New format, same concept. Mostly.
The World
Given it’s owned by a billionaire, has “elite” in the title, and is a… professional wrestling company, AEW could’ve easily been a victim of high expectations. I think the slogan “change the world” was being thrown around at the start too.
Did they? Kind of, actually. More impressive might be that it doesn’t really matter anymore. They’ve created something outside the expectation, beyond great wrestling matches and fun YouTube videos, something more than just “good” or “bad” — this is now an experience and new world to dive into.
That world has a chaotic spirit that’s been missing from pro wrestling for a long time, at least pro wrestling in some kind of mainstream setting. At the same time it’s also staying true to and even revitalizing the basic fundamentals of how good pro wrestling has always been done on TV.
Squashes, stables, go-home promos… somebody’s dad being assaulted to build up a match. Jake the Snake, Shaq, and Joshi. Darby Allin ziplined from the ceiling with a skateboard to save Sting from Team Taz, and later on Kenny Omega visited a shop class to build up an Exploding Barbed Wire Death Match.
And now Big Show is about to get here.
Embrace the experience.
The Wrestling
With the Revolution PPV in two weeks, this was more about narratives and STUFF though the last few matches closed strong. The thing about that narrative and STUFF though is that it creates scenarios where guys like Ryan Nemeth and Brandon Cutler — not my fav in-ring technicians — are used effectively and contributing.
Hangman Page vs. Isaiah Cassidy was a high energy squash with an incredible brainbuster by the Hangman. Britt Baker vs. Nyla Rose in the Eliminator Tournament semis took a bit but got awesome, with Britt’s camera shtick and Rebel’s interference threaded in well and a great finish that had me legitimately frustrated Baker lost.
Lance Archer vs. Rey Fenix in the main event was awesome too, not really as a “wrestling match” but as a wild showcase between two interesting but under-developed characters I thought it spoke perfectly to the world the AEW folks appear to be trying to create.
The Entertainment
A lot of the entertainment right now comes directly from that world, the surreal feeling brought on watching a Jon Moxley squash followed by Death Match talk followed by a weird brawl backstage followed by the Young Buck family’s campy acting followed by Team freaking Taz.
Clearly there is always a lot going on, but there is also a clarity on what the big feuds are while the undercard slowly cooks underneath and young wrestlers are kept semi-relevant weekly by just being a part of the show. Griff Garrison, Lee Johnson, Preston Vance… these young lions aren’t around all the time but they’re around just enough, and I buy in knowing or at least hoping the familiarity will pay off in the future.
Dynamite is a show that tries things out, gives reasons and purpose… it is a show that is ALIIIIIIVE!
Room for Improvement
- Probably shouldn’t have aired the Ryan Nemeth promo
- Still not sure about Matt Hardy
- Can we wait a little with Pillman Jr.?
My Favorite Things
- Don Callis’ sunglasses
- A few things Rey Fenix did
- Jon Moxley nailing this
