Dynamite recap and reactions: Young Bucks abuse EVP power

AEW Dynamite (May 1, 2024) emanated from Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The show featured the Young Bucks taking over the broadcast, Kenny Omega’s return being violently interrupted, and more

AEW massaged a double-header of Dynamite and Rampage. Catch up on all the details from both shows with excellent play-by-play from Claire Elizabeth. This recap will cover the Dynamite episode. (Rampage recap coming soon.)

On to Dynamite…

Young Bucks abuse EVP power

Welcome to the EVP reign of terror. After the Elite sidelined Tony Khan with a vicious attack, the Young Bucks abused their power to run amok.

The show started with Khan live from Jacksonville, Florida. He isn’t cleared to travel, so the boss man would run the show remotely. One problem though. The Jacksons cut his feed from the production truck to claim technical difficulties. The Bucks explained that there were no consequences for their actions due to iron-clad EVP contracts. In fact, they assume positions of power if Khan is unable to fulfill his duty. And that’s what happened all episode long. The EVPs flexed their power in jerky ways.

That was a good start to pick up from last week’s momentum. Khan had a smile on his face in the security of his home base while wholesome elevator music played only for the Young Bucks to rip apart. Their contract explanation was a smart way to close logic questions. This isn’t a courtroom drama that demands challenging their paperwork. This is a wacky wrestling show where such concerns can be alleviated with basic clarification. The key was addressing it in the first place so as not to let questions linger.

That was only the start of the Young Bucks’ shenanigans on the evening.

Swerve Strickland’s PPV opponent

The first segment inside the ring belonged to the world champion. Swerve Strickland didn’t want to waste any time. He demanded to know who will challenge for the AEW World Championship at Double or Nothing on May 26.

The Young Bucks popped up on the big screen to serve a dose of humility. They didn’t appreciate Swerve bad-mouthing them, so they handpicked his opponent. Enter Christian Cage.

Christian was flanked by his family. The Patriarch popped Swerve in the face with the microphone, then the numbers game helped him plant Swerve with a Killswitch onto the title belt. Christian proceeded to make a compelling case for the seeds of this feud. He never forgot how Swerve broke into Nick Wayne’s gym to leave him in a pool of blood. Christian was also angered at how Swerve embarrassed him as tag team partners losing at All In. This is the perfect time for revenge. Taking Swerve’s title is personal. Christian rubbed salt in the wounds with a parting shot to be the father that Swerve’s daughter needs.

This was outstanding promo material to kick-start the feud. AEW flipped the animosity from 0 to 100 pretty darn quick. Christian’s reasons play into history to make this story instantly feel heated, and his actions add fuel for Swerve to take it personal beyond just a title defense. I appreciate the preparation to set up Christian’s line about Swerve’s daughter. Swerve delivered that nugget of information on Collision, and then AEW paid it off with Christian’s promo. The feud also touches on the theme of Swerve’s past behavior coming back to haunt him. The Young Bucks’ explanation covers for the lack of rankings. Who needs rankings when the EVPs are abusing their power. That logic is sufficient enough as far as I’m concerned.

Jack Perry speaks

Later in the show, Jack Perry reiterated that he wants what is best for AEW. Perry accepted being the scapegoat as a sacrifice. It is now the new era under the Elite.

Perry made his presence felt in the main event scene.

Kenny Omega’s hometown return

Kenny Omega returned to AEW in front of hometown fans in Winnipeg. Omega explained his absence due to diverticulitis. He was 24 hours away from dying in the hospital. Rather than surgery, Omega decided to let his body heal naturally, however, his ailment could be a ticking time bomb. One blunt blow could kill him. Omega continued with discussion of feeling inadequate only to realize it was withdrawals from professional wrestling. Omega promised that he will exhaust every option for recovery in order to return to the ring. Omega’s attention turned to the Young Bucks. He has an EVP contract too, so they can’t strip his power.

Enter Okada for a tense staredown with his NJPW rival. Okada declared himself as the new Best Bout Machine. Boom! Jack Perry blindsided Omega. The hometown hero fought back for a snap dragon suplex. Omega teased a V-Trigger, however, Okada hooked his foot as a distraction outside. Perry rammed a chair into Omega’s midsection. The Bucks ran down to cool the situation, then Omega conveniently rose ripe for the picking of an EVP Trigger. Thank you, and goodnight. The Bucks blasted Omega in the mush. FTR ran out for the save too late, and the Elite scurried to safety.

That was a fantastic promo session from Omega. He built drama about his injury and eventual comeback. His passionate words gave emotional meaning for fans to react to the Elite’s attack. The cumulative effect was a kick-ass moment for Omega’s fighting spirit on the dragon suplex. It was also an example of heels looking like true scumbags in comparison to a valiant hero. That vibe should trickle down for support to whoever ends up representing AEW against the ruthless Elite. AEW has done a great job so far with this overall story. Plus, I crack up every time seeing unsuspecting fellows find themselves in perfect position to take an EVP Trigger.

Let’s jam through the rest of Dynamite.

TNT Championship: Adam Copeland defeated Buddy Matthews to retain the title. Copeland’s opponent from the House of Black was a mystery until it was time for the match. Malakai Black would rather watch Copeland’s mind get destroyed, so Matthews answered the call. The finish revolved around Copeland’s spear. Matthews dodged the spear twice as the action carried on. Copeland connected on the third attempt. Copeland evaded a curb stomp, then he ran the ropes building force for the spear to win.

Afterward, Copeland threatened a conchairto to Matthews. Lights out, Black was in the ring urging Copeland to do it. When Copeland reared back with the angle of the chair pointed toward Black, lights out again. Black and Matthews vanished from the ring.

Solid match with an interesting ending. Even more interesting was Black’s mind games. This time, he feels like a proper villain trying to corrupt Copeland rather than his spooky riddles of dark self-help. It is painting an intriguing picture to see if Copeland’s soul embraces evil. And if so, will Copeland be able to return to the light? Or will he be lost for a heel run with the House of Black?

Samoa Joe defeated Isiah Kassidy. Squash via musclebuster. Joe was too powerful to be taken for a monkey flip, so he stacked Kassidy on his shoulders for the finishing maneuver.

This was an amusing effort from Kassidy to entertain despite being mincemeat. He used Joe’s towel to dance, so Joe promptly choked him. They set up the walk-away spot for Joe to easily sidestep Kassidy’s dive to the outside. Sandbagging the monkey flip was the final straw. Even though we didn’t see any hints about Joe’s direction moving forward, this match re-established him as a badass after losing the world title.

Sound on for the thud of Kassidy crashing on the floor.

Orange Cassidy did the unthinkable. Cassidy addressed Trent Beretta’s heinous attack on Chuck Taylor after their Parking Lot Fight. Cassidy hoped the fight would lead to letting off steam and regrouping as Best Friends, but that’s never going to happen now. Cassidy was informed that Chuck will never wrestle again. Trent interrupted on stage, so Cassidy charged up the ramp. Security and Kris Statlander prevented fisticuffs. Don Callis moseyed out to whisper in Cassidy’s ear. OC exited with Callis.

Whoa, what!?! Cassidy with Callis? That is unthinkable. I love it as a surprise tease. I fully assumed Callis was scouting Trent during the Parking Lot Fight. It never crossed my mind that Cassidy was in Callis’ sights. This all might develop as a ploy from Callis, but it is certainly shocking so far on this evening. I was actually expecting Cassidy to circle the backside of the entrance tunnels to attack Trent from behind, but that didn’t happen.

FTW Championship: Chris Jericho defeated Katsuyori Shibata to retain the title. FTW rules in effect for Jericho to empty a sack of hockey pucks, to which Shibata promptly suplexed him onto. In the end, Big Bill Morrissey butt in to chokeslam Shibata through a table, so Jericho could crawl over for the easy pin. Bill was sending a message that he wanted to be Jericho’s pupil under the Learning Tree.

This match was goofy fun in a good way with creativity. Jericho and Shibata went to town on a lengthy chop exchange. Shibata often absorbed the blow walking forward, while Jericho winced in pain at Shibata’s chops. They replayed a similar sequence with Shibata inside a trashcan as Jericho swung a kendo stick. Shibata walked forward and delivered a headbutt inside the can. I popped with laughter at that one.

Shibata was also a badass when encouraging a kendo stick duel.

The fight even had some strategy and skill with submissions. Bill had to ruin the result with bullshit interference, but at least it had purpose to push a story angle forward about the Learning Tree.

Claudio Castagnoli defeated Brian Cage. Claudio took Cage for a big swing then submit The Machine on a Sharpshooter.

Athletic hoss fight. The competitive match delivered entertainment as expected. There’s one logic letdown with Cage in relation to the overall show. This bout was supposedly booked as fallout to Claudio losing to Swerve. Even though there was no Mogul Embassy breakup, we haven’t seen Swerve and Cage on screen together lately. Well, if a partnership still exists, as this matchup would have viewers believe, then where was Cage when Swerve was beat down by Christian’s family? Now that I bring this up, I hope it leads to Machine versus Luchasaurus.

Serena Deeb defeated Mariah May. The Professor thrived with technique, while May rallied with spunk. Deeb had just the right hold at just the right time. She snatched a leg to counter a handspring headscissors in the corner, and the result was a single-leg crab submission. Toni Storm threw in the towel to protect her understudy. AEW announced that Deeb will receive a shot at the AEW Women’s World Championship at Double or Nothing.

This outcome was the necessary step to book Storm versus Deeb at the PPV. May still looked good in defeat by forcing Deeb to work for the win. Deeb showed her Houdini mindset with a nifty counter to earn victory.

Notes: Skye Blue believes Willow Nightingale is a fraud. Willow needed help from Stokely Hathaway to beat Blue. Willow and Kris Statlander lost the tag team street fight to Blue and Julia Hart. Blue challenged Willow to a TBS title fight for Rampage.

Willow was in the mood to fight, and she vowed to massacre Blue. The EVPs passed along a message via text that Willow will be stripped of the TNT title if Kris Statlander or Stokely Hathaway interfere.

Rocky Romero isn’t picking sides in the Best Friends turmoil. There is no winner in that drama. Romero is now turning his attention to becoming a champion. To bring out his best, he challenged Kyle O’Reilly to a match for Rampage.

O’Reilly chatted with Adam Copeland about having his back against the House of Black. O’Reilly also had lust in his eyes for the TNT title.

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Stud of the Show: Kenny Omega

Risking death to fight back for a snap dragon suplex is the type of thing that makes wrestling great.

Match of the Night: Chris Jericho vs. Katsuyori Shibata

This likely won’t be a popular pick. I just enjoyed it more than the rest due to the FTW chicanery and Shibata’s badassery.

Grade: B+

Story mode is on a high level right now. The action delivered as always.

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