The final AEW Dynamite before Double or Nothing featured all four pillars heading into the PPV, big news for the premiere of AEW Collision, and title defenses by Orange Cassidy, the House of Black, and the Lucha Brothers.
Highlights
- Opening the show Orange Cassidy defended the International Championship against Kyle Fletcher in a back-and-forth match continuing his winning streak into Double or Nothing where the champion will be forced to defend against 20 other men in a battle royale.
- The House of Black defended the AEW Trios Championship against Blake Christian, Metalik, and AR Fox. Solid match ended with all the challengers in submissions continuing to build up the stable with another impressive win.
- Bryan Danielson joined the commentary team for Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta challenging the Lucha Brothers for the Ring of Honor Tag Team Championship. Some fun Rey Fenix and Yuta and spots, a Claudio swing int a Yuta dropkick, and a surprise appearance by the Young Bucks at the end of the match to cost the BCC a title win.
- Recap of The Elite’s battle with the Blackpool Combat Club which was followed by a backstage interview segment with the BCC hyping up both the tag team match later tonight and the Anarchy in the Arena match at the PPV. Later in the night we got a backstage interview with Hangman Adam Page about his history and current standing with the Elite.
- In the final pillar segment, MJF walked to the ring to take shots at the crowd and all three of his opponents at Double or Nothing while also building up all four wrestlers as the heart and foundation of AEW. Darby Allin, the last of the four to get airtime, hit the ring to get off some harsh words and receive a MJF kick to Darby’s nuts before the other pillars hit ringside as well.
- Pre-taped interview with Willow Nightingale recapping her win and being crowned New Japan’s new Strong Women’s Champion.
- Renee Paquette‘s interview with Ricky Starks announced his involvement in the battle royale at the PPV but was interrupted with a beatdown by Bullet Club Gold. Her next backstage interview with Sammy Guevara continued to try and push a Sammy face turn (or possibly further obscure some heel shenanigans at the PPV).
- Perhaps my least favorite trope in wrestling is the contract signing, however this one did feature both Adam Cole and Chris Jericho so there was some fun to be had heading into the pair’s unsanctioned match at Double of Nothing including the reveal that Sabu will be in Cole’s corner at the PPV. Immediately followed by the match between Daniel Garcia and Roderick Strong with Strong picking up a big win for himself in his early days with AEW.
- Quick pre-taped segment promoting the AEW Women’s World Championship match between Jamie Hayter and Toni Storm at the PPV.
- Recap of the Team TNA and FTR feud led into an in-ring promo from the tag team champions getting out some harsh words to the TNA rejects prior to an angry Mark Briscoe hitting the ring making it clear he doesn’t care for either side in this feud but apparently still considers Jay Lethal a friend.
- Recap of the Wardlow / Christian Cage feud setting up the pair’s ladder match for the TNT Championship at Double or Nothing.
- Tony Khan confirmed AEW Collision would premiere in Chicago suggesting, just maybe, finally, things are squared away for CM Punk‘s return to AEW on June 17th.
Lows
- Taya Valkyrie defeated Lady Frost in a match that was too long, and awkward, to be the kind of convincing win Valkyrie needed to set her up as a legitimate contender heading into her match against Jade Cargill on Sunday.
Less Notable
- Pre-taped backstage segment with Jungle Boy going over his history in Vegas and his chances to win the AEW Championship at Double or Nothing.