AEW Dynamite live results: Grand Slam eliminator tournament begins

The Grand Slam World title eliminator tournament kicks off on AEW Dynamite tonight.

With Grand Slam two weeks away, the tournament will decide MJF’s opponent for Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York. The eight-man tournament will begin with Darby Allin vs. Nick Wayne and Roderick Strong vs. Trent Beretta on tonight’s episode.

The AEW World Champion MJF will speak to the crowd live tonight in Indianapolis after his successful ROH Tag Team title defense with Adam Cole at Sunday’s All Out show. Samoa Joe is heavily featured in the graphic advertising the segment, so expect follow-up from Sunday’s angle where MJF and Joe brawled. 

The winner of the All Out Over Budget Charity Battle Royale Hangman Page will also address the live crowd on tonight’s show. 

Jon Moxley defeated Orange Cassidy at All Out to win the AEW International Championship. Tonight, Moxley makes his first title defense against AR Fox. A title match with Kris Statlander defending the TBS Championship against Emi Sakura is also set.

Plus, Chris Jericho & Sammy Guevara take on Aussie Open. Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz as the entrance music for Orange Cassidy hits and out walks the now former AEW International Champion, bandaged up after his war at All Out.

The crowd chanted Freshly Squeezed and Thank You Orange, as Cassidy thanked them, saying people told him to stay home, which he wasn’t doing. Championship or not, Cassidy will be there every week because he’s freshly squeezed Orange Cassidy and he does not have a catchphrase. That was going to be the whole segment when the music of Jon Moxley hit and out walks the new International Champion with Claudio Castagnoli, as Cassidy turned back and watched from the stage. Moxley gave Cassidy a nod, as Cassidy watched AR Fox make his entrance with Darby Allin.

Jon Moxley (w/Claudio Castagnoli) defeated AR Fox to retain the AEW International Title

(Solid opening title defense, as the reign of Jon Moxley as International Champion officially begins. Fox got off some of his signature moves, but Moxley controlled a majority of this, as I’m looking forward to the Open Challenges in the future for Moxley.)

The chops and corner punches in bunches by Moxley quickly kept Fox grounded. However, Fox did manage a springboard dropkick and huge dive, clearing the top rope to the floor. Allin & Nick Wayne, opponents in the main event tonight, were watching backstage, as Fox connected with a nice bounce back DDT to a hung up Moxley in the ropes. The match spilled outside, where Moxley tossed Fox over the barricade into commercial.

Fox tried to string together some offense after the break, escaping a rear naked choke into a rolling cutter for a near fall. With Moxley on the floor, Fox vaulted off the ring post into a moonsault, as back inside, Fox hit a 450 splash for two. Fox took too long to follow up, with Moxley hooking a kimura, transitioning into anvil elbows, the King Kong lariat and Death Rider to retain the title. Post match, Darby Allin came to the ring to check on Fox, raising his hand after the effort. Christian Cage & Luchasaurus approached Nick Wayne backstage, as Cage said he watched some of Nick’s father’s work after last week and he’s even worse than he thought. Cage offered mentorship to Wayne, then walked off, asking Wayne to say hi to his mother.

**********

Kris Statlander defeated Emi Sakura to retain the TBS Title

(While this didn’t last long, it was a fun and hard hitting sprint. Sakura got off plenty of offense, while the closing sequence from Statlander showed her finish can come out of nowhere.)

Sakura exploded out of the gates early with a quick Tiger Driver and running cross body that sent Statlander to the floor. Sakura followed that up with another charging cross body against the ring steps. Back inside, a chop battle ensued and that changed to lariats with both women colliding after a hard hitting exchange. Statlander lured Sakura to the apron, this time connecting with a slingshot elbow. Both ladies traded counters with Sakura hitting a reverse spinning neckbreaker and double underhook backbreaker. Sakura tried to go to the corner, but Statlander slammed her down on her face, hit a discus lariat and Wednesday Night Fever to get the win.

-Roderick Strong is backstage with Matt Taven & Mike Bennett, as he’s asked off screen about his parents growing up. Both his parents had struggles and he had to take care of himself, with a BB gun by his side. Wrestling gave him an opportunity to be someone he wasn’t, as no one judged him. Pro wrestling isn’t just a business to him, it’s his everything, which is something Adam Cole knew. Strong grew up alone and he’s going to win the Title Eliminator tournament alone, starting tonight.

Le Sex Gods (Chris Jericho & Sammy Guevara) defeated Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis)

(An entertaining match, as the cracks are growing larger and larger between Le Sex Gods. I thought it was hilarious that Jericho & Guevara shoved one another a few times and that was reason enough to bring out security to the ring. I guess you can never be too sure these days.)

Don Callis joined commentary before the match and said he’s like a serial killer who likes to watch his handy work, which is why he’s out to watch Jericho. Davis & Jericho had a stiff back and forth opening sequence, with Jericho getting in clubbing blows that led to Guevara tagging in and hitting a double shoulder tackle before Le Sex Gods pose was hit for the crowd. The posing cost them, as Guevara ate a Snake Eyes before having a chop exchange with Fletcher, but the leap frog combo into a dropkick allowed for a stalling vertical suplex from Jericho & Guevara into commercial.

Davis & Fletcher gained control on Guevara during break, but Guevara’s athleticism allowed him to make a hot tag to Jericho, who ran wild. Davis caught a diving Jericho off the top, as Davis & Fletcher hit a double forearm combo, but when they went for a double lariat, Guevara flew in off the top with a cutter on Davis. Jericho laid out Fletcher with a Code Breaker for two, but a springboard dropkick on the apron sent Fletcher to the floor. Guevara hit a twisting tornillo to wipe out both Davis & Fletcher, as Jericho wanted a slingshot dive of his own, but Guevara was pulled into the line of fire. Back inside, Jericho was dropped with the Dental Plan and Aussie Arrow, but managed a kick out.

Guevara appeared out of nowhere and dropped a charging Davis with a Spanish Fly, as Jericho swept the legs of Fletcher, but couldn’t get the Walls of Jericho, instead eating a Fletcher thrust kick and brainbuster. Again, Jericho charged, but ran right into Guevara on the apron; however, Jericho still managed to pop Fletcher with a Judas Effect to win the match. Jericho tried raising Guevara’s hand post match, but Guevara was upset, as both started shoving each other until security hit the ring to break it up.

-Highlights of the unbelievable Strap Match at All Out is shown between Bryan Danielson & Ricky Starks, who said there’s not a man in this business who can tap him out or match him. Starks wonders when it’ll be his time and says not to hand him a piece of bread and expect him to be fed, he wants a full course meal. Starks is everything he says he is, absolute and he’ll say that until the day he dies. We’re told Bryan Danielson will speak on Collision about this match.

**********

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Don Callis & Konosuke Takeshita as Callis said Takeshita is the new big dog of pro wrestling, as there is an easel with a painting underneath. Callis said they will unveil next week who their next target will be.

MJF & Samoa Joe Face to Face Confrontation

MJF asked the Indianapolis crowd Hoosier daddy and was insulted Tony Khan wanted him to wrestle in a few weeks, but realized it was at Grand Slam and started singing a little bit of New York, New York. Right when MJF was about to address him, Samoa Joe’s music hit and out walked the ROH TV Champion. Joe wanted a front row seat to hear what the kid, MJF’s, problem was. MJF said Joe was interested because his entrance music sounded like an ice cream truck. Joe said the last time that happened he was the biggest star on a different network. Joe called MJF kid again and this time MJF said that was creative and asked the crowd if they want MJF to be creative? MJF called him Pillsbury Joe Boy, Samoa Dough and quoted Jambi from Pee-Wee’s Playhouse while insulting Joe’s manhood. Joe once more called MJF kid and MJF said he’ll knock Joe’s teeth down his throat if he says it again. MJF said if anyone knows what he was like as a kid, it’s Joe, as it’s time for storytime with MJF, bay-bay.

When MJF was 19, he had a tryout in Brooklyn for the WWE and knocked it out of the park. He was pulled to the side by William Regal and talked about the story told already briefly. MJF knocked Regal’s ass out and sent him back to NXT where he belongs and he’ll do the same thing to Joe if he’s not careful. MJF was looking forward to meeting the great Samoa Joe, but was instead shoved into a brick wall as Joe laughed. MJF said Joe knew it because he knew he could get away with it, but no longer, as the kid is now full grown. MJF main evented the biggest wrestling show of all time and is the best in this business. If Joe doesn’t stay out of his way, MJF will kill him.

MJF hit his catchphrase, as Joe said he didn’t think MJF was a kid, he thought of him as a little bitch. MJF put away his diamond ring and slapped Joe, who said he wasn’t going to take the bait. Instead, Joe said he’s winning the title eliminator tournament and told MJF to have a nice day. MJF went to walk away, but Joe crotched MJF in the ropes. MJF fought back with a low blow of his own and bit at Joe, who flattened MJF with a Uranage out of the corner and teased a Muscle Buster, but Adam Cole sprinted out to save his brochacho with Joe bailing. Doctor’s ran out at the request of Cole and MJF cried that his left arm was numb. Joe said on the ramp the next time MJF is near him, he’ll rip his arm clean off. As MJF was being helped backstage, Roderick Strong & The Kingdom appeared to berate Adam Cole for caring more about MJF than when Strong was hurt because of Joe. Cole left with MJF, as Strong competes for the first time in nearly two and a half months up next.

**********

Roderick Strong (w/Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) defeated Trent Beretta (w/Chuck Taylor) in a Grand Slam World Title Eliminator Quarterfinal

(An evenly matched battle here, with only the littlest of interference from The Kingdom to sort of keep Strong to his word of winning this on his own. I loved the post match touch by Taven to rush and put the neck brace back on Strong, which Taz said was to keep the neck warm to prevent further injury. We learn Strong will face the winner of Allin & Wayne on Collision this Saturday.)

Excalibur talked about the history of both men’s injured necks, as Strong outwrestled Beretta in the early going. Beretta responded with a leaping Meteora, as a chop and forearm battle started up before Strong hit a signature backbreaker. Beretta hit a corner elbow and Tornado DDT, with Strong bailing outside, clutching his neck. Taven held back Beretta long enough for Strong to blindside, posting Beretta followed by a violent back suplex onto the edge of the apron into commercial.

Beretta managed to fight out of a fireman’s carry and hit rolling Germans and twisting Death Valley Driver that dropped Strong on the side of his head. Beretta wanted a piledriver, but Strong countered into Death by Roderick and a Sick Kick. Beretta fought back with a frankensteiner, which Strong rolled through and nearly got Strong Hold, only for Beretta to escape and hit a half and half. Beretta hit his piledriver, but Strong got a foot on the rope. Strong was able to hit his jumping knee and End of Heartache to win it clean. Taven ran in immediately to put the neck brace back on Strong as The Kingdom raised Strong on their shoulders.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Toni Storm, who was unaware that she cost Ruby Soho the TBS Title at All Out, since there is so many performances she’s done. They can’t look in the past, they must look forward. Paquette said there will be a 4 Way next week with the winner facing Saraya for the Women’s Title at Grand Slam. Storm said Paquette is very nosy and said for Paquette to have her chin up, tits out and watch out for the shoe. Storm left frame and in fact threw a shoe at Paquette. Toni Storm continues to be one of the best characters on the entire AEW roster.

**********

Tony Schiavone is in the ring with Hangman Adam Page and talks about the Over Budget Charity Battle Royal win on the Zero Hour at All Out. Page talked about the Chicago Education Fund and how he used to be a teacher, as he knows how teacher’s are underpaid and underfunded, so he’s glad he could help out. Before Page could say anything else, Swerve Strickland walks out with Prince Nana, who is putting on a dancing clinic on his way to the ring. 

Nana excused Schiavone, as Strickland said being in a coffin for two weeks, you have some perspective. Strickland thought of Page and was insulted he was doing charity for the Chicago school system, which will be filled with kids who flunk out anyway. Strickland said Page was on the pre-show when he should be competing for World Titles, since AEW wanted him as a franchise player. Strickland questioned if Page even wants it anymore, with the lack of new gear and lack of merch, but with the new contract he signed, Page is obviously eating good and it shows. Page has gotten comfortable riding in the backseat for The Elite.

If Strickland got Page’s opportunities, he’d be the first black AEW World Champion. Option A, Page rides off into the sunset and let Strickland take that spot while Page is in catering. Option B, Page shows that fire and what cowboy shit is all about. If Page decides to face him, Strickland will walk him like a dog, as he has no empathy towards anyone. Strickland is coming for that spot that Page acts like he doesn’t want. Page said if Strickland wants a match, he can ask for it in the back before storming away. Strickland brought up Page’s wife and child, which caused Page to storm the ring, get in Strickland’s face, but attacked from behind by Brian Cage, who laid Page out with the Drill Claw. I’m really looking forward to this feud between Page & Strickland.

**********

Darby Allin defeated Nick Wayne in a Grand Slam World Title Eliminator Quarterfinal

(Allin gave Wayne damn near everything in this battle and it resulted in a very entertaining main event with Wayne holding his own. At one point Allin couldn’t bring himself to hit a Coffin Drop, but it was interesting he had no hesitation of wrenching the arms of Wayne and stomping on the head repeatedly to lead to the finish. The feud with Cage & Luchasaurus with Allin is far from over and more is certainly left to be told with Wayne’s involvement as well.)

The pin attempts are early and often by both until Allin sent Wayne to the floor of a reverse waistlock. Allin tried his signature low dive, but Wayne moved and Allin landed nearly on his head, crashing into the railing, as the doctor checked on him during commercial. When things returned, Wayne hit a superplex into a fisherman’s suplex combo for a nice near fall. Wayne went for a Frog Splash, but Allin got the knees up and followed with a shotgun dropkick. Allin locked on a Figure Four, but Wayne rolled over and got the rope break. The pace picked up before both tried cross body blocks at the same time and collided into a double down.

A forearm battle started with Allin taking the microphone to say Wayne hits like an 18 year old and demanded Wayne hit him like he wants to win this. Allin put his hands behind his back and Wayne opted for a thrust kick flush for two. The music for Christian Cage hit and out walked Cage & Luchasaurus as Wayne hit a huge somersault dive to the outside onto Allin. Wayne controlled the action during the rest of the final commercial break.

The match spilled to the apron, where Wayne hit a huge hurricanrana off the apron to the floor as Roderick Strong & The Kingdom are watching backstage. Wayne hit a huge Frog Splash off the top and followed with Wayne’s World back inside for a close two. Wayne wanted an avalanche neckbreaker, Allin held onto the top, wanted a Coffin Drop, but couldn’t fit it in himself to do it. Wayne nearly got a flash pin off a Last Supper for two, as Allin blocked Wayne’s World and hit a springboard cross body. Allin hit a Code Red and awkwardly torqued Wayne’s arm behind his back while stomping on the head to lead to Wayne submitting. Cage asked what happens if Allin doesn’t make it to the semifinals? The show ends with Allin staring down Cage & Luchasaurus.

AEW Rampage 9/8/23

· Penta El Zero Miedo vs. Jay Lethal in a Grand Slam World Title Eliminator Quarterfinal

· Samoa Joe vs. Jeff Hardy in a Grand Slam World Title Eliminator Quarterfinal

· The Young Bucks vs. Matt Menard & Angelo Parker

AEW Collision 9/9/23

· Roderick Strong vs. Darby Allin in a Grand Slam World Title Eliminator Semifinal

· We hear from Bryan Danielson

· Penta El Zero Miedo/Jay Lethal vs. Samoa Joe/Jeff Hardy in a Grand Slam World Title Eliminator Semifinal

· We hear from AEW Women’s Champion Saraya & Ruby Soho

· Bullet Club Gold will be In Action

· We hear from AEW Trios Champions The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass

AEW Dynamite 9/13/23

· Grand Slam World Title Eliminator Final

· Dr. Britt Baker vs. Toni Storm vs. Hikaru Shida vs. Nyla Rose with the winner facing Saraya at Grand Slam for the AEW Women’s Title

· Hangman Adam Page vs. Brian Cage

· Don Callis reveals his next masterpiece