Performance Review – AEW Dynamite (9/2/20)

Overall Evaluation and Achieved Goals

I can’t say I loved this week’s show and they’ve really got to get past All Out already, but I have been waiting for a pro wrestling where I can really care about The Revival and The Elite and somehow AEW is delivering both at the same time. In one night, Dynamite hyped up that AEW World Tag Team Title match to be one of my most anticipated matches of the year.

Areas of Excellence Within Performance

Kenny Omega making diaper jokes aside, AEW used the go-home show to setup some BIG stuff if they actually do it. Does Hangman Page turn? Does Omega turn? Do the Bucks turn? Does nobody turn? Does nothing happen? Does SOMETHING happen!?

AEW builds up championship matches while also creating multiple intriguing directions to go in now or later – that’s good wrestling.

Tully Blanchard promos, Taz promos, Jon Moxley promos – these are some of my favorite things. They’re natural and loose but also seem like important professionals.

This vibe has also suddenly made Cash Wheeler one of the best promos in the country – where did THAT serious guy come from!?

Also, man – someone found a place for The Best Friends. I love it.

“The Dark Order‘s become a phenomenon, they really have!” They really have!! They actually have!!! It probably didn’t need to be so bad early on but I think it’s getting sorted.

Instead of a squash match, they gave Thunder Rosa an opponent in Serena Deeb that can do all the showcase spots she needed to do. I thought this kind of rocked.

Suggested Areas of Improvement

The 8-Man Tag was another that Just Kind of Happened, as was the big brawl to build up the Casino Battle Royal. AEW has been good about making matches matter but some of the old criticisms still pop up and have the roster coming off as bit players vs. stars.

Maybe run through with Jake the Snake what he’s gonna say a couple times, I don’t know.

Joey Janela can be annoying but I was shocked how hard Chris Jericho squashed him. I also don’t think you want to let Jericho pull rank and call for blood in his go-home angle with Orange Cassidy if MJF is doing the same thing with Jon Moxley – especially when the MJF angle was good and MJF has been SUCH a dork during the build-up. Oh well.

My Favorite Things

3. Jon Moxley vs. Mark Sterling
2. Stereo Risky Business
1. Tully Blanchard Promos

Official Star Rating

3 out of 5 Stars

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