AEW Dynamite Preview and Predictions for May 4th, 2022

AEW Dynamite is back this Wednesday night and will be broadcast live on TBS from Baltimore, Maryland.

Last week’s Dynamite started to shape a clearer picture of the card for Double or Nothing as the AEW World Championship, and the card’s main event was announced as CM Punk will challenge “Hangman” Adam Page.

We also got some direction in the way the AEW Women’s Championship was heading as Thunder Rosa had a keen eye on the Philly Street Fight that saw Serena Deeb defeat Hikaru Shida.

We also saw Scorpio Sky reclaim the TNT Title by winning a ladder match against Sammy Guevara in a match that seemed to signify we are heading for a mixed tag at the pay-per-view between Sky and Paige VanZant and Guevara and Tay Conti.

This week’s Dynamite episode is sure continue to shape what else will be on the Double or Nothing card as more storylines develop and the field of the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament rounds out on both the men’s and women’s sides.

Let’s take a look at the announced matches for AEW Dynamite and what we can expect from each.

Bobby Fish vs Jeff Hardy in an Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Qualifier

In another Owen Hart Foundation qualifying match, Bobby Fish will go one-on-one with Jeff Hardy, who will be making his AEW singles debut.

The eight-man tournament is shaping up with a very interesting field as five spots have been filled.  Fish and Hardy will be battling over the right to join Samoa Joe, Kyle O’Reilly, Adam Cole, Dax Harwood, and Darby Allin.

And while Fish is a capable performer that is capable of having a great match with any one of the men that have already qualified, he doesn’t carry the same star power or appeal that Jeff Hardy does.

Hardy will pick up the win and set up an eventual showdown in the tournament with Darby Allin.  Winner: Jeff Hardy

Angelico, The Butcher & The Blade vs Blackpool Combat Club

The Blackpool Combat Club will wrestle as a trio once again on Wednesday as they take on members of the Andrade Family Office, Angelico, The Butcher, and The Blade.

As fun as these matches have been over the past few weeks, and as much as being paired with Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson has elevated Wheeler Yuta, there just doesn’t seem to be a direction for the group less than four weeks out from Double or Nothing.

Maybe that will change on Wednesday.  But with House of Black and Death Triangle seemingly on a collision course for the pay-per-view, it is hard to imagine another trio outside of Team Tazz that would make an intriguing match for William Regal’s trio.

A lot can happen in four weeks, but thinking about Danielson and Moxley’s place as it sits right now, one can’t help but wonder if AEW would have been better off capitalizing on Danielson’s amazing heel run as a singles competitor instead of choosing this direction.  Winners: Blackpool Combat Club

Wardlow vs MJF’s Mystery Opponent

Fresh off of an impressive win over Lance Archer, Wardlow will find himself at a disadvantage this week when he faces a mystery opponent chosen by MJF.

MJF’s interview left little doubt about who this opponent will be as it is widely anticipated that W. Morrissey (formerly known as Big Cass) will cross over from Impact Wrestling to AEW on Wednesday.

This match will play out much like the matches that Wardlow had against the Butcher and Lance Archer did.

Wardlow will have to overcome an imposing opponent again this week and when he does it will ultimately lead to Wardlow demanding a match with MJF.

It will be interesting to see how AEW plays this story out over the next few weeks.  But we all know where this is heading.  Winner: Wardlow

Deonna Purrazzo vs Mercedes Martinez for the Ring of Honor Women’s Title

Ring of Honor Women’s Champion Deonna Purrazzo and Ring of Honor Interim Women’s Champion Mercedes Martinez will meet to unify the ROH Women’s Title on Dynamite this week.

This is a big deal as Purrazzo is a very polished competitor and is widely thought of as one of the best women’s wrestlers in the world.

Usually, the fact that she is signed with Impact would lead to her coming to Dynamite and dropping the ROH Women’s Title to Martinez to get the title on a contracted AEW talent.

And that very well might happen on Wednesday.

But it would be smarter of Tony Khan to work out a deal with Impact to be able to feature Purrazzo on AEW television instead.

Purrazzo would instantly upgrade the division and also create some fresh matchups for Britt Baker, Jade Cargill, Thunder Rosa, and others.

So on Wednesday, don’t be surprised if AEW throws somewhat of a curveball and keeps the ROH Women’s Title around the waist of Purrazzo.  Winner: Deonna Purrazzo

Chris Jericho vs Santana

In a backstage segment last Wednesday, the Jericho Appreciation Society took out Eddie Kingston when they tossed a fireball into his face.

This week, Santana will look to get a measure of revenge against his former running mate as he competes in a singles match, which will look more like a fight, against Chris Jericho.

This program has grown quite repetitive as week after week this less talented version of the Inner Circle continues to get the last laugh against their outnumbered adversaries.

Now with Kingston most likely out for at least one week, the numbers advantage tips even heavier in the favor of the Jericho Appreciation Society.

And even though this would be a great spot to let Santana pick up a signature win against one of the best to ever do it, that just doesn’t seem like the way this is going to go.

Jericho will get the win against Santana and more post-match shenanigans will ensue.  When they do, it seems like the perfect spot for surprise help for Santana and Ortiz.  Who it might be is anyone’s guess, but if AEW doesn’t even up the numbers game in this feud, and do so quickly, they run the risk of losing all fan interest in this.  And not even the greatness of Eddie Kingston will be able to save it.  Winner: Chris Jericho