AEW Dynamite Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from May 13

The march to Double or Nothing continued Wednesday night on TNT as All Elite Wrestling produced an episode of Dynamite headlined by Matt Hardy and Kenny Omega vs. Santana and Ortiz of The Inner Circle, a direct result of last week's chaotic Street Fight main event.

Would Hardy and Omega be able to avenge their loss to Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara from a week ago, or would The Inner Circle's reign of dominance over AEW continue with another high-profile victory?

Also on tap for this week's broadcast:

• "Pineapple Pete" Suge D vs. Chris Jericho
• Christopher Daniels vs. Mr. Brodie Lee
• Fatal 4-Way match: Kris Statlander vs. Hikaru Shida vs. Penelope Ford vs. Britt Baker
• Best Friends vs. Jurassic Express
• MJF in action
• An appearance from Lance Archer and Jake Roberts

Find out what all went down on an explosive broadcast that wrote the latest chapters in the company's hottest feuds and gave fans a taste of what they can expect at the May 23 pay-per-view event, airing on B/R Live.

"Murderhawk Monster" Lance Archer and Jake "The Snake" Roberts kicked off this week's show, the former brutalizing an innocent bystander before Roberts unapologetically addressed his actions from last week's show toward Brandi Rhodes.

Before he could continue, Cody arrived in his truck and proceeded to unload on Archer. His hands taped, he pounded away at Archer before turning his attention to Roberts. The distraction allowed Archer to recover and stun The American Nightmare.

The fight continued, back and forth, until Roberts ordered Archer out of the ring and up the ramp as a fired-up Cody watched from the ring.

Grade

A

Analysis

After what Roberts did to Brandi Rhodes a week ago, any respectful husband would have been looking to dish out an ass-kicking this week, and Cody did just that. He took his lumps, but he got the upper hand on Archer just enough for Roberts to realize when it was time to pull his charge out of harm's way and live to fight another day.

With one angle last week and a grueling brawl this week, the TNT Championship Tournament Finals took on greater meaning at Double or Nothing. Hopefully, everyone involved can maintain the level of emotion and intensity ahead of, and into, the match because it has the potential to be a Match of the Year candidate.

A great, energetic, high-intensity way to kick off this week's broadcast.

Two of the more popular teams in AEW's tag division jockeyed for positioning in the ranks as Jurassic Express' Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy battled Best Friends' Trent and Chuck Taylor, with Marko Stunt and Orange Cassidy in their teams' respective corners.

Trent and Chuck controlled the pace early, working over Jungle Boy. A tag to Luchasaurus appeared to spark a comeback, but the opposition delivered a big double suplex to the arena floor. Jungle Boy evened the odds with a huge dive to the floor heading into the break.

The action broke down late before Orange Cassidy hopped up on the entrance ramp and appeared to fire up as much as he actually could. Rey Fenix jumped Cassidy, but Best Friends still scored the win, pinning Jungle Boy after MJF interfered and slammed him into the ring post.

After the bell, Wardlow appeared and obliterated Stunt, tossing him into the guardrail.

Result

Best Friends defeated Jurassic Express

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was nonstop action, as one would expect from the two teams involved, and it made for a fun match. The tag team division in AEW is so stacked at this point that bad or even underwhelming matches are a near impossibility.

Best Friends have been building momentum for weeks, positioning themselves for a shot at Hangman Page and Kenny Omega, and with this win, they almost certainly have earned said AEW Tag Team Championship opportunity.

Interference from MJF is true to his character and adds heat for a high-profile pay-per-view match against Jungle Boy.

Fenix attacking Cassidy probably would have carried more weight with the viewing audience if the Double or Nothing ladder match had been discussed by the commentary team before Fenix jumped the most over babyface in the company. But it still was not enough to diminish what was the right choice to kick off the in-ring portion of tonight's show.

Four of the top contenders in AEW's women's division squared off Wednesday night in a Fatal 4-Way match involving Hikaru Shida, Dr. Britt Baker, Kris Statlander and Penelope Ford. The action started fast and furiously, Baker gaining an early advantage before Statlander slowed her momentum with a "Greco-Roman nostril lock," as called by Jim Ross.

A cerebral Ford picked her spots and nearly scored the upset more than once.

Back from the break, Baker wiped out Statlander at ringside while Ford delivered a missile dropkick that folded up Shida. A liplock between Ford and fiance Kip Sabian nearly cost the Philadelphia native. A poison rana by Ford demolished Statlander, but she ultimately fell prey to a running knee to the face as Shida picked up the hard-fought victory, all while Baker applied a glove-assisted Lockjaw to Statlander on the floor.

AEW women's champion Nyla Rose appeared unfazed by Shida's victory.

Result

Shida defeated Ford, Statlander and Baker

Grade

B

Analysis

Things kind of broke down late in this one, and the poison rana by Ford was a bit scary, as it looked like she lost Statlander midway. But it was another damn fun and energetic match in a row.

Ford shrugged off any and all preconceptions as the smartest and most strategic of the competitors, Baker and Statlander ignited what could be a fun secondary feud for the division, and Shida continued her winning ways by essentially cashing her ticket to a showdown with Rose over the title.

Anytime all of that can be accomplished in the framework of a single match, it is a success.

A week after Santana and Ortiz played a significant role in their downfall, Matt Hardy and Kenny Omega sought a measure of revenge in a high-profile tag team battle. Hardy, in his "Damascus" vessel according to Excalibur on commentary, made the save for Omega after a cowardly two-on-one beatdown by the heels early.

Santana and Ortiz worked over Omega during and coming out of the break, taking advantage of the referee's count and manipulating it for frequent double-teams while Hardy watched from the apron.

A snapdragon suplex by Omega to Ortiz allowed the tag team champion to create separation and finally make the hot tag to Hardy. The future Hall of Famer exploded on Santana and then Ortiz. He delivered a Twist of Fate to Ortiz, but a well-timed save by Santana prevented the win.

The heels again teed off on Omega, scoring a near-fall in the process. Hardy dumped Santana to the floor and then tagged in legally and focused on Ortiz, trapping him in a butterfly guillotine. Sammy Guevara, selling the effects of his run-in with a golf cart a week ago, entered the ring and ate a Twist of Fate for his troubles.

Hardy and Omega came together late and scored the win, the former pinning Ortiz.

Result

Hardy and Omega defeated Santana and Ortiz

Grade

B+

Analysis

After a weeks-long absence, it was nice to see Ortiz and Santana look as strong as they did against two of the most recognizable stars in the industry. Yes, Hardy and Omega have established their legacies in pro wrestling, but they were extremely giving here, and the result was the elevation of The Inner Circle tag team to their level.

Love him or not, Omega, in particular, really worked overtime to elevate the stars of his opponents and should be commended.

The run-in by Guevara late probably was not necessary, but the neck brace and limp had this writer laughing out loud, as did his sell job of the Twist of Fate.

The outcome was the right one given Hardy and Omega's placement on the card and the fact that they figure to play a key role on the Double or Nothing lineup, but the opposition lost nothing in defeat. That is the sign of a great and effective match.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman returned to the squared circle for the first time in months, squaring off with the outmatched Lee Johnson.

MJF toyed with his opponent before putting him down with a shoulder breaker. An armbreaker followed as the insufferable egotist of AEW scored the submission victory.

After the match, MJF cut a braggadocious promo and challenged Marko Stunt to a match on next week's show.

Result

MJF defeated Johnson

Grade

A

Analysis

Welcome back, MJF.

His short, decisive win over his opponent and the promo that followed were tonally perfect. His match with Jungle Boy at Double or Nothing may have come from out of nowhere, but MJF's work tonight, from his interference earlier to this segment of the show, did a great deal to put heat on the match.

Next week's bout with Stunt and the idea of MJF selling for him is super appealing. If for no other reason than it feels like the perfect excuse for an upset that puts even more attention on the upcoming showdown with Jungle Boy.

After weeks of disrespectful name-calling directed at the veteran Suge D, "Le Champion" Chris Jericho found himself sharing the squared circle with the man he not so respectfully referred to as Pineapple Pete.

Despite a fiery start to the match by the babyface, Jericho picked up a sudden and definitive win with the Judas Effect.

After the match, Jericho and The Inner Circle stood in the center of the squared circle, where the former AEW world champion formally issued the challenge to The Elite for the first-ever Stadium Stampede match, which would presumably take place in the neighboring TIAA Bank Field.

Vanguard 1 appeared and accepted the challenge on the behalf of The Elite before Jericho smashed it to pieces with a baseball bat, much to the dismay and heartbreak of Matt Hardy, who was late in making the save.

Result

Jericho defeated Pineapple Pete

Grade

A

Analysis

A quick squash win over Pineapple Pete that paid off weeks of subtle build, followed by a major pay-per-view main event match announcement, elevated this one exponentially.

The Vanguard 1 stuff is still a bit silly, but it served its purpose here, its demise sure to awaken something in Hardy that makes him an even more dangerous force next week when he squares off with Sammy Guevara.

The Stadium Stampede match figures to be one of the wildest and most creative matches in pro wrestling if last week's Street Fight is any indication. The unique setting, the months-long rivalry and the immensely talented individuals involved should make for one of the most unforgettable contests in the yearlong history of AEW.

It was in reaction to SCU's insistence that there was no Exalted One, that The Dark Order's Evil Uno was a false prophet, that Mr. Brodie Lee debuted. In this week's main event, the self-proclaimed AEW world heavyweight champion Lee battled Christopher Daniels in singles competition.

Daniels absorbed the beating dealt to him early and reminded Lee why he was long considered one of the best wrestlers in the world. His onslaught, including a moonsault to the floor, was short-lived, as The Exalted One wore him down heading into the commercial.

Late in the match, Frankie Kazarian and Scorpio Sky stopped an attempt by The Dark Order's 10 to get involved, leading to Daniels blasting Lee with a steel chair and applying the Koji Clutch. A brawl between SCU, Colt Cabana and The Dark Order broke out before Daniels delivered Angel's Wings for a two-count.

Lee scored the win and stood tall, surrounded by his Dark Order minions. He held the AEW Championship, almost tauntingly, drawing the ire of Jon Moxley.

The unhinged, undisputed real owner of the title unloaded on the Dark Order while Lee hightailed it out of the arena alongside 10. A furious Moxley exclaimed, "I do not suffer disrespect!" He continued, "Oh boy, are you going to pay for it. With interest.

"When the dust settles, Mr. Lee, you may very well find that your AEW career is over before it started."

Result

Lee defeated Daniels

Grade

B+

Analysis

The late-match brawl would have, under most circumstances, hampered things, but it made sense given the moving pieces involved and seemingly sets up another pay-per-view match if AEW so desires.

Lee winning made sense, but Daniels was fairly protected here, almost to the point that one must question if the No. 1 contender to the AEW title should not have won more convincingly.

Still, the post-match stuff with Moxley was excellent, as was his promo. He is mad, he is ready to unleash hell, and that is a very bad thing for The Dark Order. Whether Lee can use his emotions against him and shock the world by winning the title is the real question.