The big stories coming out of Dynamite (July 29, 2020) were Darby Allin using a thumbtack skateboard on Ricky Starks, Cody Rhodes retaining the TNT Championship against WARHORSE, the surprise appearance of Matt Cardona (fka Zack Ryder), and MJF announcing his intention to become AEW World Champion. The fallout includes Starks’ recovery, WARHORSE ruling ass, FTR squashing their beef with Kenny Omega, MJF launching a campaign website, and other goodies.
Ricky Starks was in discomfort after Darby Allin executed a flying stomp with a thumbtack skateboard onto his back. Here’s footage of the thumbtack removal with Starks cracking quality jokes.
Both grateful and mad at @realbrittbaker for capturing this footage of @starkmanjones' back Anyone else feeling a little woozy? pic.twitter.com/OpMcajFG5w
— All Elite Wrestling on TNT (@AEWonTNT) July 30, 2020
Brian Cage posted before and after photos of Starks’ back.
My mans back last night@starkmanjones pic.twitter.com/A6ESibLuy6
— Brian Cage (@MrGMSI_BCage) July 30, 2020
Starks took a positive approach to the situation on the next day.
My back is fine and my bank account is FAT
— Ricky Starks (@starkmanjones) July 30, 2020
WARHORSE took his TNT Championship loss in stride. He’s not sure what his future holds, but one thing is certain. WARHORSE rules ass.
SOCIAL EXCLUSIVE@JPWARHORSE showed a lot of strength and determination in his match against @CodyRhodes tonight.
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) July 30, 2020
But needless to say, here are All Elite Wrestling - We all now know that WARHORSE RULES ASS!#AEWDynamite. pic.twitter.com/FnzjyVXz2T
When I criticized AEW in the recap for its lack of pre-match promo for WARHORSE, this is the type of thing I wanted to see. I already knew that WARHORSE rules ass, but his verbiage won me over and would have added an extra element of engagement going in to the big bout. Phrases such as live by the sword, die the sword and professional wrestling being the greatest sport between earth and sky feels like it comes out of a Conan movie. I consider that a huge plus. Crom!
In Coach’s Corner, Arn Anderson addressed next week’s tag match pitting Cody and Matt Cardona against the Dark Order. Those masked hooligans are in the crosshairs.
#CoachsCorner with Arn Anderson (@TheArnShow)
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) July 30, 2020
07/29/20 Jacksonville, Florida#AEWDynamite pic.twitter.com/4kxUQTtN8W
FTR bonded with Hangman Page and the Elite by evening the odds against the Dark Order. Backstage, FTR squashed their beef with Omega by offering a special celebration beverage.
Next Week on #AEWDynamite, three of the best tag teams in the world @youngbucks @DaxHarwood @CashWheelerFTR @KennyOmegamanX & @theAdamPage team up to face #DarkOrder - @ThisBrodieLee @stu_dos @EvilUno @Alan_V_Angels & #9
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) July 30, 2020
Watch #AEW Dynamite every Wednesday at 8/7 on @tntdrama pic.twitter.com/3khmvLEfmj
I think that joke about Barry Windham backfired. It was very funny, but it also makes Hangman and Omega look like doofuses to not even know who he is. Windham may have to make a visit to Dynamite one day soon. It could also be foreshadowing that Hangman and Omega are not Horsemen material.
MJF kicked off his campaign with a new website. It was so popular upon launch that it crashed.
In these uncertain times you need a leader that has your back!
— Maxwell Jacob Friedman™️ (@The_MJF) July 30, 2020
Please visit my website and find out why I’m your guy.
WE DESERVE BETER! #MJF2020 #NotMyChampion https://t.co/ahCbeAiyLz
MJF already has one strong backer, good ole JR. Don’t be surprised if Jim Ross’ barbecue sauce becomes an official sponsor.
Jim is an official endorser of the #MJF2020 campaign. https://t.co/vqOHqEgnBR
— Maxwell Jacob Friedman™️ (@The_MJF) July 30, 2020
Lee Johnson supports MJF as AEW World Champion, as long as Wardlow is around to sway his opinion.
SOCIAL EXCLUSIVE@BigShottyLee thinks that @The_MJF is the best candidate for AEW World Champion?#AEWDynamite pic.twitter.com/D9ytylE3Th
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) July 30, 2020
Dark looks like it should be one of the better episodes in its existence. We have the returns of Jack Evans, Angelico, and QT Marshall, Abadon in action, and Brian Pillman Jr. in a blonde partnership with Griff Garrison.
We have a STACKED seven matches set for #AEWDark next week!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) July 31, 2020
Watch #AEW Dark every Tuesday at 7e/6c via our YouTube channel at https://t.co/oZiB2U1XM8 pic.twitter.com/PH5eTaxuS1
The two matches I’m most looking forward to are Blade & Butcher vs Private Party and Scorpio Sky vs Will Hobbs. That tag bout will set the direction of the losing team. A loss by B&B means they’re back in the undercard until it’s time to pump up a new team. A loss by Private Party could play into a storyline with “Big Money” Matt Hardy. The singles bout will give Hobbs a chance to strut his stuff. If there is one enhancement talent that eventually earns a big upset on Dark, I’d like it to be Hobbs. I’m a fan of his power style.
Do you know who Barry Windham is? Has MJF swayed your opinion to support his campaign? Which Dark match catches your eye?