Dynamite recap and reactions: Bryan returns to anarchy

AEW Dynamite (May 8, 2024) emanated from Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The show featured Bryan Danielson returning to battle the Elite, Swerve Strickland getting swerved, Adam Copeland defending the TNT Championship, Orange Cassidy in a grudge match, and more.

Catch up on all the details with the excellent play-by-play from Claire Elizabeth.

Bryan Danielson returns to Anarchy

Chaos. Mayhem. Turmoil. Those are just a few adjectives to describe the Elite’s storyline on Dynamite. It all points to one word in particular. Anarchy. The Elite’s direction is set for Double or Nothing on May 26 in Las Vegas, NV. The Young Bucks, Kazuchika Okada, and Jack Perry will compete in Anarchy in the Arena.

The match came about from the word of Kenny Omega in a hospital bed. Since the Elite like to throw out the rule book, Omega decided a fitting match for Double or Nothing will be Anarchy in the Arena. He won’t be cleared to compete, but he has a crew in mind to represent AEW. It starts with FTR. Omega teased that the other two partners to be revealed later in the broadcast.

Fast forward to the closing segment. The Elite really want to make AEW a better place. They wish Tony Khan and Omega got out of their way, but business had to be done. They had no choice otherwise. The Bucks accepted the Anarchy challenge and doubted FTR could find partners. Enter the reveal of Eddie Kingston alongside Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler in a Chris Farley t-shirt. The final man was unexpectedly Bryan Danielson. Team AEW is complete for Double or Nothing. Fisticuffs erupted as the screen faded to black.

That scene was pretty basic until the surprise of Danielson. I did not expect that at all. His involvement adds a different dimension to the match. For example, a heroic Mark Briscoe does nothing to make me believe that the Elite could lose. Danielson is a different matter altogether. I still expect the Elite to win Anarchy in the Arena, however, never count out a star the magnitude of the American Dragon.

Also of note for the Elite, they parked in Tony Khan’s reserved spot and aired a puff piece about changing the world.

The EVPs even had their hand in the world title picture.

Swerve got swerved

Swerve Strickland was in a fighting mood, and he called out Christian Cage. The Patriarch plans to take something of Swerve every week until the world title is his at Double or Nothing. This week, Christian was coming for Swerve’s gold teeth. The champ wasn’t alone this time. The Mogul Embassy had his back, or so he thought.

Brian Cage swerved on Swerve to attack from behind. Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona joined in to slam Swerve through the commentary table. Kaun spoke into the camera questioning how Swerve never did anything for them. The Embassy was done following the mogul.

Backstage, the Jacksons hinted that turning the Embassy was their idea. Swerve never should have bad-mouthed them.

I’m curious what purpose it serves moving forward for the Embassy to jump Swerve. Their logic of disgruntlement made sense. I was waiting for the reveal that Christian Cage is the father of Brian Cage, but that never came. There’s still hope for next week. The simple answer would be using them as fodder to keep the world champion busy in the ring on weekly television prior to the PPV. However, he is now outnumbered 6-to-1. Those are tough odds, even for a Super Cena effort. Thinking bigger picture, Swerve will need friends. That has me wondering if an unlikely alliance with Hangman Page emerges. Swerve’s story could be in the process of deeper development rather than a just filler title defense over Christian.

Let’s jam through the rest of Dynamite.

Orange Cassidy defeated Trent Beretta. Both men flailed furious punches at the opening bell. That attitude of disdain remained throughout. Trent was in full control down the stretch serving pain with two consecutive piledrivers. Trent opened his arms wide to mock the Best Friends hug, then he delivered a running knee strike. Trent wanted to inflict injury, so he removed the turnbuckle pad. On the opposite side, Cassidy slyly did the same. When Trent marched over to retrieve his prey, OC dropped low to trip Trent into colliding into the exposed steel. Cassidy scored a roll-up to win.

Afterward, Trent seethed with anger then attacked Cassidy. He hit a piledriver on the steps. When both men grabbed weapons, Don Callis and Kris Statlander rushed in to break up further fighting.

This action delivered as a grudge match. Trent and Cassidy fought with anger. I didn’t particularly like that Cassidy won with a roll-up, even though, it was a pretty crafty tactic. My issue is that a roll-up doesn’t really fit with the vibe of aggression that was displayed throughout. I understand that it leaves the door open for a vicious stipulation, so the roll-up could be a useful crutch to justify the rematch. Callis took a liking to Cassidy’s method of victory, and he exited with OC after the match. The intrigue continues to burn about the possibility of Cassidy joining the Callis Family.

Mariah May defeated Harley Cameron. Saraya was ringside to cause distractions and physically interfere. She saved Cameron from a running hip attack, so May punched her in the kisser. May returned to the ring to close with a fireman’s carry slam. Afterward, the Outcasts whooped that ass. Mina Shirakawa ran out for the save. Saraya pushed Harley in front to get blasted by a spinning back elbow. Shirakawa teased a kiss with May then brought out champagne.

So, where was Toni Storm? She was punched out by Serena Deeb earlier in the show. Deeb spoke about why losing is not an option when she challenges Storm for the women’s world title at Double or Nothing. Deeb was out fifteen months after suffering from seizures. She didn’t know the cause, but the vision of holding the world championship was inspiration to overcome fear. Storm rudely interrupted referring to Deeb’s story as a charity case. Timeless doesn’t give a shit about Deeb’s hard times. Deeb blocked a cheap shot to throw a punch of her own.

This was Harley’s first televised match. Her offense was basic primarily with punches and kicks, however, she thrived as a character. May carried the moves part of the match. There was chatter of Storm veering babyface, but she silenced those ideas by trashing Deeb’s health struggles. I think Storm’s behavior feeds into the larger story of May having two mentors. Timeless is a clear heel compared to Shirakawa’s bubbly personality. At least, that’s how I see it on screen for AEW. I have no idea how Shirakawa is aligned as a character in Stardom.

Jay White defeated Rocky Romero. Double dip of promos to set up stakes for this bout and the aftermath. Romero checked on Cassidy’s well-being. He also had a piece of news. If Romero beats White, then Tony Khan will reward him with a trios title shot. Romero wanted Cassidy as a partner. At the suggestion of Trent as well, Cassidy gave an emphatic no.

The Bang Bang Gang mocked PAC for losing to Okada. They also poked the Bastard with claims that Death Triangle was dead.

Azucar kept White on his toes by controlling the pace. Romero was moving toward victory, then White countered out of Sliced Bread for a suplex. Switchblade pounced to finish with the Blade Runner. Bullet Club Gang stomped Romero after the match until PAC arrived for the save.

Romero brought his A-game, but White was too savvy in the end. I like how AEW produced to those promos to add instant meaning to the match with the promise of a trios title shot on the line as well as introduce PAC into White’s world. Logic would point to Death Triangle being up next, however, PAC didn’t sound like they were still together. Time till tell if PAC has a wrinkle in store or if business is open for the former trios champs.

Chris Jericho & Big Bill Morrissey defeated Mo Jabari & Harlon Abbott. Bill dominated with chokeslams to hand off the win to Jericho. A Judas Effect sealed the deal. Afterward, Jericho cut a promo cheesing with positivity. He called the town by the wrong name, but that’s a mistake to learn from. Jericho is also looking forward to Hook soaking knowledge from the Learning Tree. Hook will be back next week, and Jericho was eager to celebrate his FTW title win with the young man.

Basic squash match with Bill imposing his big will. Jericho was enjoyable hamming up his promo.

TNT Championship: Adam Copeland defeated Brody King to retain the title. Copeland’s mind was wandering to bad places, so he phoned Tony Khan to make the main event a No DQ bout. Malakai Black responded about trying to shatter Copeland’s facade of light. Black believes that Cope’s true nature is vile, cold-hearted, and evil. He wants to bring Copeland to the brink of death so that he may live again.

Copeland DDT’d King onto a chair early, and the big man was a bloody mess after that. Cope’s white tights were stained red by the end, and the canvas was blotched with blood.

It was a rough affair, but Copeland slayed the monster with spears. He speared King off the apron through a table, then he speared King inside the ring to win.

Afterward, King went on the attack again. Kyle O’Reilly arrived for the save. Backstage, O’Reilly asked Copeland for a favor to challenge for the TNT Championship in his hometown of Vancouver on Collision. The champ obliged.

That was a rugged challenge for Copeland to overcome. AEW gave the monster proper respect by taking two spears (one through a table) for Copeland to win. Black’s talking points are intriguing. He should be next for Copeland, but the House of Black will have to create drama to push Copeland to the edge. That part of the story needs to be developed to create doubt of Copeland will succumb to the dark side. Perhaps O’Reilly will be used for that aspect.

Notes: Willow Nightingale’s smile was strong despite a black eye form the Manitoba Massacre. She is ready for the TBS title bout against Mercedes Moné at Double or Nothing. Mercedes may win the headlines, but Willow will win the match.

Mercedes is ready to wipe the stupid smile off Willow’s face. The CEO thrives in the spotlight under pressure.

Training montage! Warriors are often motivated by fear. Samoa Joe is not one of those men. He is what those men fear.

Taz was absent from commentary. Don Callis filled that spot for most of the show.

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Stud of the Show: Samoa Joe

Joe’s closing line was a little cliché, but he makes me believe it. Plus, training montages rule.

Match of the Night: Adam Copeland vs. Brody King

Gnarly fight.

Grade: B

Promos had purpose telling stories within the show, and the action had a sharp edge in attitude.

Share your thoughts about Dynamite. How do you rate it? What were your favorite moments from the show?