On May 28, 2021 AEW Dynamite made it’s temporary debut on Fridays due to being preempted by the NBA games for May and June. While the bouncing timeslots has been a rather unfortunate on and off circumstance since AEW made it’s initial debut back in 2019 here it was a bit of a blessing in disguise. Tony Khan welcomed a big capacity to come to the show and boy did they come.

Editor’s Note: This post contains some spoilers for the 5/28/21 edition of AEW Dynamite.

On a new night, two hours later than usual AEW would air it’s go home show for Double or Nothing 2021 this Sunday live. Considering how late the show began it was a bit surreal seeing the show as large as it was for a TV taping. And I don’t think anyone really saw that size of a crowd coming. It goes without saying that nearly everyone has felt the effect of the pandemic but as a wrestling fan I don’t think I’ve physically seen anyone as effected as live entertainment such as pro wrestling. AEW was smart in trying to fix the problems with a live show lacking a live audience by having some of their talent act as members of the crowd shortly after the pandemic began. But this was clearly just a band aid that did it’s damnedest to simulate the real thing.

And to the credit of the wrestlers they succeeded in this more often than not. However, a little over a couple dozen wrestlers or so was never gong to completely cut it. That’s why seeing the audience give huge reactions to guys like Darby, Sting, Dark Order, as well as heat to Ethan Page & Scorpio Sky, Anthony Ogogo, and Pinnacle was so great. Apparently AEW paired this show with a taping for Dark & Dark Elevation and according to those who attended on social media Jungle Boy may have realistically gotten the pop of the night during his entrance the crowd also sang his theme song “Tarzan Boy” by Baltimora which he responded to with a huge smile on his face.

I was one of the people who thought crowds were rather unsequential to the show, especially when they can be obnoxious with the not at all missed “What!?” chants and such. But when you give your audience something they want to see they ultimately respond in kind. And it’s been pretty established that AEW has some of the more respectful crowds. They boo the heels and they cheer the babyfaces and it’s nice seeing that type of synergy again. AEW Double or Nothing airs on pay-per-view on Sunday May 30, 2021.