AEW Dynamite opened this week with Will Ospreay facing Katsuyori Shibata. Shibata controlled the slow pace early, with a ground-based offense. The pace and striking picked up, but Shibata had most of the control heading into the commercial break. Both men were scrapping outside the ring when the show returned, and this was the first time Ospreay gained control. Throughout the match, both men executed some of the smoothest reversals you will ever see. While it didn’t live up to the expectations set by Osprey’s first few matches, it was still an amazing match, better than 90% of the matches you’ll see on Dynamite. Ospreay secured the pinfall, and the two showed respect by bowing afterwards.
What does Will Ospreay have to do to keep Katsuyori Shibata down for 3?!
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@WillOspreay | @K_Shibata2022 pic.twitter.com/1UpCRQoV8j
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 28, 2024
Matthew and Nicholas Jackson faced Private Party in the AEW World Tag Team Championship tournament. Private Party put on a great match, considering most assumed The Young Bucks would win. They had a high-paced match, battling in and out of the ring, making it another match worth watching, especially when the outcome seemed predictable.
#PrivateParty is on another level tonight!
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS!@IsiahKassidy | @Marq_Quen | @YoungBucks pic.twitter.com/AMNCa1VnDS
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 28, 2024
Next was a 4-way match to determine the number one contender for the TBS Championship, featuring Kris Statlander, Anna Jay, Skye Blue, and Willow Nightingale. While there were no obvious spots to complain about, it was an average match. Willow Nightingale won, only to be attacked from behind by the TBS Champion, Julia Hart, while celebrating.
EXCLUSIVE! Willow Nightingale has earned her shot at the TBS Title at #AEWDynasty, and is coming right after Champion Julia Hart, with Stokely Hathaway and Kris Statlander right by her side.@willowwrestles | @stokelyhathaway | @callmekrisstat pic.twitter.com/demTb1KDdj
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 28, 2024
In another quarterfinal match of the AEW World Tag Team Championship tournament, Undisputed Kingdom faced Best Friends. Undisputed Kingdom controlled the match early, singling out Trent Baretta and cutting off the ring effectively. However, he managed to make the hot tag, and Orange Cassidy turned the tide. Despite Roderick Strong’s attempts to help Undisputed Kingdom regain control, Orange Cassidy secured the pinfall victory for his team.
EXCLUSIVE: Can Trent Beretta & Orange Cassidy w/ Chuck Taylor win the big one? #AEWDynamite @trentylocks | @orangecassidy | @SexyChuckieT pic.twitter.com/HsSD5zBtAO
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 28, 2024
Swerve Strickland faced Konosuke Takeshita to determine the number one contender for Samoa Joe and his AEW World Heavyweight Championship. The transitions, pace, and reversals of both men were exceptional. Both men combined high-flying move sets with pure strength. The match featured many PPV-quality kickouts, or false finishes. Swerve emerged victorious, continuing his storyline with Samoa Joe and setting up a future challenge for the AEW World Heavyweight Championship.
Two surging stars face off! @SwerveConfident vs @takesoup is MUST SEE! | 3/27/24, #AEWDynamite
▶️ https://t.co/wtXEaF416m pic.twitter.com/3TBjJWdEEi
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 28, 2024
That wraps up AEW Dynamite this week, stay tuned to Greenville Sports Media for more of my regular wrestling articles
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