AEW Dynamite live results: Forbidden Door build continues
Chicago hosts tonight’s AEW Dynamite, the last episode before Sunday’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view.
Bryan Danielson will call out NJPW’s Kazuchika Okada on the show. The two will meet at Forbidden Door.
Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara will team with NJPW’s Minoru Suzuki against Action Andretti, Darius Martin, and AR Fox.
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy teams with ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata against NJPW World TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. and Daniel Garcia.
Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy face Austin Gunn and Colten Gunn in tag team action.
Jeff Jarrett will battle Mark Briscoe in a concession stand brawl.
Kris Statlander is set to defend the TBS Championship against Taya Valkyrie.
Promos from Eddie Kingston and Adam Cole have been announced for the show.
Names will be drawn for the blind eliminator tournament, with the tournament winners set to receive a Tag Team title shot.
While not announced, CM Punk is scheduled for the show.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz, as they throw it to the entrances for our opening contest.
The Gunns (Austin & Colten) defeated The Hardys (Matt & Jeff)
(The opening match itself I thought was better than the six man tag at Double or Nothing, with the crowd hot throughout. The bigger story is the post match, as it certainly appears The Gunns have joined Bullet Club Gold, who enjoyed the numbers in their favor only briefly, as the main event for the next Collision seems to be made.)
While commentary talked about how this match was made to see who was the best brother tag team, Excalibur pointed out how the Lucha Brothers, Young Bucks & Top Flight are all on the roster, which you can also add Rush & Dralistico as well. Jeff launched early off Matt’s back into a corner splash and followed with Whisper in the Wind on Austin. Colten blindsided Jeff to allow The Gunns to gain control momentarily until a Matt hot tag. Austin was planted with a Side Effect and Twist of Fate, but Colten saved his brother and put the foot on the rope. Austin missed a Fame Asser, but Matt missed another Twist of Fate, allowing Colten to hit a spinning underhook suplex.
Jeff tagged back in and cleaned house with a double DDT and double low leg drop. Jeff sent Colten flying with a Twist of Fate, but as he went up top, Juice Robinson appeared and distracted the referee. Switchblade Jay White shoved Jeff off the top, allowing The Gunns to hit 3:10 to Yuma and steal the win.
Post match, White dropped Matt with a Blade Runner while Robinson dropped Jeff with a Left Hand of God. Matt was about to suffer the same fate when Ricky Starks ran out to make the save, but was quickly outnumbered. FTR sprinted out to a huge ovation, but the numbers again were too much. CM Punk ran out to even the odds, as Bullet Club Gold & The Gunns bailed before Robinson suffered another GTS. Punk took the microphone and issued a challenge for Collision Saturday, as he said he’s not even supposed to be on Dynamite.
Mark Briscoe defeated Jeff Jarrett in a Concession Stand Brawl
(While last week on Rampage, Mark Briscoe found backup in the form of his father and Aubrey Edwards, tonight it was a lot more to fend off Jarrett & crew. This was a fun brawl in another chapter in a pretty fun rivalry.)
Excalibur made sure to mention the famous first ever Concession Stand Brawl involving Jerry Lawler, Bill Dundee, Larry Latham & Wayne Ferris. Both Briscoe & Jarrett were waiting for the match to officially begin by referee Paul Turner, who called for the bell and Briscoe almost immediately threw Jarrett through a table. Briscoe chucked hot dogs at Jarrett, whose hair is bright yellow from the mustard and now his hair looks like the early 90s. Karen Jarrett appeared and blinded Briscoe, as one of the concession attendants, who was independent wrestler Blair Onyx, helped Briscoe with water to clear his eyes. Briscoe set up Jarrett on a table, climbed a ladder, but someone in a hoodie climbed the ladder and shoved Briscoe through the table. That person was Sonjay Dutt, as Jarrett & Briscoe brawled into the crowd during commercial, as Jay Lethal popped up to help during that time.
It’s 3 on 1 back from break in the ring as Lethal went to grab the ring attendant table, but an awaiting Papa Briscoe chokeslammed Lethal through it. Papa Briscoe cleaned house on Dutt & Jarrett until Karen hit a low blow. Mark fired off redneck kung-fu on Jeff, trying for a Jay Driller, but Satnam Singh appeared and laid out Mark with a chokeslam. Best Friends, Lucha Bros & Christopher Daniels ran out to fend off Singh, as Fenix dropped him with a massive springboard splash. Penta cracked Jarrett with a superkick as Briscoe got a school boy to win it.
-Backstage The BCC are with Don Callis & Konosuke Takeshita. Jon Moxley issues a 5 on 5 challenge to The Elite, as The BCC & Takeshita will have Moxley’s protégé Shota Umino by their side. Moxley said The Rainmaker will have a nightmare on Sunday thanks to the best wrestler in the world. Danielson said he challenged Okada to a face to face tonight, but he doesn’t believe Okada is even in the building. When they step in the ring, Danielson will prove Okada is an amateur. If Okada doesn’t answer the call out, he’ll prove he’s an amateur and coward.
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-A video package highlighting the debut of Collision was shown.
Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara & Minoru Suzuki defeated Action Andretti, Darius Martin & AR Fox
(I enjoyed the chaos of this six man quite a bit, as we had fun callbacks of the Andretti & Jericho feud, while everyone else got off their big time moves. The post match, I completely understand them saving the announcement of Sting & Allin’s partner for the PPV for Collision, but it ended the segment on a pretty weak note, as the crowd wasn’t happy they had to wait.)
The crowd doing the Kaze Ni Nare chant during Suzuki’s entrance will never get old, no matter the company. Excalibur asked Schiavone if he ever thought he’d see Suzuki team with Jericho & Guevara, but these three teamed together at the last Forbidden Door. Guevara & Andretti had a lighting fast opening sequence before Suzuki & Martin tagged in with Suzuki daring Martin to chop him. Suzuki just ate them and dropped Martin with violent forearms. Jericho & Suzuki double teamed Martin briefly before doing Le Sex Gods pose that popped everyone. Fox jumped in and briefly had control of Jericho, who pulled referee Aubrey in front of him to gain control into commercial.
Fox made the hot tag to Andretti, who fought off the man he upset in his AEW debut, as Jericho responded with chops until Andretti wiped out Guevara with a dive and Jericho with a springboard attack. A shotgun dropkick sent Jericho flying into the corner, but a missed split legged moonsault landed Andretti into Suzuki’s clutches. Martin broke it up and Suzuki dropped him with one shot. The match broke down with back and forth high flying attacks until Fox hit an inverted springboard somersault senton to the floor. Andretti nearly beat Jericho the same way he did before with a running shooting star, but Jericho escaped at two. The match broke down with Suzuki planting Fox with a Gotch Style Piledriver, as Martin ran wild on Jericho, who blocked a dive into a nasty Lion Tamer for the submission.
Post match Renee Paquette interviewed the winning team in the ring, as she asked Jericho about being face to face with Sting for the first time last week. Jericho ripped the microphone from her hands and called it a monumental moment in wrestling history. Everyone was excited except Jericho, who called Sting a whore for showing up wherever the highest bidder is. Jericho issued a challenge to Sting, Darby Allin and partner to face Le Suzuki Gods at Forbidden Door. Sting & Allin walked to the ring as Sting put his arm around Jericho and said they accept the challenge. Allin said Jericho made a lot of enemies in a lot of places and said Jericho will find out their partner at Collision, which deflated the crowd and got boos since they won’t find out tonight.
-Tony Schiavone & RJ City are backstage with names in a tumbler to determine the pairings for the Blind Eliminator Tournament next week. Schiavone picked out two names, but never told us who, instead saying we’ll find out the brackets next week.
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-The Elite are backstage talking about The BCC’s challenge earlier in the night. Hangman Page said while the numbers don’t look to be in their favor, they have friends all over. Kenny Omega said thankfully a lot of people hate Don Callis & Konosuke Takeshita, as Eddie Kingston walked into the shot. While Kingston doesn’t like The Elite, he hates Claudio Castagnoli more, so he’ll team with The Elite, but he gets to name the final partner. The Elite accept the terms and Kingston walks out of frame.
Adam Cole & MJF Face Off
Cole came to the ring to a huge ovation and said he had to give the Devil his due last week. While Cole didn’t win, neither did MJF and said it was smart to not accept 5 more minutes after the 30 minute draw. Cole called out MJF, who had a massive reaction from the crowd, as MJF told the mouth breathers to keep their mouths shut. MJF said Cole should thank him for bringing out the best of him last week. MJF said he had Cole beat last week, so while Cole wants a rematch, for his well being and health, MJF declines the rematch. Cole said they could fight tonight when Tony Schiavone stood up from the commentary table and said he had an announcement as Cole & MJF both told him to shut up simultaneously in a great moment.
Schiavone talked about the Blind Eliminator tournament and how the names he drew earlier were Adam Cole & MJF. Cole was furious having to team with MJF, while MJF was upset he has to wrestle every week. Hiroshi Tanahashi appeared on the big screen and talked about his challenge last week to MJF, who was going to reject the challenge again when Cole goaded him into accepting with chanting coward. MJF accepts the challenge, as Cole pats him on the shoulder and said good luck, partner.
The Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Brackets Announced
Excalibur informs us via graphic the brackets for the tournament, as Sunday at Forbidden Door CM Punk faces Satoshi Kojima, then on the June 29th Collision, Roderick Strong vs. Samoa Joe, Dustin Rhodes vs. Powerhouse Hobbs and Ricky Starks vs. Juice Robinson will all take place.
The women’s tournament will feature Athena vs. Billie Starkz at the Zero Hour of Forbidden Door, while Anna Jay battles Skye Blue on Rampage Friday, Nyle Rose takes on Willow Nightingale on Collision and next Wednesday Ruby Soho vs. Britt Baker in a rematch of last year’s final.
NJPW TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. & Daniel Garcia defeated AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy & ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata
(This was a fun tag match and ultimate set up for the Forbidden Door match. At first I thought we’d be getting two singles matches at the PPV, but it makes more sense to potentially save Garcia vs. Shibata for the ROH PPV. Cassidy will again find the odds against him on Sunday.)
A nice opening back and forth grappling sequence between Sabre & Shibata before Garcia & Cassidy jumped in for a 4 way face off with referee Bryce trying to gain order into commercial. Back from break, Shibata & Sabre picked up where they left off, as Shibata worked the ankle until Sabre escaped into a cravat. Sabre blocked a Cobra Twist with a flying octopus hold, but Shibata escaped. Garcia & Cassidy made the tag and dance at one another briefly to pop the crowd, as Cassidy fired off offense with his hands in the pockets. Sabre tagged in and applauded the tricks, daring Cassidy to hit him, as Cassidy threw his little kicks. A series of switches by Cassidy ended in Sabre twisting the neck with his feet to gain control. Garcia & Sabre kept Cassidy isolated as they went to another commercial.
Cassidy fought back with a Stundog Millionaire on Sabre to make the hot tag to Shibata, who fired off kicks, forearms and upper cuts. Sabre went at the arm, allowing Garcia to pick up the pieces and zone in. Shibata fired back with the good arm until Garcia mocked the Shibata pose and sat in the ring eating little kicks by Cassidy & Shibata. Both men went wild with forearms and dueling running dropkicks as Sabre was taken out by a diving Cassidy, while Garcia ate another corner dropkick from Shibata. Garcia rolled through on Shibata and sank in the Dragon Tamer, which Shibata countered into an arm breaker. Sabre broke things up, but ate a Cassidy spinning DDT. Shibata & Garcia no sold strikes until Garcia ducked and Orange Punch, as Cassidy cracked Shibata by mistake. Garcia got a school boy and stole the win. Garcia held up the AEW International Title, but Sabre grabbed it, then Shibata as well, as we’re told Cassidy will defend the title in a Four Way at Forbidden Door. Cassidy ripped the title from Shibata’s hands and walked to the back.
-Alex Marvez is backstage and walks up to Will Ospreay, who is just getting to the arena. Marvez asks about Ospreay disparaging Canadian fans ahead of Forbidden Door and Ospreay said AEW will have to get security for him. Don Callis walks in and said he can provide security saying he’ll do it as a favor. Ospreay asks what is in it for Callis, who said he just wants Ospreay to defeat Kenny Omega and get the three.
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-We learn from a video package that AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm will defend her title against NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale at Forbidden Door
Kris Statlander defeated Taya Valkyrie to retain the TBS Title
(In my opinion this was a fantastic back and forth battle, with both ladies looking excellent. This was the best Valkyrie has looked in AEW and one of Statlander’s strongest matches as well.)
Statlander mowed down Valkyrie with a shoulder tackle and corner chops early, but as Statlander charged, Valkyrie just slapped the taste out of her mouth. Both ladies traded more chops until Valkyrie put together a series of kicks, only to get low bridged to the floor by Statlander. A standing shooting star from the apron by Statlander, who took too long to send Valkyrie back in the ring and ate a shotgun dropkick to the floor to put Valkyrie in control during commercial.
Both ladies connected with high kicks at the same time into the double down. Statlander fought back with a running corner knee and spinning fisherman’s driver for two. Valkyrie countered Statlander’s finisher with a double arm underhook driver for two of her own, as Statlander avoided a curb stomp with a huge spear. Statlander missed a clothesline and Valkyrie hit a spear of her own followed by a sliding German with Statlander hung up in the ropes. Valkyrie went up top, but Statlander cut her off with a superplex. Statlander connected with Wednesday Night Fever to retain the title.
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Eddie Kingston is in the ring, thanks the crowd for their ovation and has to put a shirt on because he just had surgery and ate a lot of ice cream. Kingston said there are a lot of things going on he doesn’t agree with, including someone who he thought was his homeboy, but despite not liking The Bucks, he hates Claudio Castagnoli more. Jon Moxley emerges from the crowd and he comes to the ring to face off with Kingston. Moxley said Kingston is drawing a line at Forbidden Door, which Kingston interrupted and said Moxley drew the line teaming with that scum bag. Kingston fired up and wanted Moxley to say something, but because he wouldn’t, Kingston just announced the fifth man for the Forbidden Door tag match as Tomohiro Ishii.
Ishii came to the ring as Bryan Danielson, Wheeler Yuta & Claudio Castagnoli hit the ring to attack Kingston & Ishii. Danielson took the mic and said if Okada isn’t showing up, he’s going to stomp Ishii’s face in. The sound of coins dropping could only mean one thing, as Okada ran out and had a faceoff with Danielson. Yuta attacked Okada from behind, as Danielson was going to hit his charging knee, but Okada ducked and Danielson hit Yuta. Okada nearly hit a Rainmaker on Danielson, who bailed quickly. This left Yuta to eat a Rainmaker as Okada stood tall staring down Danielson at the ramp.
AEW Rampage 6/23/23
· Will Ospreay, Kyle Fletcher, Jeff Cobb & Swerve Strickland take on Rocky Romero, Chuck Taylor, Trent Beretta & YOH
· AEW World Champion MJF makes his first appearance ever on Rampage
· The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass will be in action
· We hear from Adam Cole
· Jungle Boy Jack Perry battles DOUKI (w/Yoshinobu Kanemaru)
· Anna Jay vs. Skye Blue in an Owen Hart Tournament Match
AEW Collision 6/24/23
· CM Punk, AEW Tag Team Champions FTR & Ricky Starks vs. Switchblade Jay White, Juice Robinson & The Gunns
· Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Swerve Strickland
· Christian Cage addresses the TNT Title
· We learn Sting & Darby Allin’s partner for Forbidden Door
· Brody King battles Andrade El Idolo
· Willow Nightingale vs. Nyla Rose in an Owen Hart Tournament Match
AEW & NJPW Forbidden Door 6/25/23
· Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada
· Kenny Omega defends the IWGP US Title against Will Ospreay
· MJF vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the AEW World Title
· SANADA vs. Jungle Boy Jack Perry for the IWGP Title
· Toni Storm defends the AEW Women’s Title against NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale
· CM Punk vs. Satoshi Kojima in an Owen Hart Tournament Match
· Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Konosuke Takeshita & Shota Umino vs. Hangman Adam Page, The Young Bucks, Eddie Kingston & Tomohiro Ishii
· Sting, Darby Allin & a mystery partner vs. Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara & Minoru Suzuki
· Orange Cassidy vs. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Katsuyori Shibata vs. Daniel Garcia for the AEW International Title
· Zero Hour: Athena vs. Billie Starkz in an Owen Hart Tournament Match