Performance Review
Evaluate Performance and achieved goals
That we are even at a point where there felt like a need to “shift gears” so soon is a bummer, but this week felt like the tightest in weeks with less eye-rolling and more straightforward wrestling and promos by a talented roster. That was nice, especially after we got all fussed up at each other a couple weeks ago. I think having a Christmas Break did good for all of us.
A primary is concern is how AEW has somehow managed to handle The Elite is In Charge thing worse than I could have ever anticipated, landing on the worst possible spectrum between acknowledging and not acknowledging both their power and who they are in general, but the closing of this particular show with a delusional smiling Cody celebrating after a Kenny Omega and Young Bucks 6-man tag win as Hangman Adam Page gives a thumbs up from the commentary table seems like a good way to go, all well in the world of The Elite but actually not at all.
I’m still not sold on this being a game changer or “for me”, but the show was solid this week.
Also, Sammy Guevera sounds like Steve Buscemi – wasn’t sure where in this write-up I should put that.
Areas of excellence within performance
You’ve still got a roster. You’ve still got MJF. Otherwise, not a lot feels excellent – just improved: more use of promos, Britt Baker pivoting to heel, less – sorry – Brandi Rhodes.
This was a loaded card and the matches mostly delivered, no stinkers like the last few weeks as well as what might’ve been the best women’s match in company history.
The outdoor Daily’s Plaza venue in Jacksonville was awesome – more ramps and unique atmospheres please.
And Chris Jericho is still cutting promos on TV, for godssakes!
Suggested areas of improvement
The start of the show still feels sloppy, whether Tony or Tazz are there. When running down the card, promote with more intent and clarity.
“Nobody likes it when spooky perverts show up and ruin their finish” – you didn’t have to do that. You didn’t have to say that.
A world where Arn Anderson and Kenny Omega are both world-renowned legends is one where it’s tough to find the right balance. I like the idea of that world’s chemistry, but I’m not sure it’s landing yet.
Being the Elite, AEW Dark, Joey Janela’s dating history… I am a Relatively Online person but if I can’t keep up, you might be in trouble.
Additional Feedback
Top Plays of the Week
3. Jon Moxley Meets Orange Cassidy: Fun dudes, fun moment. One might say, good shit pal.
2. Black Arrow Near Fall Save: Great timing and my favorite part of the main event.
1. Women’s Title Match: Highlight of the show, even if it was a result of a double booking.
Lowest Moments of the Week
3. Penelope Ford Low Blows Joey Janela: Dumb.
2. “Looks like we’ve got Sammy Guevera vs. Christopher Daniels next week in Memphis”: Appreciate a setup but not what you setup.
1. Darby Allin Loses Clean: I dunno – it’s Cody, but – seems unnecessary. Or maybe it’s for a reason……
Confident Statements
3. Darby Allin rules. Just wanted to state that for the record.
2. MJF’s promo is great but he’s too angry. It’s awesome seeing the mic legend that is MJF let loose on TV but maybe dial it back a smidge or give me a reason why you’re so psychotically angry at Cody?
1. AEW hasn’t defined an in-ring style yet all the matches feel the same. Let me think about this a bit more.
And The Wrestling
Cody vs. Darby Allin was probably the most unique match of the show, with Cody playing along with Darby’s hold-trading that suddenly becomes wild dives to the floor and back bumps from the top rope to the apron. Despite the loss they treated Darby seriously and had a solid match, and of course Darby took a Cross Rhodes on his head.
The Riho vs. Nyla Rose vs. Britt Baker vs. Hikaru Shida Women’s World Title match ruled, great action with a game crowd. Everyone delivered but the Riho vs. Shida sequences in particular rocked.
Jon Moxley vs. Trent was another match that treated the lesser guy seriously, and the Mox/Orange staredown was a keeper. Basically a squash with some fun characters.
I’m not sure if I appreciate or pity Dustin Rhodes’ gimmick of appealing to The Elite’s base, with a somersault senton to the floor and Canadian Destroyer on the apron to Sammy Guevera. Their match was fine, but a guy like Sammy should probably be doing more sequences based around uppercuts when working with A Legend like Dustin.
Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks vs. PAC & The Lucha Bros was basically as advertised, a compressed TV version of wild 6-man between some wild and crazy guys. The shtick is fun but a brand new company almost necessitates some re-invention for these guys, and I hope we can eventually see it.
Official Star Rating
3 out of 5 Stars
