Brock Anderson Impresses In AEW Debut

Tonight's edition of AEW Dynamite was the last of the pre-taped Friday night episodes. It was a solid episode that set up some very enticing matches and prolonged a few engaging feuds, but it was nowhere near as enjoyable as a regular live episode. The show returns to its live Wednesday night slot on June

Tonight's edition of AEW Dynamite was the last of the pre-taped Friday night episodes. It was a solid episode that set up some very enticing matches and prolonged a few engaging feuds, but it was nowhere near as enjoyable as a regular live episode. The show returns to its live Wednesday night slot on June 30th, when it will air live from a fan-filled Daily's Place.

Loser: Wardlow Vs. Jake Hager (MMA Fight)

The show opened with a worked MMA match, which was just as weird as it sounds but not nearly as entertaining as either a worked wrestling match or a shoot MMA fight. Each man was only allowed one companion at ringside -- Jake Hager was accompanied by Chris Jericho while Wardlow was joined by Shawn Spears.

The match was scheduled for 3 five-minute rounds but ended via referee stoppage in the second round after Hager choke Wardlow out.

Hager celebrated while Wardlow regained consciousness, the two men looked like they were about to shake hands, but Shawn Spears entered the cage and jumped Hager. Jericho came into to even the score but while he was busy, MJF ran down the ramp then entered the cage and attacked his former mentor. MJF went straight for Jericho's injured arm, but Dean Malenko came into the ring to help out his old WCW colleague. MJF knocked Malenko out, despite the latter being inflicted with Parkinson's Disease.

Sammy Guevara made the save, and Wardlow, MJF, and Spears all fled the scene. The post-match stuff was fun but the match itself was rather lame. Not a great way to open the show, but certainly not as dull as it could have been.

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Winner: Darby Allin

Darby Allin faced the team of Ethan Page and Scorpio Sky in a handicap match. At Darby's request, Sting was nowhere to be seen. Thankfully for Allin, Sky and Page had to tag in and out, which meant there weren't many opportunities for them to double team the resilient former TNT Champion.

Allin was able to gain the upper hand after countering the offense of both men and zip-tying Ethan Page's legs together. He hit a Coffin Drop on Sky and covered him, but Page broke up the pin and immediately removed the zip-tied. Ultimately, the numbers were too much for Darby to overcome, and he lost the match via pinfall after Page hit him with the Ego's Edge. Page and Sky celebrated as though they'd just won the AEW Tag Team Championships.

Allin went down fighting and it took two men to put him away. Despite the loss, it was a thrilling performance that demonstrated why Darby Allin is a fan favorite. Hopefully, this is the end of this feud, as Page and Sky have solidified themselves as a detestable heel tag team, while Darby needs some fresh opponents.

Winner: Orange Cassidy Vs. Cezar Bononi

Orange Cassidy got a win over Cezar Bononi in a decent match that once again showcased Orange Cassidy's perfect blend of comedic antics and genuinely impressive technical ring work.

Bononi isn't the most exciting worker on AEW's roster, but he moves like a '70s WWWF big man in a way that is oddly enjoyable.

Winner: Brock Anderson

An impressive debut performance from Brock Anderson, the son of WWE Hall Of Famer Arn Anderson. Brock and his fellow second-generation pro-wrestler Cody Rhodes teamed up to take on QT Marshall and Aaron Solow of The Factory.

Anderson began the match despite Cody being far more experienced. Marshall and Solow utilized some dastardly tactics and were able to isolate Anderson. At one point, Anderson tagged Cody but the ref missed it and refused to allow Cody into the ring. Marshall got Anderson into position for a Cross Rhodes (Cody's finisher) directly in front of Cody, but Anderson reversed it into a gorgeous-looking DDT.

Eventually, Brock was able to make a hot tag to Cody and the momentum shifted. Cody slapped a Figure-Four on Solow who managed to grab the ropes. Marshall approached Cody from behind but Cody countered his attack into a Canadian Destroyer. Solow then laid out Cody and went for a pin, but Brock Anderson broke it up at 2.9. Solow then shifted his attention to Anderson, but Anderson countered the attack into a sneaky pin for the win.

Winner: Penelope Ford

Penelope Ford picked up a very impressive victory over 19-year-old upstart Julia Hart. Hart looked competent, and there can be little doubt that she's a future star of the AEW's women's division. But this match marked one of Penelope's Ford's best performances in an AEW ring. Without Kip Sabian at her side, the attention was all on her and she took full advantage of it.

Ford's incredible athletic prowess is evident, but her character work is improving. Her facials in this match were on point and she taunted both the audience and her opponent like a true heel. Ford made Hart tap but maintained the hold long after the bell. Hart's Varsity Blonde teammates had to step in to save her.

Afterward, TNT Champion Miro appeared to tease Penelope. He ended up scuffling with Brian Pillman Jr. and the two men had to be pulled apart by referees. Looks like Pillman will be Miro's next challenger.

Winner: Eddie Kingston, Penta El Zero Miedo, and Frankie Kazarian Vs. The Good Brother and Matt Jackson

The final pre-taped Friday night edition of Dynamite ended with a fun, fast-paced match that allowed the show to end on a much higher note than the one on which it began. Gallows and Anderson looked better than they have in a long time, while the ragtag trio of Kazarian, Kingston, and Penta operated surprisingly well as a cohesive unit.

Don Callis joined JR Tony Schiavone and Excalibur on commentary and explained that Nick Jackson was busy attending important business meetings, which is why he could not participate in the match or be present at the taping ... of course, this was a lie.

Nick interfered in the match and sprayed Penta in the eyes with an aerosol can. Anderson was able to finish Penta off and get the win.

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