“I don’t have a family, so I don’t give a shit about either one of yours!” – Cash Wheeler
We’re still in the slow times but the wrestling was good and the main event felt refreshing: big Preston Vance and Powerhouse Hobbs are a couple young prospects that delivered in their showcase spot, which is where a lot of the fun in AEW lies — maybe that’s why it seems like more fun is being had on YouTube than TNT.
Otherwise: treading water, trading promos, and traveling soon.
The World
The world of Dynamite has lost a little luster but it’s still one where Sting is Darby Allin’s surrogate dad and the son of Arn Anderson debuts next week.
The world-building seems to be more within the Dark Universe nowadays, and I could start watching that but am kind of waiting for the debut of Rampage to sort itself out… as is AEW. I was still a little put off when Nick Nemeth showed up acting like he could just challenge Orange Cassidy.
The Pinnacle and The Inner Circle moves on with a series of singles and tag matches, which is better than the call-and-response they’ve been doing for months. This week had Inner Circle taking sledgehammers to the Pinnacle’s limo, which was definitely a thing they did to extend this.
For a while it felt like AEW had a handle on giving their folks’ motivations to care about, but recently it has felt more like getting guys in place for a TV variety show. Maybe that’s where all TV wrestling goes, but I don’t think so.
Eddie Kingston is palling around with PAC and chasing The Young Bucks, while Jungle Boy has a big match coming up with Kenny Omega who is bitching with Don Callis about conspiracies and being real WRESTLING HEELS! They’re bad guys, man. Real cocky jerks.
Matt Hardy laid out Christian Cage to start the show, Miro crushed the hopes of Evil Uno at the top of the hour, and they repeated the Team Taz angle from Double or Nothing. They added a slap I guess.
The Wrestling
Lance Archer bounced back (from another loss) with a quick squash; Nyla Rose bounced back from not being on TV by having a whole match with Legit Leyla Hirsch – there was sit-out powerbomb off the top rope, for godssakes!
Christian Cage vs. Angelico – In which Christian Cage sold for the South African Submission Savant, a solid wrestling match that was kind of fascinating just for that. The grizzled young vet Christian run continues.
Eddie Kingston, PAC & Penta El Zero Miedo vs. The Young Bucks & Brandon Cutler – It’s a group of talent, folks. All types of talent. The Young Bucks opposite PAC is a marvel to watch throughout, but the Cutler injured heel dork shtick was some serious bush league nonsense.
TNT Title: Miro [c] vs. Evil Uno w/ Dark Order – Highlight of the show… I got nervous when they aired the Brodie Lee tribute prior and had the Dark Order (including Brodie’s son!) come out to root on Evil Uno towards the end of the match, anxieties brought on by pretty much all of wrestling history. Evil Uno’s loss was near-certain, and yeah – he lost. But he brought heavier strikes than expected that threw Miro for a loop, and any time he tried to get cute – a Swanton bomb, a Brodie lariat – Miro just no-sold that shit. Both guys came out looking incredible, Miro an unsentimental monster and Uno the guy fighting for his friends… one of whom just has to take Miro down. Right? Right??
Hangman Page & Dark Order’s 10 vs. Brian Cage & Powerhouse Hobbs – Big 10 can hit, and so can the Powerhouse. This was a little hampered by a retread finish but for most of the match it was good physical action that got across something for everyone.
The Entertainment
The entertainment conversation is veering from pure entertainment to Sports Entertainment and it’s pretty disappointing: Brandon Cutler wearing a tracksuit and face protector, Don Callis‘ conspiracy video… even the Inner Circle destroying a limo just felt like something picked out of the hat. How many times are we going to Run An Angle?
Have grown to appreciate the way Dax Harwood does that ehhhheheh sound as he’s stalling for the next thing to say, like he’s Macho Man Randy Savage pacing and thinkin… thinkin… thinkin.
My Favorite Things
- Darby Allin tells Sting to stay home and Sting respects it
- Brock Anderson’s orange polo shirt and khaki shorts
- Eddie Kingston and PAC’s double tope suicida
Room for Improvement
- “Cut it out!” MJF could be more convincing with his reactions to a limo destroyed
- I know he’s the Elite Hunter and all but Frankie Kazarian should be a little more recognizable
- Build the world again, guys!
Top 10 Dynamite Stars
- Miro (4)
- Darby Allin (-)
- Britt Baker (1)
- Eddie Kingston (3)
- Hangman Page (-)
- Kenny Omega (-)
- Jungle Boy (9)
- Orange Cassidy (-)
- Ethan Page & Scorpio Sky (7)
- Cody Rhodes (NEW)
5 to Keep an Eye on
- Preston Vance
- Powerhouse Hobbs
- Legit Leyla Hirsch
- Jade Cargill
- Kris Statlander
