AEW Dynamite live results: MJF vs. Adam Cole World title eliminator
AEW Dynamite airs live from Washington DC tonight with a World title eliminator, plus two title matches.
AEW World Champion MJF will face challenger Adam Cole in a match where Cole earns a title shot with a victory.
The Women’s World Championship is on the line as Toni Storm defends against Skye Blue.
TNT Champion Wardlow defends his title against Jake Hager of the Jericho Appreciation Society.
Blackpool Combat Club’s Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta face The Elite’s Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, and Hangman Page in trios action.
Sting, Darby Allin, Orange Cassidy, and Keith Lee will take on Swerve Strickland, Brian Cage, and Gates of Agony (Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun) in an eight-man tag team bout.
Sammy Guevara has also been advertised for tonight’s episode.
Capital One Arena in DC, the home of the first episode of Dynamite in 2019, hosts 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 immediately go to the entrances for our opener with huge title implications.
AEW World Champion MJF vs. Adam Cole ended in a 30 Minute Time Limit Draw
(This was a PPV caliber match to kick off the show, with the finish allowing the chase for Cole to continue without MJF getting pinned. I was caught off guard by the finish, but it certainly makes sense, as Cole didn’t win, but also didn’t lose. The rematch, whenever it happens, will be excellent I’m sure.)
MJF mocked Cole early with a Fargo Strut and Rick Rude hip swivel before narrowly dodging a Cole superkick, taking an early powder. Jumping the rail into the crowd, MJF threw popcorn at fans and knocked the hat off another. Back inside, MJF got an eye rake, but trash talked too long and Cole turned the tables, backdropping MJF to the floor. MJF tripped up Cole in the ring apron and targeted the left arm of Cole in the ring, trying to soften it up for Salt of Earth. MJF drove Cole to the mat with a pumphandle half nelson driver and mocked a Shawn Michaels pose soon after signaling for Sweet Chin Music, but Cole fired off a superkick of his own, busting open MJF’s mouth.
Cole battled back with offense using his good arm and connecting with a back stabber for two. MJF avoided Panama Sunrise, but Cole in turn dodged a Heat Seeker. MJF answered with a nasty double underhook shoulder breaker, but as he tried for another, Cole hit a kneecap brainbuster followed by a Ushigoroshi for two. Cole wanted a Florida Keys on the apron, but MJF ultimately countered into a Tombstone Piledriver on the hardest part of the ring to head into picture in picture.
MJF let Cole slowly recover as eventually Cole tried for The Boom, but MJF flattened him with a lariat into a double down and loud ovation from the crowd. Both men took turns countering submissions including a crossface, Salt of the Earth, ankle lock and LeBell Lock. MJF spiked Cole with a Heat Seeker as referee Bryce checked on Cole and MJF cleared off the ring attendant table, setting Cole up. MJF went to the top and hit a massive elbow drop from the ring to the floor through a table. MJF wanted a countout victory, but Cole just broke the count.
MJF went after Cole on the apron, but was planted with a Florida Keys straightjacket suplex. In the ring, Cole wanted Panama Sunrise, but MJF suckered Cole to the other side of the ring and hit a double stomp on the injured arm. MJF barked at the referee about his slow count, as Cole rolled up MJF, who knocked Cole into the referee. MJF grabbed the AEW Title, tried the Eddie Guerrero spot, but Bryce face planted and never saw Cole with the title, who clobbered MJF with it before lowering The Boom for a close two.
As Cole pulled him up, MJF grabbed the official and mule kicked Cole before putting on his Dynamite Diamond Ring. MJF went for the home run shot, but Bryce stopped him, ripped the ring off, as Cole hit a superkick, Panama Sunrise and The Boom and was about to get the win when the bell sounded. We are told it’s a 30 Minute Time Limit Draw, which infuriated the fans. Cole grabbed a microphone and wanted 5 more minutes, but MJF bailed.
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-A video package showcasing the upcoming return of CM Punk is shown. Punk is training and said there are still things left to do. Punk won’t know what he will do or say until he has the microphone in his hand and has a lot to get off his chest.
Sammy Guevara Returns
Renee Paquette introduced Guevara to the ring, who said in recent weeks he’s had the highest of highs with the announcement of his wife Tay Melo being pregnant with a baby girl, to the lowest of lows, losing the AEW Title 4 Way at Double or Nothing. Guevara said he’s going to have to make some changes, but before he could follow up, Darby Allin made his way to the ring. Allin congratulated Guevara on the baby announcement and said the crowd seems to love him again, which got a mixed reaction. Allin asked if Guevara was going to continue to follow in the Jericho Appreciation Society footsteps, but this time Chris Jericho interrupted before Guevara could respond.
Jericho asked Guevara why he never asked for help in his quest for the AEW Title. Guevara said had Jericho called him, Jericho wouldn’t have lost to Adam Cole twice. Jericho demanded an apology, but Guevara refused, as Jericho said maybe they need reunite Le Sex Gods next week, have a tag match to remind Guevara who the boss truly is. Allin laughed and told Jericho the magic is gone, as Jericho was insulted, saying he & Guevara should beat down Allin 2 on 1. Allin said he’s not alone, as Sting made his way out.
Jericho & Sting had a face off for the first time in their careers as both took turns raising their baseball bats at the other. Jericho went to retreat and told Guevara to come with, but he didn’t follow. This turned into a pretty fun segment, as I didn’t realize it until Excalibur mentioned how this was the only time Jericho & Sting had been in the ring together.
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-A video from IWGP Champion SANADA is shown issuing an Open Challenge for an IWGP Title match at Forbidden Door. SANADA said he looks forward to see who on the AEW roster will answer the challenge.
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy, Darby Allin, Sting & Keith Lee defeated Mogul Embassy (Swerve Strickland, Brian Cage & The Gates of Agony)
(To say this was a party match would be an understatement, as these guys fit 15 minutes worth of action into about 7. At one point I thought Sting had hurt his leg, but he bounced back relatively well in a fun looking finish.)
I don’t know if it was just the camera shot, but we briefly saw the word NO on the screen at the beginning of this match, might be nothing, but on the off chance it’s something, it’s worth mentioning. Lighting fast start with Cage, rocking Sting inspired attire and face paint, as Taz brought up the past between Cage, Sting & Allin during the Team Taz feud. Cage caught Cassidy’s dive attempt as Allin hit a Code Red on Strickland, but was crotched in the ropes before a Coffin Drop. We saw about 30 seconds of action until going to picture in picture when The Mogul Embassy isolated Allin. We saw Daniel Garcia watching from backstage while Allin blocked a JML Driver by Strickland into an over the top stunner.
Lee made the hot tag and ran wild, finally getting his hands on Strickland until Cage cut off Lee in the corner with Mogul Embassy hitting a triple powerbomb double stomp combo. Cassidy & Allin broke up the pin, as Cassidy hit a DDT on Strickland, but Cage answered with an F-5. Everyone took turns hitting big time moves until Sting sort of fell to the mat awkwardly. The match broke down with Lee launching guys to the floor, Allin hitting a Coffin Drop to the outside as Cage tried an F-5 on Sting, but Cassidy hit an Orange Punch with Sting following it up with a Scorpion Death Drop for the victory.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with The Gunns, as she asks their relationship with Jay White following the finish to the main event last week. The Gunns played dumb and said they’re the best brother tag team in AEW, issuing a challenge to The Hardys next week.
Wardlow (w/Arn Anderson) defeated Jake Hager to retain the TNT Title
(Wardlow gets the victory in the rubber match in a feud dating back a few years. Post match, the next challenger is official for the TNT Champion.)
Hager ran out and attacked Wardlow from behind during his entrance and was in control for about 30 seconds until Wardlow started dishing out clotheslines. Hager was backdropped to the floor and leveled with a charging clothesline as this was one of the few times a babyface remained in control for almost the entire picture in picture. I say almost since Wardlow missed a corner charge and Hager slapped on the Ankle Lock.
Wardlow rolled through and connected with a spinebuster, but as he went for a powerbomb, Angelo Parker & Matt Menard came to ringside. Hager chop blocked Wardlow as Arn Anderson was about to pull out the finger guns and go Armed Anderson until Brock Anderson ran out and fought off Parker & Menard to the back with his father. Hager was clotheslined to the floor and Wardlow hit a slingshot dive before connecting with a Senton Bomb back inside. The straps came down and Wardlow hit the Powerbomb Symphony to retain.
Christian Cage & Luchasaurus tried to cut a promo on the big screen, but the audio wasn’t working for the first half. We heard the important part, as this Saturday it will be Wardlow vs. Luchasaurus at Collision. Cage said what will happen when Wardlow’s new daddy won’t be there to save him? They cut to Luchasaurus holding a bloody Arn Anderson, as Wardlow sprinted to the back. I guess Luchasaurus & Cage caught up to Arn quickly after he went to the back during the match?
-A video is shown by The Ace of New Japan, Hiroshi Tanahashi, who said as long as MJF is AEW Champion, the title won’t shine like it should. Tanahashi came very close to beating Jon Moxley at Forbidden Door last year and issues a challenge to MJF. Renee Paquette approached MJF backstage being attended by a doctor and told him it’s official at Forbidden Door, which MJF declined, calling Tanahashi a rando from a rinky dink indy fed in Japan. MJF said it won’t be the first time he’s no showed a match Tony Khan has booked him for, telling Tanahashi no again.
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-Renee Paquette is backstage with Orange Cassidy, as she asks what the future holds and Cassidy said everyone knows how it works; someone walks in and challenges him. Zack Sabre Jr. is right on cue and said the idea of being a double champion sounds marvelous. Daniel Garcia walked in and asked Cassidy where Katsuyori Shibata is, as Cassidy said Shibata isn’t here, but sets up Cassidy & Shibata vs. Sabre & Garcia next week.
Toni Storm (w/Ruby Soho) defeated Skye Blue to retain the AEW Women’s Title
(Blue put up a good fight and the crowd bit for the false finish at the end, but the numbers game once again proved to be too much.)
Saraya refused to show up to DC, so in her absence Soho is carrying a Saraya on a Stick. Blue started fast, punting Soho on the apron and dropping Storm with a cross body for two. Blue gave Storm a taste of her own medicine and hit a hip attack o the outside. Storm & Soho got up and sprayed Blue’s mother in the face ringside. Blue followed with a dive to the outside taking out both Storm & Soho, but Storm regained control during commercial.
Blue fired back with a head scissors and step up knee in the ropes as a kick to the head sent Storm into the ropes. Storm used a handful of tights to pull Blue to the floor, as Soho passed Storm the spray paint can. Soho took the ref, but Blue had spray paint of her own, blinded Storm and hit the Code Blue to a massive reaction. Soho distracted the ref enough to stall the pin attempt and ate a Blue thrust kick. Blue charged and was hung up in the ropes by Storm, dropped with Storm Zero and tapped out to a Texas Cloverleaf. Post match, Soho & Storm attacked Blue more until Willow Nightingale hit the ring to run off The Outcasts.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with HOOK & Jack Perry, who said the summer of Jungle HOOK is in full swing. Perry said he feels naked without championship gold, so he officially accepts SANADA’s IWGP Title challenge for Forbidden Door. Paquette asks HOOK his thoughts, but Perry interrupts and says this came up quick, calls HOOK his best friend and asks him to corner Perry at Forbidden Door. HOOK gave the fist bump, as I firmly expect the wheels to eventually fall off Jungle HOOK sooner rather than later.
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The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) & Hangman Adam Page defeated Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta
(The match itself was an action packed sprint, but the post match just got bigger and better. From the return of Eddie Kingston, The Elite getting their hands on Takeshita, to finally the appearance of Will Ospreay, the final 5 minutes of this show were wild.)
Bryan Danielson joined commentary as The Young Bucks, who are having their first match on Dynamite in 3 months, are dressed like cowboys with Hangman Page as all six men start brawling early. The Elite hit triple superkicks to send the BCC outside where Matt laid out Yuta with a powerbomb on the edge of the apron, while Nick & Page took out Moxley & Castagnoli with double dives. Nick hit a springboard face buster to Moxley, but as he tried a moonsault to the floor, Castagnoli caught him with a slam. Matt hit a huge cross body to the floor to take out Moxley & Castagnoli, but was dropped with a Yuta German suplex. Moxley fought back with a King Kong lariat on Nick, who remained isolated during commercial.
Nick got the hot tag to Page, as Danielson points out how something could be wrong with Moxley’s arm or elbow, he was clutching it. Page continued to run wild on Yuta & Castagnoli, as Yuta ate a buckle bomb and double enzugiris by The Bucks. Matt did his locomotion Northern Lights on Yuta, then one on both Yuta & Moxley for good measure. A springboard double stomp by Nick, who rolled through and ate a Moxley cutter. Moxley & Castagnoli connected with a Doomsday Device on Matt, as Moxley sank in a rear naked choke, but Nick hit a Swanton Bomb to break it up. Castagnoli no sold a superkick and just flattened Matt leading to a Rocket Launcher attempt by Yuta, but Matt got the knees up. Superkick Party commenced, as Page made the tag, laid out Yuta with a pop up powerbomb, as The Bucks hit the BTE Trigger, while Page finished him off with a Buckshot Lariat to get the win.
Post match, Castagnoli & Moxley attacked as Moxley launched Nick over the barricade until Eddie Kingston’s music hits and out runs Kingston to double leg Castagnoli. The brawl was on, as Yuta was dispatched until Moxley & Kingston had a face off. The Bucks attacked Moxley and a scuffle happened with Konosuke Takeshita hitting the ring to attack Kingston. This led to Kenny Omega hitting the ring to brawl with Takeshita, who was planted with a Snap Dragon while The Bucks & Page took out the BCC with triple dives. Right as Omega was going to do a Terminator Dive, Will Ospreay appeared and wiped out Omega to loud Holy Sh*t chants. Ospreay clocked Omega with Hidden Blade and stood tall as Bryan Danielson said he thinks Ospreay will be the winner at Forbidden Door. For good measure, Ospreay connected with Storm Breaker to stand tall. Don Callis is ringside, while Danielson is at the top of the stage, both applauding Ospreay’s actions. Ospreay got off one more Hidden Blade before they went off the air.
AEW Rampage 6/16/23
· United Empire (Will Ospreay, Jeff Cobb & Kyle Fletcher) take on CHAOS (Rocky Romero, Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta)
Konosuke Takeshita (w/Don Callis) vs. Bandido
AEW Collision 6/17/23
· CM Punk & AEW Tag Team Champions FTR vs. Switchblade Jay White, Juice Robinson & ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe
· Wardlow defends the TNT Title against Luchasaurus
· Miro returns to action
· Skye Blue & NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale face AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm & Ruby Soho
· Buddy Matthews vs. Andrade El Idolo
AEW Dynamite 6/21/23
· AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy & ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata battle NJPW TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. & Daniel Garcia