AEW Dynamite (Aug. 9, 2023) emanated from Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH. The show featured the Young Bucks battling the Hardys for bragging rights, Rob Van Dam delivering high spots, Sting roughing up hooligans, and more on the road to All In.
Get caught up on all the Dynamite details with the excellent play-by-play from Claire Elizabeth.
Oh yes, it’s legends night, and the feeling’s right. Oh yes, it’s legends night, oh what a night. Okay… It wasn’t officially legends night on Dynamite. I’m using the term ‘legends’ fast and loose for the recap to string together a theme for a show without any major angles or major matches. The bottom line was that the legends were the most exciting moments on the show. Legends rule!
Young Bucks cementing their legacy
With all this talk about FTR’s tag team legacy, the Young Bucks are being overlooked as an afterthought in the conversation. The Bucks had business at hand against legendary rivals in the Hardys to determine bragging rights for the best tag team brothers.
The Bucks and the Hardys put on a quality match. It was just like old times, except with the knees of men twice their age. The Hardys almost threw a wrench in the plans when Jeff Hardy connected on a swanton. Matt Jackson was able to make the save on the pinfall.
Matt Jackson made a savvy move to turn the tide when he superkicked Jeff Hardy’s ankle to fall off the turnbuckles. The Bucks sensed their window of opportunity and pounced for a BTE Trigger on Matt Hardy to win.
That was a fun contest for the circumstances. It was probably the best match we can get out of the Hardys at this point in their careers. They moved spirited with lively offense. The chemistry was clear between opponents with familiarity for counters. It was good wrestling between two legend teams in their styles. The strong win sets the Bucks up nicely with momentum heading into All In.
When the Bucks grabbed a mic, FTR interrupted for a showdown in the ring. The Jacksons were all in to accept the title fight challenge for Wembley Stadium.
Back to the topic of legacy. With all this tooting for FTR, let’s not forget that the Bucks have as good a shot as anyone to win. What would that say about the Bucks’ legacy then? Would they be considered the best tag team in the world (relative to the AEW storyline talking point)?
RVD
Rob Van Dam was ready to fight for the FTW title against Jack Perry.
FTW rules were in effect, which meant anything goes and falls count anywhere. RVD strut his stuff for creative offense, such as this doozy of a leg drop off the apron to Jungle Boy hanging over the barricade.
RVD gave the people wanted they wanted for the nostalgic high of Rolling Thunder.
Van Dam also connected on a frog splash.
Funny business was afoot around the splash. Right before that moment, Perry threw a chair that hit Bryce Remsburg. Ref down! RVD hit his signature five star finisher. The crowd chanted to 10 on