So, the expectations heading into Grand Slam have been drastically changed after last week’s Dynamite. Just when thousands of people were getting excited for the dream match that is Bryan Danielson vs. Darby Allin at Grand Slam, it gets called off.
The deck’s been reshuffled after Jon Moxley said Bryan Danielson will not be able to compete. In its place next week, we get Allin vs. Moxley again for the number one contendership.
Presumably, the title match happens at Full Gear? However, we get more than that.
It feels like classic AEW foreshadowing the world championship lineage. I’m going to delve more deeply into Allin vs. Moxley’s history and the significance of where their Grand Slam match will lead in a later Match Point article.
As a teaser, part of me is questioning whether AEW is building the chase for Allin’s eventual world championship ascension. After all, when he is fully engaged, Moxley has been perhaps the greatest transitional champion in modern wrestling.
The hand we have been dealt, in some ways, is now stronger with more scope for future play. Yet, there was a lack of clarity initially on why the last hand needed to be changed.
When Nigel McGuinness challenged Danielson to a match, it initially seemed to undermine Moxley’s claims of Danielson’s injury. Hindsight made me consider that some of the social media reactions I read before watching Dynamite forgot McGuinness as an enemy of Danielson (on commentary) has been opportunistic and underhanded.
The challenge in that regard makes sense because it fits McGuinness’ character. Pacing, placement, and a lack of connective tissue made things confusing.
This week’s episode of Dynamite offers a preview of Grand Slam with its presumed main event. And Chris Jericho.
AEW Dynamite Announced Card Thus Far:
Matches announced:
- The Elite (The Young Bucks and Kazuchika Okada) vs. Will Ospreay, Konosuke Takeshita and Kyle Fletcher
- Orange Cassidy vs. Chris Jericho
- Queen Aminata and Yuka Sakazaki vs. Mariah May and Serena Deeb
Other segments announce:
- None announced at the time of writing.
Speculation:
- Further developments heading to Grand Slam- further matches added.
- The return of Mina Shirakawa? A date on Mariah May’s championship celebration.
- Further developments between Jon Moxley/Daby Allin, Nigel McGuinness/Bryan Danielson.
Developments in the AEW Trios Championship storyline after Wheeler Yuta’s emotional promo on Collision
Gamble of The Night: Chris Jericho vs. Orange Cassidy
“Hi guys…”
Chris Jericho continues to be divisive. I am still a fan of Jericho.
I am someone who loves listening to Fozzy. Hell, I even wrote a screenplay for a wrestling film where Jericho is the big bad.
I never heard back. Dear Chris, I wrote, but you still aint callin’… Not bitter at all.
But I cannot deny that the issues I discussed in my very first article for Last Word on 5 ways to re-GOAT Chris Jericho have only worsened due to Jericho’s continual refusal to take time off. Those who enjoy the Learning Tree can and should.
But, when I was at All In, the only time there were queues to the toilets was during Jericho vs. HOOK. There is a Jericho problem but it’s also inadvertently created a wider issue of continuity with this Orange Cassidy feud.
On August 12, 2020, the main event was an obligation match where, if Cassidy lost, he would pay Jericho $7,000 for the damage to his jacket. This feud has already been resolved.
And yet, despite this, there does seem to be some good that could result from this match and storyline. Jericho’s criticism of Cassidy and his use of friendship with The Conglomeration after the end of Best Friends last week could be the clear thread that moves Cassidy forward as a character.
Where is Cassidy’s mind? The theme seemingly reflects a still recovering uncertain place that OC is trapped in.
The Conglomeration remains entertaining and fun. However, the potential of seeing Cassidy grow or change – even glacially – could be another big storyline heading into the fall.
Women’s Tag Team Action
Having two intersecting women’s storylines in one Dynamite match should be more of a regular feature. However, it doesn’t compensate for the historic issue of frequently having just one women’s match each Wednesday.
Mariah May, since becoming the AEW Women’s World Champion, has been a constant presence on Dynamite. Her character work is developing and her presentation in and out of the ring is forming.
May isn’t the finished product yet. But then she is still not at her peak.
Regardless, as a growing champion, she’s making all the right moves with her vicious offense, acting, and microphone work. The delayed championship celebration being on hold signposts waiting for the next part of the Toni Storm/Mina Shirakawa storyline.
Suggesting the action, no matter how good, is perhaps a placeholder until then. Yuka Sakazaki returned to Collision after a 5-month absence and instantly got in the crosshairs of May.
The Magical Girl showed no fear in the face of The Glamour who threatened to rip her head with a smile. “Okay! Bye bye!” Sakazaki defeated Serena Deeb and had the fans chanting for her when she reversed a sneak attack by May and held the AEW Women’s World Championship.
Deeb took her frustrations out on Queen Aminata, who turned down the Professor’s mentorship. Connecting the two rivalries together puts four deserving women in the spotlight.
Hopefully, they receive enough time to have a strong match and push their storylines forward. Whether AEW is going to rush May’s title defense against Sakazaki for Grand Slam, or they let it simmer until WrestleDream, it should be a strong joshi-infused match.
Likewise, when Aminata vs. Deeb happens, it will be another solid entry in the 2024 AEW women’s division. Such contests should be featured more frequently on Dynamite in multiple matches.
Banger of the Night: All-Stars Trio
Last week’s tag team-themed Casino Gauntlet was more of a storyline device rather than the twists, turns, and surprise-filled sugar rush match many expected. AEW’s tag team ranks retain depth, but the division is experiencing stagnation.
The decision to put Will Ospreay and Kyle Fletcher together to face The Young Bucks services three goals at once. First, putting a big clash of stars together for Arthur Ashe.
Second, it returns Ospreay to the orbit of The Don Callis Family and possibly progresses to a long-teased feud. Third, its side plot perhaps foreshadows who might beat Okada for the Continental Championship.
Something I’ll discuss later this week in an article on the next 2 AEW Champions for each belt.
This week’s match between The Elite, against Ospreay, Fletcher and Konosuke Takeshita has banger around it’s neck like a Jackson wearing a pearl necklace. It gives The Young Bucks a chance to have a strong showing now and Arthur Ashe to possibly regain some sense of lost form during this AEW World Tag Team Championship run.
Likewise, the prospect of seeing Takeshita and Okada throwing hands/middle fingers? Sign me up.
The friendship between Ospreay and Fletcher and the tease of Fletcher leaving the Family is blossoming into something that might be more impactful than when it was first suggested. In part because of Fletcher’s increasing array of banger performances, showing valiance in defeat.
The arc seems reminiscent for both good and bad reasons of Takeshita’s rise to prominence. One of my highlights of last week’s Gauntlet was the dynamic and teamwork shown between Ospreay and Fletcher, which encourages me to think this, and next week’s match will be show-stealers.
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
