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With All Elite Wrestling's 'Double or Nothing' in less than two weeks, the penultimate episode of AEW Dynamite before the show was always going to be a big one. And it certainly did not disappoint. For the first time in what feels like forever, the entire, basically, AEW roster was back on our television screens and it meant for a hell of a two-hour show.
With a WWE Hall of Famer announced to be making his All Elite debut, a brutal women's fatal four-way match and Cody finally going face to face with Lance Archer in the squared circle, AEW knocked it out the park yet again. The wrestling was fantastic, the promo work was exceptional and, perhaps most importantly, Orange Cassidy is someone still breathing after having his head almost kicked off his shoulder by Rey Fenix.
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But what did this week's episode tell us about All Elite Wrestling going forward? Well, please find five things we learned from the May 13th edition of AEW Dynamite.
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#5 Jon Moxley is prepared to fight
When it was announced last week that Jon Moxley would be going one-on-one against the leader of the Dark Order, Brodie Lee, many fans got very excited.
Two men that, during their time in WWE, were part of one of the greatest tag team feuds of the decade in the form of The Shield vs. The Wyatt family. However, at the end of the careers at the company, they were underutilized and both were incredibly unhappy during their time there.
Despite this, there is clearly no love lost between the two. After Brodie Lee and his minions attacked the world champion last week and stole his title belt, Lee reigned victorious over the man who has had issues with him since his debut in the company- the Fallen Angel Christopher Daniels. However, after the match, Jon Moxley rushed the ring and beat down Lee before proclaiming he respects the former Luke Harper for marking him as his new challenger but that he will live to regret it.
The title means more to Moxley than 'just a piece of metal' and is the yardstick to prove who is the best in this industry and showcases why he is atop it. It is clear that when these two clash in just under two weeks, it's going to be huge.
#4 Shida wants the title
Hikaru Shida has been on an incredible run since making her All Elite Wrestling debut.
In 2020 alone, Shida has wrestled eight singles matches and only lost once. As a result, she is currently the number one ranked female in the entire company, only bested by the current world champion Nyla Rose. And, despite coming up against tough and formidable opposition, she didn't let up this week either.
In a fatal-four-way match alongside Britt Baker, Penelope Ford, and Kris Statlander, Shida managed to stand victorious once again and proclaim that she is the true number one contender for the title. Despite Nyla being the ever cocky champion, it seems that she is going to have to find a way to retain her title at Double or Nothing against Hikaru Shida.
Despite having an obvious disadvantage when it comes to strength and power, Shida will certainly be confident going into the world title match thanks to her incredible speed, intricate wrestling ability and the momentum she has picked up so far in the women's division.
#3 Tag Team Wrestling Is King of the Hill
When All Elite Wrestling began, the Young Bucks made a very bold statement. They wanted to ensure that the greatest tag team wrestling product was based within AEW. And last night, that continued to be proven true.
Not only did we get more absolutely excellent in-ring work between The Best Friends and The Jurassic Express, alongside Proud and Powerful vs. Matt Hardy and Kenny Omega, but we also got a fantastic promo package detailing the long line of tag teams that AEW have at their disposal.
From The Young Bucks, to Hangman and Omega, to Butcher and Blade, to Proud and Powerful, to the Lucha Bros, there is an abundance of talent in the AEW tag team division. And many theorize there may be one further team making their appearance in the near future; The Revolt. Now, we, of course, won't know that until it happens/doesn't happen but many have suggested that this video package was an advert to the former WWE Superstars, that if they do choose to come to the land of Dynamite, great things may well be in their futures.
#2 Cody can't wait For Double or Nothing
Last week, Brandi Rhodes' was attacked by Britt Baker, intimidated by Jake Roberts and had a snake draped over her lifeless body as Roberts and Archer celebrated over the scene of destruction. Many people questioned why her husband, Cody, didn't make an appearance to help out his wife against the men who have been tormenting for months now. Well, last night, that all changed.
Jake Roberts appeared to gloat over what occurred last week on Dynamite and attempted, again, to diminish Brandi Rhodes and her importance to the company and to Cody overall. However, this time Cody was there to ensure he had his say as he appeared in a truck and started to brawl at ringside with Lance Archer.
Both men got in some brutal shots, and attempted each to hit a signature move on one another, before Archer fled the ring and left Cody standing asking for more. Some have stated they wouldn't have had Cody and Lance interact before Double or Nothing this weekend but it can't be denied the fire this added to the rivalry as the emotion of Cody was plain for all to see.
Whilst Jake Roberts is expecting his Murderhawk to be the first TNT Champion, The American Nightmare isn't going to go down without a fight.
#1 Iron Mike Tyson is here
In a huge revelation, it was announced on AEW Dynamite last night that 'Iron' Mike Tyson will appear to present the new TNT Championship at next weekend's Double or Nothing PPV.
The significance of this is, obviously, massive. Tyson has an already established career within the wrestling industry with his famous appearances on WWF TV, pushing Stone Cold Steve Austin but then helping him win the WWF title at WrestleMania XIV after turning on D-Generation X and knocking out Shawn Michaels.
Mike Tyson just announced that he would be potentially returning to the boxing ring, so it is, of course, a great move for him as he will boost his publicity with a platform so large. However, from an AEW perspective, it is fantastic for their image.
Getting a star with the draw power of Mike Tyson is huge and showcases how the company is viewed from outside the wrestling bubble. With Mike appearing on the show, there is a very high chance people who haven't given AEW a chance yet will do so now due to a star such as Tyson being featured in such a prominent role. Whatever happens, I imagine some people hope they catch Tyson in a good mood...otherwise, they may meet the same fate as Shawn Michaels.
