AEW Dynamite
Episode 77
#AEWDynamite
Original Air Date: March 10, 2021
Event Date: March 10, 2021
(aired live on TNT & the FITE app)
City: Jacksonville, FL
Venue: Daily’s Place
Commentary: Excalibur, Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone
Ring Announcer: Justin Roberts
Intro Video
“Dynamite” by No One Hero
Match 1
Rey Fenix w/ Pac vs Matt Jackson (AEW Tag Champ) w/ Nick Jackson
(referee: Rick Knox; in the crowd: Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian)
Result: Rey Fenix wins via pinfall after a knee strike and an over-the-shoulder reverse piledriver
Time: 14:17
Match Thoughts
Great match. Both of these guys are fantastic, but I would give the edge in a singles match to Rey Fenix. He proved that tonight by staying a bit ahead of Matt Jackson for a good part of this fight. There was a lot of high-risk and high-flying action as you would expect, and it quite fairly hard-hitting at times as well. Matt worked on Fenix’s back a lot which worked as a way to slow Fenix down and set him up for a sharpshooter, but Fenix was able to push through the pain and still pull off many of his signature moves. Neither Nick Jackson nor Pac got involved at ringside, but they both did get hit by the guys in the match (one accidental, the other not so much). This was a fun preview for the upcoming tag title match, whenever that will be.
Video
Eddie Kingston and Jon Moxley are hanging out together in front of a fire. Kingston explains that everything went black for him when he thought he was going to get blown up at Revolution, and he relates a story of the last time he felt that way. He also gets angry at Kenny Omega for trying to be a (or maybe THE) Joker. Jon Moxley enjoys the Batman comparison, but he doesn’t think Omega was joking around with the dud explosion. Moxley thinks Omega really wanted to blow him up. Moxley makes fun of the bomb with his new/old drinking buddy Kingston. Moxley also says that if Omega and the Good Brothers are going to flash a weapon, then they’d better use it.
Video
Clips of some of the action from Revolution this past Sunday.
Match 2
“The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes w/ Arn Anderson vs Seth Gargis
(referee: Aubrey Edwards)
Result: Cody Rhodes wins vis submission with a figure four leg lock
Time: 0:51
Match Thoughts
Squash. Cody hit a running powerslam and went right into the figure four. Match over.
Ring Area
After the match, Tony Schiavone enters the ring and asks Cody about how his shoulder and how he is feeling. As he begins to speak, Penta El Zero Miedo (who was on Spanish commentary) interrupts. With Alex Abrahantes translating, Penta says he is 1,000 times better than Cody. Also, if Cody is the Prince of Pro Wrestling, then Penta is the Lord of Lucha Libre. Penta says that if he had focused on Cody at Revolution, then Cody’s shoulder would be so messed up that he wouldn’t be able to hold his newborn baby girl.
Cody runs out of the ring and attacks Penta at the front of the sets. The wrestlers at ringside immediately rush over to separate them, but it looks like this is far from over.
Video
At an arcade, Chuck Taylor says he and Orange Cassidy want one more match with Miro and Kip Sabian. Taylor also says Orange Cassidy has an idea about setting up a bunch of arcade cabinets around the ring so he and Chuck Taylor can put Miro and Sabian’s heads through each one of them. Orange Cassidy then removes his glasses and says, “and then we break you.”
Ring Area
On the stage, Tony Schiavone welcomes Sting. Tony congratulates Sting. Sting talks about how great and dangerous Darby Allin is, but he is interrupted by Lance Archer who comes out to the stage with Jake Roberts. Archer says he is going to take time if he is not given time, and if things don’t change around here, then he’s going to take a lot more than just time. Archer facetiously apologizes to Sting for interrupting as he and Roberts head backstage.
Backstage
Dasha Gonzalez welcomes Lee Johnson and QT Marshall. Dasha asks Marshall about walking out on Dustin Rhodes during the Casino Tag Team Royale. Marshall says his emotions got the better of him, but tonight is about Lee Johnson getting a win for the Nightmare Family.
Match 3
“All Ego” Ethan Page vs “Big Shotty” Lee Johnson w/ QT Marshall
(referee: Bryce Remsburg)
Result: Ethan Page wins via pinfall after the Ego’s Edge
Time: 7:43
Match Thoughts
Good match. Lee Johnson has some quick offense near the beginning of the match and right after a commercial break, but Ethan Page controlled the majority of the match. Page worked on Johnson’s back a lot, and that did well to set up Johnson for Page’s finisher, the Ego’s Edge (Razor’s Edge). This was a fine Dynamite debut for Ethan Page.
Ring Area
After the match, Ethan Page attacks Lee Johnson. QT Marshall watches from ringside as Dustin Rhodes runs out to help Johnson. Page runs away, and QT Marshall, without checking on Johnson, slowly walks as well.
Video
Alex Marvez welcomes Adam Page who is on his new riding lawnmower he bought with part of the money he won from Matt Hardy on Sunday. John Silver runs up to Page and asks if he can have a ride. Page says sure, so Silver, Alex Reynolds, Evil Uno, Stu Grayson, Preston Vance, and Colt Cabana all climb on board. s Alan Angels tries to get on, everyone tells him to stop. There’s a weight limit! Page takes everyone (except for Angels) out for ice cream.
Ring Area
On the stage, Tony Schiavone is about to introduce Christian Cage when Kenny Omega’s music begins to play. Kenny Omega’s dancers sweep Schiavone to the side as Kenny Omega, Don Callis, and the Good Brothers head to the ring.
Callis says he and Omega are taking this time for themselves, because they take whatever they want in AEW. Callis says everything went according to plan on Sunday, but Omega thinks maybe not absolutely everything went well. Callis says the “sparker routine” at the end of the night may or may not have been their doing, but what he loves about it is that it took away something the fans wanted to see. Callis is proud of undermining Moxley’s heroic death and Kingston’s dramatic moment. Omega says it would have been fun to see Moxley die, but it’s also sweet to see him embarrassed.
As Omega speaks, Eddie Kingston walks out to the ring. Kingston stands in the corner as everyone turns to face him. Callis talks about firing Kingston in Impact Wrestling because Kingston always screws up his big moments and opportunities. Callis then offers Kingston the chance to leave the ring with his dignity and his health. A timer appears on the screen, and Omage and Callis re-enact Kingston’s dramatic moment at Revolution. When the laughter subsides, Omega asks Kingston what he’s hoping to accomplish right now in front of a bunch of guys who can and will beat him up. Omega dares Kingston to hit him, so he does. The Good Brothers attack Kingston, and Moxley runs out to help Kingston.
The Good Brothers battle with Moxley and Kingston at ringside as Kenny Omega struggles to get back to his feet. Christian Cage then walks out to the ring and gets in Omega’s face. Omega smirks and offers his hand to Christian, but Christian doesn’t take it. Omega attacks, but Christian avoids it and set Omega up for the Unprettier. Callis pulls Omega out of the ring before Christian can hit his move, but with Omega on the outside, Christian picks up the AEW World Title. Omega and Callis leave in a huff.
Match 4
Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. w/ Rebel & “The Native Beast” Nyla Rose w/ Vickie Guerrero & Maki Itoh vs Ryo Mizunami & Thunder Rosa & Hikaru Shida (AEW Women’s Champ)
(referee: Paul Turner)
Result: Thunder Rosa pins Maki Itoh after a modified fire thunder driver
Time: 7:54
Match Thoughts
This was super fun. Maki Itoh starting singing her entrance song when she came out, and even though her music was shut off when the other team came out and started brawling, Itoh didn’t stop singing. It was a chaotic and fantastic scene. Itoh and Shida then began the match, and the action was fast and fun. There were a few moments of hesitation here and there with so much going on, but overall this was incredibly fun match that I enjoyed a ton.
Ring Area
Immediately after the match, Britt Baker attacks Thunder Rosa with Rebel’s crutch. Rosa’s partners are held back as Baker puts Rosa in Lockjaw. Vickie Guerrero and Rebel add insult to injury as Baker has her way with Rosa.
Backstage
Matt tells Private Party that with what happened at Revolution, Hardy needs to bring in more money. Therefore, Hardy has signed a new unit: The Butcher, The Blade, and The Bunny. Private Party seems cautiously optimistic as Hardy says Matt Hardy Enterprises is going to destroy Adam Page and Dark Order.
Match 5
TNT Title Match
Scorpio Sky vs Darby Allin (TNT Champ)
(referee: Aubrey Edwards)
Result: Darby Allin wins via pinfall with a small package and retains the title in the third defense of his first reign
Time: 13:14
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Neither man was feeling great after their battles on Sunday, but Darby Allin seemed a bit worse off. Allin tried not to let it affect him, but Scorpio Sky did a good job slowing Allin down by putting him in multiple wear-down and submission holds. Allin wasn’t as explosive as he usually is, though he did hit a few big moves. Sky would always slow things about down though, and it felt like the longer the match went the better Sky’s chances were. That led to a nice finish, though I’d maybe like to see a rematch when they’re both not just a few days removed from some tough PPV matches.
Ring Area
After the match, Darby Allin shows Scorpio Sky some respect, but Sky attacks him. Sky puts Allin in a heel hook and won’t release the hold until referees run out to pry him off. Sky seems to regret what he did at first, but then then he smile. It looks like Sky might enjoy being a jerk.
Ring Area
The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho, Jake Hager, Santana, Ortiz, MJF) head to the ring for the Inner Circle War Council. Jericho starts off by saying that the Inner Circle needs a new look and a new attitude. Maybe it’s time to introduce a new member? MJF doesn’t think the Inner Circle needs anyone new. In fact, MJF thinks they should let someone go. As MJF speaks, Sammy Guevara interrupts as he comes out to the stage.
Guevara knows Jericho doesn’t want to see him, but Guevara has something Jericho needs to see. On the video screen, Sammy shows hidden camera footage of MJF talking to Santana, Ortiz, and Hager about eliminating Jericho from the Inner Circle and having MJF be the new leader. Everyone seemed to be in agreement.
Back in the ring, MJF tells Santana, Ortiz, and Hager to attack Jericho. Jericho, with Guevara beside him, is backed up to the ropes. After a few seconds, everyone slowly turns to face MJF. Jericho thinks MJF is stupid if he thinks the Inner Circle doesn’t talk to each other every day. Jericho shoves MJF and fires him. MJF fakes almost-crying as he says he never wanted to take over the Inner Circle. Why? Because he was busy building his own.
The lights go out, and when they come back on FTR, Tully Blanchard, Shawn Spears, and Wardlow are in the ring. Naturally, a brawl erupts. The Inner Circle is quickly taken down, and every member is brutalized. MJF watches the carnage seated on the top rope. Before the sow goes off the air, Jericho is busted open after a punch with MJF’s Dynamite Dozen ring attacked with his own bat, and powerbombed off the stage by Wardlow.
Show Impressions
This was a good show. I think they made the best they could of the did explosion at Revolution, and I think the spin they put on it works well. Most of the show felt like it was a night of rebuilding and setting feuds and rivalries in new directions (some completely and others in just slightly different paths). I’m looking forward to pretty much all of it. The twist upon twist in the final segment of the night was a bit convoluted and had me rolling my eyes a little, but I still think it worked out fine. I can’t say I’m happy to see MJF with FTR, Blanchard, and Spears, but it’s fine. This turns Inner Circle back into enjoyable bad guys, and it allows MJF’s new group to be mean and nasty (hopefully). Maybe I’ll like this MJF better. We’ll see.
My favorite part of the night might have been the women’s trios match though. It might not have been the absolute best match of the night, but it was super fun. From the entrances, to Thunder Rosa getting laughed at by Vickie and Rebel as she was getting beat up in her opponents’ corner, to the finish of the match, I thought it was great. I feel like Maki Itoh and Mizunami might head back to Japan after this, but hopefully they both come back.
Match of the Night
Rey Fenix vs Matt Jackson
As much as I enjoyed the women’s trios match, the opener was probably the best match of the night.