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AEW DYNAMITE TV REPORT
MAY 4, 2022
BALTIMORE, MD AT CHESAPEAKE EMPLOYERS INSURANCE ARENA
AIRED ON TBS
REPORT BY TYLER SAGE, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Announcers: Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, Excalibur
-Adam Cole walked out to start the show, he joined commentary for Bobby Fish’s match.
(1) JEFF HARDY vs. BOBBY FISH
Bobby Fish and Jeff Hardy locked up and Hardy knocked Fish down and danced. Hardy then went to the mat and locked in a headlock on Fish. Bobby Fish countered and slammed Hardy into the corner and then hit strikes, then a Dragon Screw leg twist. Fish then got a two count on Hardy and then worked standing strikes after both got to their feet. On the outside, Fish hit another leg twist, sending Hardy into the barricade. [c]
Hardy made a comeback as the show returned, and hit Hardy classic offense and got a two count on his fellow combatant. Hardy went to the top rope, but Fish got up and stopped Hardy. Fish then hit the avalanche Falcon Arrow and got a near fall on Hardy, who kicked out. Fish then locked in a leg hold that Hardy broke with the bottom rope.
Hardy then hit a move off the top, and then went up again to set up the Swanton Bomb. Which he did hit and got a the pinfall victory.
WINNER: Jeff Hardy
(Sage’s Analysis: An interesting opening match that was on course for the kind of odd show that is booked tonight. But overall Fish grounded Hardy and worked a different type of Jeff Hardy match.)
– The Young Bucks came out and teased a match with The Hardy’s at Double or Nothing.
– William Regal had a great promo setting up the mission statement for the Blackpool Combat Club.
(2) BLACKPOOL COMBAT CLUB vs. THE BUTCHER, THE BLADE AND ANGELICO
Butcher, Blade and Angelico attacked BCC before the bell and were in control as the bell rang to start the match. Angelico and Danielson battled and traded strikes and submission moves, Danielson came out on top and hit kicks in the corner and a running drop kick. Wheeler Yuta was tagged in as was The Blade. Yuta then dropped Blade and then worked his hand and wrist. Butcher was then tagged in and taken out by a cross body as the break started. [c]
Yuta countered and went for the tag to Moxley, he hit a German Suplex on Butcher and finally tagged in Moxley. Blade was tagged in as well. Moxley ran wild and took out Blade in and out of the ring. Moxley hit a cutter on Blade and then took a bite out of Butcher. Angelico entered and Moxley hit a lariat and then tagged din Danielson. Bryan Danielson then stomped the head of Angelico and locked in a sleeper for the submission win.
WINNER: Blackpool Combat Club
(Sage’s Analysis: Another solid win, the addition of Angelico made Butcher & Blade feel a bit more fresh.)
– Jurassic Express accepted the challenge of Starks and Hobbs. Jungle Boy requested a FTW title shot before the have a tag title match. [c]
– Keith Lee and Swerve were backstage, they said they have unfinished business with Starks and Hobbs. Lee said they would swerve in their glory.
– Wardlow came to the ring in handcuffs and they were taken off as MJF entered the arena. He introduced the mystery opponent William Morrissey.
(3) WARDLOW vs. WILLIAM MORRISSEY
The two men locked up and then broke apart quickly, locked up for a second time as Wardlow slipped under. Wardlow then picked up Morrissey and slammed him into the corner. Morrissey then hit a kick and then some rotating fists to the back of Wardlow. Morrissey leapfrogged Wardlow, who then rolled out of the ring.
Morrissey followed him out of the ring as the crowd chanted for and not for NZO. Morrissey slammed Wardlow’s head on the ring apron and threw him back in the ring. Wardlow hit a number of punches and battled back to his feet. Morrissey then hit a fall away slam to regain control.
Wardlow then hit a moonsault off the top rope onto Morrissey, Wardlow then set up a power bomb and hit a single one for teh pinfall victory.
WINNER: Wardlow
(Sage’s Analysis: A really fun match, even though it was not an AEW mat classic. Morrissey did a good job being a menacing big guy, making the power bomb at the end impressive for Wardlow.)
– Post match Wardlow took out all of the security. Wardlow said that he will not stop until MJF releases him from his contract. MJF offered a match, that if Wardlow wins he would release him. But, MJF had conditions that he will release next week in his home town of Long Island.
– Tony was with the four women (Toni Storm, Ruby Soho, Britt Baker and Jamie Hayter) who will open Rampage in a tag match. [c]
– Tony Schiavone introduced Adam Page to the ring. Tony asked for his response to the challenge form CM Punk. Page said that it would be easy to say how much he respects CM Punk and shaking his hand. How he is excited for the challenge, and for the potential to have an all time match. He said that isn’t gonna happen, he said at Double or Nothing there will be no handshake. He will destroy CM Punk plain and simple.
Page looked at a fan with a Punk shirt and said they will want a refund if they don’t burn the shirt after. Page said that Punk is off filming a tv show. He said that he will embarrass Punk and this will be the fight of Punk’s life.
– Jay Lethal and company were backstage, they complained about a rookie from DDT getting the spotlight.
(4) CHRIS JERICHO vs. SANTANA
Santana dove out and took out Chris Jericho as Jericho’s entrance was happening. The two battled on the outside and Santana set up the metal stairs, Jericho grabbed the camera at ringside and filmed himself getting knocked down. Santana then threw Jericho into the barricade and then slammed him on the stairs and back into the ring as the match officially started. Jericho hit a springboard dropkick and sent Santana onto the stairs. [c]
Jericho jumped off the top and Santana hit a drop kick as both men were laying. Jericho then tried a bulldog, but was thrown into the ropes. Santana hit Three Amigos, and then went to the top rope. Jericho attacked and dazed Santana, from here Santana head butt Jericho and then hit a frog splash for a near fall.
Jericho locked in the Walls of Jericho, Santana was able to break the hold with the bottom rope. The two then traded chops, Santana hit a stunner to get a near fall after the chops. On the outside Ortiz took out the JAS, while Santana hit a lariat and got another near fall on Jericho. Santana hit a cannonball in the corner and then was distracted by Magic Daddy. Jericho hit a low blow, then a Judas effect to get the pinfall win.
WINNER: Chris Jericho
(Sage’s Analysis: The best worked match of the show so far, and works for the sports entertainers to win this way.)
– Samoa Joe called out Jay Lethal and asked if he is a brave man and said he is coming for him. [c]
– The Gunn Club had presents for The Acclaimed. They were scissors and they all scissored meaning they were now together.
– The Varsity Blondes were in the ring. Brian pillman Jr. said he was humbled by the House of Black. He said that a quote form his dad’s friend John Harbaugh, to attack each day like no man. Pillman said he was has been complacent, but today is a new day, yes it is. Pillman then screamed and said that he wanted to keep the team together.
The House of Black entered the ring and took out Garrison and Pillman. Malakai then walked up to Julia Hart and she was brought over the downed Garrison and was handed a chair. She did not strike Garrison and then Death Triangle made the save.
– Jade Cargill and the Baddies were backstage, and went over their past week. Red Velvet said she would win the whole Owen Hart Tournament.
(5) REY FENIX vs. DANTE MARTIN
The two men locked up, then quickly both men did fast twitch moves in the ropes and around. Rey hit a big kick and then dove out onto Dante. [c]
When the show returned both men were battling with strong strikes, Rey hit a flipping leg sweep off the middle rope for a near fall. Dante followed that up with a cross body off of the top rope for a two count. Rey hit a Hurricanranna and then ended up on the apron. Here Rey jumped back in and tried a power bomb but turned it into a pop up cutter, Rey then got a near fall.
Dante hit a super kick, then went up and was hit by Fenix. Rey then hit a Spanish Fly off the top and both landed on their feet. There were lots of flips and moves leading to a slam by Fenix leading to a three count.
WINNER: Rey Fenix
(Sage’s Analysis: A fun match between two high flyers, maybe too much with no selling. That is a lot coming from me, so I bet lots of people just didn’t like this type of match.)
-Darby and Sting said the first round match vs. Jeff Hardy will be special. [c]
-Thunder Rosa came to the stage and addressed the crowd. She said that she would tell her story, it’s full of success and failure. But tonight, she is the undisputed AEW Women’s champion. She said that she has carried the division, and now she has elevated the division. She only wants to wrestle the best on the planet. She said she once drove hours to see one wrestler who made her want to be who she is. She then called out Serena Deeb, who came out.
Deeb said that she respected Rosa, and that they can make AEW the best women’s division in the world. But, for that to happen Deeb needs to be champion. Rosa said she is the best because she has the title. Deeb said that everyone knows that she is on another level and the very best. The match was set up for Double or Nothing.
– The Announce team ran down the card for Rampage and next week’s Dynamite.
(6) MERCEDES MARTINEZ vs. DEONNA PURRAZZO
Deonna Purrazzo did not adhere to the code of honor before the match. The two traded wrist control, with Purrazzo getting a side head lock. Each women missed chop attempts and then battled over wrist control once again. Purrazzo was in control as the break started. [c]
When the show returned both women climbed into the ring and then had a strong style segment with Martinez getting the edge with a backdrop and a big boot in the corner, leading to a two count. Deonna got wrist control after a leg sweep, and then hit a pump kick for a two count on Martinez.
Martinez hit a running knee and a fisherman buster for a near fall. Deonna hit a flip suplex for a near fall on Martinez. The two then traded pinning attempts and both were left laying. Martinez hit a fireman carry suplex, and then curb stomped Purrazzo. Martinez then locked in the Dragon Sleeper to win via submission.
WINNER: Mercedes Martinez
(Sage’s Analysis: A match that never really had a chance to get going, with the short time and commercial break. The last two minutes were very good, but they should run this back if they get more time on an ROH show.)
Final Thoughts: On paper this didn’t look like a strong show, but I thought the wrestling was good to very good top to bottom. The two hours flew by and I was generally pretty entertained. The only real note is that the Rosa/Deeb segment felt so strange to me. I don’t know if it was the format or the lines, or the delivery but I was actively thinking about how strange it was live and the segment suffered as a result.
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