The final Dynamite before AEW's summer PPV, All Out, would prove to be a spirited and eventful show, getting fans excited for Sunday. AEW's continued run of outstanding tag team matches continued by bookending the show. CM Punk got his typical Chicago love in advance of his return to the ring. Chris Jericho & MJF gave passionate promos that brought the emotions to a ten for their big fight. Paul Wright was on the wrong side of a heel turn as Billy Gunn betrayed him.

              Tay Conti built momentum to the Women's Casino Battle Royal with her victory over Penelope and the return of Anna Jay also announced for the match. Finally, the Elite closed the show with a statement as they got the main event victory. Omega also established his dominance, and the premise of the steel cage. As Dynamite went off the air with his stable punishing Christian Cage and all who have challenged him.

Tag Team Standard

               AEW has found quite the rhythm in their tag team circuit. Whether it be with traditional tag teams or groups made of top-notch superstars, All Elite Wrestling puts on 5-star tag team matches almost effortlessly. Santana & Ortiz opened the show facing off against FTR in a grudge match. It was executed with the intensity desired in a grudge match. A 20 minute, high-paced, incredible display of traditional tag team wrestling got a juiced crowd fired up for a show destined for action. It was a perfect opening with two fan favorites getting the always hype Chicago crowd on its feet.

              That energy carried through the entire night as the show would also close with a high-profile tag team match between the Elite & the Lucha Bros and Jurassic Express w/ Jungle Boy. While not a fresh matchup, these teams have no issue putting on a classic performance whenever they match up against each other. This mostly ends up being a setup for the closing segment, but a fun match nonetheless continued that tear AEW tag division has been on since the company's inception.

Best in the World

               All the wonderful wrestling that we watched paled in comparison to the most important segment in AEW history. The return of CM Punk and his first in-ring physicality in seven years was a sight for sore eyes. For long time wrestling fans who have been anticipating the return of Punk that many thought we'd never see. Always outstanding on the mic, Punk was very open and vulnerable to his audience. Bringing up the very real fact that he has not been in the wrestling ring in 7 years and questioning if he'll be able to make it in his return to the squared circle. He was also very in touch with the audience and the love they were showing him in his hometown.

              Punk would then be jumped by 2point0 and Daniel Garcia in the first physical confrontation we've seen him go through in forever. Sting & Punk's opponent at All Out, Darby Allin, came for the save. Sting could not have been a better choice for hype man. He welcomed back CM Punk and announced he would be out of the way for the battle between the best in the world and his protégé.

Jericho/MJF Finale

               A match that needed no further promo, got a huge shot in the arm without a single punch thrown. MJF was amped up for his opportunity at retiring one of the best to ever do it. Complimenting Jericho's illustrious career and ability to adapt before stating his honor and privilege to finish off Y2J was cold and compelling. If you were bored with MJF-Jericho 4, these promos could've fixed that. LeChampion finds himself in the unfamiliar position that every legend in this business eventually finds themselves.

              Y2J is the old-time fan-favorite putting his career on the line to make a point. Interviewed by the legendary JR, Jericho was almost out of place as the good guy in his story. Though the longstanding Jerichoholics gave all the love as a passionate Chris gave out an emotional promo that could be his last. Beating Y2J four straight times and ultimately retiring him is a daunting task for anyone and a star-making opportunity for MJF.

Omega is the Top Dog

               The AEW world champion did not wrestle on the 100th episode of Dynamite. However, his presence was more than felt to close the landmark episode. With a stable full of big-name superstars and a big stick with ownership, Omega established his unquestioned dominance. Beating down the Lucha Bros, Jungle boy, and Christian Cage with his buddies around him. He was even able to call to the back and have them lower the cage that's hanging above for the title match on Sunday. Keeping out any help for Christian Cage and displaying the tour de force that The Elite is capable of. The only man to pin Kenny Omega in the last 18 months had begun to show chinks in the armor of the champ. On this night, Kenny Omega left no doubt who the favorite is heading into All Out in Chicago.

Other Highlights:

  • Orange Cassidy winning during the picture-in-picture break was a brilliant move by AEW to ensure it keeps its viewers' eyes on the screen going forward
  • Penelope Ford & Tay Conti were showered with well deserved "This is awesome" chants as put on a fun and highly competitive match with Conti getting the victory
  • Team Tazz gets Powerhouse Hobbs the victory over Brian Cage
  • Matt Hardy HFO get the last laugh over Orange Cassidy