5 Bold predictions for AEW Dynamite this week: Huge interference in CM Punk vs. MJF; stipulation match issued to Sting; ex-WWE star returns

After an eventful Beach Break edition of AEW Dynamite last week, wrestling enthusiasts will have high expectations from the flagship show this week.

The company will go all out on Wednesday night when the episode airs from the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. And speaking of Chicago, the city's native hero CM Punk will be gearing up for arguably his biggest match since returning to pro wrestling last year.

Although the match card doesn't look as promising as last week, Tony Khan has a well-known penchant for booking big surprises, especially when a pay-per-view like Revolution is right around the corner.

With that said, let's dive straight into five bold predictions for Dynamite this week.

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#5 Wardlow costs MJF an opportunity to pin CM Punk on AEW Dynamite

After months of verbal altercations, MJF and CM Punk will square off against each other for the first time this week on Dynamite. Last week, Friedman brought the entire Pinnacle in to annihilate Punk.

It seems a foregone conclusion that the 25-year-old star will again summon his backup in hopes of ending The Straight Edge Superstar's undefeated streak this time.

But it wouldn't make any sense if Punk suffered his very first loss in weekly programming. It would seem a shoddy decision from a booking standpoint. But what if Wardlow costs MJF the victory?

Having such a decision would be like killing two birds with one stone. Not only does CM Punk's undefeated streak stay alive, but fans would also get to see the first-time-ever match between Mr. Mayhem and Friedman, possibly at AEW Revolution this year.

Strike while the iron is hot, or so the saying goes. Given that the tension between the two Pinnacle members has reached its boiling point, it makes sense to capitalize on the storyline buzz immediately.

Meanwhile, The Second City Saint could move on to bigger things like challenging Hangman Adam Page if the latter survives against Lance Archer next week.

#4 Andrade finally confronts Sting on AEW Dynamite

For a while now, AEW star Andrade has been gunning to get Darby Allin under his wing. After failing to get a desirable response from the former TNT Champion, the Mexican star is now looking to take the matter to Darby's mentor Sting.

With that said, the two former WWE Superstars could come face-to-face for the first time this week.

It is unlikely that the Icon would agree to any of Andrade's proposed terms, which could enrage the latter. Andrade might challenge Sting to a singles match at Revolution with the custody of Allin on the line.

The prospect of seeing the legendary face-painted star in his first singles match since 2015 may sound like a strange idea, but it makes sense with direction of the ongoing storyline.

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#3 Miro returns to stake his claim to the TNT Championship

Miro has been on the sidelines ever since he lost to Bryan Danielson at Full Gear last year. Previous reports have suggested that the former WWE Superstar is nursing a hamstring injury, which explains his absence from AEW programming.

However, Miro recently teased his return via a video package aired on the Holiday Bash edition of Rampage in December. Judging from this, we might see The Redeemer return much sooner than expected.

He could show up on Dynamite this very week and set his sights on Sammy Guevara's newly-won TNT Championship. Bringing Miro back on the road to Revolution would likely garner more eyeballs for the mid-card division.

#2 Bryan Danielson and Jon Moxley engage in a massive brawl on AEW Dynamite

Bryan Danielson has been lurking around Jon Moxley's matches since the latter returned to AEW programming a few weeks ago. Despite the seeds for this money match being planted weeks ago, the two men haven't kickstarted the build to their storyline yet.

This week, Bryan and Moxley can finally come face-to-face and engage in a brawl to set up their blockbuster clash at Revolution next month.

Given the history between the two men over the years, it wouldn't be difficult to get wrestling fans immediately invested in their feud.

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#1 PAC turns heel on Penta to join forces with The House of Black

PAC will return to in-ring action this Wednesday night as he teams up with Penta El Zero Miedo to face Malakai Black and Brody King in a tag team match.

The House of Black is unlikely to suffer a loss, especially after the dominant victory they pulled off against the Varsity Blondes a few weeks ago. Interestingly enough, PAC has teased a character change while he was away from television programming, presumably selling the eye injury that Black gave him via black mist.

If Malakai Black has put the darkness into PAC's eyes, the latter might turn on Penta this week. Joining The House of Black would definitely invigorate PAC's persona, which has become somewhat stale in recent months.