Coming off two pay-per-views in two weeks, surely AEW is going to take a second to breathe, right? You know, just take it a little easier until Full Gear? Maybe in the past, but with the Grand Slam shows coming up soon at Arthur Ashe Stadium and the brand spanking new WrestleDream less than a month away … not so much. Tonight’s AEW Dynamite in Indianapolis has work to do as a result, beginning with something that directly affects Grand Slam.
That’d be the Grand Slam World Title Eliminator Tournament, which starts tonight with the first couple of quarterfinal matches. One will see good friends Darby Allin (or what’s left of him after his matches at All In and All Out) and Nick Wayne do battle. They should keep it respectful but competitive as they compete to get closer to a world title shot.
The same can’t be said for the other quarterfinal on Dynamite. Roderick Strong is one of the more bitter members of the AEW roster as he feels his (former?) good friend Adam Cole has turned his back on Roddy in favor of his partnership with MJF. Strong has vowed to get through the tourney and do what Cole couldn’t by defeating MJF, and that journey starts tonight against Trent Beretta.
Speaking of the world champ, this would be the kind of show he used to disdain since it’s happening in the midwest. But he’s turned a new leaf since teaming up with Cole and is trying to be a better scumbag, so he’s not even complaining about showing up in Indianapolis. We’ll see what he has to say and if it addresses his entrance ramp shove by Samoa Joe om Sunday.
Another star scheduled for some mic time tonight is Hangman Adam Page. The cowboy has been all about The Elite’s business in recent weeks out of necessity, but he also won the Over Budget Charity Battle Royale at All Out. Might Hangman have his heart set on getting back after some singles gold? We may find out tonight.
Dynamite is set for its usual 8 p.m. ET start time on TBS. We’re looking forward to it as much as you are, we’re sure.