AEW Weekly – 28/10/24 – 03/11/24

Welcome back to yet another AEW Week in Review. Some big things came out of AEW this week so let’s get straight into the action.

Kicking it off this week we start with Fright Night Dynamite on the night before Halloween.

We open this show with a BCC video package highlighting the beat downs that have taken place over the past few weeks. Orange Cassidy interrupts the video and makes his way down to the ring. Orange says he doesn’t see himself as a leader, he doesn’t see himself as the saviour of AEW, but he does need AEW just like all the young guys in the back need AEW. He said while he may not be the leader, he will challenge Jon Moxley at Full Gear and take the AEW World Championship.

Our first match of the night is the first challenge for Adam Cole on his quest to face MJF at Full Gear as he takes on Buddy Matthews of the House of Black.

Cole is ready to show that he is all healed up and ready to get his first win on his path, but Buddy is not going to make things easy as the match starts. Cole clearly uneasy about being back in the ring after such a debilitating injury takes a couple of tumbles and we can see that he is still being affected by the ankle.

At one point during the match, Buddy targets the ankle and works it over hardcore making Adam question whether or not he is able to continue. Cole on the outside of the ring is being tended to by the doctor and Adam says he doesn’t want to give up but will go to the back to get his ankle checked out. As they are walking up the ramp, Buddy gets on the mic and calls Cole a bitch which leads to Cole storming back to the ring.

The two men brawl for a bit and Cole manages to hit a Panama Sunrise and The Boom to secure the win. After the match Cole gets the mic and tells Buddy he appreciates what he did for him and that he showed him the real Adam Cole. Buddy and Cole shake hands as the lights go out in the arena and when they come back on, Malakai Black is in Buddy’s place holding the hand of Adam Cole.

Private Party is shown backstage as they prepare for their biggest opportunity alongside the interim EVP, Christopher Daniels. Daniels recaps on the fact that he once faced The Young Bucks with similar situations and now his partner is no longer with the company, so he knows what is going through the mind of Private Party.

Adam Cole is shown backstage with Undisputed Kingdom and the doctor. Adam says he believes in AEW and that he believes in the men and women in the locker room. Cole says he will get his hands on MJF.

Back in the arena we are greeted by a chorus of boos as Don Callis and Kyle Fletcher make their way to the stage. Kyle is on the microphone and calls out his previous mentor and United Empire stablemate Will Ospreay to no avail. Instead, we get our first surprise of the night as Aussie, Aussie, Aussie rings out over the speakers leading to the sound of the Aussie Open theme playing. Out from the backstage area we don’t get Ospreay, however we do get a returning Mark Davis, the former tag team partner of Kyle.

Kyle tries to go in for an embrace, but Mark turns him down and says that Kyle is the reason Ospreay is not here. Kyle offers Mark a spot in the DCF, and Mark says “family? family? we had and Empire, a United Empire and you destroyed it!” Mark then walks off as Kyle notes that Mark will have a difficult decision to make, and that Kyle has no problem cutting off the past.

We go backstage once again, this time with Renee who is standing by with Hangman Adam Page. Page says that he will stop at nothing to beat Jay White and that he will even burn down Jay’s house and leave him behind.

Right before we go to the commercial break, we see the BCC making their way through the backstage area. As we come back from the break, BCC is making their way into the arena. Moxley gets onto the microphone and says he did Orange a favour by cutting the dead weight of his life so he can focus and become who Mox believes he should be. Mox makes it known that Orange didn’t challenge him, he challenged Orange. Mox says that Orange thinks he is pulling the strings but he’s not. Mox then sicks PAC and Claudio on Yuta and threatens to stomp a chair around his head.

Orange runs down to make the save but the numbers are too much for him. Dark Order come out and try to assist with the efforts, but they are on the receiving end of a beat down too. On the outside of the ring Yuta and PAC have Orange held down with a chair around his head as Claudio gets ready to stomp on it. Before Claudio is able to complete the stomp, Darby repels from the rafters and attacks Claudio. Daniel Garcia, Private Party and Top Flight arrive to help out and manage to bring the fight to the BCC. Meanwhile the Young Bucks theme plays, and they make their way to ringside for their match with Private Party.

In what can only be considered as one of the best tag matches of 2024, Private Party take on the Young Bucks for the AEW World Tag Team Championship after dealing with the whole debacle of the BCC.

Early in the match, unfortunately Quen blasted Kassidy with the ring bell leading him to be busted open and teasing some tension between the two men. In an emotion filled match, Kassidy brought the brunt of the assault by the Bucks. Even with an Okada Tombstone on the stage to Quen, Private Party gave everything they had to stay in the game. After being dominated all match, Private Party hit the Gin and Juice and secure the win and their first ever run as the AEW World Tag Team Champions. After the bell rings and referee Rick Knox hands the belts to Private Party, The Young Bucks steal the belts and look like they are going to leave with them. Instead, the Bucks place the belts on the shoulders of Quen and Kassidy and then leave the ring.

After a quick commerical break we see the Learning Tree in the arena and Jericho makes it known that he wants to take ROH to new heights and new places.

Backstage we catch up with Jack Perry who is walking around and is confronted by Garcia claiming that Perry is next to lose his title. Garcia pins Perry up against the wall calling Perry entitled. Perry hits back with a quote that will haunt Garcia when he said, “they used to dance for me too”.

As Garcia leaves the scene, Perry goes into The Elite locker room where we can see Brandon Cutler shredding documents and the Young Bucks hurriedly packing their bags so they can leave the arena.

What are the Young Bucks doing?!

Watch Fright Night #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@alexmarvez | @youngbucks | @boy_myth_legend | @GarciaWrestling pic.twitter.com/yw0OApQSkJ

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) October 31, 2024

In her continued quest to get her hands on Mercedes Mone, Kris Statlander is here to face off against the CEO’s bodyguard, Kamille.

A match that has been touted as the battle of the toughest women in AEW, we really didn’t get the chance for it to showcase the best of both women. Unfortunately for Kamille she is showing signs of ring rust and not the signs of being the most dominant NWA Women’s Champion. This match left a lot to be desired as Statlander secured the win.

Mercedes attacks Statlander after the match and screams at Kamille to go to the back in saying that “if you need something done right, best to do it yourself”.

After weeks of calling out Swerve, it is time for Shelton Benjamin to step into the ring and face the former AEW World Champion. This match definitely could have filled a spot on a PPV; however, TK had other ideas and allowed these men to show us why they are in the upper card in AEW. Both men got to showcase why they considered top contenders to the top prize and why they deserve to be in the talks for a future run as the face of the company. Ultimately Swerve takes out the win with the Stomp.

After the match MVP is shown dismayed but he makes a phone call and seconds later the lights go out for a brief second as if to tease a debut. When they came back on Swerve was confused as the camera panned to the entrance and a spotlight shone highlighting the new entrance of a debuting Bobby Lashley.

Lashley makes his way to the ring and stares down Swerve. Lashley then puts a beating on Swerve as Nana is taken care of by MVP. Shelton and Lashley take care of the security who try to break up the brawl and we end the show with the Hurt Syndicate standing tall and MVP saying “Look who’s back in business”.

My Thoughts –
A solid show from AEW this week in a great return to form. I loved the way that the BCC segment and Bucks vs Private Party segment blended together. It made it feel like the Bucks were coming out to pick off the remains after the destruction from the BCC. I loved seeing Mark Davis back on the show. I felt that the only let down this week was the Kamille vs Statlander match because no one really seems to care about what Mercedes is doing in the company.

RAMPAGE 1/11/24

JD Drake, Beef, & The Butcher vs. LFI

Mortos and JD Drake to start. Drake lays in some chops but Mortos somehow pops Drake up into a Samoan Drop! Tag to Rush, and Rush does Rush things on the outside of the ring area. Rush brings Drake back in the ring and lays in some heavy chops, as LFI make quick tags and isolate Drake. Rush teases the Bull’s Horns before stopping short and kicking Drake in the face. PIP time, baby. Running avalanche in the corner by Rush, but Rush welcomes Drake to chop him back, and Drake obliges. Double A spinebuster by Drake and BEEEEEEEF gets the tag. Beef clears the ring and sends Dralistico over the top and on to Mortos. Beef lays into Rush with some straight right hands and a big haymaker. Running clothesline in the corner by Beef and a bulldog out of the corner. Butcher is in now with a big back suplex. Beef goes up top for the KENTUCKY MEAT SHOWER but Dralistico chops the leg out. Chop block to Drake from Mortos. Springboad lungblower from Dralistico to Butcher and a cannonball in the corner by Mortos. Bull’s Horns by Rush and this one is over.

Taya Valkyrie w/ Deonna Purrazzo vs. Zoey Lynn

Quickest match of the night right here, It was literally over just after it began. Valkyrie walks out the winner.

After the match Stokley is out to stir up trouble as per usual. He tells Taya that Zoey has been telling people that all these girls do is eat meatballs and chit chat. Taya flips out and gets back into the ring and beats down Zoey before finally curb stomping her on the outside of the ring. Taya considers continuing the attack, but Deonna convinces her otherwise.

Queen Aminata vs. Leila Grey

The beginning of the match looked like there were some live rounds being thrown between the two women. Aminata is really starting to come into her own and is definitely showing that she should be considered as a contender in the women’s division of AEW. Aminata picks up the win in this match.

Top Flight & Action Andretti vs. The Dark Order

In a match that I consider to be very odd, especially since we have seen these two teams working together to take on the BCC, Andretti and Top Flight get the win. Andretti in this match is giving us some heelish style tendencies as he attacks the injured ribs of Reynolds.

MAIN EVENT – Lio Rush vs. Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes

Lio initially offers Komander a handshake, but Komander is unsure. Both men go step-for-step, counter each other until Rush gets in Komander’s face and shoves him. Dropkick to the face by Komander now and he offers the hand to Rush, who dumps him to the outside. Rolling thunder kick sends Komander reeling from the apron and Lio follows up with a low top suicida. Rush is in cover throughout the break, heading up top but missing the frog splash. Komander responds with a back elbow and a springboard crossbody. Low kicks by Komander and a brutal chop to the chest. Double jump arm drag and a superkick to the face by Komander. Running moonsault off the top by Komander! Two count. Rush sends Komander to the outside, but he walks into a bottom rope assisted Stunner. Rush locks in a kravat and uses that to deliver a Stunner. Pop-up powerbomb by Rush and a short-arm lariat! Two count. Falcon Arrow by Rush gets another two count. Rush goes up top, but Komander rolls to the apron, forcing Rush to follow. Upkick by Komander and a backstabber on the apron. Yikes. Komander sends Rush into the ropes but it’s another bottom rope Stunner. Rush heads up top again and misses the frog splash. Komander drives on a crucifix pin for two. Running superkick by Komander, who follows up with the rope walk Shooting Star Press! One, two, three!

My Thoughts – Once again Rampage suffers from the lack of star power on the show. The matches were good for what they were, however, it didn’t really further any stories here or help to push a narrative. It will be interesting to see what will happen once the decision to drop Rampage is made.

Live from the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! we head straight to the ring where Tony Schiavone is with FTR, The Outrunners, Top Flight and Ishii. Tony introduces the brand-new tag team champions, Private Party who make their way out past some more tag teams who are standing on the stage.

Private Party gets into the ring and the crowd is chanting “you deserve it” to them before they can have a chance to speak. Quen gets on the mic and thanks the Young Bucks for making them earn the belts. He says what is next for Private Party? Anyone and everyone! and Private Party step to FTR. FTR push Private Party back but The Outrunners interrupt and become the voice of reason in the ring.

We head to the backstage area where Renee is with The Acclaimed and Max looks like a little somber compared to his usual self. Bowens congratulates Private Party and Caster says that it’s not going to stop The Acclaimed from coming for the belts. During the interview Caster pulls money from his pocket and has MVP’s business card and it leads to Bowen’s questioning his tag team partner.

Our first match of the night is the Day of the Dead match between Harley Cameron and Thunder Rosa.

Harley comes out to the ring once again wearing her pink cat inspired face paint while Rosa has gone all out and decked herself out to show her heritage and pay respect to those who have passed. The match starts off with a shoving contest between the two ladies and Harley getting some brief offence in before biting the rope only to be taken down by Rosa. Harley rolls to the outside of the ring as Rosa hits her with a running dropkick between the ropes. Both ladies utilize the ringside area, and the goodies placed around the ring. At one stage during the match Harley ends up inside a garbage can and gets some sense knocked into her by Rosa. Rosa takes out the match after hitting the Tree of Woe dropkick.

Probably what will be considered match of the night is up next as the Protostar, Kyle Fletcher takes on Komander. Fletcher starts the match off hot with a big boot to Komander’s face after throwing his pants in his face. This match is not just a simple squash match by Fletcher as Komander does get his chance to shine throughout the match. Kyle takes out the win in this match and continues to beat down Komander after the bell only for Mark Davis to run out and make the save leading to a stare down between the former Aussie Open tag team.

We go backstage once again and this time we are with Jack Perry who is wallowing in self-pity. Garcia comes into the scene and once again calls Perry a piece of trash and pretentious. Perry turns around and says he already fought for what Garcia thinks he is fighting for now. Perry says that Garcia is afraid to sacrifice everything and that is why he will never win the TNT Championship.

Back in the arena we get more of the Don Callis Family as Lance Archer and Brian Cage team up to take on some local talent by the names of Shaun Smith and Joe Keys. In standard tradition of these two men, the DCF completely dominate their competition. Nigel comes up with a great name for the team on commentary mentioning that the two men have become a Murder Machine. Archer and Cage win the match in the quickest match of the night.

After a backstage segment with A.R. Fox and Nick Wayne which results in a match being booked for next week’s Collision, we go back to the arena where we are greeted to Moxley, Shafir and Yuta making their way out to the crowd. Moxley has a microphone and calls out Orange Cassidy telling him that the game has already begun, and the question is if Cassidy will make to Full Gear. Mox says he cut his teeth in Philly, so he knows what it takes to make it in this city. Mox also hypes up Yuta saying that Yuta knows what it’s like to fight for something bigger than himself.

Action Andretti’s music hits and he comes out and says he can’t listen to this for another second. Action says he is not there to chit chat, he is there to throw hands. PAC attacks Andretti from behind and we get an impromptu match between Andretti and PAC. Yuta, Mox and Shafir are at ringside as PAC takes the fight to Andretti. PAC is beating Andretti all around the ring and throws him into the barriers. PAC dominates the entire match with Andretti barely getting any offense in. PAC locks in a Brutalizer for the submission win. PAC holds the submission in until they see Orange Cassidy on the screen.

Orange is in the crowd with a microphone, and he says “GO BIRDS” which gets a decent pop from the crowd. He calls out Yuta saying that Yuta used to stay at his place during training. Cassidy says that the Yuta in the ring is not the same one he remembers. Cassidy says in two weeks he will beat Moxley, bring back the old Yuta and bring back the AEW World Championship to AEW.

Moxley slaps Yuta and sends him out to the area where Cassidy is standing. Yuta grabs a chair and heads over to Cassidy and contemplates hitting Orange with the chair. When he hesitates and looks back at Mox who is in the ring, Cassidy pulls the chair from Yuta’s hand and then hits an Orange Punch before walking away.

A video package from Malakai talking to Adam Cole is shown. Malakai says that he has being sitting so long he has become a shadow. He says he wants Cole to end the voices and to put an end to his torment because if he doesn’t, Malakai will show the world the blackest black we have ever seen.

As we come back from the commercial break, Kyle Fletcher and Konosuke Takeshita declare their intentions to go after the tag team titles.

In the arena we are ready for Lio Rush vs Aryia Daivari. Rush is looking a lot more focused in this match after witnessing the domination of Action Andretti. In a short match Lio picks up the victory after a Frog Splash from the top rope.

Lexi Nair is backstage with MxM Collection and Johnny TV. Johnny TV says that fashion saves more lives than doctors. Johnny says that MxM have IT and offers them to slide into his DM’s

Roderick Strong is set to take on Shane Taylor for his first match in the race to three wins between himself and Adam Cole. Taylor gains the upper hand after the lock up by backing Strong into the ropes. Taylor gets to show us why he is considered a heavyweight and should be considered as one of the strongest men in AEW. Strong takes a beating during this match at the hands of Taylor. Strong attempts to hit an Olympic Slam on Taylor but fails and Taylor headbutts him out of the ring. Taylor went for a leg drop on the apron but Strong moves out of the way. Strong manages to take down Taylor on the outside of the ring and after they get back in the ring, Strong hits multiple forearms to Taylor with one flying clothesline before going for the pin. Taylor kicks out at 1. After a brief exchange, Strong hits an Olympic Slam on Taylor but still only gets a two count. Strong moves around the ring and attempts to go for a knee to the head but Taylor moves out of the way and then locks a Rock Bottom style slam and a Splash for only a two count. Taylor tries for the Package Piledriver but Strong escapes and hits a High Knee and gets the three count for the win. MJF is shown watching the match and he does not seem happy.

It’s time for our Collision main event where Mariah May will put her AEW Women’s World Championship on the line against Anna Jay.

We get a solid back and forth match between May and Jay with Jay getting the chance to show what she has learnt from her time away. This match was definitely one of Mariah’s better-quality matches in her championship run. Towards the end of the match, Jay locks in the Queen Slayer and almost gets Mariah to submit. Mariah manages to get out of the submission and secures the win with a roll up pin.

My Thoughts –

A decent episode of Collision this week. I am definitely happier that this week we saw more development of the stories across both Dynamite and Collision instead of the focus just being on Dynamite. I like the fact that the women were a highlight of the show on Collision by main eventing, even if the match did feel a bit rushed due to time constraints. All in all AEW presented a strong week this week with the return of Mark Davis and the debut of Bobby Lashley.