**CONTAINS SPOILERS**
Tonight’s episode of AEW DYNAMITE was broadcast live from the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA!
Tony Schiavone, Excalibur, and Jim Ross were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.
It’s Wednesday night and you know what that means!
CM Punk vs. “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes!
“Rhodes has to worry about a highly motivated CM Punk who has AEW World Champion ‘Hangman’ Adam Page in his sights,” said Excalibur.
CM Punk and Dustin Rhodes shook hands before the match began as a sign of mutual respect.
Punk took down Rhodes with a side headlock. Rhodes countered with leg scissors.
There were dueling chants in the arena of “Let’s Go Dustin!” and “CM Punk!”
CM Punk ducked a crossbody press from Rhodes and Rhodes’ momentum sent him spilling out of the ring, underneath the bottom rope for a rough landing on the arena floor. Rhodes was holding his knee.
Back in the ring, Punk dropped elbows on Dustin’s injured knee. CM Punk continued to work on Dustin’s knee. Dustin hobbled to his feet but Punk kicked out Dustin’s leg.
On the apron, Dustin kicked Punk away and sent Punk into the steel ring post. Dustin followed up by yanking Punk straight down onto the ring apron, with Punk’s shoulder taking the brunt of the impact.
CM Punk and Dustin Rhodes traded strikes in the ring. Rhodes backdropped Punk and then connected with two lariats. Rhodes’ knee gave out on him but Rhodes managed to hit a Code Red on Punk for a near fall!
“That was so close!” said Jim Ross.
“Dustin has that Code Red almost worked to perfection,” replied Tony Schiavone.
Dustin powerslammed Punk for another near fall! Punk retaliated with a chop block to Dustin. Punk applied the figure four leg lock. Dustin powered through and began to paintbrush Punk with open palm strikes! Dustin reversed the figure four but Punk reached the bottom rope for the ref break!
The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome! This is awesome!”
Punk attempted a springboard clothesline but Dustin countered with a clothesline and then a CrossRhodes. Dustin followed up with a piledriver but Punk kicked out at two!
“That was the big shot. He thought for sure that was going to win it,” said Schiavone.
“Don’t forget Dustin still has that Final Reckoning in his back pocket,” added Excalibur.
Punk tried for the GTS but Punk’s leg gave out but he managed to countered with a cradle to Rhodes and pinned “The Natural”!
After the match, AEW World Champion “Hangman” Adam Page walked out on the ramp carrying his world title. Page and Punk had a stare down!
Footage was shown earlier in the day of Wardlow arriving.
“Smart” Mark Sterling was there to greet him, along with AEW Security. Sterling said Wardlow would have to be handcuffed and escorted to his dressing room until it was time for his match, per MJF’s orders.
Trios Match!
Blackpool Combat Club—“American Dragon” Bryan Danielson, Jon Moxley, & ROH Pure Champion Wheeler Yuta vs. Dante Martin, Lee Moriarty, & Brock Anderson (with “The Enforcer” Arn Anderson)!
William Regal joined the commentary booth for this match.
The Blackpool Combat Club wasted no time in going after their opponents. Wheeler stretched Dante Martin in the ring with a bow and arrow submission. Dante escaped and clocked Wheeler with a high kick.
Danielson tagged in and nailed Dante with brutal European uppercuts. Bryan followed up with a running dropkick to Dante in the corner. Dante fired back with dropkicks to Danielson and then to Moxley.
Brock Anderson tagged in but Moxley hit a half and half suplex on him. Mox tagged in Danielson who then dropped a flying knee on the back of Brock’s head! Moxley tagged back in and ate a spinebuster from Brock Anderson!
Danielson and Moriarty tagged in and Moriarty connected with a big boot to Bryan. Lee and Danielson traded uppercuts. Lee was looking for the Border City Stretch on Bryan but Bryan lifted up Lee and suplexed him!
Moxley tagged in and Dante attempted the Nose Dive but Mox caught him and countered with the bulldog choke! All three members of the Blackpool Combat Club pummeled their opponents. Mox finished off Dante with the Paradigm Shift, winning via pin!
“Wheeler Yuta has taken to the Blackpool Combat Club like a fish to water,” said Excalibur.
Brandon Cutler was backstage with the Bucks, ReDRagon, and Adam Cole!
O’Reilly said that they needed to live up to their name—the Undisputed Elite.
Cole said as a team, they can’t be stopped. Cole told the Bucks that he and ReDRagon were still there for the Bucks, even if the Bucks’ other friends were gone. And next week, Cole wants an Undisputed Elite open challenge, to show everyone how good they are.
AEW President/CEO/GM Tony Khan made a monumental announcement!
Tony Khan: “We have a huge announcement tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, the president of New Japan Pro-Wrestling—Takami Ohbari!"
Mr. Ohbari walked onto the ramp but was quickly interrupted by Adam Cole #BayBay!
Adam Cole appeared on the screen. Cole said only one person should make an announcement like this—himself.
Cole: “On June 26th, AEW and NJPW collaborate to present the first-ever joint pay-per-view event—The Forbidden Door—live on pay-per-view from the United Center in Chicago—an event like you’ve never seen before. And you’ll get a taste this Friday on RAMPAGE as it’s Adam Cole vs. Tomohiro Ishii in an Owen Hart Cup qualifying match.”
Adam Cole said he had a special guest that wanted to say hello.
“Switchblade” Jay White walked out and grabbed the mic from Tony Khan!
White: “Thank you for the introduction Adam. It’s very kind that I’d be here for an announcement like this, since the last time NJPW held such a large joint event, I single handedly sold-out Madison Square Garden. So let me make this clear. It’s not about New Japan, it’s not about AEW. This is about the Undisputed Elite and Bullet Club because it’s still our era!”
The Butcher vs. Wardlow!
MJF and Shawn Spears were sitting in a skybox eating popcorn.
Butcher bit at the forehead of Wardlow and then he used repeated head butts to the side of Wardlow’s head!
Wardlow shoulder tackled the Butcher. Outside the ring, the Butcher grabbed steel chairs from beneath the ring and threw them into the ring. The Butcher whipped Wardlow into the barricades and then into the steel ring post and continued to batter him outside the ring.
Butcher continued the assault on the spine of Wardlow inside the ring. The Butcher powerbombed Wardlow but Wardlow kicked out at the 1-count! Wardlow kicked the Butcher and then powerbombed the Butcher!
“The band has tuned up. The symphony has begun,” said Jim Ross.
Wardlow powerbombed the Butcher again while looking up at MJF in the skybox. After four massive powerbombs, Wardlow pinned the Butcher!
After the match, MJF’s security detail returned to the ring to escort Wardlow out of the ring.
Eddie Kingston challenged Daniel Garcia to a match this Friday on RAMPAGE! Everyone is banned from ringside!
Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament Qualifier Match!
AEW World Tag Team Champion Jungle Boy (with Luchasaurus and Christian Cage) vs. Kyle O’Reilly!
Jungle Boy used a monkey flip on Kyle but Kyle transitioned out and applied a cross arm breaker. Jungle Boy quickly latched onto the bottom rope.
Jungle Boy knocked O’Reilly down with a dropkick! Jungle Boy yanked on Kyle’s arm but Kyle reversed it with a hammer lock and then he swept out Jungle Boy’s leg. Kyle flattened Jungle Boy with butterfly suplexes.
Jungle Boy dumped Kyle over the top rope and followed up with a tope suicida to Kyle on the arena floor! Jungle Boy walloped Kyle with a comebacker lariat!
“Kyle finding himself in a spot of trouble here,” said Excalibur.
O’Reilly used a dragon screw leg whip on Jungle Boy as Jungle Boy tried to return to the ring. Kyle sent Jungle Boy flying with an exploder but Jungle Boy rallied back with a lariat!
“Don’t ever count Jungle Boy out. What determination that young man has,” said Schiavone.
Kyle charged at Jungle Boy but Jungle Boy countered with a suplex to Kyle right into the turnbuckles. Jungle Boy hammered right hands into the head of O’Reilly. Jungle Boy followed up with a sliding dropkick into the tree of woe that Kyle was tied in.
Jungle Boy tried to drop the hammer but Kyle ducked it. Kyle grabbed Jungle Boy’s ankle but Jungle Boy rolled out of the ankle lock. Jungle Boy neutralized Kyle’s legs with the Snare Trap but Kyle reached the ropes, forcing ref Aubrey Edwards to break the hold.
“This is a chess match and we’d expect nothing less,” said Jim Ross.
Kyle superplexed Jungle Boy and then followed up with a modified brainbuster. Kyle climbed to the top turnbuckle and dropped a knee, pinning Jungle Boy!
“Wow, what a fight! In his first AEW singles match, O’Reilly walks away a winner and advances in the tournament,” said Jim Ross.
Christian Cage walked down the ramp and Jungle Boy apologized for the defeat.
Alex Marvez was backstage with MJF and Shawn Spears!
“Butcher didn’t get the job done but there’s a lot more money where that came from. I’m a snake. Much like a snake, when I do so decide that you’re my prey, it only takes one bite. And that right, Mr. Roberts.”
Jake “The Snake” Roberts grabbed an envelope of money from MJF.
The “MurderHawk Monster” Lance Archer slapped the envelope out of Jake Roberts’ hand and said he doesn’t want money; he just wants to fight!
HOOK’s DYNAMITE Debut!
HOOK vs. Anthony Henry!
HOOK grabbed Henry’s ankle. HOOK backed Henry into the corner and then suplexed his opponent!
“Smart” Mark Sterling and Tony Neese were watching from the front row.
Danhausen appeared out of nowhere and tried to curse HOOK!
HOOK was impervious to Danhausen’s curse and he locked in RedRum, making Henry submit!
Danhausen entered the ring and said, “If you don’t want to be cursed by Danhausen, you will fight Danhausen,”
HOOK walked away, showing no respect to Danhausen.
Scorpio Sky approached Frankie Kazarian backstage!
Scorpio Sky: “I need one more favor. I know you want the TNT Championship, but I need to go out there and challenge for it. And I promise once I win it back, you’ll be the first person I defend it against.”
Frankie: “Scorp, I’ve always had your back. I always will.”
TNT Champion “Spanish God” Sammy Guevara came out to the ring with Tay Conti!
Sammy: “I love this, right on top of the world where I belong, as TNT Champion for the third time. And with Tay, the love of my life.
“Now as far as the rest of you, and I hear you, the rest of you that turned your backs on us the first change you got because why—my girlfriend is hotter than yours? You’ve got one option: Be mad!”
Scorpio Sky, “All Ego” Ethan Page, and American Top Team’s Dan Lambert came out.
Sky: “You want to screw all the fans who supported you? It’s not screw us, Sammy, it’s screw you.”
Lambert: “My grandfather said, ‘youth is wasted on the young.’ You are the perfect example of that Sammy. You get to make one more chance tonight young man. Give Sky his rematch or I send Page and Sky into the ring.”
Sammy: “I’ll give you the rematch if you give us the mixed tag that we want.”
Lambert: “Done!”
Sammy: “Next week, me against Sky in a ladder match!”
Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament Qualifier Match!
Dr. Britt Baker. D.M.D. vs. Danielle Kamela!
Danielle used a terrible towel to try to smother Britt Baker, but Baker charged at Danielle. Baker connected with an elbow strike.
“Britt is battering Danielle Kamela,” said Excalibur.
Britt fired back with a sling blade clothesline. Baker connected with a thrust kick. She followed up with a neck breaker on Kamela. Britt used the curb stomp. Britt put on a Steelers glove and then applied the Lock Jaw, forcing Kamela to tap out!
Dr. Britt Baker has advanced in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament!
Baker: “This AEW women’s division is a disaster without me. Ruby Soho needs to run away. Toni Storm will have her face mopped in the ring by Jamie Hayter.
“And Jade Cargill—the only ones who’ll want to see her in the ring are the ones she gave free tickets to in the Baddie Section. Baddies you can sit the hell down because I’m the baddest b!tch on the block. And your future Owen Hart Foundation Tournament winner. Yours truly Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.”
Coffin Match!
Darby Allin vs. Andrade El Idolo!
The Blade tried to grab Darby’s skateboard but Darby pulled it back and wacked Andrade with it! Marq Quen jumped in and blindsided Darby!
“It’s all legal in this coffin match,” said Excalibur.
Outside the ring, Darby was thrown into the steel ring barricade by Andrade El Idolo. Sting was in the crowd dressed as…well, Sting, disguised with a baseball cap and a Sting mask! He came to Darby’s aid and evened up the odds!
“Sting like a wrecking ball,” said Excalibur, as Sting hit Marq Quen and the Blade with a trash can!
Sting climbed and jumped off the balcony with a crossbody press onto Andrade El Idolo, the Blade, and Marq Quen!
Darby tried for a Coffin Drop but Andrade El Idolo caught him on the outside and then hurled him overhead! Andrade slapped Darby and placed him in the thumbtacks. The lid of the coffin was lined with thumbtacks!
Andrade El Idolo picked up Darby Allin and then suplexed him onto the ramp! Andrade El Idolo walked over to the metal grate and tried to suplex Darby. Darby fought back until Andrade picked up Darby and then pancaked him onto the grate!
Andrade El Idolo began to pull Darby by the arm back to the coffin. Andrade whipped Darby into the steel ring steps. Andrade tried to tear the lid off the coffin. Andrade picked up Darby on the ring apron but Darby countered with a cutter. Darby nailed Andrade with a tope suicida which sent Andrade into the coffin!
Jose the Assistant ran down to help Andrade. Darby Allin slammed Jose onto the thumbtacks and then closed the lid on the coffin, while Andrade was inside. Darby Allin was victorious. Sting and the Hardys came out to show their support!
Catch AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, PA!
This Friday tune in to RAMPAGE at 10/9c on TNT!
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!