AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam 2022 Review
AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam (Tournament of Champions)
Results, Highlights and My Opinions
ROH World Championship
Claudio Castagnoli vs. Chris Jericho
In a match that met my expectations, this was a back and forth match, with counters and near pinfalls. After Claudio countered the Walls of Jericho he moved into the Big Swing. A dizzy Jericho grabbed the bat and attempted to use it but was stopped by Claudio and then removed by the ref. Claudio almost fell into a distracted referee in the corner and while she recovered and placed the bat down, Jericho hit Claudio with a low blow then a spinning elbow. Jericho with the pinfall.
Winner: Chris Jericho, New ROH World Champion
AEW World Tag Team Championship
Swerve In Our Glory vs. The Acclaimed
Let me just start by saying Keith Lee always surprises me with his speed and agility. That being said, this was an high energy match. Keith Lee showing his power, launching Bowens over the top rope and about 5 feet on to the ramp.
Keith Lee missed a moonsault off the top rope. Then Swerve accidentally hit Keith Lee with boom box. Anthony Bowens hit Keith Lee with flipping neck breaker from one corner and Max Caster took a fall from the other corner before hitting the mic drop due to a hurt knee. Several near falls throughout the match.
Swerve wipes out both Acclaimed members outside the ring and then has words with Billy Gunn. With a distracted ref, Billy Gunn hits the fameasser on Swerve. Back in the ring, Caster hits the Mic Drop and picks up the pinfall.
Winner: The Acclaimed, New AEW Tag Team Champions
Backstage Promo:
FTR interview interrupted and then mocked by The Gunn Club.
On Ramp Promo:
MJF interrupts Tony Schiavone and Wheeler Yuta and declares himself the devil and then a god. MJF mocks Yuta and says that he will never hear a crowd pop for him as they do for MJF. Wheeler calls him out on his engagement and states she will see him as AEW sees him, a spineless worthless piece of human garbage and she will walk out on him. MJF claims the “Blackpool Cuckold Club” competitors of tonight’s main event are fighting to lose to him. After the low mention of William Regal: “Hey willie can you teach me how to pop pills” MJF earns a smack from wheeler. MJF then strikes Wheeler and Schiavone. A brawl breaks out between the two and W. Morrissey joins MJF in taking out Wheeler.
Backstage Promo:
Jade Cargill and the Baddies. Jade states she will challenge for the main title when she’s ready. Trina interrupts and declare they will see each other Friday on Rampage.
AEW All-Atlantic Championship
Pac vs. Orange Cassidy
Yawn. Sorry, I’ve never been a fan of Pac. Not now, not when he was known as Neville. To end the match, Pac used the ring bell hammer outside the ring to strike Orange Cassidy and then brought him back into the ring. Pac with the pinfall.
Winner: Pac
AEW Interim Women’s World Championship
Toni Storm vs. Serena Deep vs. Athena vs. Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.
Four extremely talented women in a high energy, hard hitting match. A few near falls with Toni Storm picking up the pinfall.
Winner: Toni Storm
A bloody nosed Britt Baker attacks Toni Storm after the match. Jamie Hayte joins Britt Baker in beating down Toni Storm. Serena Deeb attacks Athena. It’s a 3 on 2 attack. Music hits and Saraya (fka Paige) arrives at AEW to a huge pop and the ring clears in awe. Athena and Toni join Saraya in the middle of the ring and the three former WWE superstars engage in a group hug.
Note: Toni Storm sure has come a long way since taking pies in the face from Charlotte Flair in her last appearance on WWE television before requesting her release.
Theatrical Trailer Promo
Darby Allin on Subway and NYC streets. Sits in a cab and states he’s going to a funeral.
AEW World Championship
Jon Moxley vs. Bryan Danielson
In what I, and I imagine most, anticipated, this was a competitive match. A few near falls. Hard hitting, submission attempts. A mix of technical wrestling and hard hitting. Jon Moxley faded Bryan Danielson out.
Winner: Jon Moxley, New AEW World Champion
Match of the Night:
Claudio Castagnoli vs. Chris Jericho
Best Interview/Promo:
Saraya (fka Paige) arrives in AEW
Best Men’s Match:
Jon Moxley vs. Bryan Danielson
Best Women’s Match:
Toni Storm vs. Serena Deep vs. Athena vs. Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.
Final Thoughts
Overall a great show. This was equivalent to a pay-per-view on regular television. Every match a championship match. Predictable? Mostly.
What are your thoughts on tonight’s episode? Leave a comment below!