AEW hit us with a pair of CM Punk teases in the middle of Dynamite’s Fight for the Fallen episode last night (July 28) in Charlotte’s Bojangles Coliseum. In case booking a huge Chicago venue for a Friday night “First Dance” event wasn’t clear, Darby Allin showed up to call out people who think they’re the Best In The World.
But those weren’t the only nods to Second City’s favorite wrestling son during the night. In the opener, Nick Jackson of The Young Bucks hit John Silver with a running high knee in the corner, then followed it up with a bulldog. Nick’s used those moves before, sure. But stringing them together was a Punk signature.
Nick Jackson hits a high knee strike in the corner into a bulldog. pic.twitter.com/BCF63nNq2Q
— Joshua Gagnon — sounds like “gon-yen” (@HeelDoors) July 29, 2021
Then in the show’s closing moments, the start of MJF’s announcement of Chris Jericho’s Third Labour seemed patterned on one of the most famous promos in wrestling history.
— jack ⚒ (@SteampunkSaint) July 29, 2021
The way AEW is promoting Punk’s arrival without actually announcing it (yet) is pretty slick. And a whole lot of fun.
YouTube videos are being doled out slowly, as is AEW’s model these days. But we’ve compiled what they’ve released as of this morning in this playlist, and tried to catch you up with the rest of the episode via Twitter clips below that.
- The Better Entrance? Hangman & the Dark Order or The Elite?
- Was Lance Archer Able to Make His First IWGP US Title Defense?
- The Painmaker v Nick Gage. Watch the End of the No Rules Match
#TheElite win...@theAdamPage and #DarkOrder don't get their title shots.
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 29, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite #FightForTheFallen LIVE! pic.twitter.com/JVXbwWzMHx
The tension between #DeathTriangle and @AndradeElIdolo + @mexwarrior keeps building. Will @PENTAELZEROM and @ReyFenixMx be here to back up @BASTARDPAC?
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 29, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite #FightForTheFallen LIVE! pic.twitter.com/S9WV0Um4Sj
A celebration for #FTW Champion @starkmanjones is underway in Charlotte!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 29, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite #FightForTheFallen LIVE! pic.twitter.com/W7AZy2pW8W
This is far from over #AEWDynamite #FightForTheFallen pic.twitter.com/S5qzQKQAFS
— All Elite Wrestling on TNT (@AEWonTNT) July 29, 2021
A new challenger has emerged! @njpw1972 ace Hiroshi Tanahashi (@tanahashi1_100) will challenge the winner of tonight’s #IWGP US Title match between @LanceHoyt and @Hiku_Leo.@njpwglobal @njpwworld @njpw1972 pic.twitter.com/VPj1YMgffD
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 29, 2021
Everyone is gunning for #AEW Women's Champion @RealBrittBaker. Maybe someone else is needed to watch her back?
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 29, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite #FightForTheFallen LIVE! pic.twitter.com/4dTVk46kgx
CHICAGO! A LIVE #AEWRampage is coming to @UnitedCenter on Friday, Aug. 20: The First Dance! Tickets on sale this Monday (8/2) at https://t.co/UN1cNj1kQq.
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 29, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite #FightForTheFallen LIVE! pic.twitter.com/27mFQsDS9K
.@DarbyAllin says he wants to take on the best in the world, and there's no better place than right here in #AEW. pic.twitter.com/lQpriIzacz
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 29, 2021
A brawl has broken out between @CodyRhodes and #MalakaiBlack (@TommyEnd).
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 29, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite #FightForTheFallen LIVE! pic.twitter.com/EBhsKBDyf3
It's official: TNT Champion @ToBeMiro defends against @BigShottyLee next week, at #AEWDynamite Homecoming in Jacksonville, FL @dailysplace.
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 29, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite #FightForTheFallen LIVE! pic.twitter.com/grhGyx57kt
We don't care if you're a human or a dinosaur, you gotta sing along when you hear this walkout song #AEWDynamite #FightForTheFallen pic.twitter.com/kQ1JwoMwt2
— All Elite Wrestling on TNT (@AEWonTNT) July 29, 2021
#TheBlade just laid out @Christian4Peeps after the match!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 29, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite #FightForTheFallen LIVE! pic.twitter.com/xZcBcFDIud
.@thunderrosa22 gets a THUNDEROUS ovation on her way to battle @TheJuliaHart of the #VarsityBlonds.
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 29, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite #FightForTheFallen LIVE! pic.twitter.com/SeRZEurOev
Fire Thunder Driver! @thunderrosa22 is as impressive as ever!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 29, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite #FightForTheFallen LIVE! pic.twitter.com/UdXe3YYjaR
#Judas just FITS with #ThePainmaker @IAmJericho!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 29, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite #FightForTheFallen LIVE! pic.twitter.com/QlpRT3P2rB
The opponent for @IAmJericho's Labour No. 3 next week is one of his greatest rivals - legendary luchador Juventud Guerrera (@JUVENTUDGUERRE2) - and Jericho has to win with a move from the top rope!#AEWDynamite #AEW pic.twitter.com/Pkbpyf8piG
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 29, 2021
For complete results and the live blog for Dynamite this week click here. To read a complete recap & review of all the night’s events click here.