Performance Review – AEW Dynamite #19 (2/12/20)

Overall Evaluation and Achieved Goals

Still not feeling AEW Revolution (and I’m going!), but this was a fine wrestling show. All the wrestling ranged from solid to good, finally, and I found myself more sports entertained than bitching and bewildered.

Areas of Excellence Within Performance

Tons to like here – nothing must-see, but just good old-fashioned pro wrestling headed in the right direction. The Riho/Nyla Rose AEW Women’s World Title match was legitimately real good, even if Nyla isn’t. She’s The Beast, but nothing looks beastly – I dunno. Riho meanwhile is the low key MVP of AEW, and in like 3 of the Top 5 matches in company history – this probably one of them, to be honest: simple characters, great near falls, and a surprising finish.

Jungle Boy vs. MJF also relied on the character over cuteness, even if there definitely was a slow-mo bridging spot that got the most uniquely AEW standing ovation.

I appreciate how AEW is willing to publicly pivot. The Nightmare Collective is dead and Britt Baker is an absolute heel.

Jon Moxley vs. Santana was the coming out party for two acts, with Santana having a great competitive run (plus an interview with JR earlier in the show) and Moxley coming off like he was John Cena main eventing RAW or something. This might’ve been the most solid TV match AEW has had yet, and the finish with both guys blinded and Mox managing a surprise Dirty Deeds could’ve easily come off dumb but actually didn’t.

Plus Darby Allin challenged Sammy Guevera with a black-and-white camera filter and the not-under-contract Jeff Cobb is here now. Stuff’s happening!

Suggested Areas of Improvement

Once again, not feeling Revolution. That doesn’t seem good.

Hangman Page/Kenny Omega vs. SoCal Uncensored for the AEW Tag Team Titles had solid action but was just the most empty match, like a parody of what these fellows get poked fun at for. Just runnin’ through rope-assisted legdrops, yup.

Give me more Luchasaurus – c’mon.

Top Plays of the Week

3. Kenny & Hangman’s German Suplex: These guys are figuring their tag team thing out.
2. Dustin Rhodes’ Promo: Guy can still get it done.
1. Riho’s Table Run: Crazy cool spot that made a fine match even better.

TNT’s Claws Presents, The Nastiest Nails of the Week

3. Nothing: Hey, sometimes there isn’t something. I wish this whole category didn’t have to be! Good job guys!
2. The Tag Team Brawl: Just hilariously weak and bad – Kazarian and Jack Evans couldn’t even fall outside together. SMH.
1. The Camera Cut to Fans After Britt Baker’s Whattaburger Line: That was mean! Why be mean? Let Britt Baker be the heel, not your production team!

Performance Improvement Plan (Kind Of)

3. Give SoCal Uncensored an edge. The Dark Order trying to recruit Christopher Daniels isn’t it.
2. Seriously, more Luchasaurus. What’s your problem?
3. Figure your tag division out. Chris Jericho’s little corner of AEW seems fine, Cody’s little corner of AEW seems fine, but The Elite’s little corner is leaving something to be desired.

Official Star Rating

3.25 out of 5 Stars

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