Welcome, everyone to the latest edition of #MouthingOff (with MikeJC): Dynamite Weekly, the weekly review feature on AEW Dynamite here on SLTDWrestling.com. I will be giving my thoughts and opinions on all the highlights of the show as well as giving the “Remarkable Wrestler” of the week. So here are the highlights of the Wednesday, February 17th edition of AEW Dynamite.
Matt Hardy & “Hangman” Adam Page vs. TH2
AEW kicks off with a pretty good tag match, there was a lot of back and forth action, and at one point Page had the match well in hand on his own. Page cleaned house and went for the Buck Shot Lariat, but Matt Hardy tried to steal the glory again and that almost became his downfall. Page argued with Matt about the blind tag, which gave TH2 the opportunity to take advantage. Jack Evans and Angelico hit a cool looking jumping neckbreaker into a backbreaker combination, and Evans went to follow it up with middle rope phoenix splash, Evans who never really messes, came up short on the splash. Then when they went to capitalize, Page hit a double Buck Shot Lariat, which gave Matt the chance to hit a Twist of Fate, for the pinfall victory.
Post match, Matt Hardy gets on the mic, and says he’s super excited about Page signing last week and Matt getting his thirty percent. Page gets a mic and tells Matt that he needs to read his contracts better, and says he had a legal team make up a copy of what was signed last week. It’s the Jacksonville Jaguars mascot and Matt reads the contract, it states, that Matt and Page will have a match at Revolution, and if Page wins he gets one-hundred percent of Matt’s first quarter earnings. Matt says that Page should put his money where his mouth is agree to the same stipulation if Matt wins, which Page agrees to.
Matt wants to shake on it but Page is attacked from behind by the Jaguars mascot, who is revealed to be Isiah Kassidy, Matt then offers TH2 thirty-seven hundred dollars to beat up Page. The entire Dark Order would come out to save Page, and after they cleaned house Page seemed to thank them without saying it to end the segment.
Segment Rating: 5.75/10
This was a fine match, that I enjoyed for the most part, and even better story development. They addressed the contract thing immediately which I’m glad they did, tied that up right away and used it to set up the pay-per-view match. The aspect of the “first quarter earnings” thing was a wrinkle I didn’t need but I get it for the storyline aspect. They furthered the Page/Dark Order story which as we all know is gonna result in him joining which needs to happen already.
AEW Women’s Championship Eliminator Tournament Round 1: Serena Deeb vs. Riho
This was Riho’s first match on Dynamite since March of 2020. After being stuck in Japan for the last year, and it was a hell of a match for her to return. This was as far as I know, the first time theses two have ever faced each other, and it was a hell of a match. Deeb came into this match a soar knee, which had kept her on the shelf for a couple weeks, and it was evident throughout the match, but it also played into the story of the match. The action was back and forth and both ladies looked great in the ring. The drama of the match heightened throughout. Mid-way through the match Deeb would work on Riho’s leg and hits a dragon screw. Deeb hit a nice looking swinging neckbreaker for a two count. Riho would get back into it, after getting the upper hand back hit a Tiger Feint Kick, a double foot stomp and then after Deeb got back up a cross body by Riho for another near fall.
The action picks up again, and Deeb attacks the leg again with another dragon screw then immediately locks in a Stretch Muffler, but Riho turns it inot a roll up for another near fall. Northern Light suplex, by Riho for another near fall. Another double stomp by Riho, near fall. Then Serena goes for a quick pinfall, but Riho reverses into a pin attempt of her own for the pinfall victory.
Segment Rating: 6.5/10
I absolutely loved this match. It was so freaking good. For never working together before (as far as I know) they really went out there and showed what they could do. This being Riho’s first match back with AEW, I think we all kind of expected her to win, and it sets up an NWA championship match in the future. Deeb is always good, as per usual and I am always excited to see her work. Riho moves on to the second round where she will be facing Thunder Rosa which is sure to be a hell of a match.
Orange Cassidy vs. Luther
There wasn’t a lot in this match to talk about, it was pretty much just Luther in control to start, hitting a powerbomb early, then Serpentico and Chuck Taylor are fighting with each other which distracts Luther whose on the apron now, which Orange Cassidy takes advantage of the distraction and hits a sunset flip powerbomb to the outside. Then Serpentico gets in the ring for some reason and waits for Orange Cassidy to come back in the ring, but Chuck Taylor hits the Awful Waffle (Omega Driver) on Serpentico, back in the ring, Orange waits for Luther to get back up and hits the Orange Punch for the victory.
Segment Rating: 4/10
This was a nothing match with no real reason for it to happen except for Orange getting a win which he hadn’t had in a while. No sign of Miro or Sabian so this was literally for nothing. That pretty much all that needs to be said.
Team Taz Confronts Sting
Taz, Brian Cage, and Hook, comes to the ring. Taz says that Hobbs and Starks aren’t here because of travel issues. Taz said they would get ahead of Sting and call him out even though Sting was supposed to call them out. Sting comes out alone, with a bat. Taz tells Sting he wouldn’t be out here alone if he didn’t bring the bat, and that Sting needs the bat to feel like a man. Sting proceeds to drop the bat and take off his coat, and starts a brawl, but the numbers immediately become a problem for Sting. He brawls with Cage in the corner at first and Hook goes after Sting from behind but Sting gets his hands on the bat and hits Hook in the gut, but Cage capitalizes with a big powerbomb on Sting which lays him out, as Team Taz stands tall.
Segment Rating: 4.5/10
I stand by my previous sentiments that Sting shouldn’t and doesn’t need to be wrestle, but I guess he is really going to. I initially thought the tag match at Revolution would be a cinematic match but now I’m not sure. The powerbomb scared me especially with Sting’s history of neck injuries. This segment was what it was, Team Taz called out Sting, and Sting got beat up, so I think we all know how this match will go at the pay-per-view, but I’m kind of getting tired of this feud and can’t wait for it to end.
AEW World Tag Team Championship: The Young Bucks (c) vs. Santana & Ortiz
Earlier in the night the Inner Circle was interviewed, Santana and Ortiz talked about this opportunity and that everyone in the tag division was scared to give them an opportunity because of how good they are. MJF addressed Sammy Guevara and how he smashed MJF’s phone. He said that he had no reason to record him because he knew the camera was there. Jericho interrupts and tells MJF to shut up. He said he knew was MJF was doing from the beginning and that he’s been taunting Guevara all this time. Jericho then says Sammy is more at fault for all of this and as far as he’s concerned he’s done with him and doesn’t want to hear his name again.
This match was amazing. Every time these two teams go at it it’s always a hell of a match. You could tell the chemistry between these two teams is off the charts. There was so much good in this match that there is just too much to discuss here. The action was back and forth, there was a lot of great combination and double team moves throughout, and the audience added to the heightened drama of it as well.
Later in the match The Young Bucks hit a Doomsday Device, and a double Superkick for a near fall on Santana, after Ortiz broke it up. They go for the BTE Trigger but Santana gets out of it. Santana and Ortiz clear the ring and hit the Street Sweeper (I love that move), on Nick Jackson, they almost get the win, and Matt nearly misses breaking it up that he had to jump on the ref, this is my only gripe, Matt was late to break it up. Following this, Santana & Ortiz then powerbomb Matt over the barricade into the crowd, Ortiz, gets cocky after this and says they are the best, but Nick surprises him with a small package for the victory.
Immediately following this match, The Inner Circle who had been banned from ringside during the match, came out and attacked the Young Bucks. Brandon Cutler tried to help but that didn’t do much as he was slammed hard on the ramp by Jake Hager. Kenny Omega and The Good Brothers were watching the match backstage, and Kenny wants to go help them but Don Callis tells him not to and sends out The Good Brothers. They took their time going out and by time they got out there Jericho and and MJF both had a submission locked in. They chase off Inner Circle and Jericho gets in the Young Bucks Dad’s face and shoves him to end the segment.
Segment Rating: 7/10
I mentioned last week that I’d consider it wrong if Santana and Ortiz didn’t win to set up a match with Chris Jericho and MJF, because it could have been done the right way involving The Good Brothers, and not hurt The Young Bucks because they are The Young Bucks, it doesn’t hurt them to lose the titles here, especially by shenanigans. To me that is the wrong move because I don’t need Jericho and MJF versus Young Bucks, I just don’t. Regardless of my opinion of who should of won, this match was amazing I loved every second of it, except how it ended. Now I get it, Ortiz got cocky and thought he had the upper hand. Nick surprising him with the roll up just doesn’t work here, but I get it. So this is the match we’re getting Young Bucks versus Jericho and MJF, okay but again, I don’t need it. I’m sure next week The Young Bucks will have something to say to Kenny about not helping (even though he wanted to) and The Good Brothers taking their time to help and not really doing anything. Story progression, gotta love it.
FTR vs. Matt & Mike Sydal
AEW continues their, giving brothers of well known stars who aren’t well known stars a shot on television and not Dark. They did it twice with Dolph Ziggler’s brother and now Matt Syal’s brother. This was a fine match, and Mike Sydal is definitely better then Ryan Nemeth. I actually enjoyed this match and the winner obviously was not in question at all. Matt and Mike Sydal had a lot of good offense, and FTR is really good at giving a lot to their opponents and capitalizing towards the end for a definitive victory. The Sydals hit a big combination for a near fall after Harwood get’s his foot on the rope. FTR takes advantage, after disposing of Matt they hit Mike with Big Rig for the pinfall victory.
Post match trainers are trying to check on Mike, but FTR gets in the ring goes to cut MIke Sydal’s hair, but the lights go out and Luchasaurus’ mask comes up on the screen. The lights come back on and Jurassic Express are in the ring and they take out FTR and clear the ring.
Segment Rating: 5.5/10
This match was pretty much a throw away as expect FTR won, to set up their next, and hopefully final match with FTR which for some reason is going to have Tully Blanchard wrestling, but I doubt he’ll really do a lot, he shouldn’t even be there but that’s another story. This match was fine though and I really don’t know if the Sydal’s will be a regular team or this was a trial match for Mike, but honestly there’s enough tag teams right now.
Eddie Kingston, The Butcher & The Blade vs. Jon Moxley, Lance Archer, & Rey Fenix
I don’t understand why this match was happening, at all. It wasn’t needed and I’m ready for Moxley, Archer, Fenix, and PAC to all be done with each other and Eddie Kingston’s group. Regardless this match was fine but predictable. Fenix looked amazing as per usual, and proved how good he was again, weekly Rey Fenix appreciation done. Back and forth action by both teams. Moxley and Kingston have a stare down and then trade elbow shots. Kingston blocks a clothesline and hits an enzuigiri, but Fenix runs in and hits a hook kick in response.
Archer then runs in and hits a pounce on Kingston, then Moxley puts on the Bulldog choke on Kingston. Butcher and Blade break up the submission but Archer and Fenix send them outside. Archer then chokeslams Fenix over the top rope onto Butcher and Blade, then Archer hits a rolling senton off the apron onto them. Back in the ring, Kingston and Moxley are trading shots again and Kingtson hits a spinning backfist, Moxley then turns it around with a lariat and the Paradigm Shift for the pinfall victory.
Moxley celebrates in the corner and is attacked by The Good Brothers from behind, they then hold Moxley for Kenny Omega who comes out next and he says that Moxley has a mandatory rematch and he’s gonna get it at Revolution, but Omega is gonna pick the match, and he says it’s going to be an Exploding Barbed Wire Death match. Moxley then headbutts Omega while Omega is in his face. Omega follows that up with two V-Trigger knee shots, and yells that Moxley will never get the title again, to end the show.
Segment Rating: 6/10
This match was fine, but I don’t need anymore of these random six man main events, and as I mentioned before, I’m done with any combination of these six and PAC being involved with each other and I’m ready for all of them to move on to something different. As for Moxley and Omega, I really don’t think they need to one up their lights out match from last year with this Exploding Barbed Wire Death Match. Of course I’m very intrigued but I don’t think this is the kind of match that is needed at all. Also I don’t want anyone to get seriously hurt and just hearing the word “exploding” in a match type is not very comforting at all. This isn’t FMW, and they don’t need to prove anything to me or anyone, just have a no dq match, we’d be fine with that. There is a line I think that you cross from hardcore wrestling (which can be beautiful story telling if done right) to dangerous so yeah not sure about this one.
Remarkable Wrestler of the Week
For this episode of AEW Dynamite, the Remarkable Wrestler of the week is Riho.
Riho gets the RWOW this week for the stellar performance in her tournament match with Serena Deeb and the story told throughout that match. She hasn’t lost a step at all since she’s been wrestling in Japan the whole time but she was missed in AEW for sure, and happy to see her back, and to see her work with Thunder Rosa in round two of the tournament.
Overall
So this was a fine episode of AEW Dynamite, overall I give it a 5.5 out of 10. A lot of great wrestling and story progression on this show. Also some duds of some segments on this show but not everything can be amazing on this show, and they always seem to make up for it the following week. Enjoyable show for the most part.
What are your thoughts on AEW Dynamite? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @SLTDWrestling.
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