Preview: AEW Dynamite (8/28/24)- Ricochet Debuts!

With All In complete, it feels already that the pathway to All Out is clear. The journey to that begins with this week’s episode of Dynamite.

With only a few short weeks to go, it seems like enough potential matches and seeds have been planted to know how that card will shape. It’s a creative 180-turn compared to the more chaotic scenes post-All In last year.

The legacy of this year’s Wembley event, it’s predecessors and its future installments over the next two years, I have discussed here. But the train doesn’t stop so Dynamite moves on to Champaign, Illinois.

Despite, as of the time of writing, only one match and one segment have been made for the show, there’s plenty of room and clues from Wembley and before to know what could happen next. Everything is focused on the future.

Wednesday’s show might be a place-setting Dynamite, but given the current form, that only perhaps will add to the excitement. As a bonus, to compensate for the lack of clarity, let’s look in more depth at the potential directions wrestlers may be heading post-Wembley.

The fuse is placed. Are you ready to light it?

AEW Dynamite Announced Card Thus Far:

Matches announced:

• Kyle Fletcher vs. Ricochet

Other segments announce:

• AEW World Champion, Bryan Danielson, will appear

Speculation:

• Matches will made official for All Out
• What’s next for Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page?
• What happened to Toni Storm after she walked out of Wembley?
• Clarification on the return to the ring of Nigel McGuiness
• Find out what is happening with The Patriarchy

Hear from the various new champions, Mariah May, The Blackpool Combat Club and PAC, Will Ospreay

Richochet is Outta This World

Post-All In, Kyle Fletcher with Don Callis challenged Ricochet to a match. The Protostar has been AEW’s future star in the making who puts over others in defeat this year.

The destination might be transparent. The road there is going to be full of twists and turns.

Loops and flips. More like a rollercoaster, than the creative potholes I’ve discussed elsewhere.

This is a showcase match for the man who defies gravity and makes flight look as easy as breathing. The story of this banger of the night match is meta rather than kayfabe.

It’s about seeing what Ricochet can do without the restrictions. Will the idea of what Ricochet can do in AEW live up to the hype?

Yet, for the former ROH TV Champion, do not overlook his role in this match. Fletcher has had outstanding contests this year with everyone from Will Ospreay to Swerve Strickland.

The Australian will not go down easily. Given Callis’ role, likely on commentary before transitioning to ringside, there’s going to be speedbumps and barriers in Ricochet’s way.

This also could feed another tease (or some bigger movement) in Fletcher’s slow face turn. His eventual reunion with his best friend Opsreay teased again.

More miscommunication with Callis, or further ignorance of The Invisible Man’s advice? This will ultimately be Ricochet’s moment.

A coming home party is what many folks have wanted for Ricochet. To begin proving the doubters online wrong.

Will that end come with a 630 or will Mr High Fly have something new?

Speculation – The All Out Card Becomes Known

With Strickland no longer with the world championship, “Hangman” Adam Page is there. Seemingly wanting to cost Strickland the championship at All In, the rumored fourth match between the pair is there.

However, how Jeff Jarrett plays into this is uncertain. Perhaps a warmup match for Page this week or next?

Or even at All Out in Texas Death where Page dramatically puts down the last Outlaw like the end of a cowboy epic. Page’s darker relapse I’ve discussed in more detail here, but I think after the Casino Gauntlet match, Page may not regain that world championship until he has redeemed himself.

In the women’s division, Willow Nightingale may name her stipulation for her CMLL World Women’s Championship defense against Kris Statlander. Given their violent history in tag action, I’m expecting something potentially bloody and involving hardcore violence.

Jamie Hayter returned to chase Saraya out of Wembley. Whether this return match happens on a Dynamite or it’s built into a PPV match will be seen.

There’s room for a build-up to PPV. Saraya can throw Harley Cameron in the former champion’s way.

Who steps up to face TBS champion, Mercedes Moné? A whole evaluation of the AEW women’s field can be found here.

The same goes for Mariah May if a rematch with Toni Storm is not forthcoming.

Daniel Garcia returned to stop MJF from cheating his way to retaining the AEW International/American Championship. That match seems PPV-ready.

A chance for Garcia to step up on the microphone also.

Also, doesn’t PAC have an International Championship match reserved with Ospreay? Also, being one third of the trios champions, how does PAC fit in with the rest of The Blackpool Combat Club?

That’s without discussing the Grizzled Young Vets, Sting’s return, and more…

AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson Speaks

Bryan Danielson’s victory at All In was, as I discussed in my Match Point, a match that took me and others in the crowd to space. Recency bias has made this my favorite match of all time.

At least in the short term and I watch it back later. The story is not yet over.

Danielson has won the championship that reports always said he refused to carry. Now, as the AEW World Champion, it’s likely beyond the man’s passionate words that we will get a clearer sense of the future.

Will one of these contenders interrupt proceedings?

Darby Allin is already set for Grand Slam. At some point, these two will come face to face again after teaming together for Anarchy in the Arena.

The prospect of this dream matches against opponents Danielson has not faced is the subject of an article later this week. So, if you’re interested, please keep an eye on the site or follow me on X.

Or is it more likely that Christian Cage will come down to stir the pot? With MITB-like opportunity against Danielson, plus The Patriarchy behind the Father Figure, would it be a tease, warning or an attempt?

It’s a rematch between two in-ring generals with high stakes. Also with the visual of Danielson’s children fresh in fan’s minds, something surely Christian at some point will play on.

Beyond these two, who else is going to step up before All Out? Nigel McGuiness?

This feel-good moment cannot last forever. It might turn into a feel-good run after the fact.

Before, however, there needs to be something next for the world champion with weeks to go ahead of All Out.

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 levelled 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