This week’s edition of All Elite Wrestling’s Dynamite was a special show. The promotion made its debut in New York City by holding Dynamite under the name of Grand Slam at Arthur Ashe Stadium in front of 20,177 people. 

With it being AEW’s largest attendance to date, this card had to deliver. On paper, it looked great, as Kenny Omega took on Bryan Danielson in a dream match years in the making. CM Punk would address the audience one more time before making his impending return to TV wrestling in over seven years. FTR took on Sting and Darby Allin, and, in the main event, Britt Baker would defend the AEW Women’s Championship against “The Runaway” Ruby Soho. 

With a sold-out crowd and a card that had been incredibly hyped, let’s see what happened. 

To open up the night, Kenny Omega took on Bryan Danielson in a dream match. To put this match as the opener took a lot of guts, because whatever followed this match would be tough to top. To say the crowd was hot is an understatement, as you could feel the energy through the screen on the TV. The crowd was so defining that it rivaled the one of Hulk Hogan and the Rock at WrestleMania X-8, or Rob Van Dam and John Cena from One Night Stand 2006. 

Omega and Danielson locked up in a collar elbow tie-up, the crowd roared, and the match was underway. Early on, the two exchange physical chops to the chest, each unfazed by it. Danielson gained the advantage by hitting a kick that sent Omega to the outside, but Omega responded by hitting a physical knife-edge chop. The two then hit the ropes and countered each move one tried and showed off each wrestler’s agility. 

The two then went into a Greco-knuckle lock up, trying to gain leverage on one another. Danielson was able to gain leverage and target Omega’s left arm, trying to soften it up for the LeBell lock. Danielson’s early advantage was something he capitalized on, coming at Omega with a flurry of quick offense: kicks to the midsection, physical chops, and a dive to the outside in one series. Danielson continued his attack on Omega’s left arm with a flying knee and a series of technical offensive moves that slowed the pace. 

Omega, though, wouldn’t let this last long, gauging Danielson’s eye and hitting a knee strike and a series of kicks to Danielson’s back. Danielson tried to battle back by countering a moonsault, but Omega would hit a running knee. Danielson reversed the tide again with a top rope hurricanrana, but Omega would hit one of his own. After a series of roll-up pinfalls, Danielson tried to lock in the Cattle Mutilation, but Omega would get a rope break. 

This is where the tide turned after Danielson hit a knee on the entrance ramp. Omega landed a vicious snap dragon suplex, leading to him hitting a brutal v-trigger on the entrance ramp. The match looked as if Omega would take control, but Danielson kept responding to Omega’s offense. 

Danielson reversed a snapdragon suplex into a roll-up, catching Omega on the top turnbuckle with an avalanche backdrop. The back and forth between Danielson and Omega got the crowd hot with “AEW” chants. Omega looked for the one-winged angel after hitting an avalanche snapdragon suplex and a vicious v-trigger, but Danielson countered with a hurricanrana. 

The match was winding down from there as both men were feeling the effects of exhaustion. Omega and Danielson were on their knees exchanging blows when the match ended in a time-limit draw. This match was a wrestling fan’s dream: physical, had great high spots, indicative of the New Japan strong style, and it told a story. Great way to start the show, and the match left me wanting more.

Grade: 9/10

Next up, CM Punk came out to cut a promo. Punk did a good job starting the promo selling the Danielson and Omega match, saying, “I’m glad I’m not wrestling tonight because how do you follow that.” This was great by Punk, because he ultimately is helping to get the show over. 

Punk then shifts his promo to a more serious note. He talked about how the reaction he gets from the fans each week is something he needs. He said this feeling of happiness comes over him each week from it, but Team Tazz wants to take that away. When he was attacked this past week by Hobbs and Tazz, it pissed him off. 

He then gave Powerhouse Hobbs one final warning, stating that he “should have made sure [that he] finished the job last week. On Rampage, I am going to put you to sleep.” This promo was passionate,  fiery, and intense. You could tell by the way Punk said everything it was real and not scripted and it resonated well.

Grade 9/10

Next, Brian Pillman Jr. took on MJF. This match wasn’t a barn burner, but it still had a nice contrast of styles. Pillman Jr. had the early advantage by hitting a takedown on MJF. The pace quickened as Pillman Jr. hit arm-drags, a hip toss, and a backdrop in a series. Pillman Jr. continued the assault with chops, but MJF turned the table by tripping up Pillman Jr. 

MJF took control of the match by sending Pillman Jr. into the mat, shoulder first. Coming back from the commercial, MJF had control over Pillman Jr. and was jeering the crowd in the process. This heelwork led to Pillman Jr. gaining momentum again by hitting a crossbody. Pillman Jr. got in more offense by landing a lariat, a thrust kick, and a power slam, sending MJF to the outside. 

Pillman Jr. looked to dive to the outside but was stopped. MJF dragged Julia Hart in the way. MJF took advantage by hitting Pillman Jr. with a lariat. Julia Hart then distracted MJF allowing Pillman Jr. to send MJF back in the ring. Pillman Jr. set up an air Pillman, but MJF countered by locking in the Salt of the Earth submission, thus ending the match. 

Overall, this match was good. MJF had great heelwork, Pillman Jr. showed he is underrated as a high flyer, and had a solid back and forth. The only negative is it could have been more creative. MJF is a great technical wrestler, and Pillman Jr. can do better than this showing. Overall, they did well with the time they were given. 

Grade: 7/10

Malakai Black took on Cody Rhodes in a big-fight feel type of match. At the start of the match, Black and Rhodes had an exchange of blows, but neither got momentum. Rhodes looked to gain the upper hand after a distraction by Brandi Rhodes, but Black locked in a variant of the octopus hold. Rhodes got out of the hold and hit a springboard kick; Black retaliated with a leaping knee strike. 

This was much of the match as Rhodes would gain momentum Black would counter, as Black would gain momentum Rhodes would counter. No one could gain an upper hand and put consistent offense together. The turning point came when Rhodes was sent into Arn Anderson, in which Anderson crashed hard on the outside. Rhodes, infuriated, worked Black in the corner forcing the referee count. Rhodes, at this point, had enough and struck the referee, but Black spit the mist in the face of Rhodes. From three, Black rolled up Rhodes and gained the win. This match was overall good in furthering the feud. 

Rhodes did a good job of fielding the crowd reaction; once they turned on him he struck the referee to garner interest in if he would turn heel. Black looked great again and is being utilized like a star.

Grade 6.5/10

Next, Darby Allin and Sting took on FTR in a tag team match. Allin and Dax Harwood started the match, but that didn’t last long, as both made tags. Sting backed Cash Wheeler in the corner but missed a Stinger splash. This allowed FTR to control momentarily as they took it to Sting with blows. Sting though was able to make the hot tag after hitting a double lariat, but Allin came in hitting a flurry of high-risk offensive moves. 

Allin’s risky style cost him, however, as while he was looking to hit a Coffindrop on the outside, FTR caught him and threw him into the apron. Coming back from the commercial, FTR continued their assault on Allin, but Allin would make the tag to Sting and that’s where the tide changed. Sting came out quick and hit a ton of offensive moves: a spinebuster, a physical uppercut, and a crossbody. Sting hit the stinger splash to both members of FTR. 

Sting sent Harwood into a chair that was set up in the corner and locked in the scorpion deathlock. Wheeler tried to make the save, but Allin hit him with a Coffindrop. With nowhere to go, Harwood tapped out in the middle of the ring ending the match. This match was great FTR worked well with double-team combos, Allin’s high-risk style is always a treat to watch, and for Sting to be 62 and still move like he’s 30 is insane. This showcased everyone in the match well; Sting and Allin picked up a good win.

Grade 7/10  

In the main event, Britt Baker defended the AEW Women’s Championship against Ruby Soho. The match started with a nice back and forth, as the two locked up in a collar elbow tie-up. Soho gained leverage with a heel trip, and Baker came back with a shoulder tackle and a side headlock. After Soho took out Jamie Hayter and Rebel, Baker hit a kick and a devastating swinging neck breaker. 

Soho came back hitting a double knee strike in the corner, but Baker came back with a hard-hitting backhand. From there, the two exchanged blows and strikes, but Baker gained the advantage by countering a suplex with a sling blade. Soho battled back by hitting a senton, but the ensuing pinfall was a two-count. The turning point came after Baker hit the curb stomp on Soho, but only came up with a two-count. Baker tried to roll up Soho but got caught with the no-future kick. Soho couldn’t capitalize as Hayter and Rebel distracted her, allowing Baker to lock in the lockjaw, ending the match. 

This match was a great way to end the show. Baker looked strong in her title defense, played true to her heel character, and showed she is an underrated worker in the ring. This was the best match of Soho’s career, as it made her look like a real threat to Baker’s reign. I expect her to play a vital role in the women’s division.

Grade 7/10            

Overall, this was a successful show in AEW. Placing the Danielson and Omega match as the opener was a great idea that allowed the fans to get hot for the rest of the night and not become restless.  Punk is as hot as ever, and Sting still looks amazing in the ring at his age. Baker and Soho delivered in the main event.

Final Grade: 7.5/10