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Preview: AEW Dynamite (9/25/24) – Grand Slam

A match graphic for AEW Dynamite; Grand Slam featuring Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuinness.

AEW seems fittingly in the zone. The place was made famous by the man who gave his name to the stadium where the fourth annual Grand Slam takes place in Flushing, Queens, New York.

Compared to some weeks where little is announced in advance, AEW looks to stack the card for this double taping of Dynamite and Collision.

A total of 10 of the 11 promised matches have graphics. One bout that has remained unpromoted was the promised first Trios Championship defense by the Blackpool Combat Club.

It promises both the storyline development of Wheeler Yuta and the potential for some surprise partner to join Private Party. Surprises at such a big show are always welcome.

The build to Grand Slam hasn’t been without its potholes, but like many big AEW cards, the promise of wrestling nirvana is again a historic feature of AEW.

Heading into the two biggest men’s matches, some confusion was related to the AEW World Championship contenders. And yet, as time passed, connective tissue and clarity came in the form of passionate words from Nigel McGuinness and Darby Allin and the threats of inevitability from Jon Moxley.

Once again, Pretty Platinum is the central narrative driver of interest.

The question of what physical state Bryan Danielson and Swerve Strickland, two Washington natives, are in ahead of WrestleDream will become clearer. Some shapes to the Tacoma card will form.

Each Year, Grand Slam has helped define the company’s direction heading into the fall. It’s hosted some of AEW’s best matches and moments. This year doesn’t look like it will be an exception.

The future is about to become defined.

Announced Card Thus Far:

Matches announced:

  • Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness*

*- If Bryan is cleared to wrestle

  • Darby’s shot at the AEW World Championship on the line: Darby Allin vs. Jon Moxley
  • AEW World Tag Team Championship: The Young Bucks vs. Will Ospreay and Kyle Fletcher
  • AEW Women’s World Championship: Mariah May vs. Yuka Sakazaki
  • FTW Championship: HOOK vs. Roderick Strong

Matches Not Assigned for either AEW Dynamite or AEW Collision:

  • AEW Trios Championship Match: Claudio Castagnoli, PAC & Wheeler Yuta vs. Private Party & “a partner of their choice”

Other segments Announced:

  • Prince Nana will provide an update on Swerve Strickland

Speculation:

  • Could there be a big debut linked to Jon Moxley’s new direction?

Gamble of The Night: Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness

A legacy feud from ROH’s past between two of its most legendary alumni has brewed in AEW from the moment Nigel McGuinness joined the commentary desk.

The Bobby Heenan to Danielson’s Hulk Hogan (except Danielson needs to be convinced into taking the win), McGuinness at every opportunity as verbally slashed at the American Dragon. Or American Coward if you take McGuinness’ side.

Elsewhere I’ve discussed the historic and personal nature of this legacy feud along with other Danielson potential dream rematches. It boils down to McGuinness believing Danielson had the career the Englishman felt he deserved. Nigel had to watch from the sidelines, from the commentary desk.

McGuinness’ hatred is so deep it’s head cannon where motives have been implicit and inferential rather than explicit and shouted about. Take McGuinness’ All In return in the Casino Gauntlet match.

Why London? Besides the obvious home nation pop. To credit Michael Hamfleet of WhatCulture who pointed this out, did McGuinness choose London because he believed Bryan would win?

When that did not work, McGuinness, like a classic heel picked a moment. One where Danielson’s absence and near asphyxiation removed him from Grand Slam. At a time when Danielson is brittle.

The issue is the balance because the wrong execution of such a highly emotive match could damage both the violent splendor of All Out and the stakes and purpose of Darby vs. Moxley. We need to be prepared that this is an angle.

Or an angle disguised as a match. There’s both an awesome and logically secure way events could play out. Or a disappointing and believability that’s full of holes like Swiss cheese.

I have faith in the former given both Danielson and McGuinness’ commitment, professionalism, and minds for wrestling.

AEW Women’s Championship Match

Last week, I fairly evaluated the placeholder feeling that exists around Mariah May’s current character development and the women’s world championship scene while “Timeless” Toni Storm is away.

May’s commitment to her in-ring and character work (which can at times feel undefined and broadly stereotypical) conflicts with her youth and relatively short experience. Like the Toni Storm character, Mariah needs time to find herself and define her reign.

Facing “The Magical Girl” Yuka Sakazaki offers a stepping-stone title defence that could inject some doubt and suspense. Yuka is an opponent whose style suits the young champion’s comfort zone due to her Joshi experience.

Also, with Yuka’s personality and her ability to connect with the audience, she could help bring some needed heat for May. Of May’s few defenses so far, Yuka could prove to be more of a challenge.

Mariah told the cameras: “Yuka? Bully me. I’m begging you. Bully me.”

Sometimes you need to be careful what you wish for. And that could perhaps go for what might happen post-match.

Grand Slam seems a strong place for the teased return of Mina Shirakawa. May has on the microphone and online said: “I want Mina”. In response, Mina in videos has been clear she is unsure what to think of May’s actions.

What happens between the Club Venus partners/besties might be the inciting incident that sparks excitement and more life in Mariah’s championship reign.

Would Mina stand up for Toni Storm or side with May? Or will May betray Mina the same way she did Storm? Was her friendship with Mina in STARDOM just another rung on the ladder?

Darby Allin vs. Jon Moxley

Jon Moxley will face Darby Allin for the fourth time. The third time in AEW. Mox has won all four of these contests. With the number one contendership for the AEW World Championship on the line and the chance to headline WrestleDream in his hometown, can Darby Allin win?

The dream match between Darby Allin and Bryan Danielson is my number one match in a recent article on first-time matches The American Dragon must have before retiring. Two of the greatest underdogs in wrestling. Two Washington natives who have similar and yet popularizing qualities.

This year, in particular, Darby feels closer to being that main event star. It was only a year ago that the other pillars were shown to not have reached the level of the Devil. Yet on the microphone and in those intangible ways, Darby feels (nearly) ready.

And yet he faces a man who more than any in AEW has been the harbinger of transition. When Darby decided to fight, the look on Moxley’s face is a look not of disappointment but of an assured reality that he will kill Allin as necessary. All to bring in the paradigm shift the company needs.

Moxley’s new direction is in its infancy. This is Mox’s first match back. Does this revolution die out early? Will Darby get his moment? Or will Mox choke it out of Darby like he did at All Out with Danielson? Just without the plastic bag.

Each time these men have clashed, it has been reckless and brutal. It’s been emotive and focused. Darby refuses to die. On three prior occasions, Darby failed. Fell, got up again, and persevered. Allin has ridden with death before as his co-pilot crashes and burns frequently. Is that enough to withstand Mox?

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

James Staynings

James Staynings

James is an English teacher who after seven years of dedicating himself to teaching young people how to find their voice through literature and language, is letting the multiple voices that live rent free in his head out onto paper. James has been a pro-wrestling fan since he was twelve and has been hooked ever since.

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