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

Overall Evaluation and Achieved Goals

Being “into this” is usually based on a premise that I have some sense of trust the little paths we take as the wrestling company expands its world will pay off. It bums me out to say All Out put a little dent in that trust after a string of Dynamite’s that were cruising with good vibes. They didn’t need some huge angle, but better wrestling matches and a sense of payoff would’ve been appreciated.

The follow-up Dynamite might’ve been better than I am giving it credit for, but not enough hit or felt like a big deal – especially after All Out.

Areas of Excellence Within Performance

The MJF/Chris Jericho cold open was brilliant. Most effective wrestling segment in years. Mostly serious.

I mean, Mr. Brodie Lee vs. Dustin Rhodes for the TNT Title was the main event. It was great! Good old-fashioned credible wrestling that maximized each guys’ thing – what else do you need?? It is so much fun seeing a wrestler find their voice, especially when so few really do – let alone guys who went through such a ringer like Mr. Brodie Lee.

None of the Eddie Kingston stable stuff really makes sense but Kingston leans into it so much that it works anyways. Maybe that’s the point. That is the intro – cut promos while we run awkward angles and figure out what to do with these guys. Embrace this man at all costs. I’ll say – I would be into Rey Fénix splitting off from the crew and Kingston managing a trio vs. two tag teams. I’d also probably be into anything Kingston does.

The Kenny Omega and Hangman Page sit-down interviews were good.

Suggested Areas of Improvement

The Young Bucks superkicking Alex Marvez… not so much. Something about The Elite angle has felt off since the Hangman break-up and weird bit post-FTR match – it has an almost WWE tone of “WE ARE DOING A WRESTLING STORY, HUMAN” vs. the more free-flowing kind of classic wrestling stuff going on beforehand. I dunno. Maybe they’re working me.

Way too much stuff I could stick in this section this week.

All hail Miro, but a really weird start as Kip Sabian‘s Best Man who has joined AEW to either prove he’s an elite wrestler or just chill n hang out whatevs. I can’t tell if this was a hook or just bad yet.

I love what the AEW Rankings do for random chilly matches, but that Jurassic Express vs. Lucha Bros match still felt random and chilly.

“Pro wrestling fans are the best” – don’t say that, Matt Hardy.

Watched Chris and Jake get in place for Joey and Sonny tonight. Little weird how two former World Champs going after the AEW World Tag Titles doesn’t feel imposing or interesting in the slightest.

It doesn’t help when their probable opponents would be FTR, who’s follow-up to winning the championships was a promo with all the other tag teams surrounding the ring. C’mon. Love Jungle Boy, but move a little.

Every MJF and Wardlow break-up tease seems completely unnecessary.

Jake the Snake doing a pre-tape vs. a live promo is at least responding to a suggested area of improvement but he still somehow got some weird stuff in.

My Favorite Things

3. Reby Hardy’s Mask
2. Colt Cabana’s reactions to Mr. Brodie Lee
1. Jericho/MJF Bit

Official Star Rating

2.25 out of 5 Stars

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