When AEW Dynamite rolls into Des Moines, Iowa this Wednesday night, fans can expect an evening of exhilarating action. Likely either opening or closing the show will be a huge dream match for the AEW International Championship.
Elsewhere, Jack Perry competes for the first time on Dynamite in over a year. Mercedes Moné will defend her TBS Championship ahead of Forbidden Door against a world-traveled and stiff-hitting luchadoras.
Although nothing has been announced for MJF and AEW World Champion, Swerve Strickland, each may get involved with their upcoming opponents. How will the champion be involved in tonight’s show?
On paper, this card promises several bangers. Given the huge additions to Forbidden Door over the weekend, it will be interesting to see what will happen to build these matches. Let’s hope for more fuel to be added for the eventual fire!
AEW Dynamite Card
Matches announced:
- International Championship match: Will Ospreay vs. Rey Fenix
- TBS Championship match: Mercedes Moné Zeuxis
- TNT Championship Qualifier match: Dustin Rhodes vs. Jack Perry
- Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly and Mark Briscoe vs. Kyle Fletcher, Roderick Strong and Konosuke Takeshita
- Rush in action
Other segments announced:
- TV Time with The Learning Tree Chris Jericho. Special guests Private Party
The Scapegoat Takes on The Natural On Dynamite
Forced into fighting for the belt that his close friends The Young Bucks intended to gift him, the Scapegoat must earn his way into the TNT Championship ladder match at Forbidden Door. His opponent, however, is a man who never had and never will go down easy.
Dustin Rhodes for years has fought and given blood in the pursuit of the TNT Championship. It’s a championship that Rhodes has spent his entire AEW career clawing for.
However, as seen post-match on Collision this week, Rhodes is taking this match more personally. Having taken out Tony Khan and aligning with The Elite, Rhodes is disgusted by Perry.
Calling Perry a “silver spoon baby” who has been given every opportunity in his life, who has been given second chance after second chance, Rhodes intends to deny Perry what he wants.
With no inference or seconds allowed at ringside, Perry has only his skills and wits to sustain him against a wrestler whose career is longer than his lifespan. Yet don’t count Perry out.
Perry has always had all the tools in his arsenal. What Perry lacked, he seems to have gained from his NJPW run (read a full analysis of Perry’s second chance here).
TBS Championship Match
Ahead of her winner-take-all match at Forbidden Door against Stephanie Vaquer (who if you are unfamiliar with, you can learn about Vaquer here), Moné will take on one of CMLL’s top luchadoras, Zeuxis.
Some fans may remember the Puerto Rican native from 2018’s Mae Young Classic where she lost in the second round to Iyo Sky. Zeuxis has a close connection with Vaquer.
The pair were the inaugural Occidente Women’s Tag Team Champions in CMLL. Later, the team won the CMLL World Women’s Tag Team Champions, which they still hold.
Zeuxis is a stiff-hitting technical wrestler. This will not be a walkover by any means for Mercedes. But then Moné, despite her aesthetic, knows how to strike hard, work a technical style, and sacrifice her body to get the win.
If given the time this could challenge for banger of the night. Expect another taste of Mercedes’ capability as, in the ring, the CEO is the boss.
You can read a full evaluation of Mercedes’ future AEW opponents here: Following the Moné.
Banger of the Night: Will Ospreay vs. Rey Fenix
What happens when two of the most resilient and spectacular aerial technicians, known for risk-taking and innovative offense are let loose against each other? A dream match that could potentially be even bolder than the legendary clash between Will Ospreay and Ricochet.
Timely, given the former WWE Intercontinental and Speed champion’s potential future. Fenix is a former International champion having beaten Jon Moxley at Grand Slam last year.
Fenix himself fought through injury, losing the championship to Orange Cassidy. Now, fit and healthy and with a point to prove, Fenix is the type of wrestler who in terms of innovation and counters could be a match for the Billy Goat.
Ospreay has been tearing up AEW throughout his run so far. Banger after banger. Elevation after elevation.
Swerve Strickland has something to deliver to Ospreay. Will Ospreay be fully prepared and focused on Fenix? I expect, with time counting down, Strickland may want to get a closer look at his opponent.
Strickland has shown a return to ruthlessness since feuding with Christian Cage and The Patriarchy. Could the mutual respect implode?
Fenix knows how to exploit a mistake. He has taken many, from Kenny Omega to Jon Moxley, to their limits.
If there is a time for an upset, it could be tonight. This could prove unpredictable. Can Ospreay make it to Forbidden Door already as a champion? Tune in on Wednesday to find out.
Looking for more AEW analysis?
Check out James’ current on-going series where he is dissecting and analysing AEW‘s short but impactful history, its present, and its future. In part 1, James discussed how AEW changed the wrestling industry (here). Part 2 discussed how AEW’s continued existence benefits wrestlers and fans alike (here). Part 3 discusses AEW’s present creative direction and why this has polarised wrestling fans (here).
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Header photo – AEW – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world. As well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can catch AEW Dynamite on Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TBS. AEW Rampage airs on TNT at 10 PM EST every Friday night. AEW Collision airs Saturday at 8pm Eastern on TNT. More AEW content available on their YouTube.
