AEW Dynamite live results: A Battle of Wills
A Battle of Wills takes place on this week’s AEW Dynamite.
Literally.
Will Ospreay vs. Will “Powerhouse” Hobbs is the headline bout on tonight’s Dynamite. Both are aligned with The Don Callis Family, although Ospreay has been positioned as more of a lone wolf since officially joining the AEW roster full-time. Callis will be on commentary for the match.
AEW World Champion Samoa Joe & his next challenger Swerve Strickland will have a contract signing tonight for their Dynasty title bout set for April 21.
The AEW Tag Team title tournament will continue with a semifinals match between The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) and Best Friends (Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta) on tonight’s show. The winners will earn a spot in the tournament finals set for Dynasty where new Tag Team Champions will be crowned.
Jay White will go one-on-one with Billy Gunn as the feud between The Bang Bang Gang and The Acclaimed continues.
The top two contenders in the women’s division will square off with a shot at Toni Storm’s Women’s World title hanging in the balance, as Thunder Rosa takes on Mariah May.
Chris Jericho will also call out Hook on tonight’s episode.
AEW Dynamite comes on the air with the TNT Champion Adam Copeland making his way to the ring, as Excalibur welcomes us alongside Tony Schiavone & Taz.
Copeland gets a loud ovation from the crowd as he has issues with the microphone and said he’s not out here as the TNT Champion for a Cope Open, but instead wants to talk to the crowd as Adam. It’s a great time to be a fan of pro wrestling right now. Copeland talked about growing up watching WWF, NWA, Stampede and others because he loves it all. This was torn away from him nine years ago, so when it came back to him, he realized that AEW is where he needs to end his career. Copeland looked at the roster, a murderer’s row of talent, which he’d put up against anybody. In AEW, Copeland could face Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, Hangman, Claudio, Swerve, Joe, Moxley, Darby, FTR, The Young Bucks, The House of Black, all of which are first time ever matches, which happens in AEW.
Copeland said he’s having a blast in AEW and isn’t knocking anywhere else, but this is the most fun he’s ever had in his career. Copeland celebrates AEW and the men who started it, The Bucks, Kenny, Cody and Tony Khan, all who should be celebrated because we love wrestling. AEW has pushed the industry into a better place and given more people to do this for a living, which should be celebrated. AEW makes pro wrestling better, fun and it’s where the best wrestle.
Copeland apologized for getting fired up, but now AEW is walking into the future, there’s a reason Okada, Mone & Ospreay came here. Copeland introduces someone who will lead AEW going forward and introduces Will Ospreay to the crowd. Ospreay comes out and shakes Copeland’s hand before the opening contest. This was a home run opening promo from Copeland.
Will Ospreay defeated Powerhouse Hobbs
(Great clash of styles here, as Hobbs showed off some great power moves , but no way was Ospreay, who was put over huge by Adam Copelan pre-match, was losing this one. There are no more Don Callis Family members left for Ospreay to defeat, so I wonder just how long he’ll remain in the Family, doesn’t feel like very long.)
Don Callis joined commentary as Hobbs pounced Ospreay right at the bell and landed a series of corner strikes. Hobbs tried a pop-up strike, but Ospreay hit a dropkick in mid-air. Ospreay realized it was foolish to try a striking battle, so used his speed to send Hobbs to the floor and follow with a slingshot forearm. Callis applauds his Don Callis Family member, who drove Hobbs into the steps. Hobbs blocked a whip, as Ospreay cleared the barricade, only to be caught by Hobbs with a vertical suplex onto the steps. A World’s Most Dangerous Slam repeatedly onto the apron led to Hobbs hitting a fall away slam over the commentary table, which took things to commercial.
When things returned, Ospreay fought back with a handspring wheel kick followed up by Pip, Pip, Cheerio for a near fall. Ospreay tried to fire off chops, which had no effect, so a slap to the face followed and Ospreay knew he messed up. Hobbs grabbed Ospreay by the throat and delivered an overhead throw. Hobbs blocked a Tornado DDT, but Ospreay managed to hit a Stundog Millionaire. Hobbs soon countered with a wild lariat to the back and powerslam for two. Hobbs went up top, but missed a Frog Splash, as after a failed first attempt, Ospreay hit an Oscutter flush for two of his own. Ospreay wanted Hidden Blade, but Hobbs countered into a Worlds Most Dangerous Slam, which Ospreay countered into a cradle for two. Ospreay charged, but was turned inside out into the double down.
Hobbs hit a twisting Avalanche Powerslam out of the corner, but Ospreay kicked out at two. Hobbs lowered the straps, wanted a spinebuster, but Ospreay spiked him with a DDT, followed by the Leap of Faith and Hidden Blade for the victory. Post match, Callis tried to check on both his clients, but Hobbs was furious. Callis whispered something to Hobbs to calm him down, as Ospreay left on his own and Callis with Hobbs. Before Ospreay could celebrate too much, the music for Bryan Danielson hit and walks past Ospreay, applauding, before his match next.
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Bryan Danielson defeated Lance Archer
(Similar to the opening contest, Danielson had to fight off the size and power disadvantage, chopping Archer down to size with chops and kicks after Archer controlled a majority of this match. Archer put up one hell of a fight here, as this was one of his best singles matches in AEW in my opinion.)
We’re told this is the first ever singles match between these two, as Archer steamrolls Danielson at the bell. Archer delivered chops and clubbing blows before a hard buckle led to a throwing suplex. Archer hit a series of corner splashes until the third missed and Danielson zoned in on the leg with some dragon screws. Danielson kept going for the leg with kicks and corner dropkick, so Archer just swatted him to the floor. Danielson used his speed to try a dive, but was caught in mid-air and chokeslammed on the apron. Archer grabbed a ring attendant and bodyslammed him onto Danielson, taking things to picture in picture.
It was all Archer during break, as Danielson finally started to fight back with chops and leg kicks once again. Danielson flipped out of the corner, tried a running charge, but Archer ran through him with a cross body. Archer tried his rope walk, but Danielson pulled the leg out, crotching Archer in the process. Danielson fired up with corner dropkicks, before the third was countered into a bearhug, which Danielson himself countered into a LeBell Lock. Archer used his size to get a foot on the rope, roll to the floor, as Danielson met him with a charging knee off the apron. Back inside, Danielson connected on his dropkick off the top, as Yes Kicks followed, but Archer blocked the head kick into a choke slam for two.
Danielson fought off Black Out using anvil elbows in the corner, but Archer hit the step-up knee. Black Out attempt countered into a rear naked choke, only this time, Archer shrugged Danielson off, who got to his feet and hit one Busaiku Knee. Archer blocked the other, so Danielson hit a series of head kicks and a home run Busaiku Knee for the win.
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Renee Paquette welcomed Lionheart Chris Jericho to the stage, as it should be noted Jericho walked out of the usual heel side of the ramp. Paquette asks Jericho about his offer to be a mentor to HOOK last week and Jericho said HOOK referred to something last week that’s been sticking with him, so he called out HOOK, who came out. Jericho said HOOK said he knows who Jericho is last week and Jericho realizes it’s like the song says, everyone I’ve ever loved, I’ve pushed them all away. Jericho said he’s not asking HOOK to trust him, but to believe in him as much as he believes in HOOK. The crowd is booing Jericho, as HOOK said he believes in Jericho so much that he got them a match on Collision, as he’ll be keeping an eye on him. Jericho said he’s learning already and the two fist bump. HOOK just left, so did Paquette and that was it.
-Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty are backstage and they are going to be the ones to knock out The Ocho and HOOK. On Collision, they get their asses beat courtesy of Shane Taylor Promotions.
Billy Gunn defeated Switchblade Jay White via disqualification
(I thought this match was pretty ridiculous if I’m being honest. Not only did they tease a countout early on, which led to crowd brawling, Gunn took 95% of a match that went through commercial, only to lead to a DQ finish. Add to that, you showed The Acclaimed laid out and they just ran out like nothing had happened post-match. I can’t wait for all parties to be done with this feud and just move on.)
Gunn attacked White on stage during his entrance and repeatedly sent White crashing into the barricade. The match officially begins in the ring, as Gunn no sells a White chop and sticks him with a right hand, as The Acclaimed are showing approval backstage, while The Gunns look annoyed watching as well. I found it funny how Gunn broke the count, only to then brawl into the crowd with White and referee Aubrey just followed them. Gunn stayed in control outside for what felt like at least 5 minutes, with White getting in the ring for a split second, only to be clotheslined back to the floor, which sent things to commercial. During break, Gunn tried slamming White into a chair set up next to the steps, but Aubrey wouldn’t allow it, placing the chair under the ring. Which begs the question, why wouldn’t Gunn just slam White into the steel steps?
Back from break, White finally side stepped a corner splash and got his first offense of the match off, dropkicking out the leg. White wanted a Fame Asser, but ran into a tilt a whirl slam. White rolled to the floor and we saw The Acclaimed laid out backstage on the big screen. White posted Gunn, tried a Blade Runner back inside, but Gunn countered into the One and Only for the double down. Gunn hit two Fame Assers, signaled for a third, but went for a chair. Austin & Colten Gunn hit the ring and pleaded with their father to not do it, as Gunn tossed aside Austin and White hit a low blow for the DQ. White grabbed the chair and was about to go for a chair shot when The Acclaimed ran down from the back to clean house. They brawled with The Gunns before Daddy Ass decked White. The Acclaimed cleaned off the commentary table and wanted to suplex White through it, but The Gunns made the save and bailed through the crowd.
-We see footage of The Young Bucks arriving earlier today and also Best Friends as well, with Chuck Taylor & Sue in tow to hopefully see her son Trent & Orange Cassidy victorious.
-Renee Paquette introduces Willow Nightingale to the stage to a big ovation. Kris Statlander & Stokely Hathaway are by her side, as Nightingale said she feels mother fluffin great after her win last week. Nightingale she’s busted her butt around this town and wrestle in the White Eagle, which got a massive pop from the crowd. Nightingale called this a home away from home and learned who Willow Nightingale is. Every time she questions if she belongs in wrestling, the crowds cheers reassured her and helped her blossom into who she is today. She said she’s going to be smiling face of TBS. Hathaway said Nightingale had last week what the kids call, a banger. Week after week, she impresses not only Hathaway, but the entire world.
Just then, Mercedes Mone’s music hits and out walks to a loud reaction, telling the crowd to say hello to their CEO. Mone said she whoever is the TBS Champion after Dynasty, she gets next, because in Vegas, Mone changes everything. So Mone will be getting the TBS Title shot at Double or Nothing. I know Mone is a mega star, but with Rankings being a thing again in AEW, how does she just get a title shot? Unless it was written in her contract, which should’ve been mentioned.
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The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) defeated Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta (w/Chuck Taylor & Sue) to advance in the AEW Tag Team Title Tournament
(This match picked up into a crazy pace right at the end, as it was big move after big move until The Bucks stole it. While The Bucks advance to the Finals, the post match is the bigger story here, as Beretta, having failed to win the big one with Cassidy, turned on his Best Friends buddy and seemingly turned heel. As much as I love this group, this felt like a long time coming and I’m genuinely anxious to see what they do with everyone in this faction going forward. Hopefully big things are in store, as it seems like Chuck Taylor is left to decide who he wants to side with.)
During The Bucks entrance, Matthew winked at the camera and said “Hey Scapegoat, I love your work.” I liked how Excalibur mentioned how if this match goes the 20-minute time limit, then FTR vs. Top Flight on Collision would be for the vacant AEW Tag Team Titles. Beretta & Cassidy with fast tags early against Matthew, but Nicholas tripped up Beretta in the ropes and Matthew mockingly checked on him until rolling Northern Lights connected. Beretta fought back and countered one into a Tornado DDT, as a leaping double stomp on Nichoals sent The Bucks to the floor, where they swept the leg of Beretta on the edge of the apron. This was followed by powerbombs on both Cassidy & Beretta on the apron as well. Matthew then put on a headset and threw things to picture in picture, scolding Excalibur for doing his line.
A double down brought us back from break, as Matthew pulled off the turnbuckle pad unbeknownst to referee Rick Knox. Beretta made the hot tag to Cassidy, who ran wild with a top rope cross body and clothesline before being ultimately planted with a DDT by Matthew. A lariat turned Cassidy inside out, as The Bucks mocked the little kicks before signaling for a EVP Trigger, but Cassidy ducked and The Bucks smacked their knees together. Cassidy hit multiple spinning DDTs before a top rope DDT spiked Nicholas for two. Beretta made the tag and put Matthew into a Tombstone position, as Cassidy hit a spike off the top for almost a TK Driver variation. Beretta pulled a page out of Taylor’s playbook with Sole Food, but Matthew responded with a superkick into a Code Blue. Matthew went to the floor and took out Taylor with a superkick, but pulled back when it came to Sue. Matthew said he wasn’t going to do it, as Sue slapped Matthew, who was taken out by Cassidy.
Back inside, Beretta hit his running knee, as a top rope double stomp Strong Zero connected, but Nicholas broke the count, only to be wiped out by a Cassidy dive. Sue cheered on her son to fight back, as Beretta charged at Matthew, who hit a sling shot on Beretta into the exposed buckle and got a school boy for the win.
Post match, a visibly upset Beretta slowly got to his feet, as Sue cheered on a group hug. Beretta, Taylor & Cassidy were about to give the people what they wanted, when Beretta charged and hit Cassidy with a knee. Taylor looked stunned, as Beretta stormed out of the ring and passed his mother up the ramp.
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Thunder Rosa defeated Mariah May
(While a lot of this took place during commercial, this was super hard hitting for what we saw. I’ve really enjoyed May in the ring since her debut and while there was no way she was winning this, I thought she put up a good fight. Rosa did something no other challenger has done, stun Timeless Toni Storm into silence, as post-match, Storm just sat there, realizing who her next opponent is for her Women’s Title.)
Timeless Toni Storm joined commentary for this one, as Rosa wasted no time attacking at the bell. Storm tells Schiavone she’s sorry he lost his dog, but thankfully, they get to watch Thunder Rosa. May came back with strikes, followed with Sweet Cheek Music and shotgun dropkick for two. Rosa countered a side slam into a head scissors before sending May to the apron with a charging dropkick. Rosa wanted a Death Valley Driver on the apron, but May slid out, tried a sunset flip bomb, only for Rosa to counter into a hurricanrana. Rosa hit a diving cross body against the barricade, as things went to commercial, where May took control.
The crowd was very quiet when things returned, but picked up when both ladies started throwing forearms and chops. Storm said May reminded her of a young Toni Storm, while Rosa reminds her of an older Thunder Rosa. May connected on a Backdrop Driver, but Rosa avoided a corner charge. May tried a head scissors, but Rosa again fought off, only to roll through a top rope double stomp attempt. May was there for a charging knee, wanted a follow up May Day, but Rosa reversed into roll up for two. May fired off a wild head butt, wanted May Day again, this time, Rosa hitting a back stabber and Tijuana Bomb for the win. Storm looked stunned on commentary, as Rosa said she wants her match right now, but it’ll be happening at Dynasty.
-Penta el Zero Miedo is backstage with Alex Abrahantes, who said Penta is for the people and they’ve been asking for Penta to carry gold. Penta challenged Adam Copeland for the TNT Title next week on Dynamite, as what the people want is a champion with Zero Miedo.
AEW World Title Contract Signing for Dynasty
Tony Schiavone welcomed Swerve Strickland and Prince Nana to the ring, followed by AEW Champion Samoa Joe, as a table is set up in the ring. Schiavone thanks them for coming, as Joe signed the contract first, but told Schiavone to shut up when trying to give Strickland the contract. Joe said he wants to give Strickland advice before signing, as he understands where Strickland is coming from. Joe talks about the blood feud with Hangman Page and multiple championship opportunities, as everyone is ready for a new champion to be crowned. Joe said that’s the bad information Strickland has been given, as signing this contract is a career defining mistake, so puts it in terms a rapper would understand, he’s going to beat Strickland so bad, it’ll leave him scarred like he left Diddy’s party too late. That got a huge reaction from the crowd, as Joe told Strickland to do the right thing.
Strickland said before he signs this contract, Joe should know he’s wanted this moment his whole life. It’s been filled with many roadblocks, but it’s taken to AEW Dynasty. It’s exactly what’s being built, a Dynasty, with signings like Okada, Mone & Ospreay. This actually led to MJF chants from the crowd, as Strickland waited for them to calm down and said Joe is the definition of a killer, but so is he. At Dynasty, Strickland shows Joe’s he’s every bit of that man and he grabs the keys to the Dynasty to show whose house.
Strickland slugs Joe and wraps the chain around Joe’s throat, but Joe didn’t phase and popped Strickland. Joe wrapped the chain around his fist and relentlessly beat down Strickland, who is bleeding badly. Joe was going to walk to the back as referees hit the ring, as Strickland took the microphone, laughing. Strickland said he loves this sh*t and if that’s all Joe’s got, he’s taking his championship from him. Strickland wiped the pen in his blood and signed the contract as Joe hit the ring and Strickland welcomed the punishment, as Joe slammed Strickland through the table with a Uranage. Joe held up the AEW Title with his boot on Strickland to end the show.
AEW Rampage 4/5/24
· Malakai Black vs. Christopher Daniels
· Roderick Strong vs. London Lightning
· Serena Deeb vs. Trish Adora
· Daniel Garcia vs. Komander vs. Bryan Keith vs. Action Andretti
AEW Collision 4/6/24
· FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) vs. Top Flight (Dante & Darius Martin) in the Semifinals of the AEW Tag Team Title Tournament
· Penta el Zero Miedo vs. Komander
AEW Dynamite 4/10/24
· Adam Copeland defends the TNT Title against Penta El Zero Miedo