AEW Dynamite live results: World title eliminator tournament finals

Samoa Joe and Roderick Strong square off in the AEW Grand Slam World title eliminator tournament finals on tonight’s Dynamite from Cincinnatti, Ohio.

After winning their semifinals bouts on Saturday’s Collision, Joe & Strong will do battle to determine which of them will challenge MJF for the AEW World Championship at next week’s Dynamite Grand Slam. 

A four-way match to determine who will challenge Saraya for the AEW Women’s Championship at Grand Slam is also set with Toni Storm vs. Britt Baker vs. Nyla Rose vs. Hikaru Shida. 

Jon Moxley will defend his AEW International Championship against Big Bill while Hangman Page takes on Brian Cage in the rubber match of their three-bout AEW series.

Don Callis has promised to reveal his next masterpiece painting/target for Konosuke Takeshita.

One week before they face each other at Grand Slam, Chris Jericho & Sammy Guevara will speak on this week’s Dynamite. 

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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz as the music for the International Champion, Jon Moxley hits to a huge ovation from his hometown crowd.

Jon Moxley defeated Big Bill (w/Ricky Starks) to retain the AEW International Title

(A hard hitting opening battle, as you’ll be shocked to learn that Moxley bled in his hometown. I’ve enjoyed how they’ve really made Big Bill into a monster recently and even in defeat here, they opened up a possible match down the line not just with Danielson, but now Claudio Castagnoli as well.)

Moxley tried to chop the big man down early with strikes until one uppercut shot by Bill dropped the champion. Moxley was flattened with a fall away slam and running big boot that sent him to the outside. Excalibur talked about Moxley & Bill being roommates years ago, as Moxley reversed a whip and sent Bill crashing into the steps before briefly stalking down Starks. Bill turned the tide into commercial by launching Moxley over the timekeepers table, as he was busted open during picture in picture.

Back from break, Moxley began his comeback by delivering a superplex, but once both men got to their feet, Moxley charged right into a Black Hole Slam by Bill. Moxley refused to stay down from the strikes by Bill and it led to a forearm exchange with the crowd loudly behind Moxley, who hit a wild King Kong lariat for two. Anvil elbows into the rear naked choke, as Moxley connected with a cutter, went to the top, as Bill rolled outside, with Starks crotching Moxley. Bill delivered his big boot, but only got two.

Bryan Danielson sprinted to the ring and attacked Starks, who reversed a whip, sending Danielson into the steps. In the ring, Bill flattened Moxley with a huge chokeslam, as Bill wanted another one, but Moxley sank in a triangle. As Starks tried to help out his buddy, Danielson held him off, as Bill finally tapped out. Post match, Starks & Bill attacked Moxley & Danielson, with Starks hilariously trying to beat down Moxley with his shoe, as Claudio Castagnoli hit the ring and picked up Bill in a fireman’s carry. Bill was able to land on the apron as the BCC stood tall. Commentary told us next week at Grand Slam; Moxley will defend the International Title against Rey Fenix.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Roderick Strong & The Kingdom when Adam Cole approached, saying this is a horrible idea tonight wrestling Samoa Joe. Strong has The Kingdom believing in him, while Cole can keep on believing in Max. Strong says he’ll defeat Joe tonight and calls himself a wrestling legend.

Don Callis Reveals His Next Masterpiece

Tony Schiavone welcomed Konosuke Takeshita & Don Callis to the ring, who said they’ve defeated Kenny Omega twice; as Callis runs down all the Japanese legends that Takeshita is better than. When you beat Omega once, you’re The Ace, but when you beat Omega twice in seven days, they call you the Alpha. Streamers fell as Callis demands everyone going forward call him The Alpha Konosuke Takeshita, not a fake Alpha like Chris Jericho was. When you’re an Alpha, you take everything that can be taken and then you take some more. They’ve broke Kenny Omega’s body, now they break his heart, as they reveal the painting and next victim to be Kota Ibushi. The painting has Takeshita & Callis about to destroy Ibushi with a sword, as Callis said they will destroy Ibushi and spill his blood in the ring while Omega is at home, helpless, like the pathetic cuck he is. Callis then drove a screwdriver into the painting and presented Takeshita with flowers, which he threw in the face of Tony Schiavone.

-Alex Marvez is backstage with Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Bryan Danielson, who said he loves it when things escalate for the BCC. Danielson issues a challenge for Collision with Castagnoli against Ricky Starks & Big Bill. Moxley was about to talk about his title match next week when Rey Fenix bursts into the shot and has to be restrained by referees, as we see Eddie Kingston appear and has a faceoff with Castagnoli. Kingston laughs and says one more week before walking off.

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-Renee Paquette is backstage with FTW Champion HOOK, who was about to talk when Orange Cassidy appeared. Cassidy was just walking around when he saw HOOK upset when he has a title. Cassidy used to have a title and HOOK said he was a great champion, as Cassidy returned the compliment as HOOK walked off. Paquette asked how Cassidy was doing and he said he’s still just so tired.

Toni Storm defeated Nyla Rose (w/Marina Shafir), Dr. Britt Baker & Hikaru Shida to earn an AEW Women’s Title shot at Dynamite Grand Slam

(Well, this match really suffered from the commercial break mid match, as it felt like we only got about 2 minutes of action. The feud with Baker & Shida continues to build, as it was interesting that Baker ate the pin here tonight. Every week Toni Storm is on TV though, I will always mention how this Hollywood starlet character of hers is one of the best in wrestling with how entertaining it is.)

Despite recent events, Storm came out to The Outcasts theme and entrance video. Rose wiped out Baker & Shida early, as Storm tried to take center stage, with Rose just staring at her. Baker & Shida fought back, sending Rose to the outside, as Storm sent Shida into Baker on the apron, as everyone piled up ringside, where Shida did a dive onto Rose, Storm & Shafir heading into commercial. Storm & Rose controlled the action during picture in picture until Baker sent Rose to the corner where Storm hit Sweet Cheek Music.

Storm was dropped by Shida and we had a brief faceoff between Shida & Baker until double chop blocks from Storm & Rose put a stop to that. Rose laid out Storm with a Beast Bomb, a choke slam on Baker, but Shida rolled through a Beast Bomb into a roll up for two. The Kitana knee hit on Rose, but Baker connected with an awkward Curb Stomp on Shida. Storm saw an opening and snuck in with a school girl on Baker to steal the win. Post match, Shida was furious at Baker for kicking her, as Storm was on the stage posing like a starlet in celebration.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Saraya & Ruby Soho, who sort of congratulated Toni Storm on winning the match. Saraya said once Storm lost her Women’s Title, she lost her mind, as she’s going to lose at Grand Slam as well, leaving Storm with nothing. This whole promo makes Storm walking out to The Outcasts theme & video even more confusing honestly.

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Le Sex Gods Talk About Grand Slam

Chris Jericho & Sammy Guevara made their way to the ring together, as Jericho talked about being together since day one of AEW and threw it to a video package of their greatest moments with each other. Guevara confessed he still doesn’t know the lyrics to Judas. Jericho talked about calling Tony Khan when he first saw Sammy Guevara wrestle and wanted him to be with Jericho to teach him everything he could. Over the years, Jericho has watched Guevara go from a boy to a man. Guevara doesn’t want to do the usual trash talking before their match, he instead wants to say thank you for changing his life. Without Chris Jericho, there is no AEW, but Guevara didn’t come to AEW just to be a sidekick, he came for fans to view him like Moxley, Danielson & Jericho. It will never happen as long as he’s a sidekick, so he needs to beat Jericho next week.

Jericho said Guevara was never brought in to be a sidekick; he was brought in to be a money making draw and main event player. This is why Jericho told both Guevara & Daniel Garcia they need to break off from him to accomplish what they’re capable of. Jericho said Guevara needs to beat him, but he’s not ready. Guevara said the boy Jericho first saw wrestle might not be able to defeat him, but the man he’s become will. Once Guevara defeats Jericho, then they can go on and win the Tag Team Titles. Both men shake hands, but Jericho pulls Guevara in and said he won’t go easy on Guevara; he’s going to beat the living hell out of him. Jericho expects the exact same thing from Guevara, who wouldn’t want it any other way.

-We see footage from last Wednesday night of the doctor checking on MJF. Renee Paquette asks for an update and the doctor said he’s not cleared for next week, but will be ready for Grand Slam. Adam Cole tried to apologize to MJF, who was thrilled he gets another week off. MJF said Roderick Strong is an incredibly manipulative person, who is a wet blanket, third wheel and told Strong to shake it off. Samoa Joe might not realize it, but this pitbull has a whole lot of bite. MJF promises if Joe wins the tournament, he will choke Joe out. MJF then rattles off the infamous Scott Steiner math promo from TNA, as the reaction of Paquette during this was priceless. Taz said that math was right out of the University of Michigan. This was hilarious by everyone involved.

Hangman Adam Page defeated Brian Cage (w/Prince Nana)

(Despite not facing each other in singles action for a few years, these two had a really good match, with the finishing sequence being fantastic. It looks like Hangman won’t have to fight the Mogul Embassy alone on his road to facing Swerve Strickland at Wrestle Dream.)

This is Page’s first singles match on Dynamite in 7 months, as commentary talk about the previous two meetings between Page & Cage with Cage winning the first battle and Page the second. Cage used his power early, but Page was able to fire off multiple big boots and a springboard clothesline on the apron sent Cage outside. Page wanted a slingshot dive, but Cage caught and posted Page in the process. Page was able to return the favor by turning a powerbomb into a hurricanrana, posting Cage. Back in the ring, Cage tried a pop up powerbomb, which Page countered into another hurricanrana, this time following it up with a Tiger Feint Kick, nearly getting hung up in the ropes, but he connected. Page wanted the Buckshot, but Swerve Strickland and his music hit long enough for Page to get distracted and Cage to hit a massive German suplex from the apron back into the ring.

It was all Cage during commercial, as a slugfest ensued until Cage hit a snap powerslam, missing a follow up moonsault off the second rope. Page battled back and spilled to the floor with Cage, who wanted his signature moonsault to the floor, but Cage rolled back in the ring and caught a cross body attempt. Page was able to counter into a crucifix bomb, as Cage rolled to the floor and Page hit his moonsault. Back inside, Page finally managed to hit the top rope cross body, but Cage kicked out. Cage hit a release German and wanted an outside in suplex, as Page swept the legs, tried a Buckshot, but Cage countered into a F5 attempt, which Page countered into a small package. Page was up first and dropped Cage with the Dead Eye and got the victory.

Post match, Page said last week Strickland wanted his spot, but he sent Cage to fight him instead of Strickland himself. Page thought Strickland had balls, but clearly he’s keeping them in Prince Nana’s Burger King crown. Strickland said those sound like fighting words, but he’s dumber than the Cincinnati education system if he thinks tonight is fight night. Strickland says he picks where and he said Wrestle Dream in Strickland’s hometown. Strickland said Mogul Embassy will tune him up before then, as Cage attacked with Nana dancing. The Young Bucks appeared behind Nana, mocked his dancing and laid him out with a superkick, as they stood tall with Page, who stared down Strickland.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Daniel Garcia, who doesn’t care to be asked about Chris Jericho & Sammy Guevara. He wants to talk about going viral four times recently, as Don Callis interrupts and was trying to recruit, but Garcia shushed him and did his dance, walking off. Callis laughed and told Paquette that was money.

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-We have highlights of Jade Cargill’s return on Collision last Saturday, saving Kris Statlander from a post match attack by The Renegade Twins, only to lay out Statlander as well. We learn Statlander will defend the TBS Title against Cargill this Friday on Rampage.

Darby Allin & Nick Wayne defeated Matt Menard & Angelo Parker (w/Jake Hager & Anna Jay)

(While I enjoyed the second half of this match, I almost wish this happened on Rampage or Collision and the women’s four way got more time. Regardless, the post match was the story here, as Cage wants revenge for All In and presumably will get it next week at Grand Slam. Commentary really put over how Allin’s back is falling apart by the week, so I expect that to come into play soon.)

Before anything could really happen, Christian Cage & Luchasaurus interrupted and joined commentary, as Wayne was attacked early by Parker. There was a loud Daddy Magic chant, as Menard & Parker made frequent tags, picking Wayne apart. Wayne hit an enzugiri and was about to make the hot tag when Anna Jay took referee Aubrey, as Hager laid out Allin. Menard & Parker kept Wayne isolated throughout the break.

Wayne was finally able to use his speed to escape the clutches and made the tag to Allin, who ran wild. A combo of strikes into a Code Red on Parker got a two count, as Parker fought back, but missed the blind tag. Parker tried a roll up on Allin, who kicked off and Wayne connected with Wayne’s World. Allin wiped out Menard with a somersault senton to the floor, as he made the tag with Wayne hitting a moonsault onto Menard & Hager, while Allin hit a Coffin Drop on Parker in stereo for the win.

Post match, Cage & Luchasaurus took the microphone and said it was an impressive win. Cage talked about scrolling through Wayne’s mom Instagram account and said he’s disappointed she doesn’t post enough bikini pics. Cage is pissed off there’s still talk about Sting & Allin’s win at All In. It’s not as embarrassing as the Bengals losing to the Browns, but still embarrassing, as Cage didn’t have his regular partner in that match. Cage challenges Allin & Sting to a tag match next week with Luchasaurus & himself.

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Samoa Joe defeated Roderick Strong (w/Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) in the Grand Slam World Title Eliminator Final

(I’m glad this main event got some time, as I was surprised by the finish initially, but Joe was made into a stone cold killer post match. I can’t begin to tell you how hilarious it was after Strong was being placed on a stretcher and yelled for Adam Cole, who said he was there, but Strong responded that he couldn’t see him. Joe promised to take everything from MJF and this was a pretty darn good start with what he accomplished to end this show.)

Joe continually got the best of Strong in the early going, forcing Strong to regroup constantly with The Kingdom outside. Joe finally had enough and put on a chase; allowing Strong to deliver chops back inside until Joe just mowed Strong down. Strong tried a chop battle, but Joe connected on a headbutt and controlled heading into break. Strong managed to get off some offense, but the commercial was primarily dominated by Joe.

Strong was able to ground Joe after a series of strikes and connect with a missile dropkick for only a one count. Joe was able to fight back with his Manhattan Drop, big boot, running senton combo and flattened Strong with a snap powerslam for two. Strong floated over a powerbomb and hit a series of charging forearms before Joe crumbled. Joe countered an Angle Slam, but Strong connected with a running lariat. Joe easily avoided the Strong Hold and planted Strong violently with a corner Uranage. Bennett briefly sidetracked Joe, who wanted a Muscle Buster, allowing Strong to hit an Angle Slam for two. Strong leapt for a knee strike, but Joe waffled him with a lariat in mid air before sinking in the Coquina Clutch with Strong tapping out rather quickly.

Post match, The Kingdom checked on Strong while Joe took the microphone and said his prophecy has come true. Joe is coming into MJF’s backyard to come for him, beat him up and take everything MJF has, calling him a kid again. Joe reiterated he will take everything from MJF.

Joe went to the back, as The Kingdom was again checking on Strong. Adam Cole rushed to the ring and Strong seemed to take a phantom bump, clutching his neck. Doctors came to the ring, put Strong in a neck brace and stretchered him out with Strong continuing to yell Adam. Bennett & Taven argued with Cole, as they kept Cole from going with Strong and the doctors. Samoa Joe appeared and choked Cole out, screaming to MJF he would take everything from him, as Cole was left lying at the feet of Joe to end the show.

AEW Rampage 9/15/23

· Kris Statlander defends the TBS Title against Jade Cargill

· The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass in Trios Action

· Matt Taven & Mike Bennett take on Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal

· The Hardys & The Lucha Bros vs. Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal, The Butcher & The Blade

AEW Collision 9/16/23

· Bryan Danielson & Claudio Castagnoli vs. Ricky Starks & Big Bill

· FTR defend the AEW Tag Team Titles against The Iron Savages

AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam 9/20/23

· MJF defends the AEW World Title against Samoa Joe

· Jon Moxley defends the AEW International Title against Rey Fenix

· Chris Jericho vs. Sammy Guevara

· ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli vs. NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Eddie Kingston in a Title vs. Title Match

· Saraya defends the AEW Women’s Title against Toni Storm