Welcome to the latest edition of our weekly AEW Dynamite hits and misses series.
All Elite Wrestling traveled to Buffalo, New York, for the go-home Dynamite for Forbidden Door. The show featured MJF, Blackpool Combat Club, The Elite, Toni Storm, Mariah May, among others.
Here’s what went down on the June 26, 2024, episode of Wednesday Night Dynamite.
Hit – Opening segment on AEW Dynamite
MJF kicked off Dynamite in his home state of New York. The former AEW World Champion was interrupted by Daniel Garcia. Both men cut a lengthy promo in which they showed respect to each other. MJF asked Garcia if he’d like to face him at All In 2024. Will Ospreay showed up and told Garcia he’d earned a shot at the International Championship on Dynamite: Beach Break.
A good opening segment that was meant to put over Daniel Garcia. DG thanked MJF for saving him “next week.” I didn’t know Garcia could see the future. Jokes aside, AEW are really starting to build Garcia again and it’s showing. They had both MJF and Ospreay put him over. The MJF versus Ospreay tease towards the end of the segment was the cherry on top.
Miss – Ending to BCC vs. LIJ
BCC took on LIJ in six-man tag team action on Dynamite. Bryan Danielson was on commentary for the match. Mox brought a chair to the ring and hit Takahashi with it causing a disqualification. Naito showed up to brawl with his Forbidden Door opponent. Back in the ring, Danielson and Takagi had a very lengthy staredown.
This match didn’t need a DQ ending because BCC were on the offense for the majority. The overall action was good with Takagi and Mox pulling off some stiff strikes. Takahashi and Yuta had some good exchanges as well. Naito struggling to take off his formal gear while getting jumped by Mox was hilarious.
Hit – Jay White vs. Rey Fenix on AEW Dynamite
Jay White collided with Rey Fenix in the Owen Hart Tournament quarterfinals. Referee Rick Knox ejected Penta, Alex Abrahantes and 3/4 of Bullet Club Gold from the ringside before the opening bell. White picked up the win following a Blade Runner. BCG were then interrupted by The Patriarchy to tease a feud for the trios tag team titles.
Bullet Club Gold has arguably the best entrance in AEW. Juice Robinson looks more and more like Randy Savage with the hair and the glasses. White and Fenix had a pretty good match on weekly television. The Switchblade has some of the best-looking slams in AEW. I’m interested in how AEW books BCG versus The Patriarchy.
Miss – The Elite and The Acclaimed segment
The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn came to the ring to address The Elite. Matthew and Nicholas Jackson interrupted the promo. The pair then showed up alongside Okada to challenge The Acclaimed and Billy Gun to a trios tag team match at Forbidden Door. Billy Gunn revealed Tanahashi as his replacement.
I like The Acclaimed when they are goofy and funny. This serious version isn’t doing it for me. The pair work better as heels in my opinion. Matt and Nick can’t cut a convincing promo. Okada delivering his usual profanity and Tanahashi’s reveal were the only good parts of the segment. The Rainmaker looked genuinely excited to learn about his archrival’s Forbidden Door status.
Hit – Women’s tag team match
Toni Storm, Mariah May and Mina Shirakawa joined forces against The Outcasts and Anna Jay. The six-woman went back and forth for nearly seven minutes. Mina pinned Harley to pick up the win for her team on AEW Dynamite. Mariah presented a toast to both Toni and Mina after their win. The challenger accidentally took out her former partner while aiming for the champion.
This was a very good women’s trios tag team match. All six stars packed a lot of action in the seven minutes they got. Harley Cameron continues to improve inside the ring. Mariah struggling to choose between Toni and Mina to make the tag added some drama. Mina throws some brutal back fists. Her botching the final physicality of the segment was the only downside.
Miss – Mercedes Moné promo on AEW Dynamite
Mercedes Moné cut a backstage promo on Dynamite. The TBS Champion referenced her attack on Stephanie Vaquer during a recent CMLL appearance. Mercedes said she’ll be at ringside for Stephanie’s match against Lady Frost on AEW Collision.
Mercedes Moné needs a mouthpiece. Either she improves on the mic, or AEW pairs her with a manager. Her promos seem to lack flow. She needs to stop changing her tone repeatedly during a single promo. One moment, she’s ecstatic. The very next second, she’s all angry.
Hit – Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Kyle O’Reilly
Zack Sabre Jr. and Kyle O’Reilly picked up from their last week’s interaction on Dynamite. This was a technical match with both men using grappling and strikes to their advantage. Gabe Kidd and the Undisputed Kingdom got ringside tickets to the match. Orange Cassidy was on commentary. Zack picked up the win following a submission. OC and Zack had a faceoff before Ishii arrived to stand side-by-side with the former AEW International Champion.
A brilliant match between two men with a knack for submissions and strikes. Zack can reverse every offense into a submission. O’Reilly is at his most comfortable (and vicious) against opponents with a wrestling style similar to him. On the downside, there were too many camera cuts during the first half of the match to focus on Gabe Kidd and the UK. This was a bit distracting and annoying, if I’m being honest.
Honorable Mentions
Chris Jericho wanted Minoru Suzuki to sub for Bryan Keith against SamoanHook and Shibata at Forbidden Door. Instead, Murder Grandpa challenged the Learning Tree to an FTW title match. He even borrowed Jericho’s catchphrase for added hilarity. It’s Joe, Hook and Shibata versus Jericho, Big Bill and Jebb Cobb at Forbidden Door.
Swerve and Ospreay headlined AEW Dynamite against Gates of Agony. This was a good main event with plenty of offense. Gates of Agony worked together like a well-oiled machine. Ospreay teased Tiger Driver. He tried to play smart but the champion gave him the House Call to cap off the show.
Also read: The Young Bucks Reveal They Have Inserted Wild Card Into Owen Hart Foundation Tournament
