The May 1, 2024, episode of AEW Dynamite went down live at the Control Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The show featured the aftermath of The Elite’s assault on Tony Khan. Prominent names included the Young Bucks, Adam Copeland, Swerve Strickland, and Samoa Joe.
For those who missed out on the show, here are some of the biggest hits and misses from last night’s AEW Dynamite.
Miss – AEW Dynamite intro
Tony Khan appeared in a vignette to kick off AEW Dynamite this week. Khan addressed the events from last week’s Dynamite. He told the fans he’ll be managing the show from the office of the Jaguars in Jacksonville. The screen glitched a few times and the Young Bucks took over. The EVPs talked about the founder’s clause before signaling the beginning of the show.
Khan’s promo didn’t feel organic at all. It was as if he was reading from a monitor. It’s painfully obvious he doesn’t know how to sell his injury. His expressions lacked authenticity for someone who took a piledriver. It would be better if he doesn’t appear on television for the foreseeable future and let the so-called highest-ranking official do the job.
Hit – The Patriarch is back
Christian Cage dropped the TNT Championship to Adam Copeland on the March 30, 2023, episode of AEW Dynamite. The Patriarch made his unannounced return last night to kick off a new feud. His latest target is none other than AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland.
Christian showed up during Strickland’s promo. The former TNT Champion arrived to the ring alongside Nick and Mama Wayne and Killswitch. Swerve tried to take on all of them. but ultimately fell to The Patriarchy.
Cage vs. Strickland is now official for AEW Double or Nothing.
Miss – Orange Cassidy aligns with Don Callis?
Orange Cassidy delivered bad news on AEW Dynamite. Cassidy revealed his best friend Chuck Taylor won’t be able to wrestle again after what Trent Barretta did to him during the parking lot fight on Rampage. Barretta interrupted the promo and said Cassidy was about to make everything about himself again.
Both men nearly got into a brawl before security arrived. Kris Statlander tried to calm down OC. Don Callis showed up out of nowhere. The former Jackal whispered something in Cassidy’s ear, which apparently calmed him down. Statlander could do nothing but watch as Cassidy went to the back with Callis.
I know Cassidy is torn apart due to what happened to Chuck but why would he listen to the master manipulator Callis, of all people. I’m assuming this will lead to the speculated Orange Cassidy heel turn with Callis as his manager. But why turn Barretta heel before Cassidy, when the payoff is to turn OC heel as well?
Hit – Adam Copeland vs. Buddy Matthews on AEW Dynamite
Adam Copeland put his TNT Championship on the line last night. The Rated R Superstar squared off against House of Black’s Buddy Matthews. Copeland picked up the win and grabbed two chairs to take out Matthews. Malakai Black arrived and encouraged Matthews to put away his protégé. The lights went out again and so did the two members of the House of Black.
This was a great match on free TV. Copeland’s TNT Champion run has been spectacular thus far. He’s put on great title defenses against the likes of Matt Cardona, Penta, and now Matthews. It’s great to see a veteran using his experience to get the best out of younger talents. Oh, and we might be getting Copeland vs. Black at Double or Nothing.
Miss – Unprotected shots to the head
Chris Jericho defended his FTW Championship against Shibata on AEW Dynamite last night. The pair met in a No DQ match. Things got pretty wild with the use of foreign objects. Jericho even brought hockey pucks to the ring to dish some brutal punishment on his opponent.
To be fair, I really enjoyed this match. I thought the No DQ stipulation made for some compelling action and innovative spots. That said, Shibata took some nasty (unprotected) shots to the head. He should not because he had his career halted by a subdural hematoma in 2017.
Hit – The Elite take out Kenny Omega
Kenny Omega made his much-anticipated return to AEW Dynamite this week. The Best Bout Machine addressed the new Elite. He teased a match with longtime opponent Kazuchika Okada in an AEW ring as well. The Rainmaker showed up and claimed he was the new Best Bout Machine.
Okada’s distraction allowed Jack Perry to jump Omega. The EVP prevailed for a moment before Okada caused another distraction, allowing Perry to hit Omega in the mid-section with a chair. EVP Bucks arrived and took out Omega with their double knee strikes. FTR eventually showed up to disperse the new Elite from the ring.
Also read: Kenny Omega Gets Physical, Taken Out On Stretcher Ater Attack By The Elite On AEW Dynamite
