BALTIMORE — The stars of All Elite Wrestling took over Baltimore's CFG Bank Arena on Wednesday for another live edition of their weekly nationally televised show, Dynamite!
It was the first time the professional wrestling organization returned to the arena since being renovated.
The crowd in attendance was pumped for two-hours of action.
Things got off to a quick start with an eight-man tag match pitting members of the Jericho Appreciation Society (Daniel Garcia, Jake Hager, Angelo Parker and Matt Menard) against Adam Cole and the debuting Roderick Strong (both formerly members of WWE NXT's Undisputed Era) alongside Orange Cassidy and Bandido.
Since returning to the ring from injury, Cole and the legendary Chris Jericho have engaged in a fierce on-screen rivalry.
Cole's been seeking revenge on Jericho after he directed a brutal assault on AEW women's wrestler and Cole's real life girlfriend, Dr. Britt Baker.
The match ended with Cole scoring a pin fall over Parker earning a victory for his team, but chaos quickly ensued as he attacked Jericho by the commentary booth.
Match two featured Saraya against Willow Nightingale in the AEW women's division.
Wrestling fans may remember Saraya from her time in WWE as Paige. With interference from her fellow Outcast members, Ruby Soho and Toni Storm, Sarya came out on top.
After the match, as the faction looked to inflict further punishment on Nightingale, Dr. Britt Baker and AEW women's champion Jamie Hayter made the save.
Hikaru Shida, whose been out of action for weeks, came down the aisle and appeared at first to take sides with the Outcasts.
But it was a swerve and she instead turned on the villain stable, setting up a potential six-women tag match in the future.
Next up was a trios battle royal involving six teams to determine the number one championship contender.
This fast paced match was high flying and difficult to track due to 18 athletes in the ring at one time.
Fan favorites the Acclaimed got their hands raised putting them in front of the line to challenge the champions, House of Black.
Last night was special bc in Dec 2011, my 21st b-day, I went to a show at the CFG Bank Arena. It was that night, I officially decided I wanted to try & pursue pro wrestling.
— Anthony Bowens (@Bowens_Official) May 4, 2023
12 yrs later, I’m standing tall in the same building. Hopefully I inspired someone else to do the same ✂️ pic.twitter.com/Ktfiflx5f5
On a side note, during his signature entrance rap, Max Caster made reference to Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson's new contract extension.
GALLERY: AEW Dynamite visits Baltimore!
TNT Champion Wardlow went to the ring using a 'powerbomb symphony' to squash his opponent.
Christian Cage appeared afterwards accompanied by Luchasaurus, and in typical heel fashion, trashed Baltimore while continuing his feud with Wardlow.
Ricky Starks then defeated Juice Robinson in a competitive battle.
Finally it was time for AEW's 'four pillars' to face-off in a main event tag match.
World champ Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Sammy Guevara teamed against the popular Darby Allin and 'Jungle Boy' Jack Perry.
The stakes were high for Allin and Perry who needed a win in order to headline the upcoming Double or Nothing pay-per-view.
If not Guevara and MJF would square off one-on-one for the world title. Beforehand backstage, MJF tried convincing Perry to turn on Allin. Perry refused, but Allin caught the tail end of the conversation putting the pair at odds entering the bout.
Fortunately for them, MJF and Guevara got into an mid-match spat giving Perry and Allin the win.
As he always does following live events, AEW owner Tony Khan thanked Baltimore's faithful fanbase for showing up.
The company then taped a one-hour episode of Rampage which airs Friday evening.
