Welcome to an all new edition of Blogs Count Anywhere, the complementary Pro Wrestling Blog to the ODPH podcast and 607 TWS. All the buzz in the pro wrestling world has been focused on the AEW All Out “Gripe Bomb” fallout. Make sure to check out the 607TWS special edition: AEW Reborn for a closer look at that incident. Now a week removed and the major players involved (that we know of) currently off TV until further notice, how does the landscape shape up now for All Elite Wrestling? This is what the fans SHOULD be talking about. Let's take a closer look and see, shall we?
MJF
Photo Credit: All Elite Wrestling
AEW Dynamite kicked off with the prodigal sun returning: MJF to start the show. After closing out “All Out” with a subtle knod he was going for the AEW world title, this was the first time fans heard form him in months since his own incident at “Double Or Nothing”. With Tony Khan vacating the AEW world title (along with the Trios Tag titles due to the “All Out” incident), fans were wondering how “The Salt Of The Earth” fit into plans. MJF opened up playing to the Buffalo crowd and cut a great face promo, only to turn back into heel mode when Jon Moxley hit the ring. MJF made sure to remind everyone that has has a guaranteed title shot whenever and wherever he chooses before leaving the ring.
This was a perfect way to bring him back to the fans for the most part. No stranger to controversy, MJF had the fans watching eating out of the palms of his hands. Getting the attention off Punk, Omega and the Bucks was needed. The talk shifted to when is MJF going to cash in. However, It wasn’t without its’ questionable moments. MJF threw in a line about (paraphrasing) leaving and joining Cody Rhodes in WWE. In a time where AEW needed to stabilize their image, having one of their biggest stars talking about leaving for a rival promotion might not have been the best time. He was a heel doing heel things, but perception is reality and took some luster away from the segment. Luckily, someone else came in and squashed any buzz from that punchline (for now).
Jon Moxley
Photo Credit: All Elite Wrestling
Jon Moxley crashed the segment and addressed him losing the AEW title during the promo with MJF. Moxley also led off with a passionate promo rallying fans around the company. It’s been no secret since Mox has joined up with AEW, he has been doing some of his best promos of his career. With the company reeling in the PR department, Mox cut the best one needed to steady the ship. It made even the most jaded AEW haters take notice. Hearing how emotional he got for AEW was what their fanbase needed to hear. No one talking of leaving. No one talking of going to join HHH. No more distractions. Mox’s speech has now set the direction for the world title tourney heading to AEW Grand Slam later in the month. In a week of turmoil, this was the right message to send the fans before starting the next phase.
Daniel Garcia
Photo Credit: All Elite Wrestling
Overall. AEW Dynamite might have been their best show in quite some time. Not overwhelming with wasted promo segments, the show had 2 great main events: Hangman Page and Bryan Danielson along with the ROH Pure title on the line with Buffalo native Daniel Garcia finally defeating rival Wheeler Yuta to win the prize. It’s a big moment as Garcia seems to be finally making the breakout that fans are waiting for someone to do. Other than HOOK lately, who has been a homegrown talent to make the leap? Page, MJF and Darby are all from the original signing class. Wardlow shortly after that, but since there has been a big void. Garcia appears that maybe him along with Ricky Starks will be that next wave. Working along side Chris Jericho can only help. The current storyline with JAS vs. BCC for Garcia’s loyalty has been decent but should only get better with the title change but can’t slow down now. Not doubting we get Garcia vs. Guevara happening form this. Never the less, Congrats to the new champ.
Samoa Joe
Photo Credit: All Elite Wrestling
In a nice surprise, AEW Rampage also had one of their stronger shows in recent memory as well. ROH Champion Claudio Castangoli defeated Dax from FTR, Serena Deeb won against Madison Rayne and Samoa Joe is now back on TV setting up some matches for the ROH title. IMO, just rename AEW Rampage to ROH Rampage and let the talent shine. This capped off a great rebound for the company by making fans talk about the in-ring work, instead of the out of ring drama. Fingers crossed, this is the start of more great wrestling programming to come.
Photo Credit: Pro Wrestling Revolver
Pro Wrestling Revolver has an insane card set for September 17th with “Tales From The Ring".” AEW Tag Team Champs Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee will be on the card against Rich Swann and Matt Palmer, Impact Wrestling Champ Josh Alexander is facing the 1 called Manders, Speedball Mike Bailey has an open challenge 6-way for the X-division title and much more! Don’t miss this PWR card as it’s available on Fite TV! It’s well worth the price of admission!
Photo Credit: Game Changer Wrestling
Game Changer Wrestling gets ready for a whirlwind tour stretching over the next few weeks starting up in the UK on September 16th. It’s a very stacked card with EFFY, Matt Cardona, Joey Janela and others making this tour. personally, I can’t wait to see Blake Christian vs Jordan Oliver. The event will be streamed on Fite TV so make sure you’re following GCW on socials so you don’t miss this event.
Photo Credit: Major League Wrestling
Lastly, MLW just added a major match for its’ Super Series show happening September 18th in Atlanta. Shun Skywalker (from DragonGate) is challenging MLW Middleweight champion Myron Reed. Another excellent match added to this card, so make sure you’re following MLW for all the latest.
That’s all the pro wrestling talk for this week’s blog. Hit me up on Twitter and let me know what pro wrestling we should be talking about here & don’t miss the next addition of 607TWS! Thanks for reading.