Winners, News And Notes On May 18, 2022

AEW Dynamite advertised a packed show with multiple surprises, more action from the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament and a pivotal segment in the feud between MJF and Wardlow as AEW builds to their presumed match at Double or Nothing.

AEW Dynamite saw the debut of John Morrison as “Johnny Elite,” the joker in the men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament who took on Samoa Joe, though many fans initially thought was Johnny Gargano. Maki Itoh was the joker in the women’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament against Britt Baker. Both jokers lost.

AEW Dynamite Match Card | May 18, 2022

• Adam Cole vs. Jeff Hardy—Owen Hart Foundation Semifinal
• Kyle O’Reilly vs. Rey Fenix—Owen Hart Foundation Quarterfinal
• Samoa Joe vs. Joker—Owen Hart Foundation Semifinal
• Hangman Adam Page vs. Takeshita
• Chris Jericho face off with William Regal
• Wardlow takes 10 Lashes from MJF
• Dr. Britt Baker vs. The Joker—Owen Hart Foundation Quarterfinal
• Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland vs. The Workhorsemen

Last week’s broadcast of AEW Dynamite garnered 840,000 viewers as the show came under 900,000 for the second consecutive week. The last time AEW Dynamite drew under 900,000 viewers in three consecutive weeks was from November to December in 2021.

• May 11, 2022—840,000
• May 4, 2022—833,000
• April 27, 2022—921,000
• April 20, 2022—930,000
• April 13, 2022—977,000

• AEW Dynamite Venue: Fertitta Center (Houston, Texas)
• AEW Tickets Distributed: 4,582
• AEW Tickets Available: 641

Sasha Banks and Naomi Walk out of WWE Raw (Pro Wrestling Bits)

AEW Dynamite YouTube Viewership Last Wednesday: 3,628,980 (Down from 3,543,878)

• Most-Viewed: CM Punk and Hangman Adam Page Confrontation (1,000,448 views)
• Least-Viewed: Toni Storm vs. Jamie Hayter (179,725 views)
• Median Viewership: 355,082 views

AEW Dynamite Results | May 18, 2022

Samoa Joe def. John Morrison

When the words “Johnny Elite” hit the screen, this crowd lost its mind but only because many of them seemed to think it was Johnny Gargano as teased by Tommaso Ciampa. As soon as the match started, fans went right back to chanting for Samoa Joe.

Most former WWE guys don’t do much after their big debut, and maybe this is the best way to use them moving forward. Bring them in for the big debut pop, beat them and then AEW doesn’t have to pay to have them sit in catering amid limited TV time.

Hangman Adam Page def. Konosuke Takeshita

One week after boldly wearing a John Tavares jersey in Long Island, CM Punk wore a pro-choice t-shirt in Texas, but was still cheered wildly by this crowd.

Continuing his dedication to being a heel in Long Island, CM Punk uttered the term “in Long Island.”

This was a great match designed to highlight Konosuke Takeshita even in defeat. The logner AEW does this with him through wrestling, the more these fans will really get behind him as a rising babyface.

CM Punk’s GT
GT
S was much better than Hangman Adam Page’s GTS on Takeshita Konosuke.

Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland def. The Workhorsemen

Between Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland, these fans had plenty to chant about.

Keith Lee and Swerve Scott’s finisher was an amazing power bomb/flying stomp combo.

After this match, Keith Lee announced that him and Swerve Strickland were a Top 5 tag team. Christian then announced a Triple Threat Tag Team Championship at Double or Nothing between Lee/Swerve, Starks/Hobbs and Jurassic Express.

Wardlow Takes 10 Lashes from MJF

MJF got immense heat throughout this segment, especially when MJF pretended to struggle to pronounce “Houston, Texas.”

Wardlow didn’t even come close to selling MJF’s lashes. In fact, he laughed after the first lash and flexed his pecs after the second lash. He only began selling when Shawn Spears started whipping him.

Like a true heel, Wardlow laid MJF out with a low blow, several more lashes and the Dynamite Diamond Ring.

Kyle O’Reilly def. Rey Fenix—Owen Hart Foundation Tournament

This match stole the entire show with less than one hour left. This tournament might be the best thing Kyle O’Reilly ever does in AEW.

Kyle O’Reilly’s chest after this match looked like mincemeat.

William Regal and Chris Jericho Face Off

Chris Jericho made mention of all the “abuse” William Regal took and was showered with “assh—le” chants. Jericho kept doubling down, calling Regal a “world class addict.”

After ruthlessly laying into the personal and professional lives of his opps—including Jon Moxley’s reahb—Chris Jericho’s best line about Bryan Danielson was that he was a “squeaky-clean nerd.”

Thankfully, Chris Jericho made mention of urinating in William Regal’s tea. Regal responded by admitting he used to stick Jericho’s toothbrushes up his bum.

Britt Baker def. Maki Itoh—Owen Hart Foundation Tournament

Maki Itoh was a very welcomed sight as a joker. After the apparent “Johnny Elite” mixup, I was kind of hoping the screen would say “Candice” only for Candice Bergen to walk out.

Maki Itoh’s facials were perfect for the AEW turnbuckle cam.

Out of respect for Japanese customs, Excalibur repeatedly referred to Maki Itoh as Itoh-jan.

Serena Deeb and Thunder Rosa Face off

Serena Deeb struggled on the mic throughout, though she did have a few moments. In front of a hardcore audience, Deeb tried to tell a poignant story about coming up as a woman in wrestling, and the promo was met with “what” chants, of course.

Adam Cole def. Jeff Hardy

Adam Cole tried to super kick Jeff Hardy in the middle of a Swanton Bomb and he missed by a mile. The announce team covered for him, however.

This match seemed to be cut for time as Adam Cole won clean following a very brief back-and-forth.