5 Ups & 3 Downs From AEW Dynamite (May 15 - Results & Review)
1. Very Good Main Event, Great Post-Match Angle
Kazuchika Okada Vs. Dax Harwood was a very good main event. Okada's approach to pacing is incredibly refreshing in the context of US TV wrestling. As ever, this was a slow-burner.
It was a pleasure to watch even during the commercial break. As a Triller viewer able to sidestep picture and picture, usually, f*ck all happens, and it's easy to regret not simply fast-forwarding through a long, nothing heat spot. Here, a bested and hurt Dax threw some pissy kicks from the ground at Okada's back. Okada, a magnificent smug pr*ck, just smirked in response. Between the pace he dictates and his body language, he is incredible at presenting himself as an unbeatable demigod. Then, when he finally finds himself in a position of jeopardy, the drama intensifies. The 2.99 kick-out following Dax's piledriver attempt sparked palpitations, as did a series of breathless, unpredictable pinfall volleys. The rap on Dax is that he will volunteer to lose a hundred singles matches just to get a thousand minutes of TV time. He has performed the obvious loser role more than most, but was so good last night that he orchestrated drama where he had no right. Dax only managed to execute that after an excellent display of selling.
He did a fantastic job of making Okada's offence appear devastating following the barricade DDT. Between Okada's pacing and Dax's selling, this shattered the dumb idea of the supposed AEW "style". Not that anybody will admit it.
Okada won after striking the rope against Dax's bell-end when he tried to re-enter the ring.
In the post-match angle, Darby Allin, announced as Eddie Kingston's Anarchy In The Arena replacement, saved FTR and Bryan Danielson from an Elite attack.
The idea of Darby going hog wild in that specific gimmick match is scary in the best possible way.