In this WrestleTalk News, a shock ex-WWE debut at Grand Slam, a possible turning point with
backstage morale in AEW, and our review of AEW Dynamite Grand Slam.
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Another massive twist to the tale of CM Punk and AEW has broken via PW Torch’s Wade Keller.
Speaking following the ROH World Title match between Claudio Castagnoli and Chris Jericho
at last night’s Dynamite Grand Slam, Keller noted that a very prominent name was left
out when ROH announcer Ian Riccaboni was listing notable former ROH champions, that being none
other than suspended former AEW champion CM Punk.
While AEW have performed a similar scrubbing of other controversial figures in the past,
such as MJF in the months following his ‘pipe bomb’ promo, Keller believes this glaring
omission could be an ominous sign for Punk’s AEW future.
"I think this is noteworthy but not surprising [that] he excluded CM Punk’s name as he
talked about some of the biggest names who have held the title, that's a bit of a tell.”
“I am not expecting CM Punk to wrestle in AEW again.
I'm not saying it's a 100% sure thing but everything is pointing in the direction of
some sort of buyout of his contract.
We'll learn more eventually about that situation."
If this is true then it would really be the icing on a particularly crap cake for this
crazy year in the career of the two-time AEW champion.
Tony Khan made no secret his reverence for Punk and the success he was bringing to his
company, however, the backstage brawl and outright calling out of higher ups in a public
PR setting is just too much to ignore ultimately.
PAIGE THERE.
Yep, because just over two months following the expiration of her WWE contract on July
7th, former WWE Divas champion Paige, made a surprise showing at last night’s AEW Grand
Slam event.
Paige, now known under her real name of Saraya, hit the ring to confront Britt Baker following
a AEW Womens title four-way between Baker, champion Toni Storm, Serena Deeb and Athena.
Considering the fact that she ran off Baker and her cronies and invited them into the
ring for a brawl seems to suggest Saraya could actually be set to wrestle in AEW - that would
mark the first time she’s competed in ring since December 2017.
While this is unclear, according to Fightful a source within AEW, detailed that it was
not only Tony Khan who was interested in Saraya, but also her former employers WWE.
“WWE would also be interested in bringing her back considering the new regime.
We were told that the conversations didn't result in anything at the time, but anything
could have changed since then.”
It’s certainly not difficult to believe that WWE would have been interested in re-signing
Saraya under Triple H’s leadership, however, given her inactivity throughout the latter
years of her WWE contract, her decision for a fresh start in AEW is understandable, especially
if a return to physical competition is in her plans.
After a seemingly never-ending stream of reports of unrest in the AEW locker room could the
tide be turning back towards AEW becoming ‘All Friends Wrestling’ once again?
According to Fightful Select, this could in fact be the case, prior to last night’s
Grand Slam edition of Dynamite yet another AEW talent meeting was held.
While details of who spoke at the meeting are unclear, it was reported from those in
attendance that the meeting was “very positive and effectively served as a pep talk for the
roster ahead of a major show”.
While many predicted that the All Out media scrum could be the catalyst for a backstage
unraveling within AEW, in reality according to the same source, the opposite is in fact
true, due in part down to the regular talent meetings held since: “The talent meetings
held since All Out have seemed to resonate well with the roster and staff”.
A long-term AEW talent also stated that things have become noticeably more “laid back”
backstage since All Out.
Interestingly, the term “addition by subtraction” was also used from the same source, however,
Fightful reports that it is unclear who this came from.
Considering the breaking news surrounding a certain Phil Brooks’ imminent AEW departure
it is perhaps not too difficult to piece together who
the source may be discussing.
Hello
Fresh is great.
I’ve actually been cooking actual food for the last few months with them.
Check them out.
But now it’s Thursday, you know what that means.
AEW Dynamite Grand Slam… in about 5 minutes.
Move aside, Quake at the Lake, Dragon Night and Slap Party, I’ve lost track of AEW’s
special names.
Because this premium live episode felt genuinely distinct and elevated from a normal Dynamite
right away - not just from its noticeably enormous crowd singing and a New York themed
stage that should have had more wrestlers go: ‘I’m walking here’ in their entrances.
But also a pay-per-view caliber card exclusively of title matches.
The opening match saw Chris Jericho take on Claudio Castignoli for the ROH World Championship,
where Jericho at least initially adhered to that promotion’s Code of Honor, shaking
Claudio’s hand before the bell.
I love how kayfabe annoyed Eddie Kingston is going to be about that.
He had to have a whole feud with Jericho to get a handshake.
Claudio, the guy Eddie hates more than anyone, just got one at the start of his match.
Jericho’s honour went sharply down following that, using ROH legend Carey Silkin as a human
shield, trying to use his baseball bat, and ultimately winning and becoming the new ROH
champion with a low blow into a Judasa Effect.
It’s the Blackpool Combat Club’s ultimate weaknesses.
Their penises.
It was a terrific match, and a cheating finish I don’t actually mind - creating this weird
alternate Universe where Chris Jericho is ROH champion in 2022.
But beyond the novelty, there’s some serious storyline meat here.
JAS celebrated with Jericho afterwards, but ROH Pure Champion Daniel Garcia looked upset
with his mentor’s dishonourable tactics.
Perhaps their feud will climax in an ROH title unification match.
Next up came Swerve in our Glory vs The Acclaimed for the tag team titles, the challengers getting
a monster hometown pop.
While not as magical as their All Out showstealer, the crowd were still super hot, and all four
men worked great together - especially with Keith Lee putting on his high spot boots for
the occasion.
Unfortunately a seemingly botched spot deflated the final third for me.
Caster came off the top rope holding his leg, appearing genuinely hurt for no reason.
It took me out of the action, even if it was intentional.
The Acclaimed got the pin, with Daddy Ass cheating to help them, becoming the new tag
team champions.
Bowens and Caster might be one of the biggest AEW success stories since Eddie got signed
off his Cody match, and found himself near the main event scene later that year.
The Acclaimed, through organically getting over their act, have become one of the hottest
acts in all wrestling.
This was well deserved.
Sucks for FTR, though, who said they want that tag title match which they really should
have had before the Acclaimed.
But the Ass Boys seemed to start a feud with them backstage instead.
MJF interrupted Wheeler Yuta on the ramp to cut a typically excellent, Rock style energy
promo.
There’s a real argument for him being a douchebag babyface.
He did the most guaranteed heel spot in the whole company, though.
He slightly pushed Tony Schiavone!
Max and Yuta brawled, which brought out W. Morrisey for the save.
Because the W, stands for Wardlow.
Diamante revealed her baddest bitch tag partner is a famous rapper called Trina who I’ve
never heard of.
The TBS title has just become a prop for Jade Cargill’s undefeated streak.
And speaking of titles that don’t really mean anything…
It was the All-Atlantic championship match between PAC and Orange Cassidy next!
The streak of all titles changing hands stopped here, but the cheating to win streak stayed
alive - with PAC hitting Cassidy with the ring bell hammer hidden from the referee.
That’s three back-to-back matches with bad refereeing finishes.
Also, the match was nowhere near as good as their fantastic Revolution 2020 encounter.
Cassidy’s character has changed significantly since then, giving more fs, which seems to
have diminished their odd couple chemistry.
It’s the 1 hour 15 mark, so it’s women’s match time!
Toni Storm retained against Serena Deeb, Athena and Britt Baker, with everyone getting a fun
spot to shine in.
But this was ultimately filler for the post-match angle: the AEW debut of Saraya, aka Paige
in WWE.
She got a monster pop, and full credit to AEW for keeping this secret.
This was a genuine huge surprise.
If this was a year ago, I’d be all in, pun intended.
But coming after the last six months of Jeff Hardy and CM Punk drama, I’ve got my guard
up.
Saraya is returning from a career ending injury and was often a heavily controversial figure
behind the scenes in WWE.
That said, and prepare for your mind to be blown.
She’s younger than Britt Baker.
Darby Allin played a short film of him heading to Friday’s Rampage with a body bag, for
his and Sting’s tag match against a Malakai-less House of Black.
That will take place on the special two hour card with about 98 other matches.
And the Grand Slam main event saw Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson clash in the tournament
final to decide the new AEW World Champion.
There is so much context here.
The looming MJF threat watching from the sky box.
Moxley’s two title runs leading into this.
It being a year since Danielson’s in-ring debut.
The Revolution match they had at the start of this year.
Their professional Blackpool Combat Club relationship since.
They wrestled a technically intricate match to get over the faction’s house style.
But despite Danielson taking about 80% of the match, several big Mox moves gave him
the win, with a Deathrider on the ramp, followed up by a Bulldog Choke that Bryan couldn’t
escape from.
Making Moxley a three time AEW World Champion.
God damn, I can’t say the guy doesn’t deserve it.
The pandemic.
The Punk injury.
The Punk drama.
Moxley has consistently been the guy AEW can trust to get them through with badass grace
and positive masculinity.
But one thing I’ve really realised this year is that it’s not just how good something
is that I personally rate things by.
It’s how excited they can make me for what happens next.
And Moxley as champion unfortunately feels like an easy transitional route.
I hope I’m wrong, but the Jon win feels predictable.
He was the guy feuding with MJF beforehand, and now he can be the guy who probably loses
the title to him at Full Gear - meaning it’s just a second filler reign for Mox.
Danielson winning, and carrying the belt until early next year was a far more exciting probability
to me.
It’s fresh, he’s now AEW’s biggest mainstream star, and it draws Mox and Danielson’s series
one each.
What did you think of AEW Grand Slam?
Let me know in the comments.
The in-ring wrestling was, as always, superb.
The Saraya debut was an incredible surprise.
And MJF’s momentum is insane.
But it also had three cheating to win back-to-back matches and safe booking decisions.
This was a five star card that put on a four star show, so I’m giving AEW Grand Slam
86%.
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