AEW Dynamite Anniversary live results: Adam Copeland debut promo
The “Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland will deliver his first promo in his new home on tonight’s AEW Dynamite Anniversary show as they celebrate four years as a company.
After making his surprise debut at WrestleDream, Copeland said that tonight, he will be “delivering the mission statement” for what his time in AEW will be. His first AEW match is scheduled for next Tuesday’s Dynamite.
Rey Fenix is scheduled to defend the International Championship against Nick Jackson of The Young Bucks in a rematch of one of the most critically acclaimed bouts in the history of Dynamite back in November 2019.
After never teaming before prior to last week’s Collision, Chris Jericho & Kenny Omega will pair up for the third time in five days as they face Sammy Guevara & Konosuke Takeshita.
Bullet Club Gold’s Jay White & Juice Robinson will also share some thoughts as part of tonight’s show.
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The 4 Year Anniversary of AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz as we go backstage to Renee Paquette standing by with Chris Jericho & Kenny Omega. Paquette mentions 4 years ago they were on opposite sides of the ring and Jericho said it’s hard to believe now they are partners. Adam Copeland walks into the shot and said maple syrup should be flowing with how much Canadiana is here. Copeland said it’s always good to see Jericho, while Omega said Copeland’s debut had him “on the edge of his seat” and shook hands with Copeland saying if he needed anything, just ask.
Rey Fenix (w/Penta El Zero Miedo & Alex Abrahantes) defeated Nick Jackson (w/Matt Jackson) for the AEW International Title
(A rematch from the 8th episode of Dynamite where these two had an absolute classic. The second half of this match was excellent, but more was told this time around with Fenix selling of his back earlier on in the match. Jackson had his close near falls, but Fenix got the victory and really had to be checked on post match by Penta & Abrahantes. Excalibur did mention before the match started the theory of how the holder of the International title might just be snake bitten with injuries.)
A very evenly fast paced back and forth led to a series of strikes and near falls. Fenix tried a fireman’s carry, but crumbled, as his back gave out, with Penta & Abrahantes checking on him. Jackson zoned in and tried for a sunset bomb on the floor, Fenix countered into an arm drag. Jackson was dumped over the barricade, but Fenix missed a barricade walk kick and Jackson hit a hurricanrana off the railing. Jackson connected on a backstabber in the corner, but missed the follow up running boot on the apron, smacking the post instead. Fenix swept the leg and spiked Jackson on the apron leading to a commercial.
The match picked up speed once returning from picture in picture, as Jackson connected with two superkicks, but Fenix kipped up and both collided on high kicks into the double down. Fenix hit a rolling hurricanrana into a pin attempt, but Jackson tried to answer with his moonsault off the apron outside, tweaking his ankle in the process. Fenix tried a rolling cutter, but Jackson countered with a cutter of his own as they teased a double countout. Back inside, Jackson spiked Fenix with his slingshot face buster, as he signaled for a BTE Trigger, but Fenix put on the brakes. Both men showed off unreal agility as they pulled one another up to the top rope, as Jackson hit an avalanche cutter for two.
Jackson connected on a Poison Rana and bounce back Canadian Destroyer for another close near fall. Running knee strikes landed flush, as did the BTE Trigger to the back of the head, but Fenix again kicked out. Fenix blocked a superkick, hung it up in the ropes, hit a double stomp and Frog Splash for two. The spinning sole butt in the corner hit, but Jackson countered the Fire Thunder Driver into a roll up, which Fenix in turn countered for the flash pin.
-Footage of Adam Cole putting off his surgery to visit Roderick Strong at his home is shown. The audio for this was really bad, as Strong was still in his hospital gown and wheelchair with Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as they presented Cole with a scooter to play around with. Strong & Cole chased each other around Strong’s house as Taven pet a giraffe stuffed animal. Cole asked what the emergency was and it was moving furniture, which Cole did on his one leg. Strong said he loved what Cole did with the place, it’s unique just like Cole. Strong said Cole couldn’t leave just yet and still needs Cole’s help, ending the video. Again, this was funny, but the audio was awful.
Wardlow defeated Griff Garrison via TKO
A surprise return here, as a very serious Wardlow mowed down Garrison immediately with shoulders to the midsection and boots in the corner. Five powerbombs led to Paul Turner calling the match, as Wardlow left through the crowd. It should be noted, Wardlow didn’t play to the crowd at all while doing his powerbomb symphony.
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-Renee Paquette is backstage with Konosuke Takeshita & Don Callis, who said the AEW foundation has been shook to its core since Sammy Guevara pinned Chris Jericho at WrestleDream that the quack doctors wouldn’t clear Guevara tonight. Thanks to the recommendation of Will Ospreay, Callis has named Kyle Fletcher as Guevara’s replacement. Callis said no one remembers who wins the battles; they remember who wins the war, a war that Callis will win.
-Excalibur told us about the audio issues TBS had during the Adam Cole & Kingdom segment, so they re-aired it with corrected audio this time.
The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass defeated The Butcher, The Blade & Kip Sabian (w/Penelope Ford)
(I have no idea if this was actually for the Trios Titles, as this match was pretty much there for Excalibur to plug the matches upcoming for Title Tuesday next week. That included the addition of Swerve Strickland vs. Bryan Danielson and Rey Fenix vs. Jon Moxley 3 for the International Title.)
Butcher, Blade & Sabian tried to attack at the bell, but the brawl spilled outside, which allowed The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass to scissor in the ring as the match officially started. Butcher & Blade took the fight to Caster, as Sabian followed with a springboard moonsault to the floor on both Caster & Bowens heading to commercial.
Caster was isolated the entire break before Bowens made the hot tag immediately when they returned. The match broke down soon after, allowing Bowens to hit Scissor Me Timbers on Blade and a springboard Sabian with a superkick. Bowens & Caster hit their over the top slam on Sabian to get the win.
-The final installment of Toni Storm: Portrait of a Star is shown with Storm telling RJ City he doesn’t know what it’s like to live in the spotlight, something everyone tries to take away from you. Storm sits awake at night wonder if she still has it, as City breaks the news to Storm that she isn’t even old, as Storm realizes she’s timeless. This was absurd and I loved every second of it. We’re informed Timeless Toni Storm premieres tonight.
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Juice Robinson & The Gunns make their way to the ring after footage was shown of Switchblade Jay White being laid out last week, as speculation of who was responsible and who was wearing the familiar MJF devil mask. Austin Gunn said it was Story Time with the Bang Bang Gang and ran down MJF’s promo last week against White, saying the reason MJF jumped Switchblade last week was because he was scared. Robinson demanded MJF come to the ring if he’s a man.
MJF came to the stage, started an Ass Boys chant and called Robinson “Talentless Taint”, which Robinson replied he had a rock hard taint, something I can’t believe I just typed. MJF conducted a duel chant of the nicknames and rattled off a list of the horrible things he’s done in his AEW career, involving throwing Chris Jericho off a cage, whipped Cody Rhodes, injured kids during dodge ball and called Tony Khan a f’n mark. MJF didn’t attack tofu Jay White and challenged Bullet Club Gold to a Stockton Street Fight. MJF hit the ring and the heels bailed long enough for Switchblade Jay White to appear behind MJF and lay him out with a Blade Runner. The Bang Bang Gang stood over MJF as White left with the AEW World Title.
White took the microphone on stage and said the AEW Title on his shoulder felt nice. MJF’s cheap tricks won’t work with him and said he’s not fooling anyone when saying he wasn’t responsible for White’s attack. They know the real MJF, a dirty, pathetic, liar and a slimy, gutless, coward. AEW needs an Elite champion, something MJF is not and issued a challenge for November 18th at Full Gear for the AEW World Title. MJF accepted the challenge and the main event for Full Gear is set.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with HOOK & Orange Cassidy, who said they were close to winning their match at WrestleDream, but HOOK is still a great champion. HOOK said it was Cassidy who should be getting the title shot against Fenix next week instead of Moxley. Cassidy said yeah, but Moxley was champion for about 3 weeks, while Cassidy was champion for…11 months. Everyone stood there awkwardly eating chips, except Paquette, who Excalibur told us prefers ketchup chips.
Kenny Omega & Chris Jericho defeated Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher (w/Don Callis)
(I was worried this would be a quick TV match, but luckily it went two commercial breaks, so we ended up in a very solid match. Similar to his showing at WrestleDream, I thought Kyle Fletcher was a standout in this and hope, if Mark Davis is out a lengthy time, continues to get shown on TV. The post match was the bigger story here, as Don Callis appears to have a new Family member and it will only benefit that man as a result.)
Callis joined commentary, as we’re informed Kyle Davis suffered an injury at the PPV and wishes him a quick recovery. Jericho & Omega made fast tags early to isolate Takeshita, who was dropped with a double suplex. Takeshita did a series of ducks of clothesline attempts and hit a Takeshita-line to gain control heading into commercial.
Right when they returned from break, Jericho hit the Lionsault on Fletcher and make the hot tag to Omega, who ran wild with Polish hammers. Fletcher in fact escaped You Can’t Escape, but Takeshita couldn’t say the same, as Omega hit the rolling fireman’s carry followed by a corner backstabber on Fletcher. Omega & Takeshtia traded shots until Fletcher blindsided Omega with a Snap Dragon. Takeshita & Fletcher traded Helluva Kicks and Blue Thunder Michinoku Drivers for a double two count. Omega fought off a Tombstone into a Snap Dragon, as a groggy Jericho made the tag, unloaded ten corner punches and corner hurricanrana on Fletcher. Takeshita flew in with a clothesline, Omega hit a pump knee and Fletcher hit multiple thrust kicks and brainbuster for a complete reset. Fletcher & Jericho had a striking battle until both colliding on a double clothesline, which led us to our second commercial break of the match.
Jericho had the Walls of Jericho locked on Fletcher and it took multiple Takeshita boots to break it up. Omega made the tag and had a slugfest with Fletcher, who held his own initially, but a knee lift, powerbomb and charging knee got two. Takeshita put a stop to a V-Trigger, but suffered a knee to the back and Snap Dragon. Fletcher tried a Michinoku Driver, but Omega shoved him into a Judas Effect, as he fell back into One Winged Angel for the win. Callis is screaming how Fletcher screwed him and his family.
As Callis was trash talking from the stage, Jericho & Omega were blindsided by Powerhouse Hobbs, as he laid out Jericho with spinebuster. Omega was tossed to the floor, viciously beaten down before being launched into the third row. Hobbs trapped Omega head first between a railing before heading back to the ring where Callis & Takeshita taped Omega to the ropes. Jericho tried saving Omega, but Hobbs cracked him in the ribs with a chair. Omega’s hand actually came free from the tape, so Hobbs & Takeshita held him while Callis gave a chair shot to the head. Excalibur informed us after the opening match, Nick Jackson had to be taken to the hospital, as Matt Jackson & Hangman Page left with him, so Omega didn’t have his Elite partners to save him.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with MJF in the trainer’s office and asks how he’s feeling when The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass walked in from behind. Caster started massaging MJF, who snapped and said he’s had enough of Caster tweeting and stalking him. Caster wanted a scissor, but MJF told him to get lost. MJF then called Adam Cole, but his message went to voicemail, as MJF looked dejected.
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-A vignette of Samoa Joe is shown saying he knows what it takes to be a champion and he’s very satisfied, as he’s been a champion every place he’s been. That lies the problem, saying he’s focused, hungry and while MJF earned his respect, everyone needs to realize when Joe is hungry, he’s going to eat.
“Timeless” Toni Storm defeated Skye Blue
(This was deemed the debut of “Timeless” Toni Storm, who continues to be one of my favorite characters in all of wrestling. She’s fully committed to this new character and I hope this ends up with her regaining the Women’s Title or even the TBS Title down the line. I think the evolution of this character is just getting going, I can’t wait for what’s next.)
The black and white screen is shown, as Storm got her Hollywood starlet entrance, as Taz said she’s timeless and going to live forever. Storm is so timeless she has no time to worry about how her makeup is smeared and wanted to shake hands with Blue, but instead hit a short arm lariat. After a few hair mares, Storm posed for the crowd before Blue shoved her down and Storm was insulted. Blue went up top, but was cut off and Storm hit a hip attack to the floor and literally threw it to commercial saying “we’ll be right back after these very, very important sponsors.”
Blue spun out of Storm Zero into a roll up for two and lit up Storm with forearms. Blue followed with a rising up knee and enzugiri before going to the top for a high cross body for another near fall. Storm slipped through Skye Fall and hit a sitout chokeslam bomb for two. Storm was insulted by the two count and ate a Blue thrust kick as a result. Storm answered with a snap German, posed in the corner saying she’s ready for her close-up, complete with a zoom in, before hitting Sweet Cheek Music and Storm Zero for the victory.
-Stokely Hathaway is backstage with Renee Paquette and informed Eddie Kingston, since he’s the commissioner of Ring of Honor, there will be a 4 Way on Rampage to determine who gets the next shot at the ROH World Title. Hathaway informed Kingston he will have to be on commentary for that match, as Ring of Honor needs a World Champion who smells like Tom Ford, not Burger King & Newports.
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Adam Copeland addresses All Elite Wrestling
Tony Schiavone welcomed Copeland to the ring to a massive ovation from the Stockton crowd. Copeland said Schiavone’s voice was the soundtrack to his childhood, but politely asked him to hit the bricks. Copeland said it was fun hearing chants of Adam, something he’s never heard before. Years ago he was told he’d never wrestle again, but it’s 2023 and he’s standing in an AEW ring. Copeland said the AEW World Title would sure look good around his waist and lists many first time matches he could have, including Jon Moxley, Kenny Omega, Miro, Powerhouse Hobbs, Jay White & Juice Robinson. The main reason he’s in AEW is that he sat down with his family, asking if he should retire, which his daughter, Lyric, said he should go and have fun with Uncle Jay. Copeland calls Christian Cage to the ring and the TNT Champion obliges.
Copeland said for 40 years, they have been best friends, it’s why they got into professional wrestling. Copeland said he knows Cage wonders why he did what he did at WrestleDream and said he saw Cage standing over Sting, someone Cage idolized as a kid. Cage was Sting, while Copeland was Lex Luger growing up and he couldn’t stand by watching Cage Con-Chair-To Sting. Copeland said Nick Wayne & Luchasaurus will drop Cage like a bad habbit once they soak up all his wrestling knowledge. For the first time in over 20 years, it’s time for Copeland & Cage to team together again and face teams like FTR & The Young Bucks, showing people why they’re one of the greatest tag teams of all time. Copeland wants to end their careers as a tag team and show what they’re capable of.
Cage took the microphone, hugged Copeland and said “Go F Yourself” before walking off. Cage soaked in the boos from the crowd on the ramp and reminded Copeland of what he’ll be up against next week on Dynamite. Luchasaurus & Nick Wayne walked to the stage and had a stare down to end the show.
AEW Rampage 10/6/23
· Best Friends & The Hardys vs. Jake Hager, Daniel Garcia, Matt Menard & Angelo Parker
· Kris Statlander & Hikaru Shida vs. Nyla Rose & Marina Shafir
· Johnny TV vs. Komander vs. Lince Dorado vs. Penta El Zero Miedo with the winner getting a ROH World Title shot
AEW Collision 10/7/23
· FTR defend the AEW Tag Team Titles against Ricky Starks & Big Bill
· “Timeless” Toni Storm takes on Kiera Hogan
AEW Dynamite: Title Tuesday 10/10/23
· Adam Copeland makes his AEW debut against Luchasaurus
· Swerve Strickland vs. Bryan Danielson for the #1 Contendership of the TNT Title
· Rey Fenix vs. Jon Moxley for the International Title
· Saraya defends the AEW Women’s Title against Hikaru Shida
· Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Chris Jericho
· Switchblade Jay White vs. Hangman Adam Page