Overall Evaluation and Achieved Goals
The AEW roster is established enough where even if there isn’t a lot going on, there is a lot going on: Lance Archer is with Jake the Snake now, Ortiz went 15 minutes with Cody and looked great, Nick Jackson got beat bloody, Big Swole called out Britt Baker on her shit, and there’s a new team called DEATH TRIANGLE.
You know I like it because I’m no longer put off by the name DEATH TRIANGLE.
Areas of Excellence Within Performance
Very much into old pros being managers in AEW – Tully Blanchard hasn’t taken off, but Arn Anderson and now Jake the Snake are straight-up guiding careers. WWE has the weirdest aversion to managers, but they are one of the mysterious pieces of the great wrestling puzzle.
Cody vs. Ortiz was fun TV. The Cody 10-punch spot followed by Ortiz’ Flair Flop was A+. A figure-four got the win too!
Loved Darby Allin‘s vignette where he was just being weird as heck with Inner Circle masks that had the eyes cut out and a bodybag and stuff. If I was 10 years old, I’m taking Darby’s entire being with me into my teenage years.
Tony Schiavone having weekly interviews with Britt Baker just because is so perfectly wrestling, as was Baker calling out the crowd’s “high BMI” and “poor oral health.” Baker nails this role, and Big Swole going at her made me go Hey do I like Big Swole now?
Also, saw a man bloodied from the mouth on my TV. Women’s division is finding its footing and has got two strong angles going. The Jurassic Express are a trio of BABYFACES. MJF is a great shit and The Butcher is throwing people around. The Death Triangle are doing rudo heel pose spots after matches. I am enjoying watching it all unfold!!
Lots of trios teams going around too.
Suggested Areas of Improvement
Dustin Rhodes as Page’s tag partner for the main event vs. Chris Jericho & Sammy Guevera was kind of a bummer, and the Jon Moxley sit-down didn’t quite hit.
Jon Moxley is an ace but the Jim Ross interview didn’t hit. Otherwise – good performance.
Top Plays of the Week
2. Marko Goes Off on MJF: Finally, the Marko character hit.
1. Hikaru Shida Falcon Arrow’s Nyla Rose: I want to see this wrestling match now.
Official Star Rating
3 out of 5 Stars
