It’s All In week and I am excited as I’ll be one of over 45,000 wrestling fans going to Wembley! Yet I’m conflicted due to this week’s AEW Dynamite. It’s AEW’s first international TV show in Cardiff, Wales at the Utilita Arena, which is only a handful of hours away. I’m not going, partly for reasons discussed in my article on “AEW vs. WWE: Battle for Britain”.
There still seem to be tickets available…
At the time of writing, the graphics and card offer one high-profile championship defense. The other three contests provide a mixture of potential moments and story developments ahead of Sunday. There’s a lot of potential for surprises and mystery for the Dynamite/Collision taping.
Beyond the inclusion of “Dynamite Kid” Tommy Billington, nephew of the original Dynamite Kid, I would not be shocked to see other British wrestlers appear. As a UK fan, I’m upset about the fact PAC has not been given a clear role on the Wembley card. To use a football/soccer reference, the New Castle native’s absence would be an own goal. The lack of his involvement this Wednesday also feels like a missed opportunity.
Other home-country wrestlers are likely to make an impact. Mariah May isn’t surely going to sit backstage as Toni Storm defends her championship against former friend and rival, Saraya?
Hopefully, my and others’ faith that AEW delivers a stellar AEW Dynamite abroad is not misplaced. If Claudio Castagnoli’s match with Kazuchika Okada can transcend beyond Wednesday night banger to all-time classic… that’s not too much to ask for surely?
Step on the Stage…
#AEW debuts in WALES 🏴 as the path to #AEWAllInLondon continues!
Don’t miss #AEWDynamite on TBS at 8/7c this Wednesday from Cardiff’s @UtilitaArenaCDF! pic.twitter.com/KNWamVgddC
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 19, 2024
Announced Card Thus Far:
Matches announced:
- Continental Championship: Kazuchika Okada © vs. Claudio Castagnoli
- AEW Women’s World Championship: Toni Storm © vs. Saraya
- HOOK vs. Big Bill
- Chris Jericho vs. “Dynamite Kid” Tommy Billington
Other segments announce:
- Face-off between Will Ospreay and MJF
Speculation:
- Involvement of UK independent talent.
- Further, match build heading to All In and All Out
Will Ospreay and MJF Face Off
What’s the atmosphere going to be like when “Elevated” begins playing? Unglued and shouting, AEW needs to ensure that the volume is cranked up to avoid accusations of audio difficulties. Having the somewhat home advantage, this might be Will Ospreay’s biggest test on the microphone.
Ospreay has adapted well to the rigor of being an episodic TV wrestler and the art of weekly promos. However, in front of a home nation’s crowd, on such a first-time occasion, let’s hope that the love of the audience does not distract or interfere with The Billy Goat’s conviction and rhythm.
Will MJF be audible in an arena full of British and Welsh wrestling fans? Hopefully, his microphone will be hired up loud enough to get some cheap heat. Although Maxwell has aimed at generic British stereotypes, some ridiculous and offensive comments could be made about Wales specifically. If delivered right, MJF could get nuclear heat from the locals and huge pops from the English.
Then again, maybe there will not be too much talking. Given how MJF has slashed tires and thrown obstacles in the way of the former AEW International Champion, Will Ospreay wait until Sunday to throw hands?
There will likely be an arrangement for no physicality. Even so, expect both men to unleash their best excrement-stirring, urine-boiling shots. There have to be bullets left in the chamber for this evening.
On a personal level, part of me is questioning whether a new rumored AEW signing, RevPro’s Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion, Michael Oku will interrupt. A former opponent of Ospreay and someone MJF defended his American Championship against recently, Oku said he was not done with Friedman after their match.
Gamble of the Night: AEW Women’s World Championship
Online, Saraya receives a lot of interest, positive and negative in unequal measures. Saraya, who last year won the AEW Women’s World Championship in a feel-good moment at Wembley, is this year absent from the card. A storyline has been bubbling where Saraya’s frustrations have been verbalized in segments on Rampage. Why is Saraya, a home country girl, former champion, and arguably British wrestling legend, not on the card?
I don’t think this match against former friend and then rival, “Timeless” Toni Storm is the conclusion. Rather, it’s the penultimate stop for both women before All In.
For the AEW Women’s World Champion, Saraya represents in the storyline both a continuous thorn in her side, a reminder of her past, as well as a sore spot in her AEW career. Storm has victories over Saraya in tag team bouts. Usually, Paige’s sidekick, Harley Cameron, who always makes the most of her minutes and screen time, takes the pin. What Storm has never gained in a singles victory over Saraya.
Saraya beat Storm to win the AEW Women’s World Championship last year in London. Saraya also beat Storm at Grand Slam 2023. Storm has never beaten Saraya and in doing so before All In, it symbolically puts an end to that issue. It grants the champion that last-minute momentum to Wembley.
The reason this is a gamble of the night is two-fold. First, expectations are not high for this match. Saraya since her return to wrestling has fallen into the role of a vocal, pantomime-like baddy. Due to personal life issues, her star power is somewhat tainted. Yet against Toni Storm, she has had her strongest matches.
For both, their history and connections to the UK make this more special. I expect this match to be better than most would expect.
Continental Championship Defense in Europe
#AEWDynamite WEDNESDAY@UtilitaArenaCDF | Cardiff, WALES#AEW Continental Championship
Kazuchika Okada (c) vs Claudio Castagnoli
It’s a Continental Clash in Cardiff! @RainmakerXOkada defends his championship against @ClaudioCSRO WEDNESDAY!
Watch Dynamite at 8/7c on @TBSNetwork! pic.twitter.com/iEb3FbkwGR— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 19, 2024
For some, putting Claudio Castagnoli against “The Rainmaker” on AEW Dynamite rather than the All In card is a miscalculation. Okada has a reputation as a stadium performer. As a dream match and contest, no one is expecting anything other than fireworks. Especially between two of the most brilliant wrestlers on the planet today. That’s why putting on AEW Dynamite perhaps is a smart choice.
Criticism of how Okada, the “b*tchmaker”, falls on this notion he is no longer presented like the NJPW company-carrier. That should die when the bell rings. As proven in other singles matches this year, Okada is still able to deliver big.
“Living memory” is often short and myopic. Okada delivered taking the title from Eddie Kingston and defending it against PAC. The fact we have waited so long for the next singles match is what’s created frustration.
Against the Swiss Superman, the evergreen workhorse for all seasons, how can it not deliver? As an anchor, it makes this first international episode special just from the possible scenarios, spots, and sequences we may see in this match. Like others in AEW history, it may not even be a one-and-done.
I mean, there’s always the Casino Gauntlet match for these two to continue their story. Or perhaps there may be implications linked to what’s for The Elite and Okada? Heading to Chicago for All Out, not just All In.
Remember also, neither The Young Bucks nor Blackpool Combat Club members can be ringside. This match is purely a one-on-one affair.
Here’s hoping for another Continental championship classic.
Looking for an AEW Deep Dive?
James has also written a series that takes a deep dive into AEW’s short but impactful history. In part 1, James discussed how AEW changed the wrestling industry (here). In Part 2, James discussed how AEW’s continued existence benefits wrestlers and fans alike (here).
Part 3 has been divided into two articles. One discusses the differences between in-ring action and storytelling (here). The other excellent in-ring action is compensating for wider issues in AEW creative (here). The final part will discuss AEW’s future. Including discussing the problems that AEW faces and questions Tony Khan will have to address. In a bonus article, James evaluates the criticism leveled at the company on social media and podcasters as well as the company’s response (here). In the final upcoming part, James examines how for AEW’s future Tony Khan can compete with WWE beyond just in the ring (here).
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Header photo – AEW – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world. As well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can catch AEW Dynamite on Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TBS. AEW Rampage airs on TNT at 10 PM EST every Friday night. AEW Collision airs Saturday at 8pm Eastern on TNT. More AEW content available on their YouTube
