AEW Dynamite Results 3/27: Ospreay Vs. Shibata, Strickland Vs. Takeshita, More
Welcome to Wrestling INC.'s live coverage of "AEW Dynamite" for March 27, 2024, live from Le Centre Vidéotron in Québec City!
Tonight is all about becoming a contender, but it's also dream matches, as a pair top AEW stars will face off against two of Japan's best. Will Ospreay takes on Katsuyori Shibata, a match conceived as part of Ospreay's ongoing rivalry with Bryan Danielson, while Swerve Strickland battles "The Alpha" Konosuke Takeshita of the Don Callis Family. With new rankings about to drop, AEW CEO Tony Khan has intimated that Strickland vs. Takeshita is a de facto No. 1 Contender's match for Samoa Joe's world championship.
Speaking of contenders, the AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament continues tonight, with two more first round matches being decided. The Young Bucks will renew hostilities with old rivals Private Party, while Trent Beretta and Orange Cassidy, representing Best Friends, will take on ROH World Tag Team Champions Matt Taven and Mike Bennett of the Undisputed Kingdom. Meanwhile, "Dynamite" will also feature a four-way match between Willow Nightingale, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, and Anna Jay, with the winner receiving a shot at Julia Hart's TBS Championship at the upcoming AEW Dynasty PPV.
Ospreay vs. Shibata
Will Ospreay vs. Katsuyori Shibata
The two men trade strikes and then trade holds. Shibata takes Ospreay to the mat and nearly locks in an armbar but Ospreay gets to the rope. They lock up, Ospreay takes Shibata to the mat and locks in a headlock. Shibata finds a way out of the hold and locks in a wristlock. Ospreay takes Shibata down with an Ankle Pick. They trade holds on the mat.
They lock up once again. Ospreay gets Shibata on the ropes and chops him. Shiabata, furious, takes Ospreay to the corner and pummels him. Ospreay comes back with a huge dropkick. Ospreay takes Shibata to the corner and pummels him and hits a dropkick to a seated Shibata. Shibata goes to the outside and Ospreay hits a plancha. Shibata hits a huge suplex on the ramp and the two men get back in the ring where the continue to trade strikes and holds. The show goes to commercial and Shibata is controlling a defiant Ospreay with stiff kicks.
Ospreay fights to his feet and both men trade elbows. Back from commercial and Ospreay hits a springboard enzuigiri. Back to the outside and Shibata dodges a plancha and sends Ospreay into the barricade. Shibata hits a huge bog boot. Ospreay fights back and brings Shibata back into the ring. They continue to trade elbows and Shibata floors Ospreay and then corners him with more strikes. Ospreay recovers and hits a big boot. Shibata corners Ospreay and hits a Shotgun Dropkick. Shibata hits a front necklock suplex.
Ospreay fights out of an Octopus Hold and the men trade stretches. Shibata cinches in an Octopus Hold but Ospreay flips out of it. Shibata hits a big German Suplex. Shibata counters a Springboard Enzuigiri with an Ankle Pick and locks in an STF. Ospreay gets to the ropes. Shibata continues his dominance. Ospreay fights back but Shibata drops him with a face Kick. Ospreay dodges a Penalty Kick. Ospreay catches Shibata's leg and hits a series of elbows. Shibata staggers Ospreay. Ospreay collapses to his knees. Shibata punishes Ospreay. Ospreay comes back with a pop-up Enzuigiri. Both men are down.
Ospreay signals for Hidden Blade but Shibata dodges and locks in a sleeper. Shibata hits a Sleeper Suplex. Shibata locks in another sleeper. Ospreay is fading. Ospreay powers out and sends Shibata to the apron. Shibata gets hung up on the ropes and Ospreay hits a dropkick. Ospreay hits Oscutter but Shibata kicks out of a pin at 1. They trade kicks. Ospreay hits a Backdrop Suplex and hits a sliding uppercut for a nearfall. Ospreay hits Tiger Driver '91. Ospreay hits Hidden Blade for the pinfall.
WINNER: Will Ospreay
After the match, both men bow to each other. A video package about Bryan Danielson being "The Greatest Technician" plays.
Young Bucks In Action
Backstage, Renee Paquette interviews The Young Bucks who say they've done everything they promised to do upon their return and celebrate Kazuchika Okada's win. They say Okada won the title on his own, and they will defeat Private Party on their own. They tell Renee to smile more, as they bemoan that she's not Alex Marvez. We then go to an exclusive look at Godzilla vs. Kong.
Back from commercial, Kazuchika Okada arrives in a Ferrari, brandishing the Continental Championship.
AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament Quarterfinal Match: The Young Bucks vs. Private Party
Matt starts out against Isaiah Kassidy. They get in each other's faces and Jackson takes control. Nick tags in and stays on the attack. Marq Quen tags in and Private Party hits stereo Sunset Flips. Stereo Superkicks send The Bucks to the outside, where Private Party takes them both out with dual tope sucididas. Isaiah hits a Silly String DDT on Matt. Quen and Nick brawl on the barricade. Nick hits a Falcon Arrow on Quen from the barricade to the floor. The Bucks get back in the ring to try and force a countout. Backstage, Okada looks on approvingly.
Private Party beat the count. The Bucks keep up the tandem assault on Quen but Quen fights back. Bucks hit a Suplex/Backbreaker combo. Nick knocks Quen off the apron as we head to commercial.
Back from commercial and The Bucks are punishing Marq Quen who has tagged in. Quen manages to sneak away an tag in Isaiah who hits a series strikes to drop Matt Jackson. Kassidy gets the better of both Bucks and hits an Asai Moonsault on Nick on the floor. Isaiah comes back and hits a springboard crossbody on Matt for a nearall. Matt counters Twist of Fate and takes control. Nick tags in and The Bucks hit a Powerbomb/Sliced Bread combo but Quen breaks up the pinfall. Everyone is down. Quen tags in and fights both Bucks but the numbers are too much for him. Nick hits a German Suplex. Private Party come back and hit Gin N' Juice on Nick. Isaiah tags in and Private Party hits More Bang For Your Buck but Nick breaks up the pinfall.
Nick gets the bell from ringside. Rick Knox stops him from hitting him. Matt Jackson low blows Isaiah. Quen hits Matt with a title belt. Nick puts Matt's foot on the rope to break the pinfall. Bucks come back and hit EVP Trigger for the pinfall.
WINNERS: The Young Bucks
Backstage, Okada is shown watching approvingly. A video package about Konosuke Takeshita plays ahead of his main event match against Swerve Strickland. Backstage, Mercedes Mone is shown arriving in a luxury SUV.
Mercedes Mone on the headset for Women's Wrestling
An injured Darby Allin and pro skater Tony Hawk tell people about The Skate Park Project, the charity Darby was raising money for with his now-canceled Everest climb. Tony then does some sick skateboarding tricks, including a handplant on Darby's broken foot.
Backstage, Chris Jericho tells Hook that he is better than he expected. Jericho says he's never been in the ring with anyone like him and that he will give him any advice he wants. Hook says he knows who Jericho is. Jericho says he knows who Hook can be. They bump fists to a mixed reaction from the crowd.
Mercedes Mone makes her entrance and joins commentary.
AEW TBS Championship #1 Contender's Match: Willow Nightingale vs. Anna Jay vs. Kris Statlander vs. Skye Blue
Skye and Statlander tangle on the outside, leaving Nightingale and Jay in the ring where Willow dominates. Blue rushes the ring and stops Willow's momentum. Blue punishes Willow in the corner. Blue hits a massive DDT for a nearfall. Statlander slams Blue and hits a sliding lariat. Anna Jay hits Blue with a flipping neckbreaker. Statlander covers Anna for a nearfall. Statlander overpowers Jay and flexes. Blue trips Statlander. Willow runs over Blue. We head to commercial as Mercedes Mone surveys the match.
Back from commercial and all four women are trading blows. Willow retreats to the outside. Statlander dominates Skye and Anna, getting a nearfall on Skye with a Michinoku Driver. Statlander climbs to the top rope but Jay recovers and rocks her with an elbow. Jay hits a Superplex for a nearfall. Willow storms the ring and clears house. Skye Blue counters a Gutwrench Powerbomb with a rollup for a nearfall. Skye hits Willow with Code Blue but Statlander breaks up the pin. Statlander hits a Powerbomb Lungblower. Anna Jay attacks and covers both Statlander and Blue at the same time. Willow hits a dropkick on Jay. Statlander and Nightingale stare each other down.
Skye Blue attacks both women. Nightingale accidentally takes out Statlander. Skye takes advantage and dominates Willow. Willow fights back and hits a Death Valley Driver on the ring apron. Anna Jay rolls up Statlander for a nearfall. Statlander is sent out of the ring. Nightingale hits Anna Jay with a Gutwrench Powerbomb to win match.
WINNER AND NEW #1 CONTENDER TO THE AEW TBS CHAMPIONSHIP: Willow Nightingale
Julia Hart attacks Nightingale after the match and poses with the title. Julia then stares down Mercedes Mone.
Backstage, Renee Paquette interviews Dustin Rhodes, who says the roster is very talented and all of his matches have been very good. "Bangers, all of them," he says. The Butcher interrupts him and says he wants to fight him. Dustin says Butcher has a stinky mustache. The agree to a match on Friday night's "AEW Rampage."
TCM's Ben Mankiewicz congratulates Toni Storm for her accomplishments.
Best Friends Against The Kingdom
Back from commercial, a video package about Swerve Strickland plays ahead of tonight's main event.
AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament Quarterfinal Match: The Best Friends vs. The Undisputed Kingdom
Trent starts out against Mike Bennett. Orange Cassidy walks across the ring and punches Matt Taven in the mouth. Orange and Taven brawl at ringside while Bennett and Trent fight in the ring. Trent goes flying out of the ring, taking out Taven with a Tope. Bennett follows suit. Orange Cassidy climbs to the top rope and hits a big Hands-In-Pocket Senton to the floor. Chuck Taylor gives Trent a pat on the ass and Trent gets back in the ring where Bennett immediately takes the upper hand. Taven tags in and maintains dominance over Trent.
Trent comes back with a series of German Suplexes. Trent ends up in the wrong corner and fights off a two-on-one assault from Taven and Bennett. Cassidy argues with Rick Knox. We head to commercial as The Kingdom take the upperhand.
Back from commercial and The Kingdom get a nearfall on Trent. Cassidy tags in but is unable to get much of an advantage, Bennett hits a Proton Pack for a nearfall. Trent keeps The Kingdom from hitting a double team. Cassidy and Trent hit Strong Zero for a nearfall. Trent tags in. Taven eats a series of knees. Roderick Strong distracts Trent and Beretta. Cassidy takes out Strong. Bennett gets in the ring but Chuck Taylor keeps The Kingdom from hitting a Spike Piledriver. Trent rolls up Bennett for the pinfall.
WINNERS: The Best Friends
Backstage, Renee Paquette interviews Kyle O'Reilly who says that he's gonna wrestle on "Collision" and will prove he can win on his own.
Back from commercial, a video package plays, detailing Adam Copeland's emotions following his bloody battle with Christian Cage and announcing the return of the Cope Open.
Main Event Time In Quebec
Main Event: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Swerve Strickland
Takeshita starts out by taking Swerve to the mat and out wrestling him. They fight to their feet where Swerve uses his athleticism to get a series of rollups and short-arm scissors. Takeshita gets to the ropes. Swerve dodges a knee strike. Takeshita hits a leaping lariat. Backstage, Samoa Joe is watching intently.
Takeshita chokes Strickland in the corner. Swerve comes back with an uppercut and then a mid-rope diving uppercut to the back of Takeshita's head. Swerve starts to dominate Takeshita but Takeshita fights back, frustrating Swerve. Strickland hits a huge backbreaker. Takeshita recovers and drives Strickland into the mat with a brainbuster. They trade suplexes and Takeshita hits a strong elbow strike, sending Strickland to the floor as we head to commercial.
During the commercial, Strickland gets back in the ring, where Takeshita rocks him with a big boot. Takeshita locks in a hold and stretches Strickland. Back from commercial and Swerve is powering out of the headlock. Swerve sends Takeshita to the outside and hits a hurricanrana to the outside. Back in the ring, Swerve hits a diving crossbody for a nearfall. They trade blows and Takeshita drops Strickland with an elbow strike. Takeshita hits a Death Valley Driver and running knee but Swerve retreats from the ring. Takeshita hits a Tope. Takeshita takes Strickland back into the ring. Takeshita takes Swerve to the top rope but Swerve fights out of a Super Brainbuster. Swerve hits a huge DDT from the top rope. Swerve climbs to the top rope. Swerve hits Sky Twister for a nearfall. Takeshita comes back and hits a Blue Thunder Bomb for a nearfall.
The two continue to trade blows. Swerve hits a Complete Shot for a nearfall. Swerve jumps to the top rope. Takeshita rolls to the apron. Swerve hits Swerve Stomp on the apron. Takeshita hits a powerbomb on the inside. Swerve counters a Brainbuster. JML Driver is countered int a big throw. Takeshita hits a big knee strike for a nearfall. Takeshita takes Swerve to the top rope but Swerve counters, sending Takeshita to the mat. Takeshita counters Swerve Stomp. Swerve hits House Call. Swerve hits Swerve Stomp for a nearfall. Swerve hits a headbutt. Takeshita hits a knee. Swerve hits a pop-up Swerve Stomp. Swerve hits JML Driver for the pinfall.
WINNER: Swerve Strickland
Backstage, Samoa Joe tells Swerve that he is not ready for him and they will have a contract signing next week. "You're not that man."