AEW Dynamite fifth anniversary live results: Danielson vs. Okada, Ospreay vs. Ricochet
A stacked lineup is set for the show as AEW celebrates five years of Dynamite with tonight’s episode.
AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson will face AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada in a match where Danielson’s title is on the line for the entire 60-minute time limit, but Okada’s is only on the line for the first 20 minutes per Continental title rules.
AEW International Champion Will Ospreay defends his title against Ricochet as two wrestlers whose styles helped define a generation of in-ring action renew their rivalry.
Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. returns to action tonight for the first time since All In in August, facing Serena Deeb in Baker’s hometown of Pittsburgh.
After hostilities between the two broke out during the lumberjack strap match at Collision Grand Slam, Hangman Page and Juice Robinson go one-on-one in the ring tonight.
A “significant overrun” is scheduled for tonight’s special fifth anniversary episode.
**********
The 5th Anniversary of AEW Dynamite comes on the air with words from the BCC, as PAC said he knows Wheeler Yuta is not a zoo creature, someone to be paraded around, a fluffy cute animal, you’re a lion, stop acting like you haven’t chosen. Claudio Castagnoli asks what the problem is, he’s the same guy, so is Mox. This is still Yuta’s home; they have big plans for him. Marina Shafir spoke Russian before Moxley said he prayed every night Bryan Danielson didn’t win the AEW World Title, but here we are. Mox will win that title one way or another. There will be casualties, but he’s giving Danielson a chance to go out on his shield, on his home soil, buried in his back yard, beautifully. Fate is not going to put a better offer on the table than that. At WrestleDream, he officially sends daddy home and relieving him of his duty, for good.
Excalibur welcomes us alongside Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness, who is filling in for Taz, which we will be notified about momentarily we’re told. Kyle Fletcher is helping Will Ospereay preparing for the opening match, but Don Callis & Konosuke Takeshita approaches, wanting to talk about last week. Ospreay said he has a match to have, as Callis said they’ll talk later, as he & Fletcher have a flight to catch. Ospreay seemed surprised by this, as Callis & Fletcher left with Takeshita smirking as Ospreay, who went off to make his entrance.
Will Ospreay defeated Ricochet by disqualification to retain the AEW International Title
(Exactly the high flying and incredibly athletic match you’d expect, as the crowd was with them the entire time. We’re obviously getting this match again eventually, but this was a nice preview of what these two are capable of in an AEW ring for those uninitiated to their past incredible matches. Takeshita’s appearance at the end was questioned by commentary to maybe be at the request of Don Callis, who has an excuse that he wasn’t even there for this.)
Holy Sh*t & This Is Awesome chants right at the bell, as a fast series of takedowns, kip ups and pin attempts lead to a wild sequence of counters similar to their Best of Super Juniors stalemate, ending in a double Spiderman pose. Both trade chops until Ricochet caught a leap frog into a twisting back breaker, sending Ospreay outside where he met him with a tope. Ospreay leapt over the barricade, tried to leap off it, but Ricochet sprung up and hit a hurricanrana to the floor. Stalling senton back inside from Ricochet, but Ospreay fought back with a hand spring corkscrew kick. Pip, Pip, Cheerio connects for a near fall, as Ricochet fired back with a series of wild lariats for two of his own. Both exchanged wall walk enzugiris, but it was a standing Spanish Fly from Ospreay to get a two count. An Oscutter attempt sent Ospreay to the apron, but after Ricochet followed him out, a hook kick from Ospreay led to an Oscutter out of the corner, with both crashing outside going into commercial.
Back from break, both men fought up on the ropes, where Ricochet tried a super hurricanrana, but Ospreay stuck the landing. Ricochet responded with an Oscutter of his own as Ospreay flipped off Ricochet, who fired off a thrust kick, but rolled through a 450. Hidden Blade countered into a Ricochet backslide bomb and nasty twisting piledriver for two. Ricochet wanted Vertigo, but opted for a Northern Lights locomotion, only for Ospreay to counter into a Stundog Millionaire. Hidden Blade countered into a snap hurricanrana pin, but Ospreay rolled through, held on and hit a Styles Clash for a close two. Ospreay back up and finally hit an Oscutter, but Ricochet kicked out.
Ricochet ducked Hidden Blade and connected with one of his own before going up top and hit the Shooting Star Press for a super close near fall. Pump kick spiked Ospreay, who floated over Vertigo into a Poison Rana, one that Ricochet answered with one of his own. Ospreay desperately fired off a Hidden Blade and collapsed onto Ricochet with both men’s shoulders down and Rick Knox counted them both out. Justin Roberts got the word from Knox and we’re told it’s a draw.
Both men get their bearings and want to keep going, as Roberts was informed by Tony Khan that it will continue. Bell sounds and both slug it out with forearms and high kicks. Ospreay hit a Hidden Blade, but as he went for the pin, Konosuke Takeshita hit the ring and caused the DQ. Takeshita took out Ospreay with the Power Drive Knee and Ricochet with a roaring elbow and Falcon Arrow. Takeshita took the International Title, held it high before placing it between Ricochet & Ospreay.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Mercedes Mone & Kamille, who didn’t get that big of a reaction from the crowd when she did her CEO line. Mone said she had the truck put together a highlight package of Dynamite’s best moments. It was, in fact, all Mone moments as when they go back, Mone said it’s all about her. AEW’s future is so bright because Mone changes everything. MVP walked in and agreed, giving Mone his card before walking off.
**********
-Renee Paquette is with Austin & Colten Gunn backstage and were about to give their thoughts on Juice Robinson’s match tonight when they were attacked from behind by Hangman Adam Page with a steel chair.
TV Time with The Learning Tree
Big Bill said it’s not about the destination, it’s about who we become as people along the way. In the past 1,825 days, they’ve all become better people due to Chris Jericho, who made his entrance with Bryan Keith. Jericho congratulated fans for 5 years of Dynamite and the new deal AEW signed, making “experts” look like real idiots. There wouldn’t be an AEW if there wasn’t Chris Jericho. Keith got the crowd to chant Thank You Chris, as Jericho said this is also the 34th Anniversary of his pro wrestling debut. He’s taken so many into his Jericho Vortex and brings up beating Mark Briscoe last week on Collision. A new era is upon us, The Ocho is gone and it’s time for Nueve, so he’s challenging Briscoe to a ROH World Title match at WrestleDream.
Briscoe walks out with The Conglomeration and tells them to stand down, as does Jericho with Bill & Keith. Briscoe said Papa Briscoe taught him to be a man who doesn’t make excuses. He could do that after last week, having Jericho beat like fried chicken, but only because of Bill chokeslamming him through a table, allowed Jericho to roll on top to get the pin. Briscoe won’t make that excuse, it was a Tornado Tag, it was legal. Briscoe puts over Jericho on his 34th Anniversary, calling him one of the finest wrestlers on the planet. Briscoe would love to put that notch on his belt, as the Word of the Day is “Consequential” and consequentially speaking, he’ll put his head on his wall.
Jericho cut him off and said Mark can’t beat him, maybe his brother could, though. Everybody knows, Mark will never be as good as Jay, was. Mark waffled Jericho in the face and asked if Jericho wanted to go there, telling Jericho to get his brother’s name out of his mouth. Briscoe accepts the challenge, telling him that punch right there, was consequential.
-We see video of Darby Allin sitting at the hood of a car saying he was 19 years old, used to riding a bus, daydreaming, but one night was hit in the head with something and guys were laughing at him. Allin realized those guys were taking turns spitting at him, and after doing nothing, he finally went to do something when one of the guys pulled a switchblade asking what he was going to do about it? Allin said it looked like he’s getting stabbed tonight and started fighting. He viewed Jon Moxley as one of those guys, as last week, you live by the sword, you die by the sword. WrestleDream was supposed to be Allin vs. Bryan Danielson, but it wasn’t meant to be. People say he’s the future of this company, but he’s losing faith in himself. Allin will be at the Tacoma Dome and issues an Open Challenge. Anyone wants to build their name off Allin, bring it, as he’s got nothing left to lose.
Hangman Adam Page defeated Juice Robinson
(A fairly even back and forth brawl this was, as Robinson put up a good fight, but heel Hangman’s Revenge Tour continues to roll on for any and all in his way. The bigger story here is the return of Switchblade Jay White, as this has to be Page’s next opponent, assuming it’s at the PPV. It’s good to see White back, as I’m hopeful this will be more of a singles run for White, as that Bang Bang Gang vs. The Acclaimed storyline really did a number on him (and everyone involved).)
Page sprinted up the ramp and took the fight to Robinson, who battled back and whipped Page with a leather strap, channeling back to Collision Grand Slam, which set this match up. Robinson tried an axe handle off the stage, but Page threw a punch and told referee Aubrey to shut her ass up as he whipped away at Robinson. Page set up a table, tried a piledriver, but Robinson hit a back drop and brawled with Page into the crowd. Robinson smacked Page in the face with a fans beer and popcorn before heading to the ring where the match officially begins. Page gained control right as things went to commercial, but before then,
Excalibur informs us that Taz was attacked by unknown assailants in the parking lot earlier in the day and was in rough shape after receiving medical attention at the hospital. He headed back home to New York, as we’re told whoever the attacker was, destroyed his leg.
Back from break, Page was crotched in the corner, as Robinson started firing up with a series of jabs wishing Page a happy 5 years, trying a corner cannonball, but Page moved. To the floor again they go, as Page dropped Robinson face first to the apron, but took too long to charge and Robinson hit enough of a spinebuster on the edge of the apron. Violent cannonball against the barricade that saw Robinson fly into the crowd and squash Page. Back inside, Robinson hit a top rope cross body, but Page caught him, rolled through and hit a fall away slam into the turnbuckle. Tony Schiavone compared Robinson to Macho Man Randy Savage & Bruiser Brody, as Page wanted an Avalanche Dead Eye, but Robinson got free with a stack powerbomb for two. Both trade Juice is Loose & Dead Eye counters as Page held onto ref Aubrey for leverage, kicked back for a low blow and hit a Buckshot Lariat for the win.
Post match, Page told Aubrey to get lost before taking his belt off, wrapped it around the throat and tried to hang Robinson when a returning Switchblade Jay White’s music hit. Page turned his attention to the stage, when White appeared from behind, shot a takedown and fired off strikes. Page tried escaping through the crowd when White was in pursuit, went for the eyes and eventually speared Page through the table he had set up earlier in the match. White helped Robinson to the back before hitting a Guns Up for the crowd.
-Renee Paquette is backstage awaiting the Scapegoat Bus to pull up, as Jack Perry got out and was met by Katsuyori Shibata, who played a message on his phone challenging him to a TNT Title match at WrestleDream. Perry said he’d think about it before walking away momentarily. Perry flew back in and attacked, slamming Shibata into the bus before accepting the challenge.
**********
-Bryan Danielson cut an intense backstage promo about saying one sentence ran through his head, F Jon Moxley. Then he realized, this isn’t about Moxley’s World Title, it’s not even Danielson’s championship, it’s AEW’s World Championship. This is where the best wrestle, which is why he challenged Kazuchika Okada, who broke his arm and orbital bone in their previous matches, but never broke his spirit. If Okada beats him tonight, Danielson’s full-time career is over, as he wouldn’t want it any other way, AEW, this is for you.
Dr. Britt Baker defeated Serena Deeb
(This was Baker’s first match since All In and prior to that, she had only had two matches since being out for nearly a year, so she just needs more time to knock the rust off, which you can tell is there. Hopefully ring time will help with that, as having Mariah May in the crowd would lead one to believe we’re getting a match down the line.)
Baker entered through the hometown crowd, as Brittsburgh gave Baker a strong ovation. Deeb worked a wrist lock early, Baker escaped into Lockjaw, but Deeb got the ropes. We see AEW Women’s Champion, Mariah May, sitting ringside, which perked Nigel McGuinness right up, as Excalibur tells up Timeless Toni Storm appeared in Japan this past weekend, teaming with Mina Shirakawa. Deeb worked a half crab, but Baker to the ropes this time. Misdirect from Baker, who connected with a neckbreaker, but misdirect from Deeb, who fired off a chop block and wrist clutch lariat that took things to commercial.
Baker fought back with a ripcord elbow when things returned, as a Sling Blade led to a swinging Fisherman’s Suplex for two. Baker put on the glove, but took too long, as Deeb trapped the bad leg in the corner and hit a Dragon Screw. Stack powerbomb led to a Stretch Muffler from Deeb, but Baker rolled into a cradle for two. Deeb avoided another ripcord elbow into a snap German, as both ladies traded lariats. Deeb wanted Deeb-tox, but Baker countered into an Air Raid Crash. Each escaped submission attempts until Deeb went up top, was cut off and Baker hit an Avalanche Air Raid Crash for a close two. Baker searched for and finally got Lockjaw, with Deeb tapping immediately.
Post match, Deeb attacked and sank in a half crab before Queen Aminata hit the ring and took down Deeb with forearms. Deeb escaped as Aminata checked on Baker, who looked a little surprised by the assist.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with HOOK and asks him any word on his father after being attacked earlier in the day? HOOK had to restrain himself initially from cursing, but then just said you start sh*t with his family, he’ll finish it.
They cut to Christian Cage in the back and tells the crowd to sit down and shut up. If the fans were in awe in the first 5 years of what he did, he’s the face of TBS and he’s the future AEW World Champion, he’s The Patriarch, he’s the Father Figure. Soon enough, he’ll have it all, hook, line and sinker. So having these two segments back-to-back leads one to believe that Cage probably was behind the Taz attack.
**********
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Mariah May, bringing up the recent challengers potentially, as May said Willow Nightingale is failing up and somehow gets a title shot after losing over and over. Nightingale walks in and calls May a shady bitch, as both start arguing until May pie-faces her. Security steps in with Christopher Daniels, who holds Nightingale back saying not to do things here.
Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen) defeated Iron Savages (Bronson & Boulder w/Jacked Jameson)
Quick start by Kassidy & Quen with early dropkicks and enzugiri’s until Boulder was low bridged outside and taken out with a dive. Stokely Hathaway was shown applauding backstage, as Tony Schiavone calls him the shadiest character of all time. A botched Gin n’ Juice was delivered to Bronson and that was the entire match. After getting slaughtered by the BCC the past few weeks, they needed a strong win, but this was just there. Nigel McGuinness said this will go a long way to get a tag title shot. Which, is that all it takes now?
Kassidy took the mic and said at the beginning of the year he said new year, new champs and doesn’t care about his hand, Quen doesn’t care, either. They will be the next AEW World Tag Team Champions and calls The Young Bucks out for right here and now.
Matthew & Nicholas Jackson rise from the stage and said you can’t have a 5 year anniversary without your EVPs. Matthew said they have a substantial overrun tonight and said how about they put the titles on the line right here and now? The Bucks power walk to the ring, but put on the brakes, due to their limited dates, they’re not going to waste one in Pittsburgh. Jack Perry attacked Kassidy & Quen from behind, as The Bucks joined until Katsuyori Shibata ran down to make the save, as The Elite retreated with Private Party & Shibata standing tall. Christopher Daniels appeared on stage and said Private Party have been thorns in The Bucks sides since the start of AEW, so made a 6 man tag for Rampage.
-Renee Paquette welcomed MVP backstage, as he informs Paquette he has an announcement when Prince Nana interrupted. Nana said MVP spoke real spicy about Swerve Strickland & himself and reminds MVP he used to wrestle and can lace his boots up anytime. MVP said that’s a problem for the complaint department. Nana turns around to Shelton Benjamin standing by to a huge reaction. Benjamin took a sip of Nana’s coffee and said it was pretty good before walking off with MVP.
**********
Bryan Danielson defeated AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada to retain the AEW World Title
(This was really good storytelling until the finish, in my opinion. Okada was working like a New Japan 10-man tag match for the first 20 minutes, but kicked things into the gear everyone knows and loves when his title was no longer on the line. I’m not sure if we’ll ever get this match again in AEW, but I hope we do. The distraction finish ultimately doing Okada in felt very anticlimactic after such a period of time and being Okada’s first loss, but maybe they want his first distraction free loss to mean more when it happens?)
Okada’s Continental Title was only on the line in the first 20 minutes, as per the standard ruling for title matches on TV. Crowd got hyped off a stare down, as after some early ground work, Okada missed a dropkick, Danielson whiffed on a high kick and a series of takedowns and arm drags led to a stalemate that took thing to commercial. When they returned, commentary talked about how slowly Okada is going, as it’s a tactic to retain his Continental Title. Once he runs out the clock long enough and his title is no longer on the line, then he can kick things into gear.
Danielson fired up with forearms, but Okada met him with a flapjack to regain control, as he followed with a neckbreaker for two. Okada slowly continued his offense, but Danielson battled back, attempting a top rope headbutt, only to crash and burn. Money Clip applied, but Danielson escaped, only to be spiked with a DDT for two. Okada, showing literally no urgency, just walks over to Danielson in the corner and hit a dropkick to the floor. Okada repeatedly slammed Danielson into the barricade before breaking the count and booting Danielson into the crowd. Danielson avoided the draping DDT, broke the count himself and slammed Okada into the barricade before heading back inside for a top rope dropkick, which only sent Okada back outside. Tope connects by Danielson, who followed up with another top rope dropkick and yes kicks at the 16-minute mark. The two trade pin attempts and uppercuts, as an intense stare down led to slaps until Danielson back flipped out of the corner, only to run into an Okada picture perfect dropkick. Okada hit his top rope elbow, as Danielson clutched his arm similar to their first encounter, which delighted Nigel McGuinness on commentary.
Okada did his rainmaker pose flip off to the crowd, went for a Rainmaker, but Danielson countered into a triangle transition into the LeBell Lock. Okada was about to tap when we’re told 19 minutes have gone by. Okada used his legs to break the submission, as Danielson hits a Busaiku Knee, only for Okada to fall outside at the 20-minute mark. Okada’s Continental Title is officially safe and the duration of the match is for the AEW World Title. Danielson flew off the top with a dive, tried a charge, but Okada caught him with a Tombstone onto a chair ringside as things went to break.
They return to an Avalanche Back Suplex from Danielson, as he fires off corner strikes, dropping Okada with a German, but took too long to follow up, allowing a desperation dropkick from Okada. Danielson avoids a Rainmaker, as both trade wrist control, with Danielson ultimately stomping down repeatedly. Danielson wants the home run shot, but Okada countered a Busaiku Knee into a Rainmaker that turned Danielson inside out. Both throw forearms while on their knees and feet, as Danielson collapsed, but instead started firing up. Danielson flipped out of a German suplex, as both traded Busiaku Knees for a close two. They traded Rainmaker attempts, with Danielson hitting his for another close near fall. Anvil elbows from Danielson, who powers up into a spinning Future Shock, gets the wrist clutch and short arm lariat until we see Claudio Castagnoli showing up in the front row, as is PAC. Okada made eye contact with Castagnoli and that distraction was enough for Danielson to duck a lariat and hit a backslide for the pin, as Okada was shocked, while Castagnoli smirked.
Post match, Okada hit a Rainmaker on Danielson before flipping off Castagnoli & PAC before storming out with his Continental Title. PAC & Castagnoli get in the ring and pull Danielson to his knees, as Jon Moxley appears with Marina Shafir. Mox told Danielson to get this through his blueberry picking brain, as everything he’s doing is because he has to. If this was anyone else, he would’ve put him out of his misery years ago. Wheeler Yuta sprinted out with a hammer, as Moxley and company bailed, but Moxley got right back in the ring and stared down Yuta, daring him to use it. Yuta pondered what to do, but Danielson charged at Moxley while Castagnoli went to hold off Yuta. Danielson & PAC and Castagnoli & Yuta fought, with Castagnoli never throwing a strike. The BCC bailed, as Yuta took the mic and said he’s tired of being treated like a child by Castagnoli and others. He can make his own decision and fight his own fights. Next week, Title Tuesday, if Castagnoli & PAC want to get to Danielson, they’ll have to go through Yuta, too. Danielson announced the match and Tony Khan made it official for next week.
AEW Rampage 10/4/24
- Big Bill & Bryan Keith vs. Kyle O’Reilly & Orange Cassidy
- The Young Bucks & Jack Perry vs. Private Party & Katsuyori Shibata
AEW Dynamite: Title Tuesday 10/9/24
- Bryan Danielson & Wheeler Yuta vs. Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta