AEW Dynamite
March 8, 2023
By: John Siino
Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, CA
Commentary: Excalibur, Taz & Tony Schiavone
AEW All-Atlantic Championship: Orange Cassidy (c) vs. Jay Lethal
Funny moment to start the match, as Tony Schiavone and Taz commentary was heard over the loud speakers to their surprise. Referees and officials stopped Jeff Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh from coming out ringside for this match, as Danhausen & Best Friends stayed in the back as well. This is the fourth Dynamite in a row that has Orange Cassidy in the opening match. Cassidy starts the match in control, before Jay Lethal goes to the outside to regroup. As they run back in, Cassidy dodges the Lethal Injection trying to the Beach Break as well, before stopping another Lethal Injection with a kick to the gut. They go and fight on the outside for a bit with Lethal going into the steel steps but he follows with a Dragon Screw to Cassidy in the ropes as they were re-entering the ring. Lethal sends Cassidy back outside, while he does a strut, before going right after Cassidy on the outside, sending him back first into the apron. Lethal starts showing injury to his elbow as Cassidy shows an injury to his knee. Lethal takes advantage of that by sending him knee first into the ring post as we go to picture-in-picture.
When we come back, they are trading punches in the ring and go back and forth before Cassidy hits a brain buster. They fight on the top rope for a while, before Cassidy hits a diving DDT, followed by another DDT for a two count. Lethal puts on the Figure Four, but Cassidy is able to to roll himself to the bottom rope, breaking it up. They start fighting on the apron, where Cassidy dodges an Enziguri, but Lethal goes right after Cassidy’s leg again, hitting Lethal Combination. Lethal goes to the top rope, but Cassidy puts his knees up at the elbow drop. Lethal counters the Orange Punch with a cutter for a two count. Lethal goes for the Lethal Injection, but his shoulder gives up and he stumbles. Cassidy follows that quickly with the Orange Punch for the pin and the win.
Winner: Orange Cassidy by pinfall at 14:45, to retain
Jay Lethal goes and grabs the Golden Globe trophy, but Bryce Remsburg stops him from going in the ring. As Cassidy is distracted, Jeff Jarrett runs back in from behind and hits The Stroke on Cassidy. Jarrett then hits Cassidy’s injured knee with his guitar, as the Best Friends run out to chase Jarrett away.
Only One Thing Left
We see footage from Wardlow’s Twitter of his car being broken into with his gear and TNT Championship being stolen. Renee Paquette is with Powerhouse Hobbs who says it’s unfortunate Wardlow’s car got broken into and it wouldn’t have happened to him. The one thing he still has is being the champion, and Hobbs will take it away from him tonight.
Absolute & Juice
Ricky Starks comes to the ring and says for the past 10 days he’s been here in California and with beating Chris Jericho, he’s had a hell of a week. Week after week he has taken down the Jericho Appreciation Society and Jericho, and people have asked what’s next for him. Starks says the answer is he’s not sure but the question that weighs on his mind is where he’s going to go next. Before he can say anything else, the Bullet Club’s music hits. Juice Robinson runs in from behind Starks and takes him out with a DDT.
Dressed For A Street Fight
After the break, Tony Schiavone is with Wardlow who’s wearing an FTR shirt since his buddies let him borrow some clothes. Since he’s dressed for it, he suggests tonight’s match be changed to a Falls Count Anywhere and he will still be champion tonight, regardless of having the physical title or not.
The Broken Foundation
Renee Paquette is in the ring and introduces Ruby Soho. Renee asked Ruby why did she align herself with Saraya and Toni Storm at Revolution. Ruby says it’s obvious and shouldn’t come as a surprise as the fans created this monster. Ruby says her very first title match at Grand Slam against Britt Baker, when Baker won, the people were thrilled. Ruby brings up going against Kris Statlander in the semi-finals of the Owen Hart Tournament, and after she beat Statlander they booed her out of the building. Ruby then talks about Jamie Hayter pinning her at Revolution, making her realize that nobody was ever going to come to her defense or be mad when she lost or appreciate her. Ruby mentioned she wasn’t the only one, bringing up them calling Toni Storm an interim champ and after begging Saraya to come out of retirement, everybody came after her. Ruby talks about them being outcast since they came to AEW, as they came here to help rebuild the women’s division. She said you can’t build on broken foundation, you can only demolish and start something new and calls everybody in the back rookies who think they deserve the world as Tony Khan and everyone gives it to them before asking for her opponent, Skye Blue to come out.
Ruby Soho vs. Skye Blue
Taz mentions on commentary how Ruby Soho made some valid points, as she goes right after Skye Blue in this match. Soho takes Blue down with a step up Enziguri, before kicking away at Blue. Blue struggles to get up, but is able to land a slap on Ruby. Ruby blocks Blue, taking her down for a two count as we go to picture-in-picture.
When we come back, Ruby is in control and hits a pair of Saito Suplexes to Blue. Blue mounts a comeback, hitting an Enziguri and a boot in the corner, before hitting a top rope crossbody for a two. Blue tries the Code Blue, but Soho blocks it, before blocking the Skyfall with a hair pull and hitting Destination Unknown for the pin.
Winner: Ruby Soho by pinfall at 6:50
Toni Storm and Saraya join Ruby Soho after the match in the ring and start spray painting Skye Blue, before Willow Nightingale runs in the ring. Willow tries to talk some sense into Ruby, but Saraya and Storm attack Willow from behind. Ruby takes out Willow with the No Future, before they start spray painting her as well.
Done With Moxley
Renee Paquette is backstage with ‘Hangman’ Adam Page who’s sporting a black eye and ask how he’s doing. Page says physically he’s been better, but his heart, soul and mind is doing well. He says if you want to try him, he’ll take them to hell by ripping off your flesh, choking you and that he’ll ride them out. Renee asks if his rivalry with Page is done, as Page apologizes for what she had to say and if she had to blame someone, to not look at him and after Texas Death, he’s finished.
The Reign of Terror Has Just Begun
We see footage from a bloody MJF after Revolution saying he made the Dragon tag out and maybe he’s the devil with horns coming out his forehead and has the grand prize of them all with the AEW World Championship. And now it’s time to celebrate but brings up next week, March 15th being his birthday and it’s not going to be a regular birthday, he’s going to have his re-Bar Mitzvah. MJF ends it by saying his reign of terror has just begun.
FTR Gunning for the Titles
Tony Schiavone is in the ring and welcomes FTR who get a big reaction from the crowd here in Sacramento. Cash Wheeler talks about how he missed this but how the last couple of months have been bad to him, before bringing up all the titles and matches they have lost before bringing up losing one of their best friends in wrestling as the crowd chants for Jay Briscoe. Wheeler says he know they had to recharge but he can’t sit at home as The Gunns call themselves the best tag team in wrestling. Wheeler admits they are good but also they are spoiled, entitled, disrespectful little assholes and how their father gave them everything they could ever ask for which is something his own father couldn’t do for him. Wheeler did teach him how to be respectful and fight, and will teach The Gunns that as well.
Dax Harwood talks about how he cares about all the fans here and when he thought he couldn’t be loved, the fans and professional wrestling never left him and he loves them too. Harwood brings up how December closed the book on the greatest trilogy they ever had in their career and that feeling was taken away from The Gunns and now it’s time for retribution and to get even. It would be easy to beat them, but now they have to beat them and become the AEW World Tag Team Champions and they have to do it for them, The Briscoes and all of the fans.
Wack Ass Canadians
Renee Paquette is backstage with Jade Cargill and Leila Grey as she brings up her 53-0 record and asks if Jade is feeling challenge. Leila says there is no challenges and Jade says she ran through everybody here and since they are in Canada next week she challenges any of the ‘wack ass Canadians’ to step up and get stepped on.
The Jericho Appreciation Society (Chris Jericho, Daniel Garcia & Sammy Guevara) (w/ Jake Hager, Matt Menard & Angelo Parker) vs. Top Flight (Dante Martin & Darius Martin) & AR Fox
Chris Jericho and AR Fox start the match with a bit of a stare down, before Fox sends Jericho in the corner with an Enziguri followed by a running clothesline. Jericho heads to the outside, where Fox takes him out with a suicide dive, before throwing him back inside. Darius Martin and Daniel Garcia come in next, before Dante Martin makes a blind tag as Top Flight double teams Garcia, with Dante taking him out with a moonsault to the outside. Angelo Parker tries to interfere, which distracts Dante to run into a fist by Garcia as they go to commercial.
When we come back, Fox is in control taking out both Jericho and Sammy Guevara, before going to the top rope and hitting a double cutter on Guevara and Garcia, getting a two count on Garcia. Darius hits a Spanish Fly on Jericho for a two count, before hitting a back flipping kick for another two that Garcia and Guevara break up. They all go at it, inside and outside of the ring, including Fox hitting an Imploding Senton. Back inside, Jericho stops Darius, and tries a Walls of Jericho, but Darius rolls him up for a two count. As Aubrey Edwards was distracted, Jake Hager hits Darius with the bat, before Darius walks right into the Judas Effect, as Jericho gets the pin.
Winners: The Jericho Appreciation Society (Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia) by pinfall at 9:42
Battle of the Trios
Angelo Parker gets on the mic and calls it the best trios win in history and calls for Sacramento to ‘light the beam’. Matt Menard says that tonight is the one-year anniversary of the Jericho Appreciation Society before Daniel Garcia says they should be the #1 contenders to the Trios Championship. Sammy Guevara calls themselves the sexiest group alive, before Jake Hager screams that he likes his sexy hat. Chris Jericho calls out the House of Black and tells them to turn off the lights and come to the ring.
The lights go out, but when they come back on it’s The Elite. Kenny Omega says that, for the last couple of years they haven’t gotten into each other’s business. He starts talking about the Trios Championship, but Don Callis comes out and takes the mic and says The Elite established those titles and after the match they had at Revolution, it’s obvious that The Elite are the #1 contenders, and not the Jericho Appreciation Society. Callis brings up bring friends with Jericho for 33 years and agrees he’s one of the best wrestlers of all time, but he’s only the second best wrestler from Winnipeg. Callis said if he had a couple months to train, Jericho would be number three. Jericho tells them to come to the ring, but the lights go out again. When they come on, we hear from the House of Black for a brief second who said if they want the titles, to come and get them, as the House of Black appears on the stage.
All-Atlantic to International
We go to Tony Khan who has a special announcement. Khan says he is going to honor Orange Cassidy’s open challenge next week against Jeff Jarrett but it will be the final time it’ll be the All-Atlantic Championship, as in partnership with Shazam: Fury of the Gods it’ll be renamed the AEW International Championship.
Time To Go Home
We see footage of Bryan Danielson after Revolution, where he is near tears and says he realized that MJF was right. His whole career he thought it was best to fight, but when he woke up from being unconscious, his first thought was to fight. He then realized he couldn’t feel his arms or his left leg, and when MJF said he wouldn’t be able to play with his kids, he dawned on him that he was right that he was putting himself before his family. And that made him more ashamed then tapping out and it’s time for him to go home.
Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli (w/ Wheeler Yuta) vs. Dark Order (John Silver & Alex Reynolds)
Right away, Claudio Castagnoli goes after John Silver, as Jon Moxley takes out Alex Reynolds on the outside, before coming in and going after Silver. Claudio and Silver go back and forth, before Silver hits a suplex, but Claudio tags right out to Moxley. Moxley and Claudio tag in and out and go after Silver, including a leg drop from Claudio for a two. Claudio keeps Silver in the corner with body shots and uppercuts, but Silver comes right back by dropping Claudio on the turnbuckle and makes the tag out to Reynolds. Reynolds goes right after Claudio with an uppercut before taking Moxley out with a suicide dive. Claudio is able to take Reynolds off the top rope, where Moxley attacks him on the outside before they go to picture-in-picture.
When we come back, Claudio is holding Reynolds down on the mat, but Reynolds fights his way out and hits a double stomp on Claudio. Reynolds escapes and makes the hot tag to Silver, who meets Moxley in the corner with kicks. They run the ropes, before Silver hits a couple kicks and German Suplex for a two count. Moxley starts kicking away, until Silver knocks him down with a punch. Moxley traps Silver in a triangle choke, but Silver gets out and puts on submission with knees. Claudio breaks it up, but Dark Order takes him out with an uppercut and then start double teaming Moxley. Moxley catches Reynolds in rear choke that he turns into a half & half suplex. Moxley puts on a choke hold on Reynolds before Reynolds taps out.
Winners: Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli by submission at 10:27
Moxley keeps the move on Reynolds, before Silver tries to break it up. Claudio tosses Silver to the outside, as Moxley puts on a Bulldog Choke on Reynolds. Evil Uno runs out and goes after Moxley, but Wheeler Yuta takes him out from behind. They continue the attack on Uno, before Adam Page runs out. Page walks past Moxley, and punches Claudio. Claudio, Moxley and Yuta then all jump Page, before officials run out to break them up.
Sports Entertainers At Heart
Renee Paquette is backstage with The Acclaimed, who said they are back on the road to the tag team titles, but they get interrupted by Angelo Parker & Matt Menard. Parker said even they love The Acclaimed and Menard say they love rap music. Parker calls them sports entertainers at heart, but The Acclaimed just laugh in their face and walk away.
Rampage Line-Up
- Sammy Guevara vs. Action Andretti
- The Acclaimed in action
- Konosuke Takeshita vs. Preston Vance
- Nyla Rose vs. Riho
Dynamite Line-Up
- AEW International Championship: Orange Cassidy (c) vs. Jeff Jarrett
- MJF Re-Bar Mitzvah Celebration
- AEW World Trios Championship: House of Black (c) vs. The Elite vs. Jericho Appreciation Society
AEW TNT Championship Falls Count Anywhere Match: Wardlow (c) vs. Powerhouse Hobbs
As Wardlow’s music hits, we cut to the back where Wardlow and Powerhouse Hobbs are brawling. They fight on a car, where a keg is thrown into the window. The bell rings to officially start the match as they head to a picture-in-picture.
When we come back, they have made their way to the ring where Wardlow hits a big spinebuster but Hobbs gets right back up and hits one of his own. Wardlow gets right up as well, as they start trading punches before Wardlow takes down Hobbs with a lariat. Wardlow follows with the F10 for a two count. Hobbs comes right back with two more spine busters, but Wardlow still kicks out. They go to the outside, where Hobbs tosses Wardlow into the barricade before grabbing a table from under the ring. Wardlow places Hobbs on the table and hits a senton from the top rope, through the table, that Hobbs kicks out at two from. Wardlow follows this by power bombing Hobbs on the floor, before taking him all the way up the ramp near the commentary table. Wardlow goes for another power bomb, but QT Marshall comes out and takes out Wardlow with a steel chair, including a chair shot. Marshall and Hobbs hit a double power bomb to Wardlow through the stage, as Paul Turner counts Wardlow out.
Winner: Powerhouse Hobbs at 10:52, to become NEW AEW TNT Champion
