedicated effort to strengthen the titles themselves. This is in stark contrast to the 2020 Revolution event, which featured the greatest tag team match in AEW history: Kenny Omega and Hangman Page vs. The Young Bucks.
The Casino Tag Team Battle Royale was disappointing, with no real standout moments or memorable performances. While Cassidy and Danhausen may have won the match, the real winners will be the fans if the upcoming tag team title bout at Revolution delivers the excitement and drama that has become synonymous with AEW's tag team division.
Result:
Cassidy and Danhausen won
Grade:
C+
Top Moments:
Castagnoli and Yuta attacked Dark Order during their entrance, playing up the ancillary effects of the Moxley-Hangman rivalry.
Rush attempted to pull Fenix's mask off during the commercial break.
Tony Nese, Josh Woods, Ari Daivari, and "Smart" Mark Sterling attacked The Lucha Bros, leading to their elimination from the match by LFI.
Parker tried to hide under the ring skirt, but Danhausen rolled him into the squared circle and then worked with Cassidy to send him packing.
The Dark Order distracted Castagnoli and Yuta, leading to their elimination.
Bryan Danielson and MJF Set the Stage for Revolution Main Event
On Wednesday's show, Bryan Danielson and MJF hyped their upcoming match for the AEW World Championship at Revolution. Danielson delivered a scathing promo, taking shots at MJF's personal life and threatening to kick his head in if he isn't prepared to go one hour with him.
MJF was left speechless as Danielson reminded him of all the obstacles he had to overcome to get this opportunity, including poverty, injury, and The Authority. The champion's expression as the show ended indicated that he knew he had awakened a monster in Danielson and must now find a way to counter him if he hopes to retain his title.
While the rushed nature of the program was a negative, Danielson's performance was a suitable exclamation point to their feud. The match at Revolution should be a Match of the Year candidate if everything goes according to plan.
Danielson's promo showcased his skills on the mic, and the result was great stuff. He held nothing back, and his words cut MJF to the bone. The only thing left now is to see who will come out on top at Revolution.
Grade: A+
Top Moments included Danielson reminding MJF of his hatred towards him, his comment on MJF's fiancée leaving him, and his threat to kick his head in if he isn't prepared to go one hour with him.
In conclusion, Bryan Danielson and MJF's confrontation on Wednesday's show was an intense and gripping final hype for their upcoming match at Revolution. Danielson delivered a scathing promo that left MJF speechless and in disbelief, reminding him of all he has fought through to get to this point. Their match at Revolution is shaping up to be a potential Match of the Year candidate, with both wrestlers having incredible in-ring skills and storytelling abilities. Despite the rushed nature of the program, AEW managed to deliver a suitable exclamation point to this intense rivalry. With the Revolution pay-per-view just around the corner, fans are eagerly anticipating the showdown between the two wrestlers, which promises to be an epic battle.
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