There was a part of me that wanted to hold this musings off until Saturday. See, because Saturday is May 2nd, which is the Rock’s birthday, you stupid son of a bitch… so let’s celebrate by talking about an AEW show. Obviously, we’re not doing that… but I’ll probably play the Fight Forever game on Saturday instead… or do a quick match there. I don’t know…
Anyway, we’re continuing the Road To Double Or Nothing, which is nowhere near as poorly maintained as the Road To Wrestlemania was. Hey, if nothing else, these Dynamite shows have been entertaining enough to warrant continuing these musings for the short term, which will probably last until Double Or Nothing. Last night’s show wasn’t a big show, by any means, but still a fun one.
We open with Kevin Knight retaining his TNT title over MJF via timely punch to the nuts. MJF cries foul and demands a rematch with Darby (reigning champion), who says no and offers a title shot to Kevin Knight and then tells MJF to put something on the line if he wants his match. Fun opening match and yes, the man who kicked out of Kenny Omega’s One-Winged Angel is easily disposed of with a timely kick to the balls. Clearly a page taken from the Shinsuke Nakamura playbook.
Some vignettes to get out of the way; Swerve Strickland beats up some scmucks in some western set before issuing a challenge to Bandito, who is the reigning ROH champion… which seems like a bit of a step down, but I guess it’s something? Also, Cope and Cage (who’d win their match over Rocky Romero and some other dude) accept FTR’s challenge to a Title Vs. Career I Quit match for Double Or Nothing… which fits the PPV. And Will Ospreay train with the Death Riding people on concrete because that’s good for your neck.
Okada retains his International title over Ace Austin – we don’t get full bore Okada here because this is free TV, but it’s a nice little match that serves to highlight this Austin bloke. Maybe now he can learn to talk. Give him five minutes to get over or get out. Have him shake a couple hands. And then we have Statlander and Shida failing to win the Women’s tag titles from Megan Payne and Lena something or other… a bit messy (not that dirty) but that’s okay. Anytime you can get Shida on TV, that’s a highlight for me… now give her a decent singles run, leave behind Kris Stat, and stay on TV for more than a couple weeks. Do that and I’ll stick around after Double Or Nothing.
Honestly, I’ll take more Shida over more Jericho, who’s off this week filming a show or something. (Hey, I ain’t knocking Jericho here; I just like Shida more.)
And in the main event, Darby retains his AEW title over Brody King. Little guy versus Big guy. Big fucker beats up the little fucker. Little fucker overcomes the odds and beats the big dude with a couple coffin drops that wouldn’t cut mustard at a YMCA… oh wait, this show was live, pal. Anyway, fun car crash. Loads of fun. Enjoy this run while it lasts, Darby, because I sure am.
dtm666 