Kicking off the show with something unique is important to grab the attention of the live crowd and more importantly the people watching from home. As much as we debate it, ratings are important so keeping the attention of viewers is a priority and often a challenge. putting “Hangman” Adam Page and Will Ospreay in a ring together presumably for the first time ever, this is bound to create some memorable moments.
Come Double or Nothing these two will wrestle each other for the first time. It’s amazing to think that they have never crossed paths in a wrestling ring until now. Each one cuts a promo how winning the World Championship is of utmost importance to them. Of course, winning the World Championship would be important to any wrestler. However, for Page this is extremely personal, as he has to overcome years worth of demons to regain the main event spotlight. For Ospreay, this is an ascension of a tall ladder which he deservedly has earned. Before competitive conversation turns into a bloodbath, they are interrupted by Don Callis and his family, challenging them to a tag team match next week. Callis is able to manipulate Page and Ospreay into nearly coming to blows.
As of now, I cannot predict who will win at Double or Nothing.
Before the first match, FTR and Stokely Hathaway make some threats towards Tony Schiavone and Daniel Garcia. I like this from FTR. Having a manager assist with the antagonizing works really well.
“Timeless” Toni Storm defeated Penelope Ford, Anna Jay, and Thunder Rosa in a Four-Way Eliminator Match
A really good, and fun match. All four were very energetic throughout the match, with the wrestling going at a consistent Pace to keep the fans invested. In a match with no disqualification there were some questionable methods of breaking up pinfalls, and the interference of Megan Bayne certainly put the winner into question. Harley Cameron storms the ring to chase away Bayne. However a fantastic finish with the champion forcing Ford to submit, shades of Bob Backlund to the old school crossface chicken wing.
The pre-match promo between Anna Jay and Harley Cameron was certainly a thing.
MVP and the Hurt Syndicate make an open challenge, which Top Flight intended to answer. However, MJF in street clothes bum-rushed them, leaving them bloody messed up on the floor. He gets in Lashley’s face, saying one thing… “I hurt people.”
Well, this might get interesting. Later on, MVP is asked about this turn of events, to which their legal consultant chimes in to say they have no comment at this time, but will discuss it next week.
Backstage, Ospreay is talking about next week when MJF interrupts. It seems tensions are still high between them. I am a bit skeptical here, as once again we find wrestlers becoming involved or seemingly creating multiple storylines. I understand this may lead to a payoff in the long-run but for the time being it didn’t feel necessary.
Also backstage, Don Callis issues a challenge to the Outrunners to find two partners for an eight-man tag on Collision. I didn’t recall this being a thing unless I missed something. I’m all for the Outrunners running wild!
Nick Wayne retains the ROH TV Championship against Rhino
This… Could have been better. The ECW Alum got a nice pop from the hometown crowd, but that was honestly the best highlight. Wayne hit a few signature moves, followed up with using Christian Cage’s own finisher to win the match. The live crowd, clearly unhappy, chanted with quite the expletives after the match.
I’m happy to see Rhino in an AEW ring, but deserved better.
After the match, Cage refused to hand over the title belt, dropping it at the champ’s feet. Cage is clearly jealous. I mean, if he wrestled more, he could challenge for a title, right?
Ricochet and The Young Bucks defeated Swerve Strickland, Mike Bailey, and Mark Briscoe
I enjoyed this one a lot. The Bucks looked much better here than in their return match. The banter with Ricochet added a lot to it. Ricochet’s character is settling in almost perfectly as the annoyance who gets his comeuppance yet somehow manages to remain one-step ahead to gloat. He’ll get paintbrushed, bounced around, yet manage to outsmart his opponent. The Bucks are playing the ego card a bit smoother, and at times seemed to tone it down when on the defensive. Before it seemed they no-sold everything, now it appears different.
Swerve, Briscoe, Speedball. Great trio. All fan-favorites but there’s something special about Mark Briscoe. The stuff he does, both serious in tone or comedic timing, clicks. Just clicks. Swerve is a major draw and even in matches with multiple wrestlers, still looks like the World Champ. Very shocking to see him take the pinfall, however the progression to it looked justified. The Bucks won CLEAN with a small package which bewildered the babyfaces. Very well done.
Jamie Hayter segment with Renee Paquetee is interrupted by Mercedes Mone
Hayter, as a babyface, completely trashed Mone, ultimately calling her a fraud and undeserving of the Owen Hart Cup. Goes as far to say Mone would be disrespecting his legacy. Wow. Mone attacks and brawls out to the arena. At first it seemed Hayter got the last shot, it was Mone who feigned cowardice to KO Hayter to close the segment.
AEW is doing a really solid job of giving us reasons to care. It’s amazing to think that it’s almost been a year since Hayter returned, unfortunately due to travel issues was not able to be featured often on television. However, putting her in the tournament and giving her a main event spot at a pay-per-view against Mone should definitely put everyone on notice. I would not be surprised if Hayter wins it.
More backstage, Kris Statlander tries to apologize to Willow Nightingale, but she’s not having it. However, Willow proposes a one-on-one match on Collision. Perhaps this will be the match where they finally patch things up for good.
Kazuchika Okada defeated Kevin Knight
If I’m being honest, and I usually try to be, there was no chance Knight was going to win. The pre-match attack by Rush continues a feud which started on Collision “helped” Okada, but I think did more to protect Knight. Is it just me, or is Knight losing a lot? AEW should not feel they need to put him in these big match scenarios where he continues to be an underdog and winds up losing like one. He’s super-talented and can break out on his own. Honestly, halfway through the match I forgot all about Rush’s attack.
Bailey making a post-match save is interesting. I suppose Okada will face him at some point too. While some would say it’s too early to keep pushing the Omega/Okada match, I feel AEW should. They teased it again at Dynasty, so I am a bit confused why it feels like it’s been dropped completely?
Samoa Joe defeated Claudio Castignoli
This was a good one. It is a rarity where Claudio appears as the underdog. A combination of power, finesse, and toughness was present throughout. From my perspective, Joe often had the advantage but when Claudio gained control made it look as though he could legitimately defeat the #1 contender. Funny moment where Claudio teased the Giant Swing but Joe kicked him away. Joe forces Castignoli to submit to end it.
You could see Joe was having a good time tonight. Crowd chanting “Joe is gonna kill you” and others through the match were acknowledged. After the match, the Death Riders attempted to fight, but Powerhouse Hobbs came in with a chair and destroyed Claudio. Revenge is a sweet, sweet thing, isn’t it?
I really hope The Opps stable remains as it is. Keep Hobbs, Shibata, Hook when he is healthy, all led by Joe. It works.
Overall enjoyable, fun show. Was it as jam packed as we have been spoiled with in the past? No, and it does not always need to be. I’ve said this before. We need some low-key, toned down episodes in order to appreciate the big ones.
AEW Dynamite 5/7/25 is now streaming on MAX.
