AEW Dynamite Results (4/12): Two Title Defenses, Chris Jericho Vs. Keith Lee
This is Wrestling INC.'s live coverage of "AEW Dynamite" for April 12, 2023.
This week's episode will feature two title matches as Silas Young has answered Powerhouse Hobbs' open challenge for a shot at the AEW TNT Championship. Meanwhile, Orange Cassidy will be looking to extend his International Championship reign when he defends against the House of Black's Buddy Matthews, who'll be looking to add more gold to his collection following his stable's World Trios Championship win at AEW Revolution.
Elsewhere, Toni Storm and Ruby Soho of The Outcasts will team up to face Riho and Skye Blue. Blue recently signed a full-time AEW contract following last week's "AEW Rampage, and she'll be looking to continue her celebrations with a victory over the Outcasts members. That isn't the only tag team bout that's scheduled to take place, though, as the Blackpool Combat Club's Jon Moxley and ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli are set to face The Elite's allies Michael Nakazawa and Brandon Cutler — but will there be blood?
Tonight's "Dynamite" will also host a never-before-seen match-up, as Chris Jericho and Keith Lee will collide for the first time ever. Lee took umbrage with Jericho disrespecting Adam Cole on last week's show, and he's out to make an example of the veteran. Lee's former tag team partner Swerve Strickland will also be in action as he's scheduled to face Darby Allin. Finally, AEW World Champion MJF will be in attendance to say a few words.
Darby Allin vs. Swerve Strickland (w/Mogul Embassy)
The match opens with Strickland offering Allin a handshake, but his opponent is having none of it. Instead, Allin hits him with the Stunner and the action gets underway. Allin then performs a high-risk move from the turnbuckle to take down the Mogul Embassy leader. Afterward, they brawl until the latter gains some momentum when he sweeps Allin's legs away from him, causing the former TNT Champion to land on the apron and the action to move to the ringside area.
Being the hardcore risktaker that he is, it doesn't take long for Allin to introduce weapons to the proceedings. He grabs the steel steps and tries to bring Strickland on top of them, only to land on the steel spine first when Strickland swipes his legs again. Tay Melo and Sammy Guevara observe from the backstage area, enjoying Allin's misery. Strickland picks up an ankle injury during the match, which plays into Allin's tactics later. One memorable moment sees Allin trap the Mogul Affiliates leader in the turnbuckle and remove his boots before biting his foot. Afterward, Allin tries to connect with a springboard Coffin Drop, but Strickland converts it into a German Suplex.
Allin eventually regains the momentum when he performs an inverted hurricanrana on Strickland to the floor from the apron. He throws Strickland into the ring and hits him with the Coffin Drop. However, Aubrey Edwards can't count to three due to interference from Brian Cage and Prince Nana. They provide a distraction that allows their teammate to gain the advantage and perform a double stomp from the turnbuckle. Fortunately for Allin, Strickland's ankle gives way and he can't score the victory.
After a couple of near-falls, Allin picks up the victory with the Last Supper, but the best surprise has yet to come.
Winner: Darby Allin
Sting returns and confronts MJF
After the match, MJF makes his way to the ring and starts insulting the fans' intelligence. He gives Allin props for an "incredible match" and encourages the crowd to give it up for him. MJF then discusses beating Allin with a headlock takeover at AEW Full Gear 2021 and says that the risktaker doesn't have the ability to beat him because he isn't on the level of "The Devil."
Allin grabs the mic and asks MJF if he's happy. He recalls meeting him before they joined AEW and MJF talking about his problems washing away when he joins a wrestling promotion that has a national TV deal. Allin confesses to checking into therapy during his first year in AEW and encourages MJF to do the same, as it encouraged him to start giving back in order to be happy. He describes AEW as a "15-minute ride" and says that he won't lower his morals for fame. MJF responds by calling him an "arrogant little boy" and says that he's tired of Allin, Jungle Boy, and Guevara whining about his morals. MJF continues by saying he's willing to do whatever it takes to be the AEW World Champion and leave behind a legacy as the best wrestler of all time.
The promo confrontation is then interrupted by Sting. He asks MJF why he keeps talking about "daddy daycare" and says that it offends him because he sees himself "like a cheerleader." Sting explains that he has a "fever" and the only cure is more "pompoms," before bringing up MJF's relationship with Cody Rhodes. He says Rhodes was MJF's support system, much like Sting is Allin's. Sting then gives a shout-out to Ric Flair for helping him back in the day, then goes on to share his love for Kevin Nash and Scott Hall.
Sting says his run is almost over, but Allin will become the AEW World Champion. MJF and Allin have a staredown after Sting's speech, which ends with the AEW World Champion spitting in Allin's face.
Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Silas Young
Hobbs makes his way to the ring while an accompanying video promo shares footage of QT Marshall gifting Hobbs with a car. When he reaches the ring, he runs through Young and squashes him. But that isn't the end of the festivities by any means, as one of Hobbs' biggest foes has some unfinished business with the TNT Champion.
Winner (and still AEW TNT Champion): Powerhouse Hobbs
After the match, former TNT Champion Wardlow appears on the titantron and proceeds to destroy Hobbs' new car with a baseball bat. As soon as he's done smashing the windows, he enters a forklift and drives it through Hobbs' ride. Wardlow is still mad about the champ destroying his car a few weeks ago, but wrecking Hobbs' vehicle in return isn't enough payback. Hobbs' decides to take his rage out on Young, but Wardlow's music hits before he can inflict any more damage on his downed opponent. Wardlow makes his way out to the stage and the monsters get into it, only to be interrupted by agents and other AEW stars. However, they can't save Aaron Solo from crashing through a table courtesy of one of Wardlow's trademark powerbombs.
Following the Wardlow and Hobbs segment, Jay White cuts a promo and talks about Bullet Club, saying that he and Juice Robinson are the best faction in the group. They brag about giving Ricky Starks a beatdown on last week's show and they assure "Mr. Absolute" that they're just getting started. White says that they'll take over AEW, and their team will be known as Bullet Club Gold.
Orange Cassidy vs. Buddy Matthews (w/Julia Hart)
Orange Cassidy arrives in his typical laidback mood. He tries to put his hands in his pockets, but Matthews isn't in the mood for his head games. The rivals then proceed to reverse each other's moves before Cassidy gains the advantage.
It doesn't take long until Cassidy delivers the Orange Punch, but he comes out of it worse off than the House of Black member. He injures his hand, and Murphy takes advantage of the situation by stomping on Cassidy's injured limb until the referee separates them so that Cassidy can receive medical attention. Of course, that doesn't stop Matthews from returning to his opponent and continuing to assault his hand, using steel steps and turnbuckles to assist him. Cassidy's screams are loud and clear, much to the delight of Julia Hart.
Cassidy manages to regain the advantage and fights out of sheer desperation, bashing Matthews' head against the turnbuckle in the process. They eventually start fighting on the apron, which culminates with Cassidy delivering a Beach Break. When they re-enter the ring, the House of Black member continues assaulting Cassidy's hand with stomps, but Cassidy refuses to give up. The heel challenger can't crush Cassidy's spirit, which is evident when "Freshly Squeezed" puts his injured hand in his pocket before hitting Matthes with a Stundog Millionaire.
Later on, Cassidy hits Matthews with a DDT from the ropes, followed by another one to the floor, and another diving DDT when they re-enter the ring. However, Matthews manages to kick out. Shortly after, Matthews kicks out of a sneaky roll-up and another Orange Punch. Matthews regains some momentum with some knee strikes, but Cassidy plays possum and picks up a desperation victory with a Mouse Trap.
Winner (and still International Champion): Orange Cassidy
Following the match, a spooky video package plays depicting Christian and Luchasaurus in a red room. Christian notes that "some things have changed" and the teaser ends on an ambiguous note.
After the break, TRENT says that Cassidy is fine before he and Chuck Taylor call out Aussie Open to an IWGP Tag Team title match on this week's edition of "AEW Rampage." The match becomes official later on in the show.
The show cuts to Ethan Page in the ring, ranting about Matt Hardy, HOOK, and the ongoing — and somewhat confusing — contract storyline. He demands answers from Hardy, leading to Isiah Kassidy and Hardy coming to the ring. Hardy confesses that he manipulated the contract and tells Page that he should have read the fine print, revealing that a victory over Page will free him from his agreement with The Firm. Big Bill and Lee Moriarty show up afterward and attack Kassidy and Hardy, but Hook shows up and makes the save.
However, the Firm members gain an advantage for the heels once again — until Jeff Hardy returns from his recent hiatus and saves his brother and his friends from the assault. Jeff beats up the heels with a chair and hits a Swanton Bomb on Moriarty. The segment ends with hugs all around. The Hardys are reunited at last.
Blackpool Combat Club vs. Michael Nakazawa & Brandon Cutler
Kenny Omega cuts a promo from his house, thanking the fans and doctors for supporting him. He says that he's been talking to The Young Bucks and they've agreed to settle their issues with the Blackpool Combat Club in the ring. Omega says that he and the Bucks can accept being attacked, but he takes their attack on Don Callis personally. He vows to get revenge on the Blackpool Combat Club before the show cuts to Nakazawa and Cutler's tag bout with Moxley and Castagnoli.
Castagnoli wastes no time in attacking his team's opponents. He blindsides them during their entrance, leading to a full-scale assault outside of the ring which sees Moxley mug the Elite's lackeys with chairs. Nakazawa, busted open, makes his way into the ring and the bell rings; however, he doesn't have the strength to take on Castagnoli. Nakazawa does gain an energy boost, but his attempts to take down the ROH World Champion are futile, and he's met with a big swing followed by a sharpshooter.
Cutler makes a brief appearance and provides the distraction, allowing Nakazawa to escape and tag him in. Castagnoli brings Moxley into the match and he and Cutler get into it, but Cutler is no match for Moxley's viciousness. The match ends with the Blackpool Combat Club members stomping and elbowing their opponents' heads until the ref calls for the bell.
Winners: Blackpool Combat Club
Moxley grabs the mic and calls out the Young Bucks, Adam Page, and Don Callis. Moxley brags about sending them to the hospital, but they're interrupted by a surprise appearance from Omega. The former AEW World Champion provides a distraction, allowing Matt and Nick Jackson to sneak attack the B.C.C. members and take them to a superkick party. Afterward, they hit Moxley with the B.T.E. Trigger, but he manages to get out of the ring before Omega can attack him with a screwdriver.
After the segment, Prince Nana, Brian Cage, and Strickland are backstage being interviewed by Tony Schiavone. They verbally take aim at Allin before stating that they intend to get their pound of flesh.
Toni Storm & Ruby Soho (w/Saraya) vs. Riho and Skye Blue
The Outcasts get an immediate advantage when they attack Skye Blue and Riho before the match. Storm and Blue then begin the match, but the latter is at a disadvantage until she drops Storm with a head scissors takedown/enziguri combo and tags in Riho. Soho enters the ring at the same time, but Riho uses her quickness to get the better of Soho and regains some momentum for her team. She tags Blue back into the match, and the pair use their tandem offense to send Soho and Storm to the outside. Cue the aerial moves followed by some back-and-forth tag exchanges between both teams.
Storm and Soho eventually use their tag team experience to keep Riho grounded. Riho tries to fight back, but Soho weathers her attacks and keeps her at bay with a sleeper hold. However, Riho escapes and gets a brief roll-up before tagging in her partner. Blue takes the fight to Soho for a short time, but Storm makes the blind tag and ensures the babyface's comeback doesn't last long. After another period of exchanging attacks and momentum, Storm steals the victory with a hip attack and her cradle piledriver finisher.
Winners: Ruby Soho and Toni Storm
In the post-match segment, Saraya enters the ring to help her stablemates deliver a beatdown on the babyfaces, which leads to Riho getting spray painted with a giant "L." AEW Women's World Champion Jamie Hayter then shows up to take the fight to the Outcasts, but she gets overmatched. Fortunately, Britt Baker arrives on the scene to even the odds, but the heels manage to save Saraya before Baker can curb-stomp her.
Keith Lee vs. Chris Jericho (w/Daniel Garcia)
It's the match everyone has been waiting for. Finally, Keith Lee and Chris Jericho will step into the ring for their first showdown, so it only makes sense that Tony Khan would book it in the main event. The crowd is hot for this one.
The bout begins with a chop exchange followed by a test of strength. Lee kisses Jericho on the head before using his power to get the first clear advantage of the showdown. He knocks Jericho to the ground with basic power moves, which puts the Fozzy frontman on the back foot. But Garcia makes his presence felt and distracts Lee while he's climbing onto the turnbuckle, allowing Jericho to get some offense in.
Jericho can't compete with Lee's strength, but he uses his cunning and the environment outside of the ring to his advantage. At one point, he shoves Lee into the barricade before rolling him back into the ring so that he can deliver an old-school double axe handle. He then proceeds to attack Lee with some slaps, stomps, and illegal chokeholds. That said, Jericho's disrespectful antics only get Lee fired up, leading to him eating a big slam.
Following more exchanges between the veterans, Lee hits Jericho with a powerbomb, but Garcia provides a distraction that allows Strickland to make another appearance and strike his former Swerve In Our Glory partner with a weapon. Jericho picks up the tainted victory, and it appears that Lee and Strickland are destined to feud again.
Winner: Chris Jericho
Adam Cole makes his way out to the ring afterward and gives Lee a post-match pep talk. They exchange fistbumps and make their way up the ramp while Jericho and Daniel Garcia trash-talk them from the ring.