Overall Evaluation and Achieved Goals
The funny thing about AEW is that it’s both a throwback and brand new, a tribute to the past that became necessary because the other wrestling company kept only giving tribute to like three things from the past.
Any episode of Dynamite, even in the COVID wrestling era, has me through an array of feelings – I’m charmed by the stupid old school stubbornness of Dustin Rhodes demanding he gets color in an empty arena, I’m also confused by whatever Jimmy Havoc and Chuck Taylor are trying to accomplish at any given moment – as Chris Jericho summed it up on commentary, “what are they fighting for?”
Areas of Excellence Within Performance
Vickie Guerrero coming up with a new post-WWE catchphrase that is exactly like her WWE catchphrase gives me goosebumps in all the right wrestling ways. “ARE YOU KIDDING ME??”
Tony Schiavone is definitely great at commentary, but it’s also possible that before he went on a joy ride with late-90s WCW he setup the template for what great commentary is. Listen to him utter “…and it is!” as the 3 is counted in that turd of a No DQ Match, a perfect follow-through to Chris Jericho’s “that’s gotta be it.” This is a genius living in our time.
“Don’t forget to call your grandmother!” – thank you, Jon Moxley.
Lance Archer vs. Dustin Rhodes was pretty good. I could almost feel it being real good with an audience, but at this point I’m not sure. Is everybody OK?
Suggested Areas of Improvement
There really is no necessity to any of this – critiquing is useless, while it’s not hitting on any level that would cause me to write anything that I felt or experienced.
The Cody vs. Darby Allin finish sucked though.
Top Plays of the Week
2. Lance Archer Smacks the Back of Dustin Rhodes’ Head: Sometimes, it’s the little things – like Lance Archer taking his big hand and just smacking the back of Dustin Rhodes’ blonde, bloodied scalp.
1. The Bubbly Bunch: Bless Chris Jericho for making all these guys (not you Jake Hager) payers.
Official Star Rating
2 out of 5 Stars
