Welcome back to the weekly AEW Dynamite review series. For those not in the know, I do a recap of the biggest hits and misses from Dynamite every week. We look back at matches, segments and everything in between.
The May 8, 2024, episode of Dynamite emanated from Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Orange Cassidy versus Trent Beretta served the show’s opening match, whereas an interesting angle involving The Elite capped off the night.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right into it.
Miss – Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta angle
Cassidy picked up the win after he hit Beretta on the exposed turnbuckle. Beretta proceeded to assault his former best friend after the match. OC got spiked with a piledriver on the ringside. Kris Statlander and Don Callis made cameos as well.
First of all, they really undersold the steel steps piledriver assault. This is one of my major gripes with modern pro wrestling. You just landed head-first on ringside steps. At least, make the angle look believable by incorporating medics and ringside crew.
Cassidy got enough strength to grab a chair and wait for Beretta, only for Callis to take him to the back. We then saw him talking to Rocky Romero, who apparently is so blind to the whole feud that he’s proposing a trios team involving himself, Cassidy, and Beretta.
Hit – Toni Storm’s overselling on AEW Dynamite
Toni Storm continues to be a major highlight on AEW television. The AEW Women’s World Champion interrupted Serena Deeb’s interview with Tony Schiavone. Storm cut a promo on her Double or Nothing opponent before trying to take her out.
Her move, however, backfired terribly as Deeb took her out with a single forearm strike. Storm sold the move like she’d been hit with a bullet. The Timeless One took her time falling to the ramp, which made the angle a lot better.
Miss – No Kenny Omega at Double or Nothing?
Kenny Omega didn’t appear in the flesh on AEW Dynamite. The Cleaner cut a promo from a hospital bed. He said The Elite was responsible for his condition. Omega announced an Anarchy in the Arena match between The Elite and Team AEW.
It appears Omega himself won’t be in action at AEW Double or Nothing. If he were healthy, there would be no doubt he would’ve been the fourth member in AEW’s war against The Elite. So, who are the members of Team AEW?
You’ll find in a few minutes.
Hit – Chris Jericho & Big Bill in action on AEW Dynamite
I was a bit skeptical about Big Bill’s pairing with Chris Jericho, but they are starting to grow on me. The duo had their first match as a tag team on AEW Dynamite this week. Jericho and Bill picked up an easy win over Mo Jabari and Harlon Abbott.
Jericho cut a post-match promo wherein he thanked Calgary… no… Edmonton for the reception. I’m starting to appreciate this “Learning Tree” Chris Jericho. Hate him or like him, Chris is one of the GOATS when it comes to reinventing his gimmick.
Miss – Mogul Embassy turns on Swerve Strickland
Swerve Strickland came to the ring alone. The AEW World Champion called out The Patriarchy. Christian Cage arrived with the rest of the group. Both men went back and forth on the mic. Strickland said he didn’t come here alone. Mogul Embassy showed up only for The Patriarch to pull a major swerve (I did that on purpose) on the champion.
Brian Cage and the Gates of Agony attacked Strickland. The champion was tossed out of the ring. Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona then sent Strickland through the announce table. It appears we’re getting a solo run for Swerve, which I don’t mind. However, they’d really have to come up with a creative way to have the champion get his payback on The Patriarchy and Mogul Embassy.
Hit – Adam Copeland vs. Brody King
This week’s episode of AEW Dynamite gave us another brilliant “Cope Open.” Adam Copeland defended his TNT Championship against House of Black’s Brody King. Both men beat the hell out of each other under a No DQ setting. Brody bled heavily during the match. Cope would pick up the win following a second spear.
After the match, Brody initiated his assault on Cope. Kyle O’Reilly came up to make the save for the Rated R Superstar. Both men sent Brody out of the ring with a double clothesline. O’Reilly will challenge Copeland for the TNT Championship on the May 11, 2024, episode of Saturday Night Collision.
Miss – Mercedes Moné promo on AEW Dynamite
Mercedes Moné talked about her upcoming match against Willow Nightingale at AEW Double or Nothing. I won’t go on a lengthy rant about Mercedes’ promo. The whole interview segment was underwhelming.
Hit – Team AEW takes on The Elite
The Elite hijacked the main event to talk about their shenanigans over the past couple of weeks. Bucks tried to sound intimidating. It didn’t work. They explained why they used TK Driver on Tony Khan and EVP Trigger on Kenny Omega. FTR cut them in the middle. Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler revealed the third member of Team AEW.
Eddie Kingston arrived. The Mad King was joined by none other than Bryan Danielson as the fourth member of Team AEW. All four men rushed to the ring and we got a huge brawl between the two groups to officially kickoff the build-up to the Anarchy in the Arena match at Double or Nothing.
Also read: WWE NXT Hits And Misses (5/7/24)
