Dynamite: Double or Nothing Go-Home Show was AWESOME

This week’s All Elite Wrestling Dynamite fell on the third anniversary of their first show! It’s been a whirlwind three years, filled with crazy highs and terrible lows, but this company is leagues beyond my wildest dreams of possibilities. AEW checks every box for me as a fan. I get good storytelling, fun surprises, and unbelievable in-ring action. Dynamite was in Vegas this week for the go-home show for Double or Nothing this Sunday. I’m super excited for this Sunday, but we need to get there first. How was the show this week?

Let’s find out!


Before I get into the review, I just wanted to talk a little bit about the unfortunate topic of the week. America is in mourning after the horrific mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas. My thoughts are with those families who will never be the same. My wife and I don’t plan on having children, so we cannot possibly understand what the families of the 21 victims are going through, but I hope America can band together to support them. I personally wish I could do more. Honoring those people, and all of the victims of Mass Shootings, are things we all must do. And hopefully, sometime soon, America needs to stand up and say, “Enough with the Violence.”


Cage Match: Shawn Spears vs. Wardlow (MJF guest referee)

Photo Credit: AEW

I did not expect Dynamite to begin with the Cage Match between Shawn Spears and Wardlow! The feud between Wardlow and MJF has been perfect, and this match continued that streak. It was awesome, completely predictable, and I did not care. Sometimes, storytelling in wrestling isn’t difficult. This was the perfect example.

The match started with MJF ‘forgetting’ the key to Wardlow’s handcuffs. MJF’s entire strategy in this match was to piss Wardlow off so much that the big dog hit the ‘Salt of the Earth’. This match was a complete Handicap Match. MJF and Spears teamed up for the entirety of it. Wardlow would get his offense in, but MJF would ignore it or downright stop it. Eventually, Shawn Spears was able to hit the C4 onto Wardlow, except Wardlow knew MJF would fast count him, and kicked out very quickly. Spears and MJF were livid!

This escalated the match towards the most predictable finish I’ve seen in a while, albeit one I loved. Spears grabbed his handy dandy Chair, and inadvertently cracked MJF on the top of the head with it. Wardlow grabbed his opportunity to unleash hell onto Spears and hit the Powerbomb Symphony. But there was no more referee!? Bryce Remsburg came running down for the save and Wardlow won!!! Incredible stuff! This match is difficult to review because it was more a segment than a tried and true match between even competitors, but I loved the story here so much. High grades from me!

3.75/5

  • A quick interlude backstage segment followed. The JAS was backstage and threw a fireball in face of a staff member because he was wearing a Jon Moxley shirt. I laugh every time Jericho says, “I’m a Wizard.” It’s so dumb, but he leans into it perfectly.

Hangman Page CM Punk Faceoff

Photo Credit: AEW

Up next was one of my favorite parts of the whole evening. Hangman Adam Page and CM Punk were coming face to face for the final time before their AEW World Championship match on Sunday. I wish this ended the show because it was so good, but I’m very happy with how much time was allotted for this segment.

Both men had two very contrasting demeanors. CM Punk was calm, collected, and very respectful of the champ, but Hangman was aggressive and insulting. The champ was very angry. It seems to me that CM Punk is trying to get into Hangman’s head and it’s working. Hangman seems to think that Punk wants to lead the charge in taking over All Elite Wrestling from a person who’s an original. Punk clapped back by reminding the Cowboy that nobody would be here if not for him. That’s a very good point! Punk’s pipebomb (also in Las Vegas) is inadvertently a big reason for AEW. I talked about that last year!

This promo segment was great. It was simple, up for interpretation, and I truly felt the emotion. They did a great job of hyping me up for a match I already can’t wait for!


Jon Moxley & Eddie Kingston vs. Private Party

Photo Credit: AEW

Up next was a quick match between the reunited tag team of Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston against Private Party. Moxley’s recent tag partner, Bryan Danielson, injured his leg last week. Danielson is seemingly okay and appearing at Double or Nothing still. This match was fine, nothing special though.

Kingston and Moxley spent most of this match quick match with the advantage. Private Party strung together some fun flying maneuvers towards the end, but the inevitable happened. Moxley hits the Paradigm Shift to win the match. This one was exclusively here to set up Sunday’s craziness.

3/5

The JAS and William Regal spent the whole match on commentary. Jericho and his goons waited for the final bell to ring and immediately charged the ring. The obvious final brawl ensued with both teams fighting it out. Anarchy in the Arena is going to be insane on Sunday. I’m looking forward to how ridiculous it will be because it’s Jericho’s specialty.


RoH Tag Championships: FTR (c) vs. Roppongi Vice

Photo Credit: AEW

Up next was the Ring of Honor Championship match between FTR and recently reunited Roppongi Vice. This was a very fun match between two veteran teams, in which the ending took me by massive surprise.

This was a back and forth match, except it felt like Roppongi Vice was the more cohesive unit. Roppongi was able to isolate both members of FTR at different points, which allowed the former NJPW stalwarts to hit multiple tandem maneuvers. I love what Rocky Romero brings to the table. He’s incredibly underrated in the ring.

Dax Harwood still being injured from his match with Adam Cole made this incredibly interesting. He couldn’t string together much offense because he was visibly in pain, which didn’t help by Roppongi Vice targeting the area. It all culminated with Roppongi Vice hitting the Strong Zero, with victory about to happen. The match took a left turn into unknown territory for AEW. I think this kind of ending is a first for AEW.

As soon as Roppongi Vice hit the Strong Zero, two massive people come running into the ring to introduce themselves. Jeff Cobb returns to AEW with his ‘United Empire’ tag member, Great-O-Khan. They proceed to destroy all four guys and we get a Tour of the Islands from Jeff Cobb. This obviously leads to a Disqualification ending for the match.

I was honestly shocked by this ending. Disqualifications are incredibly rare in AEW. And they can have a great impact when done well. Nobody expected to see a New Japan influence so far out from Forbidden Door, but this opens the door for much more influence heading into Double or Nothing.

DQ (no rating)

  • A quick interlude promo from the Hardys followed. They are unhinged and ready for the Young Bucks. Everyone seems to be counting the Hardys out (me included).

Ricky Starks vs. Jungle Boy vs. Swerve Strickland

Photo Credit: AEW

Up next was the triple threat tag team preview match between Jungle Boy, Ricky Starks, and Swerve Strickland. If this match is any indication of what to expect on Sunday, we’re in for a treat. This match was amazing! It was three amazing talents killing each other for ten minutes. AEW does triple threat matches beautifully, which makes me even more excited for the match on Sunday.

There really was no story in the match, except for the story everyone already knows: Ricky Starks is the MAN. Everything he does is gold. His move set, attitude, and charisma are top-notch. He needs a recognized championship belt STAT! This match was high octane action from start to finish. All three had their time in the sun here. This match, however, belonged to Swerve Strickland.

As the match started escalating towards the finish, the action booked a one way ticket to crazy town. Jungle attempted a Poisonrana from the top rope, but Swerve landed on his feet. Completely nuts! Not to be outdone, Ricky Starks hit the RoChamBeau, Jungle Boy got the Snare Trap locked in, and Swerve came from nowhere to stomp Jungle Boy and steal the pinfall! I cannot wait to watch this tag team triple threat! This match made me incredibly excited for it.

4/5

Match of the Night!

Another obvious brawl happened after the bell. Keith Lee lost his mind and jumped over the top rope, which looked like it hurt when he crashed to the floor.

Segments:

  • Men of the Year and Dan Lambert with a backstage segment up next. Lambert is going to surprise Scorpio Sky with a new TNT belt on Rampage. Hopefully, this incessant feud between him and Sammy ends at Double or Nothing. Please let it end.
  • Thunder Rosa joins Tony Schiavone on stage without Face paint. It’s a stark contrast to the war paint she usually dons. On Sunday, her promo is FIRE to hype the match between her and Serena Deeb. This is the Thunder Rosa we need to see every week. Give me the freaking fire.
  • Backstage segment between Red Velvet and Ruby Soho. Velvet gives Soho a book of Statlander weaknesses. It’s Ruby Soho vs. Statlander in the other Semi-final matchup on Rampage.

Owen Hart Tournament: Toni Storm vs. Dr. Britt Baker DMD

Photo Credit: AEW

Up next was the first of the Owen Hart Tournament Co-Main Events between Toni Storm and Dr. Britt Baker DMD. This match was inconsistent. They seemed off for a good portion of it, which just led to a pseudo-brawl for a while. It wasn’t until Britt sent Toni into the steel steps that the match ramped up.

They started trading moves after a little while, which was really good. Toni Storm has one of the most vicious Hip Attacks I’ve ever seen. Once they got going, the chemistry between them was apparent. Really good stuff. The ending, not so much.

Jamie Hayter came down to the ring during Britt and Toni’s exchange at one point. Britt wanted Hayter and Rebel to stay in the back for this one, but Jaime thought her friend needed help. She kept trying to distract Toni, which caused Storm to attack her at one point. This led to Britt using the ropes to roll up Toni for the surprise victory.

It’s an interesting decision, to put it lightly, to have new signee Toni Storm lose this early. Especially when you make her look a little dumb in doing so. I don’t hate the story they’re trying to tell with Britt and Jaime. I believe Jaime is going to accidentally cost Britt the final, so I’m okay with that. Toni really could have used a big match on AEW’s biggest show of the year. Combine that with my lukewarm feelings on the match itself, this one didn’t hit for me.

2.5/5

Owen Hart Tournament: Samoa Joe vs. Kyle O’Reilly

Photo Credit: AEW

This week’s episode of Dynamite flew by! The Second Owen Hart Tournament main event was up next between Samoa Joe and Kyle O’Reilly. I really enjoyed this match! Joe and Kyle had perfect chemistry, their styles meshed, and they told a great story through monstrous strikes.

The story of this match revolved around last week’s attack by Jay Lethal, Sanjay Dutt, and Satnam Singh on Joe’s shoulder. The lead pipe did a lot of damage, which allowed Kyle to target it constantly. Both guys were relentless with their strikes too. Joe would gain some momentum until Kyle would hit the shoulder again with a kick.

The match eventually escalated to the finish after Joe attempted the Muscle Buster, but Kyle countered it into the Fujiwara Armbar. I really thought Joe was going to tap here. Played the emotion up really well here! Unfortunately for Kyle, Samoa Joe was too good and caught him with a Rear Naked Choke to make his pass out. This was a great main event! I really wanted KOR to win, but I’m excited to see Samoa Joe face Adam Cole at Double or Nothing.

4/5


Verdict:

And that was Dynamite for the week! Not as crazy as previous Pay Per View go-home shows, but I really enjoyed this week’s episode. I’m excited for every single match on the Double or Nothing card! This episode did that job perfectly, while still giving us great matches and fun segments. That’s all I can ask for!!

Overall: 4.25/5

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