On Wednesday, AEW Dynamite hits the historic milestone of five years and we can look forward to more euphoria. Following an exhilarating Grand Slam episode, we are again treated to nostalgia with two huge PPV-level matches, the return of an AEW original.
Perhaps like the fifth-anniversary episode of AEW Dynamite marking the company’s start, maybe do not expect an over-indulgence in the AEW’s past successes.
These should and rightly can be shouted about, as Laci Schlatz has done with her articles on AEW Dynamite’s top moments and episodes.
While we’re celebrating/shilling, if you’re looking for a deep dive into the first five years of AEW, you could do worse than my series listed after the preview.
AEW has a habit and lacks experience of pausing to take in such key moments in history. Celebrate we may, but WrestleDream is not far away.
And while the main event is set between Bryan Danielson and Jon Moxley, the rest of the card needs filling. Some hints and pathways are clearer than others. What’s next for Darby Allin?
Well, I’m predicting a chase to the world championship. But how that starts… Plus, with the debut of MVP last week, there’s a clear sense that Bobby Lashley and a new world of hurt is comin’.
There’s plenty of fallout from Grand Slam with The Don Callis Family and Will Ospreay, the teased uncertainty of Wheeler Yuta, and the return of Mina Shirakawa. To quote Dustin Rhodes: “the train ain’t stopping”.
Better get on board or be left behind quicker than a hiccup.
Announced Card Thus Far for AEW Dynamite:
Matches Announced:
- AEW World Title vs. AEW Continental Title: Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada. *
- *The first 20 minutes the only title on the line is the Continental Championship.
- International Championship: Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet
- Serena Deeb vs. Dr Britt Baker, DMD
- “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Juice Robinson
Speculation:
- Hear more from MVP.
- More fallout from Grand Slam and announcements for WrestleDream.
- Further developments within The Blackpool Combat Club between Wheeler Yuta, his teammates, and Bryan Danielson.
- Fall out between Kyle Fletcher and Will Ospreay and the Don Callis Family after Grand Slam.
Gamble of the Night 1 of 2: The Doctor Returns to Brittsburgh
#AEWDynamite 5th Anniversary@Petersen_Events | Pittsburgh, PA
THIS WEDNESDAY LIVE 8/7c | TBSDoctor vs. Professor!
Pittsburgh’s own Dr. @realbrittbaker D.M.D returns to her alma mater to take on ‘The Professor’ of Professional Wrestling @SerenaDeeb! pic.twitter.com/KEgvMqJmsR— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 30, 2024
Fan perception can change swiftly like the wind or slowly like a tide. A smell of something off related to Dr Britt Baker, DMD has been both. The initial excitement of Britt’s return has been dampened by reports of backstage issues and rumors about conduct.
On the one hand, women in wrestling experience criticism from fans that’s more personal and insidious compared to men.
There is misogyny that is historic and still present and women in both top promotions are frequently used for point scoring.
On the other hand, Britt Baker vs. Mercedes Mone at All In was a weak contest. In the short term, Baker’s material about being the first AEW women’s wrestler signed is stale. Even before the injury, Britt’s in-ring has been surpassed by others in the locker room.
It’s not a new issue, but one that’s existed since Baker’s first women’s world championship reign where style was used to compensate for the in-ring work. Baker needs to evolve or perish as an old piece of merchandise once said.
This isn’t to be harsh to Britt whose return from a horrific set of injuries is inspirational. There is a place for Brit on the card, but depending on her performances, like Saraya, it may be as a support in the midcard rather than the top.
It’s essentially the meta-narrative of this match if Britt can not just regain her footing but grow.
Bringing Britt back to her hometown offers some security for a big reaction. Plus, in the safe hands of Serena Deeb, The Professor, could in theory make Baker look her best. The practicality is another issue.
Five years on, Britt needs to prove herself all over again. She did it once.
Gamble of the Night 2 of 2: International Championship Drama
The International Championship match demonstrates how AEW will build stories and grudges linked to the wider wrestling landscape beyond itself and its short lifespan.
Like with Baker, the story of whether Ricochet has/will find himself back into the out-of-this-world form from his first series of bouts with Will Ospreay has a meta element. That’s why this match is a gamble. Also because of its outcome.
Divisive, even before leaving WWE, to some Ricochet is style over substance. Boxed into being an excellent wrestler and not a character who can’t cut a promo. And yet, in the past few weeks, Ricochet’s confidence, clarity, and determination on screen have started to craft a defined character.
Ricochet feels like he has been left behind. Allusions to Marvel’s Killmonger were made during his sit-down interview with Ospreay and Renee Paquette.
Verbally and on-screen, Ricochet has gained a new style. Yet online and in-ring there are flaws. Ricochet’s Twitter/X responses to trolls at times undermine himself and feed into critics’ narratives of AEW.
It’s face-palm-inducing. In-ring, Ricochet’s form while improving and adjusting to the AEW style, hasn’t hit the same as the elevated level of Ospreay.
After Ospreay’s match against The Young Bucks, last week’s AEW Dynamite pulled the latter team back to form. Maybe on the night, Ricochet may take off. Although,
I’ve predicted someone else to win the International Champion when considering who the next 2 champions for each belt might be (here).
Partly because the optics of a former WWE guy beating the future world champion on your anniversary seem like a self-own. However, with the right ending, maybe tying to the Don Callis Family drama, could suffice.
The hook but also the potential issue then becomes where next for each man?
Banger of the Night: Danielson vs. Okada III
AEW World Champion @bryandanielson
Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite: 5th Anniversary Special
This WEDNESDAY, 10/2
Pittsburgh, Pa
LIVE at 8pm ET / 7pm CT on @TBSNetwork pic.twitter.com/ptiBN9ZZbf— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) October 1, 2024
When I wrote about Bryan Danielson’s dream matches revisited, I’ll admit my same for not even considering a third and definitive match in the series with Kazuchika Okada. Not even an honorable mention. Okada has a word for folks like me who doubt his greatness.
This again reflects a theme of fan perception throughout this preview and my writing, that some folks, including myself at times forget how good Okada is. Like Kenny Omega in 2023, fans just want the best of this GOAT.
And yet, when this year has Okada underperformed as a character or in-ring? The delivery hasn’t been five-star classics, which isn’t sustainable. Or always a sign of success. Or really needed.
Yet the likelihood for a match of the year contender, a five-star match given it’s Okada and Danielson is there. The stipulation, that the first twenty minutes are exclusively for the Continental Championship, seems to signpost that this match is going long.
At least twenty minutes. Probably in the opener.
Given the physicality against Nigel McGuinness last week on AEW Dynamite, some clarity will need to be given on how/if Danielson is still hurting after being asphyxiated at All Out. Okada is going to compensate with character work in those spaces between moves.
Causing frustration and enjoyment of the crowd. These two dark magicians could provide a range of emotions from humor to fear and anxiety as their trilogy ends.
Hopefully not with a screw job finish. And yet, depending on how it’s done, it could further push the WrestleDream main event and other contests down the card.
Regardless, whatever folks think of AEW’s booking philosophy, it always offers so many unique possibilities.
Looking for an AEW Deep Dive?
James has also written a series that takes a deep dive into AEW’s short but impactful history. In part 1, James discussed how AEW changed the wrestling industry (here). In Part 2, James discussed how AEW’s continued existence benefits wrestlers and fans alike (here).
Part 3 has been divided into two articles. One discusses the differences between in-ring action and storytelling (here). The other excellent in-ring action is compensating for wider issues in AEW creative (here). The final part will discuss AEW’s future. Including discussing the problems that AEW faces and questions Tony Khan will have to address. In a bonus article, James evaluates the criticism leveled at the company on social media and podcasters as well as the company’s response (here). In the final upcoming part, James examines how for AEW’s future Tony Khan can compete with WWE beyond just in the ring (here).
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
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