Report: Orange Cassidy Injured on AEW Dynamite, Finish Changed

Last night, during the match between Orange Cassidy and PAC, we ended up seeing a very odd finish, as both men were counted out after interference from Kenny Omega, declaring the match a draw. As it turns out, Orange Cassidy got injured partway through the match.

According to a report by Sean Ross Sapp for Fightful Select, the original finish for the match was a draw, but it was supposed to be a time limit finish. The injury to Orange Cassidy led to Tony Khan calling an audible by having Callis and Omega go out there to distract PAC, and have Kenny Omega lay him out, resulting in the double KO draw finish.

I noted in my recap of the show that this was a very odd finish and felt really strange with how the match was going. The finish left a sour taste in my mouth, as I put it last night, but something just seemed off about the whole thing. I described it as a “weak ending,” to what was expected to be a very strong match on the card.

Knowing what we know now about what happened, it is likely that the match would have been far better if the injury did not happen. The idea of a time limit draw leading to a three-way match at AEW Double or Nothing is a good finish and makes sense given how the match started. It’s too bad the injury happened because it took away from an angle that was fundamentally solid.

Hopefully, the injury to Orange Cassidy isn’t serious, and he just had trouble finishing the match as planned. He did intend to go through it until the end, but Tony Khan made the right call to protect the health of the wrestler first and did the finish that they did. Knowing that now, my feelings have completely changed on how the match ended, and I wish nothing but the best for Orange Cassidy. Hopefully he is okay, and we’ll see him, PAC, and Omega tear the house down at Double or Nothing in what should be a great match.