On July 29, 2020, AEW Dynamite aired live from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida, delivering a night packed with intense action and dramatic storylines, including a pivotal match featuring Brian Cage. In this thrilling encounter, Brian Cage and Ricky Starks faced Jon Moxley and Darby Allin in a tag team match that ended with Cage suffering a punishing defeat, setting the stage for future conflict. This Brian Cage AEW Dynamite match recap captures the unfolding drama and key moments that dominated the night.
Opening Chaos and Wild Multi-Man Tag Action
The show began with an explosive five-on-five tag team match featuring Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Santana, Ortiz, and Jake Hager against Orange Cassidy, Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Trent), and Jurassic Express (Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy). The match quickly descended into a chaotic brawl with high-flying moves and dramatic sequences. Orange Cassidy cleverly used his signature laid-back style but seized moments to strike back, including a memorable moment where he clapped across Jake Hager’s ears. The furious action spilled outside the ring with Luchasaurus leaping off the apron while carrying Marko Stunt onto the Inner Circle faction. Despite the unpredictability, Luchasaurus secured the victory for his team with a spinning roundhouse kick finishing move on Sammy Guevara after Matt Hardy’s distraction.
Jon Moxley’s Intense Call-Out Sets the Stage
After the initial bout, Jon Moxley addressed the audience, signaling a fiery confrontation ahead. He condemned Brian Cage for his previous attack on Darby Allin, emphasizing the disparity in size and courage. Moxley’s stark message proclaimed:
“Let’s see you try to bully me,” —Jon Moxley, AEW Wrestler
“I don’t start fights, but I always finish them.” —Jon Moxley, AEW Wrestler
This promo struck a raw, authentic tone, portraying Moxley as a protective and relentless figure unwilling to tolerate intimidation. The anticipation for their eventual clash intensified with these remarks.
TNT Title Bout Highlights Warhorse’s Underdog Spirit Against Cody
Next, Cody defended his TNT Championship against the debuting Warhorse, an independent star making a splash with his unique look and heavy-hitting style. Warhorse quickly gained momentum with powerful clotheslines and headbanging celebrations, challenging Cody’s veteran status. The match featured technical submissions and dramatic near-falls, with Cody ultimately securing the victory via figure-four leglock submission. Post-match chaos ensued as the Dark Order faction attacked Warhorse, only for Matt Cardona (formerly Zack Ryder) to make a surprise save, signaling new alliances in AEW’s wrestling landscape.
“He weights four thousand pounds of raw heavy metal and he is here to rule ass.” —Justin Roberts, Ring Announcer
Inner Circle’s Fiery Challenge and Promised Debate
Chris Jericho, flanked by his Inner Circle members, stormed the stage with a furious challenge aimed at Orange Cassidy. Jericho announced a rematch for one of AEW’s most acclaimed battles and promised a verbal showdown on the following episode. His colorful insults and audacious claims, including threats of cash repayment and mental domination, escalated tensions.
“a stupid son of a bitch.” —Sammy Guevara, Inner Circle Member
Jericho coined himself as the “DemoGod,” ready to embarrass Cassidy both physically and mentally, setting up a dynamic storyline built on rivalry and comic interplay.
FTR’s Contract Signing and Tag Team Appreciation Night
The formal signing of FTR’s contract featured tag team legend Arn Anderson overseeing the proceedings, adding a historic weight to the agreement. The contract outlined strict enforcement of tag team rules and the announcement of a special Tag Team Appreciation Night scheduled for August 12. Hangman Adam Page joined the festivities with a whiskey toast, underscoring the camaraderie and respect within AEW’s tag team division.
AEW Tag Team Championship Match Delivers Edge-of-Seat Drama
The AEW Tag Team Titles were defended by Hangman Adam Page and Kenny Omega against Dark Order’s Evil Uno and Stu Grayson. The match featured hard-hitting exchanges, aerial maneuvers, and dramatic near-falls, including standout moments where Dark Order nearly captured the gold. Brodie Lee’s presence ringside added psychological intensity as chaos unfolded in the ring, with Page and Omega ultimately retaining their championships through superior teamwork and resilience after a climactic Buckshot/V-Trigger combination.
“pissed him off for the last time and now you pay.” —Brodie Lee, Dark Order Leader
Brit Baker Addresses Big Swole in a Warming Rivalry
AEW women’s division heated up as Brit Baker confronted Big Swole from her wheelchair, declaring her dominance and setting conditions for a future match. Her declaration:
“Because this is still my division,” —Brit Baker, AEW Wrestler
This moment underscored Baker’s growing role as a top competitor and storyline driver within AEW’s female roster.
Hikaru Shida Overcomes Diamante in Determined Showdown
In a fast-paced match focusing on skill and grit, Hikaru Shida defeated Diamante, whose fiery attitude made an impression despite the loss. Commentary highlighted Diamante’s decade-long struggle on the independent circuit and the importance of earning a push through victories in AEW.
“the almighty push she thinks she deserves.” —Jim Ross, Announcer
Deadly Draw Tournament Brings Unexpected Pairings and Intrigue
The randomized Deadly Draw tournament added excitement backstage with wrestlers like Nyla Rose and Ariane facing off unexpectedly based on their chosen colors. The segment highlighted AEW’s creative booking approach to tag team competition and unpredictable partnerships, which energizes fans.
MJF’s Provocative Political-Style Promo Challenges Jon Moxley’s Reign
Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) delivered a scathing promo from the ring, criticizing Jon Moxley’s leadership and gameplay. He accused Moxley of running AEW like a dictatorship and called for a new guard to reshape the company’s future, positioning himself as the challenger to the current regime. MJF’s biting words combined arrogance with a call for change:
“My talent outweighs your tenure, Jon.” —MJF, AEW Wrestler
“I am AEW. I bleed black, white, and gold.” —MJF, AEW Wrestler
“a champion is supposed to lead by example, not cosplay as a specific wrestler, and that’s a stone cold fact.” —MJF, AEW Wrestler
“one of the greatest wrestlers this great sport has ever seen.” —MJF, Referring to Jon Moxley
This layered promo, blending character arrogance with real-life insider nuances, elevated anticipation for future confrontations and the AEW World Title’s trajectory.
Main Event: Moxley and Darby Allin Triumph Over Brian Cage and Ricky Starks
The night’s climax was a tornado tag team match pitting Jon Moxley and Darby Allin against Brian Cage and Ricky Starks. From the opening assault, the action was relentless, including Darby’s high-risk jump from the stage and brutal power moves. The match featured extreme violence and rapid counters. The finish was particularly intense, with Darby using his skateboard studded with tacks to inflict a vicious wound on Starks, while Moxley locked in a painful armbar, leading to an unforgettable and bloody pinfall victory for the babyface team.
Taz remarked on the severity of the skateboarding move amid the no-disqualification rules, questioning its place in professional wrestling even as Schiavone noted it was up to AEW President Tony Khan’s discretion. This dramatic conclusion secured Moxley and Darby’s win and set up a major development:
Schiavone revealed that Tony Khan had just announced Darby Allin would receive an AEW World Title match against Jon Moxley the very next week, adding significant momentum to both wrestlers’ careers and intensifying their mutual rivalry. As the match ended, the tension between the victors hinted at potential conflict, underscoring the complexity of their partnership.
Significance and Future Implications for AEW Storylines
This episode of AEW Dynamite underscored the company’s ability to blend violent in-ring action with compelling character-driven storylines. Brian Cage’s brutal loss marked a critical turning point, especially as it showcased the resilience and innovative offense of Moxley and Darby Allin. MJF’s assertive declaration infused the show with political intrigue and power struggle elements that reshape AEW’s narrative landscape.
With Darby secured a title opportunity against Moxley, the stage is set for a high-stakes clash that promises to redefine AEW’s championship scene. The combination of wrestling brutality, character tension, and storyline progression ensures fans can expect future Dynamite episodes to remain intense and emotionally charged as alliances shift and new rivalries ignite.
