Wrestling is all about presentation, an on the Aug. 4 Homecoming edition of Dynamite, AEW presented Malakai Black’s in-ring debut like he’s one of their biggest stars.
It started with the entrance, which felt big and ominous. But it was really quite simple, a nice change of pace from the props (and on the main roster, sound effects) fans of WWE came to associate with Black.
The match itself lasted long enough to give everyone a taste of Malakai’s kickboxing and Muay Thai-infused style. Black took just enough damage to assure us he is human, but not enough to lead us to believe he was ever in danger. The defiant cover that ended it, aided by Jim Ross dismissively saying “that won’t get it” right before putting one foot on Cody Rhodes’ chest did get three, was a perfect image to start what should be a main event run.
While Cody did give critics who think of him as “AEW’s Triple H” some fodder by turning the spotlight back onto him with his post-match retirement tease, even that ended up serving Black. Whether you were moved to tears by Rhodes’ latest earnest promo or rolling your eyes it, Malakai returning to put an end to it was a welcome exclamation point on a stellar debut.
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 - which is actually all about the Black/Rhodes angle, and tried to catch you up with the rest of the episode via Twitter clips below that.
- Watch Malakai Black’s Epic First AEW Entrance
- Malakai Black Does Exactly What He Said He Would Do
- Is the End Near for Cody Rhodes? Watch the Shocking Ending
- AEW Dynamite Homecoming Post-Show Show w/ Alex, Evil Uno and 2.0
Jacksonville, did you miss #JUDAS for @IAmJericho's entrance?
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 5, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite Homecoming pic.twitter.com/VypHqcmXF1
Lucha libre legend @JUVENTUDGUERRE2 is BACK on TNT! The Juice is loose in Jacksonville!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 5, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite Homecoming pic.twitter.com/XsZrEgUufV
.@IAmJericho's Labour No. 4: @RealWardlow and @The_MJF will be there to make sure the match is "fair and square."
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 5, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite Homecoming! pic.twitter.com/XnA8owPILD
The #LuchaBros make it clear to @AndradeElIdolo and Chavo Gierrero (@mexwarrior) that they don't work for anyone and #DeathTriangle is familia.
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 5, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite Homecoming! pic.twitter.com/h9y1LxnagJ
DONE?! Are @theAdamPage and #DarkOrder ending their alliance?
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 5, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite Homecoming! pic.twitter.com/39t04nXXiN
A betrayed @MrGMSI_BCage says last week was just the beginning of the destruction of #TeamTaz.
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 5, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite Homecoming! pic.twitter.com/NB8J9wJN6g
After #TheElite's win last week, who is left to challenge for the #AEW World Championship and #AEW Tag Team titles?
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 5, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite Homecoming! pic.twitter.com/z9S2G6TW4v
#ChristianCage remains undefeated in #AEW!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 5, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite Homecoming! pic.twitter.com/IdICByaarf
.@Thee_Red_Velvet wants a piece of the #AEW Women's Champion, and @RealBrittBaker wants home-field advatage NEXT FRIDAY in Pittsburgh on the premiere of #AEWRampage!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 5, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite Homecoming! pic.twitter.com/123leTluwL
.@AndradeElIdolo and Chavo Guerrero make an example of @FuegoDelSol and send a message to the #LuchaBros!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 5, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite Homecoming! pic.twitter.com/855Wn8R8Ub
#FTR won the match against @Santana_Proud and Ortiz_Powerful last week, but @CashWheelerFTR had his forearm ripped open & left lying in a pool of his own blood. The war between these top-tier tag teams is FAR from over.
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 5, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite Homecoming! pic.twitter.com/uqj1qQaoN1
#TheElite just dismantled @theAdamPage!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 5, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite Homecoming! pic.twitter.com/TWFU6Kfd1y
Last time we saw #DanLambert of @americantopteam on #AEWDynamite, he ate a #BlackOut from @LanceHoyt. Next Wednesday, Lambert says he’s coming back to #AEWDynamite in Pittsburgh. And he’s bringing back up!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 5, 2021
Tune in to #AEWDynamite EVERY WEDNESDAY at 8/7c on @tntdrama. pic.twitter.com/qN2g1RJ7sk
As a result of his win tonight, #ChristianCage is the new No. 1 contender, and he says he's "Elite?!"
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 5, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite Homecoming! pic.twitter.com/wpOpKY6www
Two tough women face off! @LegitLeyla is the next challenger for @nwa Women's World Champion #Kamille.
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 5, 2021
Tune in to @tntdrama NOW to watch #AEWDynamite Homecoming! pic.twitter.com/W2PiQzLLdf
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.