“We want a tag team match with Kenny Omega and this little dipshit with a laptop.” – Jon Moxley
The World
Ever since Impact and Elevation, Dynamite has had a lot more allusions to “this business” and less of the basics: purpose, re-enforcement, follow-through. Too many concepts keep getting de-emphasized, from Ricky Starks and Sonny Kiss to Nyla Rose and Private Party. Some of these are better than others, but their development help give this whole thing a life.
There’s been less Cody Rhodes, more workshopping by The Elite, and a likelihood that they’re all just killing time until crowds are back.
At this point I can’t in good faith question anything Don Callis does either, but World Champion Kenny Omega and his entourage are causing some pain points too. Week after week the tone ping pongs from Ric Flair to nWo to maybe their own weird thing and I wish they’d just settle on something already. Eddie Kingston shouldn’t have to sell for all of it either.
Regardless: WarGames next week, The Young Bucks vs. The Sydal Brothers, Taz, an alien, Yuji Nagata, and consistent main eventer Darby Allin. The world still breathes.
The Wrestling
With less purpose comes TV wrestling that meanders a little in between the good stuff. Like, Hangman Page should’ve been beating Brian Cage‘s ass before getting pinned – not trading spots.
I did kind of love The Young Bucks vs. Matt & Mike Sydal, mainly because I’m a mark for brother tag teams but also because it was fun wrestling that didn’t try too hard even if the Bucks whole gimmick right now seems to be that they try too hard.
Orange Cassidy/Penta El Zero Miedo: brilliant moments but two things working against it, mainly that THESE TWO were working without a crowd but also that it just kept going. Kris Statlander/Penelope Ford: rock solid but not the best follow-up to the euphoria of that Arcade Match.
The Darby Allin/Preston “10” Vance TNT Title match was just alright but had enough fun stuff going on around it, from bystander Sting to Dark Order to the development of Preston Vance.
The Entertainment
Orange Cassidy escaped a submission hold by putting his hand in his pocket.
The Parlay between The Inner Circle and The Pinnacle was kind of lame overall, but there were some good bits of promo in there. Dax Harwood and Santana keep getting my attention — when I’m not paying attention to Wardlow, obviously.
Cody Rhodes, a far superior Triple H tribute act than Matt Jackson, returned and did a figure-four on top of a bus.
The SoCal Uncensored promo on the Bucks was a LITTLE much, but closed up strong – all in on the SoCal Wars.
Alex Abrahantes remains awesome and seriously, Yuji Nagata is going to wrestle Jon Moxley on Dynamite.
Room for Improvement
- Purpose, re-enforce, follow-through… come on, baby!
- Cowboy should’ve kicked Cage’s ass
- Just not jazzed about Darby Allin & Lance Archer vs. Scorpio Sky & Ethan Page, sorry
My Favorite Things
- Did like Ethan Page’s bright pink shirt though
- A one-armed gorilla press by Penta El Zero Miedo!
- That adorable Double Meteora by Matt and Mike Sydal
