AEW Dynamite 5/3 kicks off hot with an astoundingly fun eight-man tag match, Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, Orange Cassidy, and Bandido defeating The Jericho Appreciation Society. Fun way to kick off the show. Roddy looked great, it’s been a while since we have seen him in action. Well paced and went on for a healthy amount of time, allowing everyone to hit their stride. Nice finish with Roddy and Cole hitting signatures, but the best part was Cole bum rushing and mauling Chris Jericho at the commentary table after pinning Angelo Parker.
What a brawl and a hot start to the show.
Give us Roddy vs. Daniel Garcia. They could put on a clinic.
Backstage: Darby Allin and Jungle Boy cut a good promo on putting differences aside to make it to the main event championship match at Double or Nothing. Darby sounded a lot like Sting.
Also in the back, security escorting Adam Cole out with Chris Jericho taunting, only to get slapped silly by Dr. Britt Baker, DMD.
Taped promo from the Blackpool Combat Club. Bryan Danielson trashes Bret Hart and his catchphrase of “Best there is, best there was, best there ever will be” and gorgeously turns it into a promo about training the next generation of great wrestlers. Mox then cuts a promo on his upcoming cage match with Kenny Omega, promising next level violence.
Saraya defeated Willow Nightingale
Ok match with a predictable outcome. However, the post-match was not. We get an unexpected return of Hikaru Shida who seemed to align with Saraya and company, only to distract them for Jamie Hayter and Dr. Baker to hit the ring from behind. Shida sprays Saraya in the face with paint, then cracks the trio with her kendo stick. The addition of Shida to this long arc is a welcome one, hopeful this continues to pick up some steam.
Trios Battle Royale for a Trios Championship Match: Prior to the bout, House of Black discuss “House Rules” which are their stipulations for the winning team must agree to in order to gain a match. The Acclaimed win the battle royale, last eliminating Butcher, Blade, and Kip Sabian. This was another fun and enjoyable match. John Silver towards the end plays the ultimate underdog card so well.
It was a fantastic finish, The Acclaimed seemed to be on the losing end, but managed to outmaneuver their opponents for a dramatic victory.
Backstage: MJF and Sammy Guevara cut a hilarious promo for tonight’s main event. I laughed so hard I cried.
Wardlow beats a jobber, then calls out Dark Luchasaurus. He comes out with Christian Cage, who informs us it is not Luchasaurus who gets the TNT Title shot, but himself!
Pre-taped segment with Team Jarrett at the Briscoe Ranch. This was hysterical Jarrett on a tractor, Dutt and Lethal with chickens. Guest appearance by Papa Briscoe making fun of the quartet of morons.
Ricky Starks defeated Juice Robinson
Good match, Starks taking a beating for most of it. He took a nasty spill on the floor early on. Starks powered back for the underdog victory. Post-match, Jay White rushes down to attack Starks, but he manages to chase “Bullet Club Gold” away.
Backstage: Darby and Jungle Boy appear on the same page. But an errant encounter with MJF leaves Jungle Boy angry, but Darby returns to wonder what just happened. Eh, this segment didn’t need to happen, but it did to tease dissension.
AEW Dynamite 5/3 Main Event: Darby Allin & Jungle Boy defeated MJF and Sammy Guevara
This was fun. MJF and Sammy evoke 80’s/90’s villain vibes, using cheap heel tactics to gain advantage, with a fun twist with Jungle Boy and Allin using their own tricks against them. Lots of back and forth with a heavy number of counters, ultimately, both teams stop trusting each other. MJF and Sammy come to blows, while Darby steals a pin and win. It’s set up nicely with a pretty bow wrapped on top, there will be only animosity and competition come Double or Nothing.
