7 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (June 5 - Results & Review)

Ups...

7. All About Mariah Enters Third Act

Saraya Mariah May
AEW

To much online controversy, Saraya defeated Mariah May.

While this initially scanned as late 2010s WWE booking move, it made sense in the context of the wider storyline between May and Toni Storm (granted, Saraya seems unlikely to do much with the win). In the recent past, Storm threw in the towel on May's behalf in a match against Serena Deeb. Here, she believed in May's ability to withstand the pain of Saraya's chicken wing sharpshooter. She could not, and tapped. This was a gesture of support and a show of confidence, but it could well scan to May - who has another mother onto whom she can...latch - as a callous act of parental neglect.

The action and flow of the match itself wasn't great, but Saraya at least knows how to play heel in the selfless, traditional way. Too few wrestlers do. She generated a solid atmosphere with her stalling and deception. She's washed but she knows a few more tricks than many seem willing to admit.

It's a silly but entertaining storyline, this twisted psychosexual drama, but the finish here makes sense within it. In the post-match, Mina Shirakawa fended off Saraya and Harley Cameron's attack. May didn't know where to turn as both Storm and Shirakawa bumped up against one another and presented their bosoms to their child/love interest (!).

It's a trifle weird, but the performers are clearing loving it.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!