AEW Dynamite
Episode 71
#AEWDynamite
Original Air Date: January 27, 2021
Event Date: January 21, 2021
(aired on TNT & the FITE app)
City: Jacksonville, FL
Venue: Daily’s Place
Commentary: Excalibur, Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Match 1
Eddie Kingston vs “Murderhawk Monster” Lance Archer
(referee: Bryce Remsburg)
Result: Eddie Kingston wins via pinfall after a loaded spinning backfist
Time: 8:54
Match Thoughts
Good match. Kingston came out to the ring on his own, and that prompted Lance Archer to send Jake Roberts to the back when the two of them came out. So the match was fought one-on-one for the majority of the time, and Kingston took a ton of punishment. Archer was methodical in his power attacks, taking plenty of time to mug for the camera whenever an opportunity arose. It was clear that Archer felt like he had complete control of the match, and that naturally led to some Kingston Family shenanigans before the fight was over. This felt like a feud builder rather than an ender, and it did make me want to see more. One thing I don’t really want to see is a repeat of a spot where Kingston took a nasty chokeslam off the ring apron. That looked vicious.
Ring Area
After the match, with Jake Roberts struggling to get up on the stage, The Butcher, The Blade, and Eddie Kingston attack Lance Archer while The Bunny cheers them on.
Outside the Venue
Jon Moxley attempts to make sense of all the alliances and drama with Kenny Omega, the Young Bucks, the Good Brothers, and Death Triangle. Moxley only trusts two things, his left hand and his right hand. Also, he thinks gang warfare is cool, and he’s looking forward to teaming with Pac and Rey Fenix to face Omega and the Good Brothers at Beach Break.
Video
In a run-down building somewhere, Sting wonders why Taz called him and Darby Allin hoodlums. Sting says he isn’t a hoodlum, but, well, Darby Allin probably is one. Allin says fighting on the streets is all about survival. Allin says he is a hoodlum, just like Sting.
Match 2
The Varsity Blondes vs MJF & “The Demo God” “Le Champion” Chris Jericho w/ Jake Hager, Sammy Guevara, Santana, Ortiz, Wardlow
(referee: Aubrey Edwards)
Result: Chris Jericho pins Brian Pillman Jr. after the Judas Effect and a Lionsault
Time: 8:12
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Brian Pillman Jr. and Griff Garrison got a much better opportunity to show what they can do on tonight’s Dynamite as opposed to their previous appearance when they got smashed by Omega and the Good Brothers. MJF did well to remind us of his and Garrison’s previous one-on-one match on Dynamite, and that gave the match some fun intrigue right from the start. The Varsity Blondes got a decent amount of offense on Jericho and MJF, and overall this was a lot of fun. The finish went down like you might expect, but the real point was that the Blondes looked good and the Inner Circle looked strong in the end.
Video
From an unknown location, Pac talks to/about Kenny Omega. Pac is tired of Omega and the Good Brothers’ manipulations and attacks, and next week, Omega will learn what a real brotherhood is like.
Ring Area
In the ring, Tony Schiavone welcomes Cody Rhodes and Arn Anderson who head to the ring. Tony asks Cody to respond to the challenge made by Shaq (on the AEW Dynamite Awards earlier tonight) and to the words from Jade Cargill recently on Britt Baker’s The Waiting Room. Cody responds by saying it should be him and his wife Brandi versus Shaq and Jade at Revolution, but life happens, and Brandi is pregnant. In situations like this where he isn’t sure what to do, Cody defers to his coach, Arn Anderson.
Arn says Cody’s mind is on becoming a father, as well it should be. Arn remembers a time back in 1985 when Dusty Rodes battled Tully Blanchard for thirty minutes before getting on a plane and making it in time to see the birth of his son Cody. So Cody should go into Revolution with his eyes wide open and focused. Arn goes on to talk about the accolades of Shaq and the presence of Jade. Arn has noticed something in someone recently though, and he brings Red Velvet out to the ring. Red Velvet cuts a promo on Jade, and she says “bitch-ass.” That’s how you know she’s serious.
Video
We are all cordially invited to the wedding of Penelope Ford and Kip Sabian.
Match 3
“Hangman” Adam Page vs Ryan Nemeth
(referee: Aubrey Edwards)
Result: Adam Page wins via pinfall after the Buckshot Lariat
Time: 5:38
Match Thoughts
Good match. Nemeth had a few nice moves (and he looks a whole lot like his bother Dolph Ziggler/Nick Nemeth not only visually but also in the way he moves). This was an exhibition for Page though, and it seems to have started a new story with Matt Hardy. Matt came down to ringside partway through the match, and he cheered Page on. As for the match, Page with a few of his signature moves and put Nemeth away pretty easily.
Ring Area
After the match, Adam Page motions for Matt Hardy to enter the ring. Hardy obliges, and tony Schiavone joins them. Matt tells Page that he came out tonight just to show that he supports Page. Matt says Page didn’t deserve the treatment he’s been enduring from his “friends” over the past few months. Page is a good person and deserves to be happy. Matt knows that Page has been dressing in the hallway, and he offers to allow Page to share his own large dressing room, no strings attached. Tony thinks Page should take Matt up on his offer.
Match 4
Dax Harwood w/ Cash Wheeler, Tully Blanchard vs Jungle Boy w/ Luchasaurus, Marko Stunt
(referee: Paul Turner; stipulation: Cash Wheeler & Tully Blanchard are handcuffed to Luchasaurus)
Result: Jungle Boy wins via submission with the Snare Trap
Time: 14:55
Match Thoughts
Great match! With no one to interfere in this match, it turned out to be a great one-on-one fight between two guys whom we mostly see in tag action. The match had a great build to it, and the excitement really picked up in the final few minutes. There was still the tension of us just waiting for someone to break the handcuffs and cause a distraction at ringside, but that never happened, so Harwood and Jungle Boy were able to show how great they are on their own. The action was great, and I think the right decision was made in the finish. I was super happy with this.
Ring Area
After the match, Wheeler and Blanchard attack Luchasaurus as they are all being released from the handcuffs. FTR and Blanchard then attack Jungle Boy before hitting Luchasaurus with a spike piledriver. Luchasaurus is handcuffed to the ring ropes, and his horns are cut off. FTR then go to possiby cur Jungle Boy’s hair, but Marko Stunt, Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian, and Top Flight run out to run FTR and Blanchard away.
Outside the Venue
Team Taz beat up some merch guys because they only have Sting and Darby Allin gear and no Team Taz or FTW merch.
Match 5
Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. w/ Rebel not Reba vs Shanna
(referee: Paul Turner)
Result: Britt Baker wins via submission with the Lockjaw
Time: 8:18
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Shanna brought some strong offense into the match, Baker Baker was more devious and technical with her attacks. Baker tended to use distractions and leverage to gain her advantages throughout the match, and she seemed more prepared to counter Shanna than Shanna was ready to fight Baker. This was fun though, and hopefully it means more high-profile matches for Shanna.
Ring Area
After the match, Baker and Rebel attack Shanna. After a few seconds, Thunder Rosa runs to the ring. Baker and Rebel scramble out of the ring and escape up to the second level of seats. Rosa goes back into the ring to check on Shanna.
Backstage
MJF assures Sammy Guevara that he didn’t tell Wardlow to interfere in the tag match last week. Guevara doesn’t believe MJF. MJF threatens Guevara before walking away.
Backstage
Dasha Gonzalez welcomes the Good Brothers and the Young Bucks. Anderson and Gallows are ready to beat people up. Nick and Matt are pumped up too, they just hope Don Callis doesn’t show up. Kenny Omega and Don Callis show up. Omega says he needs to talk with Nick and Matt, and Matt wonders why Callis has bandages on his face. Is Callis lying about being attacked by the Young Bucks?
Match 6
Young Bucks (AEW Tag Champs) & Good Brothers (Impact Tag Champs) vs Evil Uno & Stu Grayson & Alex Reynolds & John Silver w/ Alan Angels, Preston Vance, Anna Jay, Colt Cabana
(referee: Rick Knox)
Result: Matt Jackson pins Stu Grayson after the Meltzer Driver (with Nick Jackson)
Time: 11:44
Match Thoughts
Great match. Dark Order has been on an incredible roll in 2021, but this was a gigantic challenge for them. Even tough there are problems within the Young Bucks/Good Brothers/Omega/Callis situation, the Bucks and the Brothers are still all tag champs. Dark Order fought well and had the best four-person offense throughout the entire match, but beating two sets of tag champs is a lot to ask. For that reason I was pulling for a big upset fro Dark Order. Regardless of the outcome though, there was a ton of fun action throughout this main event.
Ring Area
After the match, Matt Jackson says the Young Bucks will be in next week’s #1 contender tag team battle royal, and if they win, they get to pick their challengers for Revolution. Will they pick the Good Brothers? As As the Bucks and Brothers “too sweet” each other, Rey Fenix runs out and attacks the Bucks. The Good Brothers beat up Rey Fenix, but they are stopped when Jon Moxley enters the ring. Fenix leaps onto the Good Brothers at ringside, and Kenny Omega runs into the ring to attack Moxley. Moxley spikes Omega with the Paradigm Shift, and the show ends with Moxley and Fenix celebrating.
Show Impressions
This was a good show. It was a nice mixture of story building with some very good matches.
Match of the Night
Jungle Boy vs Dax Harwood
The main event is probably tied for first for me, but I think I go more into the Jungle Boy/Harwood match. Also, I enjoyed the finish in the one on one match a lot more.