6 Ups & 6 Downs From AEW Dynamite (September 13 - Results & Review)
3. Samoa Joe Vs Roderick Strong
Samoa Joe and Roderick Strong's Grand Slam Tournament final was the last in a series of matches on the show to not really locate their potential peak. But if nothing else, it was a rich reward for the excellent storytelling the company has done with both finalists as pertains to MJF and Adam Cole.
Fans came up for a Muscle Buster attempt before The Kingdom saved Strong's neck, and the pair earned at least one hot nearfall when a flying kick appeared to put Joe down and out. Those fortunes were quickly reversed, and the unfashionable manner 'The Samoan Submission Machine' locked on the Coquina Clutch felt like just the right amount of realism for the finish.
A post-match angle threaded everything together without the need for the AEW World Heavyweight Champion to appear in person too. This was all good build for both the short and longterm - Strong appeared to outrageously fake a new flare-up for his bad neck when Adam Cole arrived on the scene, but Cole had no choice but to sow concern as Roddy was stretchered out of the building. This opened the door for Joe to strike him, choking him out from behind to send a further message to the 'Salt Of The Earth'.