Even though AEW is coming off two consecutive pay-per-view weekends, this is hardly the time to slow down. Not when Dynamite is coming to us tonight from the home of speed for decades, Indianapolis.
One of the big things to keep an eye on tonight is the start of the tournament that decides who will face MJF for the AEW World Championship (or as he calls it, the Triple B) at Dynamite Grand Slam. Two of the quarterfinal matches will take place tonight, while the others will be on Rampage ahead of the semifinals on Collision.
Plus, Jon Moxley will make the first defense of the AEW International Championship he won from Orange Cassidy at All Out. Speaking of Freshly Squeezed, he’s making his way out to start tonight’s show, so let’s see what’s in store from Indy.
AEW Dynamite results from Indianapolis:
- The fans greet Cassidy with a “thank you Orange” chant, and he says that while they told him to stay home, he will be here every week, championship or no championship. On his way out, the new champ is on his way in to make his first title defense.
- Jon Moxley def. AR Fox by pinfall to retain the AEW International Championship as Darby Allin and Nick Wayne watch closely backstage, and Allin goes to the ring afterward to check on Fox. Meanwhile, Christian Cage and Luchasaurus bump into Wayne, and Cage insults Wayne’s dad while also trying to recruit him, as weird as that sounds.
- Kris Statlander def. Emi Sakura by pinfall to retain the AEW TBS Championship. She’s still sporting the “Zoolander” gear too.
- Roderick Strong talks about his tough family life growing up and how pro wrestling got him out of it. He says he grew up alone and will win this tournament alone.
- Le Sex Gods (Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara) def. Aussie Open by pinfall despite some miscommunication that angers Guevara and leads to the two of them needing to be separated after the match. Don Callis is on guest commentary and loves the whole scene.
- A highlight package is shown of the Ricky Starks-Bryan Danielson Strap match at All Out.
- Callis and Konosuke Takeshita tell Renee Paquette that they’re going to have a celebration in Cincy next week and reveal Takeshita’s next target.
- MJF says he lived in Indiana for a bit during his time on the indie circuit, and while he initially was upset about having to wrestle on Sept. 20, he perked up when he realized it was Grand Slam in New York. He also says there’s one person who might need to be taught a lesson, but before he can say who it is, Samoa Joe comes out and joins him in the ring. MJF tries his hand at some creative insults at Joe’s expense, but he keeps calling the champ “kid,” and that gets MJF fired up. He calms down and tells Joe there’s a whole tournament to determine who gets to wrestle him, then launches into the William Regal story we’ve heard before. MJF also talks about the time he got to be a security guard who got to walk Joe to the ring, except Joe shoved him into a brick wall and laughed. The point of all this is that MJF was a kid at the time but he’s not any more — he’s a generational talent who headlined the most historic PPV of all time. He even turns the “Joe’s gonna kill you” line around, but Joe is unfazed and calls the champ a bitch instead, just goading him like mad. Max slaps Joe, but while Joe says he won’t take the bait, he waits ’til MJF is leaving the ring and kicks him in the crotch. MJF gives him a low blow in return but runs right into a one-armed slam. It looks like a Muscle Buster is next, but Adam Cole rushes into the ring to save his partner … though MJF sells the damage done to his neck. On his way out, Strong and The Kingdom yell at Cole.
- Roderick Strong def. Trent Beretta by pinfall in a Grand Slam World Title Eliminator Tournament quarterfinal match.
- Paquette catches up with Toni Storm, who seems to be unaware of what she did to ruin things for Ruby Soho. “Chin up, tits out and watch for the shoe!” Seriously.
- Tony Schiavone brings Hangman Adam Page to the ring to speak about his battle royale win, but he wants to look forward instead. Before he can talk about his plans for the rest of 2023, however, Prince Nana leads Swerve Strickland out and dismisses Schiavone. Swerve says being in a coffin for two weeks gives you some clarity and perspective, and the first person he thought of when he got out was Hangman. Strickland points out that Page was a cornerstone of the company when it first started up, but he’s questioning whether Hangman lost his spot or his fire. Swerve says Page can either ride comfortably off into the sunset or he can man up and show everyone what “Cowboy S–t” is all about. If they fight, however, Strickland says he will walk Page like a dog. Hangman tries to walk off, but Swerve brings his family into it. Alas, it’s a trap, and Brian Cage attacks Page from behind and easily takes him out.
- Darby Allin def. Nick Wayne by referee stoppage in a Grand Slam World Title Eliminator Tournament quarterfinal match. Cage and Luchasaurus came to the announce table during the match but didn’t interfere.