Overall Evaluation and Achieved Goals
They’re not afraid to experiment with stuff backstage ala the Lance Archer and Britt Baker bits, to utilize seconds ala Jake Roberts or Ricky Starks, or to present unsigned guys such as Eddie Kingston like the stars they are. They have found a balance with the rankings system too – it’s not over-the-top but they do generally drive if not major feuds then championship matches on TV that keep things interesting.
This is a show that is still moving in the COVID era, while WWE has felt at a standstill since March (well, before that, but you know).
Areas of Excellence Within Performance
They had a match way different than the other Cody TNT Title defenses too, something Cody really needed. Snug, credible, chaotic brawling and selling is always welcome in my wrestling. Cody took a bump on thumbtacks too, which I’m not sure was even necessary but I’m glad it was Kingston to do it and not that Jimmy Havoc jackass.
A lot of gimmicks on this show are hitting. MJF delivered a premium evil squash of young Griff Garrison, who was used perfectly as the guy who got his ass kicked but might come around later. They unleashed MJF on the mic for the first time in a while too and it was goooood. Watch out, MOX.
“I am Michael Jordan” – Britt Baker is straight up.
I like how AEW uses seconds, whether it is microphone legends acting as managers or young guys that get to develop as they do it while also fleshing out a stable. Sammy Guevera with Jericho and now Ricky Starks with Taz and Brian Cage are examples of the latter and it makes the wrestling so much more enjoyable. The Starks attack was a total surprise and completely awesome.
WOMEN’S TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT!!!
The one-take tracking shot of Lance Archer destroying randoms in the locker room as Jake Roberts looked on in amusement was legitimately incredible, both as a wrestling character development thing and also just a technical achievement on a wrestling show.
The Falls Count Anywhere match starting in a kitchen was a great use of resources.
Alan “5” Angels is a solid wrestler who shouldn’t have worked equal with Omega, so I’m glad Hangman Page had a way better version of the squash match with him that gave Angels less but put him over more. I loved how they used this one match as the bridge to promotion of Dark Order being #1 ranked for Page’s Tag Titles and a natural FTR run-in that sets up FTR vs. Dark Order and more of me thinking about a Page and FTR group.
Suggested Areas of Improvement
Ivelisse vs. Diamante wasn’t much, a couple of newcomers sporting masks and flags. I liked them using the MSG undercard finish of small package out of nowhere when it was time to go home.
Also, I might have watched Dynamite in the wee hours of the night but I am pretty sure Nick Jackson throwing a chair at The Butcher‘s head was really really savagely dumb.
My Favorite Things
2. That camera shot looking up at Hangman Page after he hit the big boot over the ropes – what a star!
1. Eddie Kingston
Official Star Rating
4.5 out of 5 Stars
