5 Takeaways from AEW Dynamite (May 19th 2021)
The May 19th 2021 edition of AEW Dynamite saw more build towards the Double or Nothing PPV on March 30th. Multiple champions wrestled on the show with the World Tag Titles defended in addition to a special defence of the NWA’s Women’s title. In addition, we saw the TNT, Women’s and World champions at the event to create further story going into the next major event.
Ricky Starks is Back
‘Absolute’ Ricky Starks caused quite the stir a few weeks ago when announced he would be spending a deal of time off due to a neck fracture. The former NWA Television champion was off for a long time after battling Sting and Darby Allin in ‘The Stinger’’s first match since 2015.
After Christian Cage defeated Matt Sydal, Ricky made his return subtly before Team Taz jumped both men in the ring. Hook, Brian Cage and Powerhouse Hobbs all assaulted the duo as Taz watched on from commentary. ‘Hangman’ Adam Page tried to fight off Team Taz but an eventual chop block by Hook allowed Cage to regain possession of the situation, hitting a huge powerbomb on the master of ‘Cowboy S**t’.
Noticeably however, Starks did not get involved at all physically but just stood on the ramp. This tells us although he is back on TV, he may not be in the ring again for some time. This may mean he takes on a different role for the time being.
Moxley/Kingston Team Cemented
Originally feuding in the company, Moxley and Kingston’s rocky, brother-like relationship is currently a stable one, with the alliance proving strong enough to be a top-level team. Although the duo has tagged together in the past, it felt more of a union than full-time tandem.
This week, the bruising twosome took on The Acclaimed, eventually taking the win after hitting an elevated Paradigm Shift on Anthony Bowens for the 3-count.
It felt here like Mox and Kingston were more of an established tag team, with a new theme song (a raunchier, grittier version of ‘Wild Thing’ – performed by X). Additionally, their tag finisher, which is a modified dragon suplex/clothesline combo, is now named the Violent Crown – building up from the move’s use on Dark the week before to win in 38 seconds as well as it being used to beat MT Nakazawa at Blood and Guts.
Although not there yet, it was mentioned by Jim Ross this week that they may soon rise up the ranks, earning a place in AEW’s top 5 tag teams division. If so, this amount of matches and wins means that the group will become a certified tag team, potentially a challenge to the tag title straps.
Scorpio Sky/Ethan Page vs The World
The alliance of Scorpio Sky and Ethan Page formed a few months back with the joint goal of taking down Darby Allin and Sting.
The duo of ‘The Face of The Revolution’ Scorpio Sky and ‘All Ego’ Ethan Page are currently undefeated in tag action with a 7-0 record, making them the current #1 contenders for The Young Bucks.
This week, they made a promo appearance to call out their rivals, perhaps hinting at a tag match to be featured at Double Or Nothing where the Page-Sky connection take on Allin and Sting in his 2nd AEW match. After Page ruthlessly berated both men, both came out to get a measure of revenge on the group. Allin attacked with a skateboard and Sting even locked in a Scorpion Death Lock on Sky before the heels fled.
They were stopped at the stage before they were intercepted by The Dark Order who prevented their exit. This shows the rivals this group has made with The Dark Order acting alongside Sting and Allin as a force to fight injustice. Sky and Page will face Evil Uno and Stu Grayson next week.
More NWA Crossover Work?
In just under 10 minutes, the phenomenally talented NWA Women’s champion successfully defended her belt against AEW’s Red Velvet.
We have already seen some NWA stars move over to AEW such as Ricky Starks as well as some who have worked successfully in both, most significantly Thunder Rosa. Deeb has too appeared in AEW before, defending her NWA strap against Tay Conti, Allysin Kay and Leyla Hirsch. Here, she defeated Velvet in a hard-fought, back-and-forth match eventually won with a Serenity Lock with some extreme torque.
This could perhaps be a representation that there may be more work between these two promotions going forward, likely with more NWA faces on AEW TV. Deeb is generally received as one of the greatest women’s workers in the world, with her bringing a great experience and veteran layer to the younger All Elite Wrestling female roster. AEW already have a clear relationship with both Impact! Wrestling as well as NJPW, so perhaps an influx of occasional National Wrestling Alliance stars make AEW’s product the best all-round product, filled with a variety of talent.
Varsity Blonds: More Than Enhancement
Closing the show was a bout for the tag titles between The Young Bucks and The Varsity Blonds. The youthful team of Griff Garrison and Brian Pillman Jr. had been previously seen on Dynamite but often as enhancement to put up more pushed troupes such as FTR, Private Party and Team Taz. However, in 2020, they also racked up many wins on Dark, giving them an impressive win/loss record.
With a 11-3 win/loss record, they were next in line to face The Bucks after they beat SCU last week. The duo were impressive in this, being accompanied for this significant bout by Julia Hart. After 11 minutes, the exciting high-flyers eventually fell short when the son of ‘The Loose Cannon’ tapped out to a Sharpshooter preceded by being sprayed in the eyes by Brandon Cutler.
Despite their loss, the group often only seen as jobbers have proved they are an asset and have the possibility to be so much more. Perhaps maybe in a mid-lower card tag role in the vein of WCW’s Young Pistols or the WWF’s The Rockers. Still two very young studs, they have their whole careers ahead of them to further develop and become bigger stars in the industry.
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