Welcome to the latest edition of our weekly AEW Dynamite hits and misses series.
This week’s episode of Dynamite emanated from Wilkes-Barre, PA, with matches featuring The Elite, United Empire, Ricochet, and more.
Here’s what went down on the September 18 episode of AEW Dynamite.
Miss – Orange Cassidy vs. Chris Jericho on AEW Dynamite
Chris Jericho and Orange Cassidy delivered the opening contest. This match started off with a brawl between The Conglomeration and The Learning Tree. Jericho and OC took a bump through a table. Big Bill and Bryan Keith tried to intervene but were stopped by O’Reilly and Mark Briscoe respectively. OC picked up the win with a superman punch.
This match did need the time it got. However, giving 20 minutes to OC and Chris Jericho but only allotting eight minutes to women’s tag team action is a travesty in 2024. Jericho got the L only for him yell that it’s “far from over” pretty much explains Tony Khan’s booking of this feud.
It’s overbooked and to be quite frank, unnecessary at this point.
Hit – Moxley brings a hammer to a fight
Isiah Kassidy jumped Jon Moxley while he was making his way to the ring. Castagnoli destroyed Marq Quen, then held Kassidy as Mox destroyed his hand with a hammer. Private Party had previously accepted a trios title match for AEW Dynamite Grand Slam. It seems they won’t be able to step up to Yuta, Castagnoli and PAC next week.
This new faction of Mox, PAC, Castagnoli, and Shafir is starting to grow on me. Wheeler hasn’t pledged allegiance to the group… yet. He’s still agreed to uphold his title defense obligations for AEW Grand Slam. As for their opponents, I just hope they don’t (randomly) insert Jericho, Big Bill and Bryan Keith into the match next week.
Miss – Another HOOK squash match on AEW Dynamite
HOOK took on a local enhancement talent whose send name happened to be JD Ink. The FTW Champion gained a submission win. HOOK had a verbal exchange with Roderick Strong and The Kingdom as he made his way backstage.
AEW has seemingly created a pattern involving HOOK. He feuds with a veteran for weeks, works enhancement matches, and then does this all over. I think I’m not the only one but the poor kid has been stuck in his cycle for years now.
Hit – Adam Page and Double J brawl
Adam Page cut an unhinged promo wherein he threatened to take out Tony Schiavone. Jeff Jarrett showed up and got into a brawl with the Hangman. Both men had to be separated by security. Double J promised to kick Hangman’s ass if it’s the last thing he’ll do in his career.
Did Jarrett tease his retirement?
If that’s what he meant, Page is a solid pick for Double J’s last opponent. The Hangman ended his feud with Strickland at AEW All Out. The match has changed him no doubt.
Miss – Women’s tag team match on AEW Dynamite
Yuka Sakazaki tagged with Queen Aminata against Mariah May and Serena Deeb. Mariah spent most of the match trolling the AEW fans. Sakazaki and Aminata picked up the win. The Joshi star will challenge May for her world title at AEW Dynamite Grand Slam.
This would’ve been a good match if not for time constraints. Again, why they gave Jericho and Cassidy 20 minutes is beyond me. These ladies could’ve delivered a solid tag team contest on weekly television.
Hit – United Empire vs. The Elite
United Empire and The Elite capped off the night with a tremendous trios tag team match. Ospreay and Fletcher worked like a well-oiled machine. Takeshita showed signs of dissention from The Don Callis Family. Okada and Takeshita had some hard-hitting exchanges. The United Empire emerged victorious in this match-up.
This was a great trios tag team main event. Takeshita and Okada will try to kill each other the next time they step into the ring. The Elite losing this week means they don’t drop the tag team titles to Ospreay and Fletcher at Grand Slam. Takeshita should once again embark on a solo run, but with the Continental Title around his waist.
Honorable Mention
- Ricochet and Beast Mortos had a good match on AEW Dynamite. Mortos is incredibly agile for a man his size. Ricochet seems to be getting tired early in his matches. The former WWE star will challenge Ospreay for his title on the Dynamite 5th Anniversary Show.
