AEW Dynamite Grand Slam Results And Review (9/21/22): Multiple Titles Change Hands
AEW Dynamite was one of the best Dynamites in a while. There was a lot on the line with this show and it was a good one. It featured five title matches with multiple titles changing hands. With the recent drama in AEW, it’s nice to see them put on a great show to move forward. A show of this magnitude, with so much on the line, comes with a lot of pressure to live up to its lofty expectations. So, did AEW Dynamite Grand Slam live up to its expectations?
*ROH World Championship Match*
Chris Jericho def. Claudio Castagnoli
I was intrigued by this match since it was announced. The ROH world title is one of the few world titles that has illuded Chris Jericho in his illustrious career. The crowd was alive for the entire show, but they were on a different level for this opening match. It had a big match feel from the jump and I love how AEW gets the ROH team involved in ROH matches.
The match itself was great and there were a few cool spots throughout. The one that stood out the most to me was Jericho reversing the ricola bomb from the top rope, into a hurricanrana. Both men looked strong during the match, but there were some moments where you could tell they were getting tired. Some moves were sluggish and not well executed, but for the most part, it was a great match.
As much as I love Claudio Castagnoli, it was intriguing to see Jericho win the ROH world title. I think it’s going to be good for the brand to have a legend like Chris Jericho hold the title for a while. It is going to be interesting to see where both men go from here. Either way, this was a fantastic match to kick off the night.
*AEW Tag Team Championship Match*
The Acclaimed def. Swerve in our Glory
This was a rematch from their fight at All Out. These two teams put on one hell of a match, but Swerve in our Glory retained their titles at All Out. That wasn’t the case at AEW Dynamite Grand Slam. The Acclaimed won their first gold in AEW in another great match. The outcome of this was obvious to me. AEW wasn’t about to have the Acclaimed lose twice to Swerve in our Glory. The Acclaimed is insanely over with the crowd right now so putting the belts on them was absolutely the right call. The match was really good, too, plus the crowd was into it, which always makes the shows better.
The Acclaimed are at the top of the tag team division in AEW, so it makes sense to put the titles on them. The crowd was extremely upset when they lost at All Out, which likely played a big role in determining the outcome of this match. It’s nice to see the Acclaimed get the push that they deserve.
*AEW All-Atlantic Championship Match*
PAC def. Orange Cassidy
This match was a lot of fun. PAC and Orange Cassidy couldn’t have a bigger contrast in styles of wrestling. PAC is aggressive and vicious with his moves, while Cassidy is more relaxed and less aggressive. This is the third time these two faced off in AEW. PAC got the better of Cassidy in what was a decent match. It went pretty much exactly as I thought it was going to go — which isn’t a bad thing, there were just no real surprises in this match.
PAC selling Cassidy’s DDTs was incredible. I’ll say it every time I mention him, but PAC is a top-five wrestler on the planet. He can wrestle with anyone in any style and make it interesting. Furthermore, he is the first-ever wrestler in AEW to hold two belts at the same time. Which I feel like no one is talking about. Overall, this match was decent, but it was also exactly what I expected.
*AEW Interim Women’s World Championship Match*
Toni Storm def. Britt Baker, Serena Deeb, and Athena
The match itself was pretty great. These women clearly had chemistry with each other, although at times, it seemed to be a bit sloppy it was still good. Toni Storm picking up a victory in a fatal four-way was big for her. It establishes her as championship material since it was her first title defense. Serena Deeb once again proves she is one of the more underrated and underused wrestlers in AEW. But the most important thing is what happened after the match.
Britt Baker, Jamie Hayter, and Serena Deeb were attacking Toni Storm and Athena after the match. But they didn’t get far because Saraya, F.K.A Paige, made her AEW debut. Saraya shocked wrestling fans by turning up in AEW, after having not wrestled in years due to medical issues. The women’s division receives a huge acquisition in Saraya and the future looks bright.
*AEW World Championship Match*
Jon Moxley def. Bryan Danielson
The Blackpool Combat Club members faced off in what was an incredible match. It was by far the best match on the show and did not disappoint at all. These are two of the top wrestlers in the world — they’re both in the top-12 for PWI 500 for 2022. Regardless of their ranking, these men are the backbone of AEW and they showed why. When AEW needed them, they stepped up and delivered one hell of a match.
While I was disappointed at first that Danielson didn’t win, it was the right call. Since it seems that a long-term feud is going to be with MJF, Moxley being champion makes more sense. Although I do think AEW needs to put a title on Danielson sooner rather than later. Jon Moxley becomes the first-ever three-time AEW world champion in what was an epic main event of AEW Dynamite.
