AEW Dynamite: Preview and Predictions for May 11, 2022

AEW Dynamite is back this Wednesday and will be broadcast live on TBS from Long Island, New York.

Coming one of the weaker episodes of Dynamite in recent memory, this card looks poised to get the promotion’s flagship program back on track.

With just three more Dynamites before the upcoming Double or Nothing card at the end of May, more matches for the pay-per-view are sure to be announced in the next few weeks.

This week’s show will include three different matches in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament, an FTW Title match, a Double of Nothing contract signing, and the return of CM Punk.

Let’s take a look at the announced matches on this week’s AEW Dynamite and what to expect from each.

CM Punk vs John Silver

Hometown boy John Silver will go one-on-one with CM Punk on Wednesday, hoping to soften Punk up before his match at Double or Nothing with Adam Page for the AEW Championship Title.

Page’s relationship with Dark Order coupled with Silver being from Long Island makes this a good spot to feature one of the most underrated performers on the AEW roster against CM Punk.

Anytime that Silver has been put in a big spot he has delivered, and he will again on Wednesday as he pushes CM Punk to the limit.

But this match is just a stepping stone in the story of CM Punk vs Adam Page.  After Punk secures the win, he and “Hangman” will most likely see their first face-to-face fireworks of their program.  Winner: CM Punk

Darby Allin vs Jeff Hardy in an Owen Hart Foundation Tournament match

In a dream match of sorts on paper, Darby Allin and Jeff Hardy will meet up in an Owen Hart Foundation Tournament match, with the winner going on to meet the winner of Adam Cole and Dax Harwood.

As exciting as this match sounds like it could be, it is happening a couple of years too late.  It has become glaringly obvious that Jeff Hardy is in very clear pain during his matches and he is lacking the quickness to put on the classic type match that some may expect between Hardy and Darby Allin.

While Hardy is arguably more popular with AEW fans than Darby is at this moment, there is absolutely no discernable reason that Hardy should pick up a win here.

This match is best used as a passing of the torch, from the original “strange enigma” to the newest.  With Adam Cole most likely waiting in the next round, the only choice that makes sense here is Darby.  Winner: Darby Allin

MJF and Wardlow sign their Double or Nothing contract

MJF and Wardlow will meet up to sign their contract for a match at Double or Nothing, but not before MJF lays out some conditions for Wardlow first.

This is something we have seen play out multiple times over the years between MJF and his various opponents, from the five labors of Jericho to the ten lashes he gave Cody Rhodes, MJF likes to make people suffer before getting a shot at him.

What stipulations MJF picks this time is anyone’s guess.  He will likely need to even the playing field for his match with Wardlow, so let’s say he outlaws the powerbomb move and he makes the match a no DQ match so Spears can also get involved.

Adam Cole vs Dax Harwood in an Owen Hart Foundation Tournament match

In another Owen Hart Foundation Tournament match, Adam Cole and Dax Harwood will square off in a match that just might end up stealing the show.

As great of a run as Harwood has been on, Adam Cole has to be the odds on favorite to win this tournament.

Harwood would also be better used at Double or Nothing in a tag team with Cash Wheeler, either defending the Ring of Honor Tag Team Titles or trying to add a third set of titles to their collection when they attempt to win the AEW Tag Team Titles.

Adam Cole will gain an advantage via a low blow or eye rake before lowering the boom to advance to the next round and a must-see match against Darby Allin.  Winner: Adam Cole

Toni Storm vs Jamie Hayter in an Owen Hart Foundation Tournament match

One of the more anticipated matches on the women’s side of the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament is happening in the first round when Toni Storm and Jamie Hayter lock horns.

This match could go either way depending on how much outside interference happens on Hayter’s behalf.

But there is a bigger story to tell here.  And that is one of Jamie Hayter breaking away from Britt Baker.

Whether it is Rebel or Baker, someone will try to interfere for Hayter in this match on her behalf but will end up costing her the match, leading to Toni Storm advancing to the next round, and leaving Hayter looking for revenge when Britt Baker battles a “joker” competitor later in the tournament.  Winner: Toni Storm

Jungle Boy vs Ricky Starks for the FTW Title

Two of the top young stars in AEW will do battle over the FTW Title when Jungle Boy and Ricky Starks meet up on Wednesday.

This match came to life as a part of a trade-off.  In order for Starks and Powerhouse Hobbs to get a shot at the AEW Tag Team Titles, Jungle Boy required a shot at Stark’s FTW Belt first.

This match could really be great if given time to develop.

Both Starks and Jungle Boy are capable of doing great things in the ring but their personalities are mirror opposites,  which should lead to an interesting match.

But at the end of the day, this is not the right time or person to take the FTW Title off of Ricky Starks.

Starks will find a way to hold onto his FTW Title, and will probably continue to do so until Hook is ready to claim his father’s title.  Winner: Ricky Starks