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Another explosive AEW Dynamite this week as it was the penultimate episode heading into AEW All Out and a few new matches were booked for the pay-per-view.
The biggest attraction, of course, was CM Punk's AEW Dynamite debut. However, some incredible matches went under the radar, such as the opening bout between Matt Hardy and Orange Cassidy.
Overall, AEW did a good job building towards All Out and there are several high-stakes match-ups booked. Here's what AEW subtly told us on Dynamite this week:
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#6. Chris Jericho puts his AEW career on the line at ALL OUT
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Chris Jericho came out to a great crowd reaction at AEW Dynamite this week, but his face didn't look the same. This was, of course, because Chris Jericho couldn't beat MJF in the main event of AEW Dynamite last week.
Chris Jericho was distraught, so much so that he decided to put his entire career on the line. Knowing that MJF has multiple singles wins over Chris Jericho, the living legend challenged him to one more match.
Chris Jericho challenged MJF to a match at AEW All Out, with one major stipulation. If he loses to MJF again, he will end his in-ring career and join the commentary booth full-time.
MJF came out and called Chris Jericho pathetic, indicating that he was done with him. However, the stipulation and the opportunity to end Jericho's AEW in-ring career was too good for MJF to pass, so he accepted.
We already have one huge high-stakes match-up at AEW All Out. This match is so important that it seems to have bigger stakes than even the title matches. It will be interesting to see how it goes.
Unless Chris Jericho is planning a hiatus from AEW for a while, it doesn't make sense for him to lose. This was AEW subtly telling us that Chris Jericho's desperation will eventually lead to him getting his win over MJF back. It's going to be a match that gets a great reaction at All Out.
But the big question is this - should Chris Jericho be beating AEW's hottest young star? The decision to have MJF beat Chris Jericho on previous occasions was the right one.
There is a case for MJF to win, as Chris Jericho is going to be having a hectic tour schedule before and after All Out with Fozzy.
#5. CM Punk's return and Darby Allin's AEW ALL OUT preparation
CM Punk made his AEW Dynamite debut this week. Milwaukee gave him an impressive reception, with there being no doubt about who the fans came to see the most.
Fans were just as crazy about CM Punk at AEW Dynamite this week when Tony Schiavone interviewed him. It was brief but CM Punk went into a little more detail, explaining that the reason for his return wasn't to prove anything to others but only to himself.
CM Punk also teased Daniel Bryan's AEW debut. When the crowd chanted "Yes!" he said it was someone else's schtick and that they might have to be a little more patient for him.
Not only that, but CM Punk posted a screenshot of the two shaking hands from their match well over a decade-and-a-half ago.
He seems hungry to face some of AEW's young talents and to see if he can still stand toe-to-toe with them after seven-and-a-half years away. For now, his focus will be next weekend as he takes on Darby Allin at AEW All Out.
#4. The finals of the AEW mini-tag team tournament is set
The other semi-final of the AEW Tag Team title tournament happened on the latest episode of Dynamite. It was The Varsity Blondes taking on The Lucha Bros. As good as The Varsity Blondes were, the night belonged to The Lucha Bros, who have now qualified to the final.
In the AEW Tag Team tournament final, The Lucha Bros will face Jurassic Express. The winners will go on to face The Young Bucks inside a Steel Cage at All Out for the AEW Tag Team titles.
The Lucha Bros are undoubtedly the favorites to win, but Jurassic Express will be the sentimental favorites. Don't be surprised to see them pull off a big win against Penta and Fenix to potentially set up a major title victory at AEW All Out.
#3. Kris Statlander is in the hunt for gold
The Galaxy's Greatest Alien Kris Statlander is back in the hunt for gold. Before her ACL injury in 2020, she had opportunities at the AEW Women's title but fell short. Throughout nearly the entirety of her time away, it was Hiraku Shida who dominated the AEW Women's division, holding the title for a full year.
This week on AEW Dynamite, AEW Women's Champion Dr. Britt Baker was present as her ally Jamie Hayter took on Red Velvet. It was controversial and Hayter picked up an easy win, after which a beatdown would ensue.
Kris Statlander interjected and made her intentions known, after which the All Out title match was made official. AEW Women's Champion Dr. Britt Baker's reign is under threat as she faces the Galaxy's Favourite Alien at the pay-per-view.
While Statlander is a good challenger, it's too early into Baker's reign for the title to change hands.
#2. Malakai Black's next feud in AEW revealed?
Malakai Black took on Arn Anderson's son Brock Anderson in the main event of AEW Dynamite. Arn Anderson was sceptical from the get-go. When asked about the experience difference between his son Brock Anderson and AEW's hottest recruit Malakai Black, the wrestling legend admitted that good doesn't always prevail over evil.
While he seemed to appreciate what Brock Anderson was doing for him, he didn't expect any kind of upset from his son, and rightfully so. Arn Anderson even carried a white towel with him, ready to use it at any point.
While we're not sure if this should have been the main event, it certainly succeeded in getting Malakai Black more over with the AEW audience. The problem is that AEW seemed to think that a lot of fans cared about Brock Anderson when in reality, people wanted to see him getting his head kicked in by Malakai Black.
Malakai Black didn't take long to do that in the main event of AEW Dynamite. Following this, he tried kicking Arn Anderson's head off, but he was blocked by the legend. He went down low with his kick, allowing him to knock Arn Anderson out in the second attempt.
It was Lee Johnson of The Nightmare Family who came in for the late save, driving Malakai Black out of the ring. Whether this is a feud to build Johnson or not is hard to tell, but if it isn't, the objective is likely to have another squash match with Malakai Black on AEW Dynamite.
#1. Christian Cage gets an ally on the way to AEW All Out
Kenny Omega, Don Callis, The Good Brothers and Michael Nakazawa were out on AEW Dynamite, with Omega and Callis cutting a promo. It was a classic heel promo, with new Impact World Champion Christian Cage soon coming out to confront them.
It wasn't AEW world champion Kenny Omega who Christian had his main beef with. It was the loud-mouthed Don Callis. Christian essentially exposed Callis and told him that he manipulated a young Kenny Omega - something he continues to do today.
Kenny Omega even asked, "You think you know me?" to Christian, taking a direct shot at Edge. This segment suited the last slot of AEW Dynamite more than the Malakai Black match.
Once Christian started to receive a beatdown, it was Frankie Kazarian who came to the rescue. A tag team match has been booked for the go-home episode of AEW Dynamite to All Out.
Kenny Omega will team up with Brandon Cutler to take on Christian and Frankie Kazarian. Don't be surprised to see Christian get the win before falling short to Kenny Omega at AEW All Out.
Omega is simply too hot to drop the AEW World title and Don Callis has done his job to perfection as well.
