The true cause behind the controversial finish during last night’s AEW Dynamite match has been disclosed. The match between Shelton Benjamin and Speedball Mike Bailey ended in confusion when Benjamin delivered a kick and pinned Bailey, who did not kick out, but the referee halted the count at two. Moments later, Benjamin hit a superkick, secured the pin, and the referee counted to three, concluding the match.
According to Wrestling Observer Live’s Brian Alvarez, the planned finish involved a superkick, but Benjamin unexpectedly executed the move early. Bailey took a dramatic full-flip bump and appeared incapacitated, leading Benjamin to signal for the finish prematurely. The referee, however, missed the cue and stopped the initial pin count, causing a miscommunication. Despite this, they continued the sequence and completed the finish properly. Bailey was unharmed and followed the plan of being down after the kick, with the fault lying with the referee and Benjamin’s timing rather than Bailey’s performance.
Thanks to this victory, Benjamin secured the second position for the upcoming Casino Gauntlet match for the AEW National Championship at Full Gear, while his Hart Syndicate teammate Bobby Lashley claimed the number one spot by defeating Ricochet.
Fan Take: This incident underscores the unpredictable nature of live wrestling, where split-second decisions can change the narrative in real-time. AEW fans should view this as a testament to the wrestlers’ adaptability and the exciting, raw energy that keeps the sport thrilling and unpredictable.
