AEW Dynamite was back live for the first time in what felt like ages this week, as they scrapped their remaining taped content to shoot a new set of tapings from Jacksonville. Right away, the crew was way more full, the wrestlers lined the audience, and the normal announce team was back in tow. This outdoor show breathed new life into a dormant product, as they started to build for Double Or Nothing on May 23rd. Let’s get to the action!
Cody vs. Joey Janela
This was a showcase match for Cody, as Janela has run in place since his feud with Kip Sabian fizzled out on AEW Dark months ago. They showcased some solid work in the ring, and brawled a bit on the outside. Janela was a bit choppy in his transitions here, and his lack of seasoning seemed to show against a pro like Cody. This went a bit long. I think Janela has something as a careless brave-heart down the line, but they don’t seem to be doing much with him. Cody wins this average opener with a Crossroads.
They show a much needed package on the AEW women’s division, which talks earnestly about how things have been on hold since the virus started. They focused this package on Nyla’s dominance, plus the challengers: Penelope, Statlander, Shida, and Britt Baker. These four ladies will have a four-way next week, with the winner (hopefully Baker) going to face Nyla at Double or Nothing.
Nyla Rose vs. Kenzie Page
This was a nice quick squash for Nyla Rose, who looked spry and powerful in her offense. She wins after a dominant Beast Bomb, as they show her staring down her four biggest challengers. Whatever match they choose will be hot-shotted at this point, but at least the women’s division is alive after this recent layoff.
We get an MJF promo as he sips wine in a chair with a regal setting. This is one of the best promos on Dynamite in weeks, as MJF is in rare form. He says that in spite of not being on the show, he knows he not only has his spot as “the guy”, but he’s unlike the legends he’s compared to. He returns to the ring next week. I think MJF is your next World Champion after Moxley, and rightfully so. Money promo.
We get a promo of Shawn Spears talking about how Cody let Dustin take a beating from Lance Archer last week, and he didn’t seem to care. He’s calling Cody out here and attacking his moral character. While I love Spears being re-inserted into meaningful angles, this one strikes me as a bit misplaced. Cody has definitively beaten Spears twice already, and their feud was already blown off before Dynamite ever started. This is good for continuity, but Spears needs a big signature win here soon.
Tony Schiavone is in the crowd talking to MJF and Spears, as they continue to bet and put each other over. This association fits really well, as both smarmy heels have great charisma and chemistry together. They announce that MJF will face Jungle Boy at Double Or Nothing. It’s clearly a good pairing that MJF will use to get a big win, but I wish there was any type of build-up here. In spite of being good wrestlers, I don’t believe in randomly throwing PPV matches together, especially PPV’s that cost $60.
Kazarian vs. Jon Moxley
It’s great to have both of these men back live after a long layoff. This started very slowly, with Kazarian relying heavily on headlocks and Moxley going back to a lot of brawling spots. But the match layout made sense since it was a long match, and it really opened up after the first break. Kazarian really broke out a lot more offense than normal and showcased his skills. Both men were motivated here, and Moxley won after a Paradigm Shift. After the match, the Dark Order came out to attack Moxley and fend off SCU. Number Ten (Preston Vance) got some nice offense in. Brodie Lee came out to say he wants the AEW Title, and challenged Moxley. Moxley accepted and got jumped again by the Dark Order. While I am ALL ABOUT this match as a big-time feel with proper build, it’s a very weird time for it. Brodie is brand new in AEW and can’t lose yet. But Moxley is a new World Champ with only one title defense, so he can’t afford to lose yet either. It’ll be interesting to see how AEW books their way out of this.
Brandi Rhodes cut a killer promo back in a dark room, responding to Jake Roberts and Lance Archer’s attack on Cody. It sounded memorized, but Brandi has a good pacing and delivery, and she’s very articulate. This is EXTREMELY unpopular to say, but I wish she’d stuck to being the charismatic cult leader for the Nightmare Collective instead of a forced cheerleader for Team Rhodes. Great stuff.
Lance Archer vs. QT Marshall
Jake Roberts is back with Archer, but has a mask on for health sake. Marshall makes for a great enhancement talent, because he’s not spectacular at anything, but has a good frame and is athletic for his shape. This was a well-done squash for Archer, as he wins with the claw. After the match, Britt Baker comes over the guardrail (she hit Marshall with her shoe during the match) and lays out Brandi with a DDT. Jake Roberts brought out a trademark snake (which I marked out to, admittedly), and laid it over Brandi. I’m really surprised that they didn’t protect Cody by bringing him out here to save his wife. But the snake moment signified dominance for the heels. I can see them doing Brandi vs. Britt Baker at Double Or Nothing.
We see a backstage promo with Taz, talking to Darby Allen about his loss to Cody. Taz offers to help mentor Darby, but Darby angrily walks away. Taz/Darby could potentially be an intriguing fit to help advance Darby to a main event level.
Chris Jericho/Sammy Guevara vs. Matt Hardy/Kenny Omega
This match turned from a regular tag match, to a street fight, to apparently a falls count anywhere match out of nowhere. Rules be damned I guess, but it was an incredibly fun and interactive way to close the show. This main event was fast-paced and full of life. Matt Hardy alternated throughout the match as “Broken” Matt, old school Matt, and Demascus. His schizophrenia is a nice tough on his character evolution. This spills through the crowd (which the wrestlers make feel more full) and backstage into the concourse near the Jaguars’ field. The wrestlers in the crowd follow the match participants to the back, which makes it feel important and interesting. Nice touch. This match involved golf carts, ice machines, signs, lifts, and other fun props. The brawl was great, and every weapon was used in an innovative and meaningful way. The Inner Circle interferes, and Jericho wins with a Judas Effect. The show ends with the Inner Circle sign lighting up the Jaguars scoreboard in a great visual. Good cinematography there.
Overall, I really enjoyed this show. It felt so much more fresh to be back in Florida and have most of the crew present. We saw more competitive matches, more faces, building toward feuds, and the use of a “crowd” again. After weeks of being in a holding pattern, the product feels like it’s back to telling stories. Welcome back, AEW. I hope if they’re going to go on a live-then-tape pattern, that it’s every two to three weeks instead of six at a time. Stay safe friends, AEW looks like it’s about to get fun again.
