Performance Review – AEW Dynamite (9/23/20)

Overall Evaluation and Achieved Goals

This week was… OK. It was a not great but still relevant wrestling program, and as a wrestling fan I like wrestling programs that feel relevant.

Also, MR. BRODIE LEE!!! Brodie is finally Brodie and cut the realest WRESTLING promo since 1989.

Cody‘s back too and has dark hair again – should that feel cooler??

MR. BRODIE LEE!!!

Areas of Excellence Within Performance

Excellence is a short notice Eddie Kingston World Title match with Jon Moxley, excellence is the promo that preceded it, excellence is the match itself, and excellence is the hope for something more in the future. Very good wrestling that felt very ALIVE.

Even if I don’t make time for AEW Dark, the news ticker with results during Dynamite re-enforces what all the MIA roster members are doing while creating name recognition for new guys. I like it.

At one point during this show Jim Ross said, “The good booking would be… for the Lakers to win.”

THANKS, JR!!!

In a promo package for the Brodie Lee/Orange Cassidy TNT Title match, Tony Schiavone said this: “You can’t beat a guy as big and dangerous as Mr. Brodie Lee with your hands in your pockets.” I keep thinking about it.

They had a legitimately excellent match, both a great beatdown by the finally-found-his-voice Brodie Lee and actual dramatic closing stretch. It took Tony’s quote and made a complete match of it, with Orange’s limited flurries of offense all taken serious. I’d say it would be cool to see Brodie in the G1 Climax this year but this was better than most G1 matches so far.

Isaiah Cassidy‘s promo on Chris Jericho started a little awkward but damnit he is 23 FROM THE STREETS OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK!!! Incredible close.

I thought the FTR/Best Friends confrontation was a fun old school match setup, though the idea of future 20-minute FTR matches is a little scary right now – boom roasted!

I thought Late Night Dynamite was a good time too, a low key show with the thread of Scorpio Sky and Matt Sydal becoming pals and having similar fun matches with Shawn Spears and impressive newcomer Ben Carter.

Suggested Areas of Improvement

I mean I was going to give kudos on explaining and dealing with Lance Archer getting COVID-19 in such an upfront way and then half the roster got it. So.

Matt Jackson‘s backstage interview didn’t feel real at all – the Bucks need a manager.

I would suggest not trying to kill Kip Sabian with a double team move next time.

My Favorite Things

3. Joey Janela’s Bump off Miro’s Slam
2. Brodie Lee smacking Orange Cassidy in the face
1. Eddie Kingston vs. Jon Moxley

Official Star Rating

2.5 out of 5 Stars

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