In typical Tony Khan fashion, which I predicted on this week’s full AEW Dynamite preview here, a massive set of matches for Wednesday night has dropped with less than 24 hours before showtime. Two series of matches have big implications for both the men’s and women’s Blood and Guts matches. Four contests are confirmed, with two additional tie-breaker contests if needed.
The teams for each Blood and Guts match will compete in a series of one-on-one contests. The first team to score two victories gets the extra man/woman advantage in their Blood and Guts match. Beyond the stakes, the best part of these contests will be the clash of personalities and ethos.
Let’s get to the details.
The Men’s Advantage Battles
Match one, AEW’s slacker takes on the Death Riders’ workhorse. Orange Cassidy takes on Claudio Castagnoli in a battle of wits and brawn. It’s David vs. Goliath. Only David can’t be bothered to load or fire the slingshot. We’ve seen Castagnoli throw Darby Allin around like an empty tracksuit. Cassidy might be a similar size, but Cassidy is not reckless. In some respects, Cassidy might be a way more infuriating and unpredictable opponent. Expect a psychological game with thrills and spills.
Speaking of Allin, he takes on Daniel Garcia in what could be a technical clinic. Allin might be a daredevil, but he’s an accomplished amateur wrestler willing to use dirty tricks. Something Garcia is learning under Jon Moxley’s wing.
If it comes to it, Jon Moxley must overcome Roderick Strong. Given the last two weeks against Strong’s partner, Kyle O’Reilly, and increasing uncertainty in Moxley’s mindset, this could be an interesting finale.
The Women’s Advantage Battles
The women’s Blood and Guts match has experienced a recent turbulent build, which demonstrates the match’s storyline inequity. Yet AEW’s women have experience overdelivering in violent situations. The women may outshine their male counterparts even before the double cage match in Greensboro.
Queen Aminata takes on Megan Bayne in match one. Two of the hardest-hitting women in the division butt heads. The odds and stats favour the Goddess. Aminata, throughout this year, has been impressive. Increasingly, Aminata has come closer to her breakout moment. This will be a physical match-up and a challenge that Bayne may underestimate.
Afterwards, Jamie Hayter takes on Skye Blue. These two have battled each other on three occasions, with the Brit dominating the series. Most recently, Skye, the Sister of Sin, has had a fresh victory over Hayter from the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship tournament. We know there is chemistry between these two wrestlers who first fought each other three years ago.
If, and possibly, we get the first Dynamite to feature three women’s matches, the tiebreaker would pit the Toxic Spider, Thekla, against Harley Cameron. Contrasting personalities, styles and experiences, the Australian native might be out of her depth. However, that’s never stopped the crowd from being behind the underdog, who, like Aminata, is one big win away from elevating herself.
Wednesday night is going to be suspenseful.
Matches Announced
- Match 1 for the men: Orange Cassidy vs. Claudio Castagnoli
- Match 1 for the women: Queen Aminata vs. Megan Bayne
- Match 2 for the men: Darby Allin vs. Daniel Garcia
- Match 2 for the women: Jamie Hayter vs. Skye Blue
- Match 3 for the men, if necessary: Roderick Strong vs. Jon Moxley
- Match 3 for the women, if necessary: Harley Cameron vs. Thekla
- Hangman Adam Page, Hook and Eddie Kingston vs. The Opps
- AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship Tournament Quarterfinals: Mercedes Mone and Athena vs. Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron
