Performance Review – AEW Dynamite (4/1/20)

Overall Evaluation and Achieved Goals

All I am certain of in this world is that AEW is handling this scary, creepy, wild, depressing, infuriating, unprecedented moment in history better than WWE, at least as far as on-screen production goes. Even with a hesitance to actually promote anything in particular, AEW still delivered fun wrestling and unique promos. WWE reminds me of the sadness, AEW remains a little escape.

Areas of Excellence Within Performance

Cody playing a Bill Watts type promoter/host on commentary is something I never knew I needed in my wrestling. It should probably last.

Kenny Omega vs. Trent Baretta was a 20-minute Kenny special and Trent is a fun dude to watch working that style. Feels like he’d be a main eventer somewhere if like 4 or 5 guys didn’t exist. They had some fun with the environment and the finish was all wild and desperate and stuff, a good time.

Hikaru Shida vs. Anna Jayy was a decent match that accomplished two things: introduced Jayy, and made me more hyped than I ever thought I could be for a Shida vs. Britt Baker match.

A Jon Moxley/Jake Hager program is one of the least interesting possible first programs for World Champ Mox, but the video package to build it up here was outrageous amounts of quality.

Jake Roberts cut a promo, Lance Archer knocked out a doctor on his way to the ring, Lance Archer threw around little Marko Stunt, Lance Archer launched Marko into the abyss. A very good wrestling segment.

Dig the masked nameless Dark Order guys being used as jobbers. That can be used for anything. They’re like The Thunderfoots!

The whole deal with Vanguard 1 flying to Chris Jericho‘s home was incredible – Jericho keeps nailing it, both entertaining and a total dick. Loved the baby t-shirt for Vanguard.

Suggested Areas of Improvement

In this Uncertain Time, suggestions for improvement feel trite.

The Brodie Lee as Vince McMahon stuff is shit though.

It might hit somewhere, for someone, but it isn’t me. As a one-off thing, go for it. As an entire introduction to a fresh act? Not hitting. It’s not even over-the-top enough to hit with anyone not really into wrestling, and I can’t see it giving anyone really into wrestling more than a smirk. Meanwhile Brodie Lee is here. At least he powerbombed somebody.

Cody & Darby Allin vs. Sammy Guevera & Shawn Spears was pretty vanilla too. Maybe I wasn’t in the mood. Not sure a drawn out 20-minute tag is the best thing for an anxious populace, you know?

Top Plays of the Week

3. The Exalted One’s Powerbomb: Love a good powerbomb.
2. Kenny Powerbombs Trent into Astroturf: Love a pair of good powerbombs too.
1. Chris Jericho Emerges from a Hot Tub Wearing Leather Pants: I could’ve filled the Top Plays of the Week with moments from Jericho’s showdown with a drone, but I just love a powerbomb so much.

Official Star Rating

3 out of 5 Stars

Related