The confusing botched finish between Shelton Benjamin and Speedball Mike Bailey on AEW Dynamite finally has an explanationand it turns out the whole thing came down to a splitsecond miscommunication.
Fans noticed something was off during the November 19 episode when Benjamin drilled Bailey with a monster superkick that sent Speedball flipping backward like he got shot out of a cannon. Benjamin immediately covered him, the referee started counting and then suddenly stopped, even though Bailey never moved. The match awkwardly continued for another sequence before hitting a more traditional finish.
Now Bryan Alvarez has revealed exactly what happened, and it clears up every rumor floating around According to Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live, Benjamin tried to call an audible on the spot. He thought the superkickand Baileys insane selllooked so perfect that it should have ended the match right then and there. The problem? The referee didnt hear the call.
Alvarez added that Bailey wasnt hurt at allhe was simply doing his job and staying down because he believed the match was continuing.
Because the referee aborted the count, Benjamin and Bailey had to keep going, eventually wrapping things up properly with a German suplex, knee strike, and another superkickthis time with everyone on the same page. The match still sent Benjamin into the Casino Gauntlet Match at Full Gear, but the botch became the moment everyone talked about afterward.
Sometimes wrestling magic happens on accident and sometimes accidents just get caught on live TV.
What do you thinkdid Shelton make the right call trying to end the match, or should he have stuck to the planned finish? Drop your thoughts below and tell us how you wouldve handled it.
