AEW Dynamite rolls on and we get another episode of the Bubbly Bunch. Sammy says he’s been down since things haven’t been great for the Inner Circle. He really wanted Jake Hager to take home the AEW World Championship. Ortiz explains that there are three certainties in life, death taxes and the Inner Circle being on top. Hager says Sammy Guevara is far too beautiful to be sad, being sad is for ugly people. Chris Jericho has a roomba tonight. Santana suggests they make a flim-flam video together? Ortiz and the others are excited. Jericho has to promise Sammy hand sanitizer to get him into it though. We then see a bunch of clips of all of them dancing with an Instagram filter. Sammy wins what was apparently a competition with a little breakdance spin. Jericho is mad that Sammy won the hand sanitizer.
We see a video with promos from both Dustin Rhodes and Kip Sabian. Dustin talks how he’s not looking past Kip and taking this deadly serious. Kip says he hasn’t hit his prime or his peak yet, he’ll get there by beating Dustin. Dustin notes that he’ll have Brandi with him to neutralize Penelope Ford. Kip implies that he has a secret up his sleeve.
TNT Championship Tournament Round 1: Dustin Rhodes vs. Kip Sabian (If Dustin loses, he retires!)
Dustin offers a handshake but Sabian doesn’t want it. Dustin with an arm wringer instead, Kip trying to roll through and kip up but Dustin blocks it. Sabian manages to roll through on the second attempt but Dustin keeps him down, drops a knee on his arm! Shoots him off, Kip ducks a clothesline and elbow, avoids several shots and tries for a back body drop but gets caught with the uppercut! Dustin with an arm drag into an arm wringer! Chops Kip into the corner. Sabian reverses a whip, charges but Dustin with a back elbow. Ford with a leg trip allows Kip to hit a charging forearm, enziguri kick, rolls him out of the corner into a running punt for a nearfall!
Distracts the ref as Ford chokes Dustin against the rope! Brandi yells at her to make her stop, Kip grabs Dustin into a front facelock. Commercial break, Dustin is fighting back when we return but Sabian avoids a corner charge and Dustin hurts his knee as he slams against the buckle! Sabian now working over that leg, got a Grapevine Toe Hold! Dustin breaks free, Sabian whips him to the corner but Dustin’s legs give out! Sabian stomps Dustin into the corner. Kip whips him into the ropes, dropkick for a nearfall, Dustin with a crucifix for another 2 count! Sabian takes him into the corner, Dustin fights back with short uppercuts, wants a scoop slam but his leg gives way and Sabian covers for 2!
Dustin blocks a dropkick, Jacknife Cover for a nearfall! Sabian stops the comeback attempt with a big clothesline for a nearfall! Headlock cinched in. Grinding him against the canvas. Dustin tries to fight to his feet, Sabian with a snapmare, snap kick to the shoulder blades! Takes Dustin to his feet, hits the ropes, Rhodes with a Spinebuster counter! Dustin staggering to his feet. Ducks a clothesline, nails one of his own! Sabian whips him, once again the back body drop is repelled, Dustin with an Inverted Atomic Drop, hits the ropes for the Bulldog! Dustin power whips him into the corner and he bounces off for the Snap Powerslam! Sabian avoids a corner charge and slips to the apron, headkick, springs off the top for a Flying Tornado DDT for a clooose nearfall!
Sabian starts yelling at Dustin, stomps him until the referee has to pull him off. Penelope gets into the ring as the ref is distracted but Brandi chases her, gets her with the spear and takes her out of the ring! Dustin hits the ropes as Sabian is distracted and surprises him with the Canadian Destroyer for the victory!
Winner: Dustin Rhodes
Simple story there, good win for Dustin Rhodes. Still can’t help feel like Sammy/Darby would’ve made a better main event but I understand wanting to get the stip over and make it into a big deal.
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