Mercedes Mone debuted with AEW at AEW Big Business, wasting no time as Dynamite opened with Mercedes’ new “CEO” theme song. Mercedes cut an emotional, thanking the fans and her brother, and said she could not wait to tear it up with the women in the back. Mone also noted she had unfinished business with Willow Nightingale, who beat her for the NJPW Women’s Strong Championship.
Outside of the big pop and her solid promo, Mone didn’t say much of substance, nor were there any angles during her opening segment. Her presence, however, will be a boon for the women’s division as Mone looks to help AEW awake a sleeping giant in a talented women’s division.
Last week’s broadcast of AEW Dynamite underperformed with 779,000 viewers coming off Sting’s retirement and a buzzworthy AEW Revolution 2024.
AEW Dynamite Results | March 13, 2024
- Samoa Joe def. Wardlow | AEW World Championship
- The Elite def. PAC, Eddie Kingston and Penta El Zero M
- Jay White def. Darby Allin
- Lionhook def. Gates of Agony
- Willow Nightingale def. Riho | Winner is No. 1 Contender for TBS Title
AEW Dynamite Ratings
- March 6, 2024 | 779,000
- February 28, 2024 | 822,000
- February 21, 2024 | 821,000
- February 14, 2024 | 811,000
- February 7, 2024 | 805,000
AEW Dynamite Big Business Ticket Sales
- AEW Dynamite Venue: TD Garden (Boston, Mass.)
- AEW Dynamite Tickets Distributed: 7,580
- AEW Dynamite Tickets Available: 668
Mercedes Mone Debuts At AEW Big Business | PWB
AEW Big Business Winners And Grades
Mercedes Mone Debuts
Mercedes Mone opened the show, walking out of a Mercedes Maybach to a new “CEO” theme. Fans chanted “CEO” as she opened the show, similar to CM Punk.
An emotional Mercedes thanked fans for sticking with her through her highs lows and history-making moments.
Mercedes hinted toward a feud with Willow Nightingale, but there were no angles or big moments outside of her big pop and “CEO” chants. It’s great to see her in AEW, which now needs to lean on its women’s division to escape from its current funk.
Samoa Joe Def. Wardlow
Prior to this match, AEW aired a vignette of Adam Cole reading a story about Wardlow’s heel journey. It was literally story time with Adam Cole, which has been a long time coming.
Samoa Joe kicked out of Wardlow’s knee, a first time anybody has done so. Joe went on to move out of the way of a Senton Splash.
After being built up as another pig to slaughter, Wardlow lost via submission to the Coquina Clutch. Wardlow’s rinse, wash and repeat cycle in AEW has now reached its repeat stage as Wardlow goes to the back of the line.
The Elite Def. Penta El Zero M, Eddie Kingston And PAC
Backstage, the Young Bucks bullied Alex Marvez while speaking on behalf of Kazuchika Okada, whom they called “the best wrestler alive.” Matthew Jackson also said there are 14 million reasons they signed Okada. At the conclusion of the promo, Okada forced Marvez to sing happy birthday to Jackson.
The Young Bucks received tons of pyro during their entrance. Then Matthew Jackson flipped a coin, and when the coin landed Okada’s music hit.
The announcers marveled at all the talent in the ring, calling it an “All-Star Game” of talent. This was a microcosm of AEW, which is loaded with talent but limited on storylines.
Both Penta El Zero M and Matthew Jackson wore all red everything, which was so confusing.
This was a garden-variety “this is awesome” match. Okada won with the Rainmaker on Eddie Kingston—preceded by a low-blow.
Will Ospreay Wants To Outwrestle Bryan Danielson
Will Ospreay, dressed like he just came back from his son’s soccer practice dressed as the goalie, cut a spirited promo on Bryan Danielson. He said he wanted to restore the feeling to AEW, and that he was the feeling. He went on to demonstrate this feeling buy making his story against Bryan Danielson about who is the better wrestler. That’s not much of a story.
AEW continues to rest on its laurels by booking Danielson against Ospreay as a “dream match.” No storyline, no personal beef. Just wrestling. They simply don’t get it.
Jay White Def. Darby Allin
The Gunns continue to have some of the best ears in the business by way of their relatively new theme music. This was also the group that once walked out to “Many Men” by 50 Cent.
The story of this match was a stitched-up Darby Allin, coming off his infamous glass dive, working through injury. It’s also impressive that Darby is still wrestling this close to his impending voyage into Mt. Everest.
White was all-too-happy to yeet Allin around the ring (both inside and outside), taking advantage of Allin’s injuries. It remains unclear of whether or not Bullet Club Gold are babyfaces, heels or whether we should even care.
Jay White won the match using heel tactics and taking advantage of Allin’s injuries, especially after Allin tried a Coffin Drop on the apron. Bullet Club Gold turned heel by attacking The Acclaimed, who tried to make peace. After following Max Caster’s Twitter feed, I was convinced he was turning heel.
Lionhook Def. Gates Of Agony
Chris Jericho continues to use his old Lionheart music, which is like LeBron James being great at dunking, but settling for mid-range jumpers.
Fans certainly began showing signs of fatigue during this match on an otherwise hot AEW Big Business show.
Lionheart synched in an ugly looking Lionheart-Redrum combo on Bishop Kaun. Hook ultimately secured the submission win with a Redrum on Kaun.
Fans continued to boo Chris Jericho when he appeared in a backstage segment alongside Hook. Jericho then challenged Hook—live from Toronto—teasing a potential heel turn. Fans still booed. The great thing about this show is they used it to build up its lineup for next week’s Dynamite in Canada.
Willow Nightingale Def. Riho
Backstage, Mercedes Mone wished Riho good luck in her main event match against Nightingale. There was also a strong likelihood that Mone would show up during the main event after name-dropping Willow in her opening promo.
AEW talks about how Riho has been wrestling since she was nine, which is crazy because she looks no older than 12.
Riho connected on a scary Northern Lights Suplex with Nightingale, but it really got fans into the match as “this is awesome” chants followed. Riho later hit a Dragon Suplex, but Nightingale landed on her. They had Riho throw Willow around more than Willow was throwing Riho around.
Nightingale won with a Dr. Bomb, setting up a showdown with Mone.
Julia Hart and Skye Blue attacked Nightingale after the match, bringing out Mercedes Mone to make the save, finishing Hart off with her modified Gory Special. Fans chanted “CEO” as the show went off the air.