SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…
AEW Announcers: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Jim Ross
AEW checks into the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C., as they make their first appearance in the state. The arena, which opened in 2002, is no stranger to wrestling events, most recently including the February 21, 2022 edition of WWE Monday Night Raw.
Three matches are advertised for Dynamite this week, along with a company signing that is tethered to one of the matches:
#AEWDynamite TOMORROW at 8/7c on @TBSNetwork!
–@DarbyAllin w/ @Sting v #AFO's @AndradeElIdolo
–#FTR v #GunnClub
–#OwenHart Foundation Women's Tournament Qualifier @AllieWrestling v A New Addition to the #AEW Roster that @TonyKhan will officially sign this Wednesday night! pic.twitter.com/kQWCb8fX7t— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 30, 2022
Watch #AEW Road To South Carolina to get a preview of this week's #AEW action!
▶️ https://t.co/tPHxhok83f pic.twitter.com/zuHASJv7pu
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 30, 2022
Things continue to roll tonight between Darby Allin and the Andrade Family Office (AFO) as Darby goes one-on-one with Andrade “El Idolo.”
The AFO was more recently known as the AHFO until Matt Hardy was voted out of the group. He then aligned with his brother Jeff upon making his AEW debut. Last week, as I mentioned in the recap, Darby & Sting & the Hardys defeated Butcher & Blade and Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen) in a Tornado Tag match.
Let us not forget how Andrade tried to recruit Darby to be in the AHFO. Darby and Andrade were involved in a triple threat match on the March 4 edition of Rampage when they challenged then-TNT Champion Sammy Guevara. At Revolution, Darby & Sting & Sammy took on Andrade & Kassidy & Matt (when he was still part of the group) in a six-man tornado tag.
all that was just a taste! Now you will find who you are looking for LITTLE KID @AEW 💀👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼 https://t.co/Fwz9bafQg5 pic.twitter.com/xpy2Jih91r
— “EL IDOLO” ANDRADE (@AndradeElIdolo) March 29, 2022
Frank’s Analysis: It feels like this feud has been going on forever. I was looking up clips on YouTube and found something from the Beach Break episode in late January which saw Andrade talk to Sting about Darby. I mean this is a good match and I’m looking forward to it, but I’m somewhat lost on what the story is about anymore. Is Andrade still trying to recruit Darby?
FTR goes at it with the Gunn Club after what took place on Dynamite last week. Early in the match between Dax Harwood and CM Punk, the Gunn Club were at ringside taunting FTR. Later in the show, Tony Schiavone interviewed FTR. They acknowledged they had “done some things,” but nobody could call them spoiled brats like the Gunn Club. They also said the Club wouldn’t get respect just because of what their dad (Billy Gunn) accomplished.
The Gunn Club recently challenged AEW Tag Team Champions Jurassic Express unsuccessfully for the titles. FTR posed as “Las Super Ranas and defeated the Lucha Brothers for the AAA Tag Team Championship on the October 16 edition of Dynamite. Hints have been dropped about WWE Hall of Famers Bret “Hit Man” Hart joining AEW to manage FTR including Dax putting Punk in Bret’s signature Sharpshooter.
Let’s not also forget MJF discussing the Pinnacle still being alive. Technically, FTR are still a part of the group despite firing Tully Blanchard a few weeks ago. MJF mentioned that they “move up” after he discarded Wardlow last week. A little trash talk took place on Twitter between Dax and Austin, and Cash got a few words:
Bruh, I wish, but these bills gotta get paid. We’re gonna beat your NOT ass, boy. https://t.co/H2fbWYIYDv
— Uncle Dax FTR (@DaxFTR) March 28, 2022
Billy’s sons ‘bout to be taught 📖 #TopGuys#AEWDynamite https://t.co/LzjZm11Ps0
— Uncle Dax FTR (@DaxFTR) March 28, 2022
Billy’s boys are actually kinda talented so it’s a shame they’ve have had their best moments on the wrong side of the barricade. We’ll change that Wednesday. https://t.co/42W0vpT5Ew
— CASH (@CashWheelerFTR) March 29, 2022
Frank’s Analysis: With FTR leaning babyface, it’ll be interesting to see how things unfold with MJF. Do they tell him to go to hell and introduce Bret Hart as their manager? It seems like AEW debuts someone every other week, so why not keep the good times rolling, yah?
According to AEW’s Twitter account, Tony Khan will officially sign a new talent to take on The Bunny in an Owen Hart Tournament Qualifying match.
WEDNESDAY night on #AEWDynamite at 8pm ET / 7pm CT on @TBSNetwork, we will the have FIRST #OwenHart Foundation Women's Tournament Qualifier as #TheBunny @AllieWrestling will go 1-on-1 w/ a New Addition to the #AEW Roster that @TonyKhan will officially sign this Wednesday night! pic.twitter.com/PKSpZbZ67i
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 28, 2022
There will be a men’s and women’s tournament which will kick off with the May 11 edition of Dynamite at the UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. My wife and I will be in attendance that evening. The finals for both the men and women will take place at Double or Nothing.
Frank’s Analysis: It’s better I don’t say anything.
Follow Frank on Twitter @FrankPeteani.
CATCH-UP: 3/28 AEW DARK ELEVATION REPORT: Bryant’s report with signature asides, highlights of Wight and Henry on commentary, analysis of Max Caster vs. Sonny Kiss, Roppongi Vice vs. The Factory, more