Reviews

The John Report: AEW Dynamite 05/11/22 Review

By John Canton • Published 11th May 2022

This week’s AEW Dynamite featured Darby Allin vs. Jeff Hardy, Dax Harwood vs. Adam Cole, CM Punk vs. John Silver and a whole lot more action.

This was AEW Dynamite episode #137 at the UBS Arena at Belmont Park in Long Island, New York.

It’s Wednesday night and you know what that means. Jim Ross was on commentary joined by Excalibur and Tony Schiavone. It was a vocal crowd in New York as usual.

Adam Cole (bay bay) was up first since the Owen Hart Cup tournament starts this week. Dax Harwood from the FTR tag team was up next as the opponent. They showed Dr. Martha Hart sitting in the crowd. Martha is Owen Hart’s widow and runs the Owen Hart Foundation. She was in the building with her kids Oje and Athena. Tony Khan posted a photo with them.

Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinals: Adam Cole vs. Dax Harwood

Cole drove Dax to the corner and then shoved Dax in the face. Dax has some Bret Hart-inspired trunks on. Dax got a side headlock, Cole did his taunt and Dax chopped him hard in the chest. Cole came back with a running knee to the ribs. Cole with a neckbreaker. Harwood slid under Cole’s legs leading to a punching combo, Dax wanted a Sharpshooter and they each got counters into pin attempts for two counts. Cole sent Dax under the bottom rope so that Dax’s ribs hit the ring post. Cole whipped Dax into the steel steps. Cole worked over Dax with forearms along with a knee to the ribs. Cole whipped Dax into the ring post as they went to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

Cole was in control with a hard whip leading to Harwood doing the sternum first bump into the turnbuckle like Bret Hart did in most of his matches. Cole with a forearm strike, Dax ducked another one and Dax hit two German Suplexes, Cole hit a German Suplex and Dax came back with another German Suplex, so he did three of them. Cole set up Harwood on the top rope, Dax knocked him down, Dax jumped off the top, caught Cole in his arms and hit a slingshot Powerbomb for a two count. Cole with a kick to the body followed by a brainbuster into the knee for two. Cole set up for a superkick like Shawn Michaels, the fans were booing, Dax avoided it, got a rollup for two and Dax hit a crossbody block off the ropes for two. Dax with a move off the ropes, Cole hit a superkick for two and Dax hooked the arms for a two count. That was very choreographed in the sense that it was too obvious that pin would be countered due to how Cole covered him. Cole with a kick to the knees, Dax blocked a move with a slam, Cole with a kick to the head and Cole got a sunset flip, but Dax got out of that. Dax hit a piledriver for a two count. Dax applied the Sharpshooter, which was the finisher of Bret and Owen Hart. Dax was favoring his ribs, so Cole was able to power out of it. Cole knocked Dax off the apron, so Dax had a rough landing to the floor while holding his ribs. Dax made it back in before the ten count. Cole applied his own Sharpshooter, which drew major boos from the crowd and Cole pulled Dax to the center of the ring, so Dax tapped out. Cole got the submission win after 15 minutes.

Winner by submission: Adam Cole

Analysis: **** Excellent match. It was the Bret Hart guy (Dax) against the Shawn Michaels guy (Cole), which is why the fans were booing Cole doing the superkick tease early in the match. I’m a bit surprised that Cole would win with the Sharpshooter, but Dax was selling the rib injury, so it made sense that the deadly finisher would cause pain. Plus, it’s the same finisher that Owen and Bret used, so it’s fitting to end a match in the Owen tournament with a Sharpshooter. They worked really together, had lots of nearfalls, it was an even match and I liked the end result.

A video aired featuring Darby Allin and Jeff Hardy talking about their main event match. Allin said he wanted the rules to be waved in their match.

They showed two Impractical Jokers guys sitting at ringside.

The AEW World Champion “Hangman” Adam Page made his way to the commentary table for the next match.

CM Punk did the babyface thing for his entrance by wearing a New York Islanders jersey, but it was former Islanders player John Tavares, who signed with the Maple Leafs a few years ago. Punk signaled for the music to cut off and the fans were booing. They booed because he was wearing a Tavares jersey. Punk is a huge NHL fan that knows the Islanders fans hate Tavares for leaving to sign as a free agent with MY Toronto Maple Leafs (“Go Leafs Go!”), so he knew it would get heat. It certainly worked well in terms of getting heat. Go Leafs Go!

John Silver of the Dark Order was the opponent and he’s from Long Island, so the fans liked him. Plus, he’s a babyface even though he’s barely on AEW TV at this point. Silver is good and should be on TV more, but that goes for a lot of people.

CM Punk vs. John Silver

Silver blocked a hiptoss attempt and got a backslide pin attempt for two. Punk left the ring to take a breather. Silver chased after him, so then they went back in and Punk hit Silver with an elbow to the back. Silver fought back with punches as well as some kicks in the corner. Punk came back with a clothesline leading to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Punk going for a move in the corner, Silver moved and Punk was crotched against the turnbuckle. Punk came back with a backslide pin attempt, Silver got a three kick combo and Silver hit a brainbuster for a two count. Silver hit a DDT off the ropes for a two count. Silver lifted Punk for some move, but Punk got out of it leading to a rising kick. Punk with a running knee, clothesline and a whip into the ropes leading to a leg lariat. Punk was staring at Page, who stared at the TV monitor and then Page realized he should be staring at Punk, so he did. Punk did his own version of a Buckshot Lariat for the pinfall win after eight minutes.

Winner by pinfall: CM Punk

Analysis: **1/2 Easy win for Punk. Silver was impressive and got that nearfall with the brainbuster, but we all know Punk was going to get the win here. The Buckshot Lariat wasn’t great, but it looked fine.

Adam Page went down to the ring. Punk said he knows people don’t like him, but it’s just business. Punk said he used to wake up in the morning and asked himself if he was a good guy. Punk also asked himself if he was the champ and his answer was yes. Punk said he just destroyed Page’s boy, so Punk told him at Double or Nothing, Page will shake his hand whether he’s conscious or unconscious. Punk wanted a handshake, but Page gave him a middle finger to the face instead. The fans cheered that.

Analysis: A solid promo exchange by the champion and challenger although it was only Punk that did the talking. Page did a nice job of popping the crowd with the middle finger.

Jamie Hayter, Britt Baker and Rebel were backstage with Tony Schiavone, who talked about the Women’s Owen Hart Cup tournament. Britt Baker complained about having to face a Joker in the tournament. Baker said that the storm is over for Toni Storm and said there’s some “Hayter” in the forecast. Tony said if they both win round one matches then Britt will face Jamie. Hayter said don’t worry about that, Britt said it would be a fair fight and they were done.

Danhausen made his entrance with the introduction saying he was from “somewhere far away” while using a ridiculous height and weight. The fans liked him. Tony Nese was in the ring with Smart Mark Sterling.

Danhausen vs. Tony Nese (w/Smart Mark Sterling)

This is Danhausen’s AEW debut. Nese knocked Danhausen in the corner after a distraction from Sterling. Nese hit the Running Nese to the head leading to the pinfall win after about 15 seconds.

Winner by pinfall: Tony Nese

Analysis: DUD Match of the year. Or not. Poor Danhausen got destroyed.

Post match, Sterling complained about how Tony didn’t even get a televised entrance. Nese hit a running knee on Danhausen. Sterling said that Tony is going to embarrass all your meme wrestlers and wanted Tony to do it again. Hook made his entrance to make the save for his new buddy Danhausen, so Nese and Sterling left. Danhausen wanted a handshake from Hook, the fans wanted it and Hook shook the hand to a huge pop. Excalibur wondered if we’ll see “Hookhausen” after all.

Analysis: The fans love it. Danhausen is silly and Hook is a unique character, so it works.

The contract signing was next.

(Commercial)

They had a Dark Side of the Ring style video that aired telling the story between Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Wardlow. There was an even an appearance from Barry Horowitz as well. It was more like MJF’s version of the story.

Contract Signing – MJF and Wardlow

Maxwell Jacob Friedman did a babyface entrance wearing a MJF New York Islanders jersey and posed with fans on the way to the ring. The fans cheered him. The ring was filled with security guys, a table, Wardlow was seated and MJF had his buddies Shawn Spears along with Smart Mark Sterling in the ring. There were “MJF” chants with MJF saying that was a symphony.

MJF told Long Island he loved those crazy sons of bitches, but unfortunately we’ve got to talk to Wardlow. MJF said he was David and Wardlow was Goliath. MJF said that he was the Jewish young prince from the Holy Land, but he’s not talking about Israel, he’s talking about the most magical place in the world – Long Island, New York. MJF called Wardlow a big, dumb stupid oaf. MJF said that if Wardlow wins at Double or Nothing, MJF will let Wardlow out of his contract. MJF wanted to give Wardlow an opportunity to speak to MJF’s people. MJF told the crowd to boo Wardlow although he didn’t really want them to. MJF shouted out people in the cheap seats – “you’re poor but you’re beautiful.” That was funny. MJF told Wardlow he can speak.

The fans booed loudly as Wardlow was about to speak. The fans didn’t want Wardlow to speak, but MJF said screw him because he’s not going to speak.

MJF mentioned conditions saying Wardlow is the worst. MJF said that karma is coming his way for everything he did to MJF’s friend Cody Rhodes. MJF mentioned 2024 (when he’s a free agent) because Cody’s in WWE now and said that the guy in the back doesn’t want him talking about 2024 either. MJF mentioned shipping Wardlow (like he did to Cody Rhodes) and got Spears to do the “ten” to tell Wardlow MJF will whip him ten times. MJF said that if you get past that, then you have to wrestle Spears in a solid Steel Cage. MJF told Wardlow he’s 0-2 in a cage. MJF said that the special referee will be Maxwell Jacob Friedman. If Wardlow gets past that, then we have to know what happens if Wardlow loses at Double or Nothing. MJF said that if Wardlow loses at Double or Nothing, then Wardlow can’t sign a contract with AEW forever. MJF wondered if Wardlow still wanted to sign the contract. The fans shouted MJF’s catchphrase. Wardlow had his hands handcuffed and he couldn’t sign it, so MJF told security to uncuff Wardlow so that he can sign the contract.

Wardlow signed the contract and MJF called him a coward, so Wardlow beat up some of the security guys, who only went at him one at a time so they can bump out of the ring, MJF hid behind Spears, who had a white chair and Wardlow punched Spears, so Spears bumped to the floor. Wardlow got a hold of MJF, then Sterling jumped on Wardlow’s back’s and MJF was free to leave the ring. Wardlow hit Sterling with a Powerbomb through the table. MJF was backing up the aisle saying Wardlow won’t even make it to Double or Nothing.

Analysis: Great promo work from MJF like usual. They should have had Wardlow talk a bit to hear the crowd boo even more, but I get why they didn’t in order to have MJF control the segment. The stipulations are similar to what MJF made Cody Rhodes do to face MJF two years ago, so that’s why MJF mentioned Cody there. Anyway, Wardlow should survive the whips to the back and the match with Spears, so it will mean MJF vs. Wardlow at Double or Nothing in a few weeks. Wardlow should beat MJF at Double or Nothing as well.

(Commercial)

Samoa Joe, the ROH TV Champion, was featured in a video package about how next week he faces the Joker in the Owen Hart tournament. Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt and Satnam Singh were also part of the promo as they trashed Joe. Joe said he’ll win the Owen Hart tournament, then he’s coming for Lethal and his friends to settle things his way.

Jungle Boy made his entrance as one half of the AEW Tag Team Champions. Ricky Starks was up next as the FTW Champion. They did not have any allies at ringside with them. Taz joined commentary since Starks is part of Team Taz.

FTW Championship: Ricky Starks vs. Jungle Boy

They did some mat wrestling to start with some basic holds being exchanged like Boy getting a side headlock takedown. Starks tried a punch, Boy blocked it and Starks got a knee to the body. Starks grabbed the hand, did a backflip off the ropes and did an armdrag. Boy did his own version of a move where he grabbed the hand leading to some flips, an armdrag and a dropkick. JR busted out his “quicker than a hiccup” line as they went to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Boy on the apron going for a kick, but Starks caught him. Boy fought out of a move and hit a swinging DDT for a two count. Starks got a backslide cover on Boy for two. Boy countered a move into a two count. Boy countered Starks going for the Roshambo with an armdrag across the ring and then a superkick for a two count. Starks sent Boy into the ropes leading to a Spear for a two count. Boy applied the Snare Trap submission, Starks sold it great with his eyes with a look of terror and then Starks got a couple of fingers on the ropes, so Boy had to break the hold. Starks with a neckbreaker across the top rope. Starks grabbed the FTW Title, then he was about to leave and Swerve Strickland ran to ringside to get in Ricky’s face. The referee was out of the ring grabbing the title, so Boy got a rollup on Starks for two. Boy was looking at the referee, Starks shoved him into the ropes and Starks hit the Roshambo slam for the pinfall win after ten minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Ricky Starks

Analysis: *** A good match with an ending that made it look like Swerve cost Boy the win even though he was really out there to prevent Starks from leaving with the FTW Title. The referee leaving the ring was key to the spot because he was out of the ring when MJF had the match won with a rollup. Starks capitalized on the situation for the crafty win. I like how it was booked in terms of being a creative finish.

Starks celebrated the win with his buddy Powerhouse Hobbs at ringside. Swerve Strickland was frustrated about what happened. Luchasaurus, who is Jungle Boy’s partner, and Christian Cage went into the ring to check on Boy. They got mad at Swerve for getting involved because it cost Boy the match. Swerve said he didn’t mean to do it. Keith Lee made his entrance to support Swerve. Boy was frustrated in the ring about the loss, so Christian looked at him and gave him a hug.

Analysis: It looked like they were teasing a triple threat Tag Team Title match. Perhaps that is the plan for Double or Nothing unless they do it before. I’d rather see FTR beat Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus for the titles. It seems like they are teasing Christian Cage turning on Jungle Boy, which is probably going to happen when Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus lose the titles.

The Jericho Appreciation Society was up next.

(Commercial)

Jericho Appreciation Society’s Victory Speech

The Jericho Appreciation Society made their entrance led by “The Wizard” Chris Jericho, Jake Hager, Daniel Garcia, Matt Minard and Angelo Parker. They showed two weeks ago when Jericho threw a fireball in Eddie Kingston’s face. The fans chanted along with “Judas” as usual for Jericho’s entrance.

Angelo Parker spoke first to the “AEW Galaxy” (their version of WWE Universe) to welcome the fans to their victory speech. Matt Minard did his yelling promo gimmick saying how great it was to be part of the Jericho Appreciation Society.

Chris Jericho said there were a lot of hometown heroes tonight like him since he was born down the road in Manhasset. Jericho said he moved quickly because “this place is a dump.” The fans booed, so Jericho said if you have a problem with that he’ll throw fireball in your face because he’s a wizard. Jericho said they did exactly what they said they would do since they eliminated Eddie Kingston, Santana & Ortiz. Jericho told them to stay at home because “Jericho 2:16 said I just burned your face.” Jericho told Kingston to stay home to make sure she feels better because if she doesn’t, she should give Jericho a call. Daniel Garcia said when a sports entertainer stands in the ring with a pro wrestler, a sports entertainer wins every time.

Jon Moxley’s music hit as “Wild Thing” played in the arena and Moxley made his entrance walking in from the crowd. Moxley was in a leather jacket looking ready to fight. Moxley is a close friend of Eddie Kingston, so that’s why he made his way towards the ring. Moxley was also the man that ended Jericho’s AEW World Title reign in early 2020.

Moxley stood at the bottom of the ramp. Jericho told Moxley he’ll give him one chance to leave for three months for another sabbatical. Jericho said there’s only one of Moxley and five of them in the ring. Bryan Danielson made his entrance with Wheeler Yuta and William Regal. Jericho said that it was still only four of them and five of Jericho’s guys in the ring. That led to Eddie Kingston (with burn marks on his face), Santana & Ortiz on the other side of the ring behind Jericho.

It was 6 on 5 as Kingston, Santana, Ortiz, Bryan, Moxley and Yuta went into the ring to fight with Jericho’s five man group. They really didn’t show much of the action other than Kingston taking down Jericho. The other guys were on the other side of the ring with the heel guys bailing to the floor after taking some punches. Hager pulled Jericho away from Kingston so Jericho was on the floor and then Regal punched Jericho in the face. The fans popped for that. Moxley’s music played to end it as Jericho’s group backed away.

Analysis: It was a pretty good segment with Jericho’s group finally being outnumbered by six guys or seven if you want to count Regal at ringside. It seems like it is going to lead to a Blood & Guts double steel cage match at some point, but I don’t know if maybe they leave Yuta out of the match or somebody else on the face side. Maybe at Double or Nothing they will just go with Jericho vs. Kingston as a singles match with a stipulation of some kind. Anyway, there are a lot of future matchups here. Jericho getting involved with the likes of Moxley and Danielson is pretty cool just based on all of their history together.

A video package aired about Thunder Rosa defending the AEW World Title against Serena Deeb on May 29th. The AEW talking heads talked about how Thunder Rosa will be hard to beat with Dustin Rhodes talking about beating Thunder’s mentor and coach.

The announcers said that Allin vs. Hardy will be an Anything Goes Match in the main event.

The lone women’s match on the show was up next. Jamie Hayter was up first with Britt Baker and Rebel walking on the stage. They went to the back. Toni Storm was next to a decent pop.

Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinals: Jamie Hayter vs. Toni Storm

They battled over a front facelock on the mat with Storm turning it into a lateral press. They got back up as they locked hands leading to Hayter tripping up Storm and then hitting a chop to the chest. Storm hit a running dropkick that sent Hayter out of the ring. Storm sent Hayter into the ring, Hayter ran the ropes and kicked Storm off the apron to the floor. That led to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

The match continued as the two women exchanged chops in the ring. They also did elbow strikes to knock eachother down. Storm hit a running hip attack, then Hayter was out of the ring and Storm hit a DDT on the floor. Back in the ring, Storm went up top and hit a cross body block for two. They showed Dr. Martha Hart watching. Hayter got some offense going as she hit a uranage slam onto her own knee for a backbreaker. Hayter wanted a lariat, Storm ducked it and hit a German Suplex. Storm delivered an elbows as they fought on the apron, but Hayter hit a uranage slam on the ring apron. Hayter set up Storm on the top rope, headbutt by Hayter and a superplex. Storm got an inside cradle for two. They fought over a move with Storm hitting a Storm Zero piledriver for the pinfall win after eight minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Toni Storm

Analysis: *** The match was pretty good. It was even most of the way. Some big moves by both women, then Storm got the advantage and hit the piledriver to win. It felt a bit rushed towards the finish, but not in a bad way really. It would be nice if they got more time although in AEW that’s pretty standard for what the women’s division gets most weeks.

This Friday on Rampage with an early start time at 5:30pm ET on TNT:

* Riho vs. Ruby Soho.

* Jade Cargill will be there.

* Scorpio Sky defends the TNT Championship vs. Frankie Kazarian. They showed a promo from Sky.

Frankie Kazarian was interviewed by Lexy Nair, but Sammy Guevara and Tay Conti interrupted before Frankie could say much. Sammy said you can’t trust Sky. Frankie said that he trusts himself and that’s all he needs, so he told Frankie to be unlikable somewhere else. Sammy said “I’ll SCU later.” Frankie said Sammy’s vlog sucks.

* Death Triangle vs. The Butcher, The Blade & Marq Quen.

* Shawn Spears vs. Bear Boulder.

They announced that at Double or Nothing on the Buy In Pre-Show, Hook & Danhausen vs. Tony Nese & Smart Mark Sterling.

Next Wednesday on AEW Dynamite called “Wild Card Wednesday” by AEW as read by fast-talking Excalibur who talks so fast during this part of the show:

* Chris Jericho and William Regal have a face-to-face confrontation.

* Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Quarterfinal Match: Kyle O’Reilly vs. Rey Fenix.

* Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Quarterfinal Match: Britt Baker vs. “Joker” (Mystery Wrestler).

* Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Quarterfinal Match: Samoa Joe vs. “Joker” (Mystery Wrestler).

* “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Konosuke Takeshita with CM Punk on commentary.

* Wardlow must take 10 lashes from MJF.

* Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Semifinal Match: Adam Cole vs. Jeff Hardy or Darby Allin.

The main event between Darby Allin and Jeff Hardy was next.

(Commercial)

Jeff Hardy entered first with brother Matt Hardy followed by Darby Allin with “Uncle” Sting. They were both cheered by the crowd. It was announced as an “Anything Goes Match.” Sting shook hands with Jeff and Matt before the match.

Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinals Anything Goes Match: Jeff Hardy (w/Matt Hardy) vs. Darby Allin (w/Sting)

There were 11 minutes left in the show as the match began. They shook hands, Allin hit a dropkick, Jeff to the floor and Darby hit a suicide dive with his back landing onto Hardy first. Allin set up eight chairs in seated positions, so Jeff recovered and sent Allin mouth-first onto the top of the steel steps. Jeff tried to whip Allin into the steel steps, but Allin jumped over the steps and then Jeff jumped off the steps with a clothesline on the floor. Jeff tried a move off the steps, but Allin shoved Jeff back first into the steel ring post. Allin went into the ring, Jeff was on the apron and Jeff hit a neckbreaker onto the middle rope. Jeff brought out a huge ladder and put it in the ring. They went to picture in picture break.

(Commercial – This is the main event, so I’ll keep an eye on the action in the small screen. They fought over the ladder, then it was placed in the ring and Allin hit a Sunset Bomb for a two count. Allin went for a springboard move, Jeff caught him and hit a jawbreaker. Jeff with the corner dropkick using the ropes for an assist. Jeff sent Allin face first into the chairs. Jeff set up the ladder so that it was against the ropes while Allin was on the chairs that were on the floor. Jeff climbed up the huge ladder. Allin was climbing up the other side as they went full screen.)

Allin pulled Jeff off the ladder and Jeff went crashing on the ropes. Allin climbed the ladder, did a somersault dive and jumped onto Jeff on the floor by the chairs! Wow. That was crazy.

😱😱😱 @DarbyAllin & @JEFFHARDYBRAND!!!! #AEWDynamite is LIVE on @TBSNetwork! pic.twitter.com/hXRqSLOtLP
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 12, 2022

Jeff caught him, as best he could, but they both had a rough landing. It looked like Allin had a worse landing, but he was up first and put Jeff into the ring. Allin went up top for a Coffin Drop, Jeff went to the apron, Allin still jumped off the top and Allin went back first with a Coffin Drop on the apron. Ouch. That was a rough landing. Tony was overrating the match on commentary. Allin was set up on the steel steps, Jeff went up top and jumped off with a Swanton Bomb, Allin moved and Hardy hit the steel steps. The referee Paul Turner was talking to both guys probably to relay time cues because there were less than two minutes left in the show. Back in the ring, Allin jumped off with a Coffin Drop, Jeff kicked out and hooked the arms with a crucifix pin for the pinfall win after 10 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Jeff Hardy

Analysis: ***3/4 A wild and chaotic match where they worked at a very fast pace to get in a lot of spots in ten minutes. If they got more time it would have been nice because then they could have actually sold some of the big spots even more. JR called it one of the best matches in Dynamite history. That’s a bit much. I don’t think it was even the best match on this week’s show. I get that JR and Tony are cheerleaders as announcers saying everything is the best, but sometimes it is too far by them. Anyway, that ladder spot with Allin jumping on Jeff onto the chairs was pretty crazy. They each missed spots off the top rope too, so then that led to Allin hitting the Coffin Drop in ring only for Jeff to counter to win. If they had more time would they have sold moves better? I don’t know, but it was still great and a lot of fun to watch.

Jeff Hardy moves on in the Owen Hart tournament to face Adam Cole in the semifinals next week on Dynamite.

Analysis: I think Cole will win that and make the finals.

Post match, Jeff Hardy shook hands with Allin and Jeff celebrated the win. The Young Bucks, Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish were on the stage together. Cole faces Jeff next week while Young Bucks vs. Hardy Boys has been teased as a tag team match. The announcers plugged other stuff coming up next week.

Analysis: They are obviously doing Young Bucks vs. Hardy Boys at Double or Nothing with all the teases they have been doing. It’s just a matter of making it official soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXupeHwrbGU

Three Stars of the Show

Adam Cole/Dax Harwood
Jeff Hardy and “Crazy” Darby Allin
MJF

The Scoreboard

This Week: 8 out of 10

Last Week: 7

Final Thoughts

It was another great episode of Dynamite. My favorite match was the Cole/Harwood opener that was very even and they got a lot of time to have a competitive match. A Sharpshooter finish is always cool with me. The Jeff Hardy/Darby Allin match was also great, but they were rushed in ten minutes. The good thing for them is that it was an Anything Goes Match, so they used a lot of weapons for some memorable spots including that crazy ladder dive onto chairs by Allin. It was Jeff who got the win. Other matches were solid or kept shorter.

I liked the promo segments as well with MJF doing a tremendous job of being a babyface in his hometown of Long Island. When Wardlow broke free, normally a crowd likes that, but not Long Island. Masterful work by MJF. I also liked CM Punk getting heat wearing the John Tavares NY Islanders jersey (I explained in the review for you non-hockey fans).

The other main promo was Jericho’s group with the confrontation from the Blackpool Combat Club, so finally they have something to do. That segment worked really well and should lead to a big multi-man as well as a major Jericho/Kingston showdown. Also, we got to see Hook & Danhausen together, so that makes a lot of fans happy.

The next AEW pay-per-view is Double or Nothing from Las Vegas on Sunday, May 29. Here’s the lineup so far: