The John Report: AEW Dynamite 01/05/22 Review

This week’s Dynamite was the first episode of the year with three title matches taking place. It was also the debut episode of Dynamite on TBS in the United States.

Before I begin, just a quick note to say that I won’t be doing an AEW 2021 Awards column. I thought about it, but they are really time-consuming to do and I just don’t feel like doing it after doing the WWE Awards every year for 13 years now. Plus, when I mentioned it on Twitter a few times, there wasn’t much response to it, so I figure most people are fine without it.

This is AEW Dynamite episode #118 at the Prudential Center in Newark New Jersey. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

It’s Wednesday night and you know what that means. The pyro went off on the stage with the commentary team of Jim Ross, Excalibur and Tony Schiavone on hand to call the action.

The great “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson made his entrance first as the challenger in the AEW World Championship rematch. Big ovation for the babyface AEW World Champion “Hangman” Adam Page looking ready to go for his second title defense. They had a 60-minute time limit draw on December 15 on Dynamite, so this is the rematch. The wrestlers were in the ring for the championship introductions by ring announcer Justin Roberts. The judges were Paul Wight, Jerry Lynn, and Mark Henry.

AEW World Championship: “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Bryan Danielson

Bryan spent the first few minutes stalling and avoiding Page as much as he could. Page hit a suicide dive on Bryan on the floor. Page wanted a moonsault, Bryan moved and Page slammed Bryan into the ring apron. Bryan was on the other side of the ring, Page went for a suicide dive again, but Bryan moved and Page hit the barricade. That led to Bryan working over the right arm of Page by sending the arm into the ring post and then wrenching on the right arm. Back in the ring, Page got some chops in, but Bryan managed to bend Page’s arm back and Bryan stomped on Page’s arm. Bryan ran the ropes, Page caught him and hit a fallaway slam across the ring. Page with a kip up, then he missed a springboard clothesline when Bryan moved and Page followed with another springboard clothesline to the floor. Page with a slingshot dive over the top onto Bryan on the floor. Back in the ring, Page hit a top rope clothesline for a two count. Bryan sent Page out of the ring, Bryan went for a suicide dive, Page caught Bryan and Page hit a belly to belly suplex on the floor. Page charged towards Bryan, who did a drop toe hold that sent Page into the steel steps. Page did a blade job again like their last match, so he was bleeding from the forehead. They went to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial – Bryan was in control for most of the break as he continued to work on Page’s right arm while also punching a lot to open up the cut on Page’s forehead.)

Bryan delivered headbutts (to his hands) to Page’s head, then Page fought back with chops and Bryan did some more headbutts. Bryan with forearm shots to the head leading to a cross armbreaker. Bryan ran the ropes, Page caught him and hit a Death Valley Driver. Page with a corner clothesline, Bryan went for a German Suplex, Page landed on his feet and Page hit a bridging German Suplex for a two count. Bryan with forearms, then Page with a boot to the face and they fought over a suplex leading to a spot over the top rope doing a suplex into a counter. Bryan shoved Page into the ring post again. The fans chanted “this is awesome” for them. Page overpowered Bryan on the floor with Page driving Bryan into the ring post where he hit Bryan’s shoulder. The referee Paul Turner counted to five, then left the ring and stopped counting, so then Bryan got back. Page headbutted his own hands with Bryan selling it as if he took the headbutts. Bryan rolled to the floor while Page did some jumping jacks to taunt Bryan like Bryan did earlier. They went to a picture in picture break about 19 minutes into the match.

(Commercial)

The match returned with both guys exchanging headbutts. Bryan was bleeding heavily now too, so they were both bleeding a lot. Page gave Bryan a fallaway slam off the top rope for a two count. Bryan knocked Page to the floor, then Bryan jumped onto Page on the floor and Page hit the Deadeye on the floor. Is it more painful on the floor since it’s just Page’s knees hitting the mat and not actually Bryan’s body? I guess it’s the thought that counts. Page wanted a Buckshot Lariat, but Bryan collapsed to the mat to avoid it. Bryan got an inside cradle for two. Bryan applied the LeBell Lock submission, Hangman powered out of it and gave Bryan a catapult over the top to the apron. Page kicked Bryan off the apron to the floor. Page went up top and hit a moonsault on a standing Bryan on the floor. Page wanted the Buckshot Lariat again, Bryan ducked it and Bryan hit the running knee for two.

The fans were going wild. They exchanged headbutts again with the announcers putting them over for a lot of headbutts, but as I alluded to earlier, they were safe headbutts into their own hands. Sometimes guys do them without doing that. Bryan with a roundhouse kick, a rolling elbow and Page avoided a kick. Bryan hit a cradle piledriver for a two count. Excalibur correctly pointed out that Bryan was looking at Jerry Lynn, who used that move as a finisher. Bryan held the arms of Page leading to repeated stomps to the face. Bryan charged again, Page caught him and hit a Powerbomb. Bryan trapped Page in a triangle choke sleeper, Page got out, Bryan with a kneebar submission and Page got out of it with punches to the head. Page hit a backdrop driver dropping Bryan on his head/neck. Page to the apron, Bryan was slow to get up and Page hit a Buckshot Lariat with Bryan doing a flip bump leading to Page getting the pinfall win after 29 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: “Hangman” Adam Page

Analysis: ****1/2 It was the usual great match from these guys. I liked the 60-minute match more, which is why I rated that one five stars and this one is a bit below that. It’s not like 4.5* is bad. That’s an awesome match! They went about half the time of their last match with the same type of physicality since Page bled first, then Bryan bled and they did a lot of headbutts in the match. As I wrote in the writeup of the match, they were safe headbutts where they are headbutting their own hands. Doing it safe is the right way, but it also looks silly since you’re clearly headbutting your own hands, so I don’t think they should have done as many of them as they did. There were fewer nearfalls and near submissions in this match compared to what they did last time in double the time. I assume that was by design because they didn’t do a lot of nearfalls so that when Hangman finally hit his finisher – the Buckshot Lariat, that was it. There was no kick out. I think the right guy won since Page was the champion that has only had the title for about two months, so I figure he’ll get a significant reign with the title. The loss means that Bryan lost a match in AEW for the first time in his career there.

Hangman Page celebrated with the AEW World Title while Bryan was down in the ring. It was Bryan’s first loss in an AEW ring.

MJF was up next.

(Commercial)

The Acclaimed duo of Max Caster and Anthony Bowens did a promo about Darby Allin and Sting. Caster said that they’re going to do a viral video next week. Thrilling.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Captain Shawn Dean

The bell rang to start the match. CM Punk ran out to the ring and MJF left the ring like a coward. Punk kicked Dean in the gut and hit a GTS on Dean. The referee called for the DQ.

Winner by disqualification: Captain Shawn Dean

Analysis: A non-match to further an angle that MJF is scared of Punk.

MJF was mad about the loss while Tony Schiavone was happy about the loss. CM Punk said that this is going to happen every time MJF has a match until he steps into the ring with Punk, you little bitch. MJF ripped on being in New Jersey. Punk said that they are winners while MJF just lost. MJF said that everything that comes out of Punk’s mouth is fake and induces boredom. MJF said that Punk said he was done with this, but he’s back where he started. MJF said that Punk may have the fans convinced that Punk is a big deal, but MJF said that without him, Punk is nothing. MJF said he gives Punk an edge, a chip on the shoulder and he makes Punk relevant. Tony said that was bullshit. MJF claims that Punk sold Tony Khan a bill of goods. MJF said that Punk is not the savior that the people think he is while MJF said that he is.

MJF noted that Punk was mad when MJF mentioned Roddy Piper in the past. MJF noted that Piper was actually talented enough to main event a WrestleMania while Punk was not. That drew a loud “ooohhh” reaction. MJF said if he’s not shown the proper respect around here, maybe he’ll main event a Mania too and Punk laughed about it. Punk said all he’s trying to do is kick MJF’s ass, so he wanted MJF to get in the ring right now. Punk said that MJF ran from him and hid behind FTR. Punk: “Listen pal, if you think the grass is greener on the other side, be my guest, go ahead, leave, main event night four of a buy one, get one free extravaganza and then get released faster than you last in the sack.” The fans loved that, of course. The same fans that are going to watch both nights of WrestleMania in three months. Anyway, Punk said when you come back, Punk will still be there ready to kick his ass. MJF asked the fans if they wanted the match. MJF said that next week it’s going to be CM Punk versus…not MJF…it’s CM Punk vs. Wardlow. MJF left. Punk said that he and Piper would fight anybody at any time, so bring out Wardlow because eventually MJF will run out of people to hide behind and Punk will put him to sleep.

Analysis: It was another strong promo exchange from MJF and Punk with their usual WWE references by talking about WrestleMania. MJF’s insult about Punk not main eventing WrestleMania was funny and then Punk’s retort was funny too. I know CM Punk loves trashing WWE, but he also made millions of dollars there and met his wife there. Anyway, that Punk/MJF match is going to be a very big deal whenever it happens.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from Chris Jericho

The great Chris Jericho made his entrance to a big pop with the crowd singing along with his song “Judas” on the way to the ring. Jericho said it was a historical night since it was the first AEW on TBS so there was a “TBS” chant with Jericho saying that might be the first “TBS” chant in wrestling history. Jericho noted he hadn’t been on TBS since April 7, 1999, on WCW Thunder losing to Booker T with Jericho joking that he thinks he cheated. Jericho said it’s great to be back after the 2.0 jackoffs hit him in the face with a chair and put him down, so it took him a while to come back. Jericho said he didn’t come back to save Eddie Kingston, he came back to get revenge against those 2.0 dipshits.

The 2.0 guys Matt Lee and Jeff Parker went down to the ring with Jericho, who called then “Terrance and Phillip.” Lee said that they gave Jericho a taste of a steel chair. Jericho ripped on Lee for having a square head saying it looks like a Post-It note, a waffle and then there was a “square head” chant. Parker said you can’t call him a square head and Parker is a pinhead. Jericho got the crowd chanting both names. Jericho left the ring, he got a bat and threatened to knock their heads off. Daniel Garcia attacked, Jericho hit him with the bat and then 2.0 got in some cheap shots on Jericho. That lead to Santana, Ortiz and Eddie Kingston making the save, so the heels left. Those three guys are against Garcia and 2.0 on Rampage.

Analysis: I enjoyed the promo work although the square head and pinhead bit went on a bit too long. It was okay as a way to further the feud. Jericho is the leader of the Inner Circle group, yet his Inner Circle guys Jake Hager and Sammy Guevara were nowhere to be found here. I know that it’s not about creating dissension in the group, but logically shouldn’t Jericho’s friends in the group try to help him? At least Santana and Ortiz were there while Kingston is part of the story. Anyway, it should be a good tag team match on Rampage.

A video was shown of Jake Atlas getting a win on AEW Dark Elevation, so he signed with AEW.

Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish did a promo in a locker room. Cole said last week was awesome because they whooped some ass and the boys are back together. Cole said he knows Kyle didn’t mean to kick him in the face. Cole said the Young Bucks came down to make sure they got the win. Cole said they are a supergroup and this is an exciting time. Cole mentioned he’ll face Jake Atlas on Rampage to remind anyone that Cole is still the guy that everyone is talking about. Cole said it’s a New Year and the same Adam Cole…bay bay.

Analysis: A fine promo by Cole. No Young Bucks since Matt Jackson tested positive for COVID as well as Brandon Cutler, so Nick Jackson was a close contact. Hopefully it’s nothing serious and they can all be back soon. Jake Atlas is a talented guy that I liked a lot in NXT, but then WWE gave up on him. The AEW roster has over 100 male wrestlers signed, so it will be hard for people to break through. Some guys in AEW go months without wrestling on TV, so when you keep adding people, it leads to more of that. Good luck to Jake in AEW.

Wardlow made his entrance with Shawn Spears and Wardlow’s graphic lists his nickname as “Mr. Mayhem” as well.

Wardlow vs. Antonio Zambrano

Zambrano left the ring before the bell rang, Spears got a hold of Zambrano on the floor and hit the C4 on the floor. Spears tossed the guy into the ring and the inept referee Rick Knox started the match with the guy laying flat on his stomach in the ring. That’s logical. Wardlow wondered what happened and didn’t seem to like it. Wardlow did his Powerbomb routine with one Powerbomb, so then he did two more much to the delight of the crowd while Spears didn’t like it. Wardlow hit two more Powerbombs so there were five in total and Wardlow pinned with a foot on the chest to win after just over one minute.

Winner by pinfall: Wardlow

Analysis: 1/4* They are clearly going to push Wardlow as a face that breaks free from MJF/Spears and the Pinnacle group. The fans are enjoying Wardlow’s destruction.

(Commercial)

A video was shown of Kris Statlander and Leyla Hirsch having problems on AEW Dark.

The finals of the TBS Championship tournament were up next with Jade Cargill making her entrance first with a record of 22-0. Ruby Soho was up next as the other finalist in the tournament with a 10-2 record. The new TBS Championship was up for grabs.

TBS Championship Tournament Finals: Jade Cargill (w/Smart Mark Sterling) vs. Ruby Soho

Ruby sent Jade out of the ring, kick to the chest and Ruby hit a dropkick off the apron to Jade on the floor. Back in the ring, Jade stomped on Ruby to keep her down. Jade with a weak looking double axhandle off the middle rope. Jade took too long going to the middle rope again, so Ruby hit an armdrag takedown. The new signed Mercedes Martinez went to ringside, so Thunder Rosa showed up to brawl with her. AEW loves random ringside brawling. When Ruby did the armdrag, she sold it like she hurt herself and was selling a left shoulder injury. They went to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

Jade went for a corner splash, Ruby avoided it and hit three running kicks to the head. Ruby with a knee, kick to the body and an enziguri kick to the head. Ruby with a trip into a slam. Ruby charged, Jade caught her and hit a shoulderbreaker. Jade hit a pump kick to the face for two. Ruby with an elbow to the face, Jade held on during a suplex attempt and then Ruby hit a belly to back suplex for two. Sterling on the apron to argue with the referee Aubrey Edwards, so Edwards ejected Sterling. Ruby was watching that, Jade picked her up and Ruby got a rollup for two. Ruby hit the No Future kick for a two count. That is what Ruby uses as a finisher for most of her matches. Ruby was able to counter Jade moves a few times. Ruby went for an arm drag off the ropes, but Jade caught her and Jade hit the Jaded slam off the middle ropes for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Jade Cargill

Analysis: *3/4 A decisive win for Jade that was longer than I thought it might be. Ruby is good, but it’s tough to carry Jade to a great match at this point in Jade’s career. Jade has to learn to sell things better. I liked the nearfall for Ruby late in the match. They needed more drama like that to make the match more interesting. Jade is still learning in the ring and it shows when you try to put her in a match that goes over ten minutes. The finisher did look impressive.

Jade Cargill celebrated with the TBS Championship. They showed Jade’s daughter and boyfriend Brandon Phillips, who they did not mention, but he’s a famous MLB player. Good for Jade and the family.

Serena Deeb Interview

Serena Deeb was interviewed by Jim Ross earlier in the day. Serena said it was about respect at the start, but Hikaru Shida didn’t treat her with respect. Serena said this is now about hurting her and claiming her spot at the top of the division. Serena asked if any woman on this roster is on her level, Jim said no and Serena said that’s right. Serena said she has a PhD in this shit and has paid enough dues for everybody in this locker room. Serena said she demanded a match against Shida and she’ll take 17 years of frustrations out on Shida’s ass to the point that she won’t be able to walk out on her own.

Analysis: I like heel Serena. One of the issues with the women’s division in AEW is that you see a woman wrestle on TV one week and then their next match might not be until four or five weeks after that. If they featured the women more frequently, I think the fans would care more about the matches/feuds that they are in.

Malakai Black entered with a record of 7-1 in his AEW career. The lights were off during his entrance. They were off and on a few times. Brian Pillman Jr. entered with Julia Hart, who had an eyepatch on since Black sprayed the evil black mist in her eyes about a month ago.

Malakai Black vs. Brian Pillman Jr.

Black went for a spin kick early, Pillman avoided it and Pillman hit a dropkick. Black did a backflip off the middle rope, Pillman threw him out of the ring and Pillman hit a dropkick into the barricade.

(Commercial)

Black knocked Pillman down with a kick to the head. Pillman came back with a punch, a forearm, a clothesline and Black with a kick, but Pillman hit a chop. Pillman hit a Jackhammer slam for a two count. Hart was looking sad at ringside. Pillman went for a springboard attack, then did it like he slipped and Black hit a spinning Black Mass kick to the head for the pinfall win by Black putting his knee across the chest after about six minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Malakai Black

Analysis: *1/2 Easy win for Black as expected. They got six minutes and three of it was picture in picture. If they went to break before the match, they could have shown the whole thing instead of just half the match.

Post match, Black went into the ring and Julia Hart was scared. Lucha Brothers appeared with the AEW Tag Team Titles since Black took out their buddy Pac. The lights went out, then they came back on with Black on the ramp while Lucha Brothers were in the ring. That was it.

Ruby Soho was about to be interviewed by Tony Schiavone, but then Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. showed up to trash talk her. Ruby told Baker to prepare for her match against Riho on Saturday and leave Ruby alone. Baker punched Soho, Riho with the save and that led to officials breaking it up.

Analysis: AEW loves booking interviews that are immediately interrupted. Just another one of those to further stories.

This Friday on AEW Rampage:

* Adam Cole vs. Jake Atlas

* No DQ, No Rules, No Holds Barred: Daniel Garcia & 2.0 vs. Eddie Kingston, Santana & Ortiz

* Hook vs. Aaron Solo. A promo aired from QT Marshall and Aaron Solo with Marshall claiming Hook learned everything from him at his school. Easy win for Hook.

* Britt Baker & Jamie Hayter vs. Riho & Ruby Soho

This Saturday on AEW Battle of the Belts:

* Britt Baker defends the AEW Women’s Title vs. Ruby Soho

* Cody Rhodes defends the AEW Championship vs. Sammy Guevara

Next Wednesday on AEW Dynamite:

* CM Punk vs. Wardlow

* Hikaru vs. Serena Deeb

* Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Dante Martin

The main event Tag Team Title match was up next.

(Commercial)

The Jurassic Express team of Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus entered with their buddy Christian Cage for this title match. This team was 13-3 in 2021 and get a title shot since they were the number one ranked tag team. Lucha Brothers entered as the champions with a 15-1 record in 2021.

AEW Tag Team Championships: Lucha Brothers – Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix (w/Alex Abrahantes) vs. Jurassic Express – Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus (w/Christian Cage)

Fenix and Boy started off with hands locked while Boy got a hurricanrana and Fenix got a sunset flip pin for two. Fenix with a running dropkick on Boy. Penta tagged in, Boy broke free and Luchasaurus tagged in leading to boots to the face by Penta and Luchasaurus. Penta did his glove taunt, then some chops to the chest and Luchasaurus chopped Penta. Fenix and Boy in illegally, they held hands, then they went to the ropes, then all four guys held hands leading to some bullshit backflips into arm drags. Penta kicked Boy in the head and Luchasaurus hit a double clothesline. I think it was about 45 seconds of four guys in the ring, so two of them were illegal, but it’s AEW so you expect it even while JR criticizes it and says two guys should leave the ring. Luchasaurus with a German Suplex, Penta with a kick to the back, Boy tagged back in and Boy fought off against both guys that were in the ring leading to a headscissors. Penta sent Boy to the apron where Fenix walked the top rope leading to a kick to the face. Two guys allowed to double team one guy for a minute straight should get the advantage.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Boy trying to fight for a tag, then he hit a huge clothesline on Fenix and broke free from Penta, so Luchasaurus tagged in. Luchasaurus with a double shoulder tackle, a kick and clothesline. Luchasaurus hit repeated corner splashes followed by a double clothesline. Penta and Fenix worked over Luchasaurus with multiple superkicks. JR criticized the refereeing again (thanks Jim) saying Bryce Remsburg was being lenient for letting the double-teaming continue. Penta and Fenix did a double team move with a spinning slam where Fenix landed on Luchasaurus for a two count. Lucha Bros went for another double team move, then Luchasaurus did a headscissors to send Fenix into the mat and Boy grabbed Penta’s leg. Boy was on the top, he jumped over Luchasaurus and gave Fenix a Canadian Destroyer. That was impressive! Luchasaurus got a powerslam on Penta for a two count. Boy tagged in as if being a legal man matters, Penta with superkicks on both opponents and Fenix jumped off the top where he hit a Canadian Destroyer on Luchasaurus. Penta hit the Made in Japan slam on Boy for a two count. The fans applauded because they liked that action. Lucha Bros went for a double team move, but the lights went out. Boy went to the apron, so Lucha Bros tried a double team move, Luchasaurus was up, Penta kicked Luchasaurus and Fenix kicked Luchasaurus off the apron. Luchasaurus was standing right beside Boy while Penta was setting up for a move, but Luchasaurus had to wait for a spot as Fenix hit a spinning dive over the top on Luchasaurus. Logically it looks bad, but it’s a hell of a move. Penta with a piledriver on Boy off the ropes while on the ring apron. The continued double teaming led to Penta holding Boy for the Fear Factor while Fenix jumped off with a double foot stomp for two. They have won a lot of matches with that move in the past. Alex Abrahantes grabbed the table that was at ringside and set it up beside the ring. Christian Cage went after Alex, so Alex ran away. The legal guys were Penta and Boy as if it matters. Boy and Fenix fought on the apron by the table. Penta kicked Luchasaurus twice, then headbutt by Luchasaurus put Penta down. Fenix jumped over the top to the apron, Luchasaurus grabbed him and gave him a Chokeslam through the table! Fenix’s left arm landed badly and looked like it was broken. You could see Fenix pointing at his arm looking for help right away. The replay of it looked nasty. The announcers didn’t mention the arm injury at all while Dr. Sampson checked on Fenix. Boy went for a Killswitch on Penta, but Penta fought it off and Boy countered a Made in Japan move for a forward roll where Boy sat on top for the pinfall win after 14 minutes.

Winners by pinfall AND NEW AEW Tag Team Champions: Jurassic Express – Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus

Analysis: ***3/4 A very good match as expected here between some exciting tag teams. The fans were into this matchup between these babyface teams. The bad part of the match was Fenix getting put through that table and looking like he broke his arm. That’s the risk that happens when you do a spot like that. There were a lot of four guys in the ring stuff to get some spots in (even JR criticizes it while the other two guys completely ignore it), but that’s typical in AEW as we know. I don’t know what the lights going out during the end of the match means whether it’s an Aleister Black thing or maybe they’re bringing in the former Bray Wyatt soon and he has the power to turn off the lights. It was a weird spot at the end of this match. The last couple of minutes of action were excellent with a clever finish that saw Boy counter a move leading to a rollup sitting on top to win. That was a cool way to end it in a close way to show that it was tough to beat the Lucha Bros, but they found a way to do it.

The crowd popped for Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus getting the win. Jungle Boy’s mom and sister were looking on from ringside while his late father Luke Perry would likely be very proud. Christian Cage hugged his buddies after the win.

Analysis: I think there are some people that thought maybe Christian would turn on Boy/Luchasaurus to cost them the chance to win the titles. I think a turn’s coming, but maybe Christian will turn to cost them the titles.

There were still a few minutes left in the show so Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus & Christian continued to celebrate while Jungle Boy’s music played. There were AEW tag teams that showed up on the stage to watch the celebration to show how deep the tag team division is. They showed guys like Chris Jericho, Malakai Black, Santana, Ortiz sitting in skybox seats. Christian hugged Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus in the ring.

Analysis: I’m happy for Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy winning the titles. They’re a good team that are very popular with the crowd. I wrote months ago that they needed to be used better. They finally started getting more of a push as a team and now they won the titles. AEW has so many tag teams, so they should be giving title runs to some of them. I understand liking long title runs and we know AEW does that with other champions, but I think with the Tag Team Titles, it wouldn’t hurt to have teams holding the titles for 3-5 months instead of going over six months. I like the Lucha Brothers a lot. I don’t think they’ll be hurt too much by losing here. As I said, I’m happy for the new champions.

Three Stars of the Show

1. “Hangman” Adam Page
2. Bryan Danielson
3. Jungle Boy/Luchasaurus and Lucha Brothers

The Scoreboard

This Week: 7.5 out of 10

Last Week: 7

Final Thoughts

The opening match was outstanding and one of the best AEW TV matches ever, so that’s what I’ll remember about this show. Hangman Page and Bryan Danielson are incredible matches, so they’re always going to deliver when they get 30 minutes like they did here. Some people probably liked this match more than the 60-minute match, which is fine.

I liked the main event, but it was not necessarily a classic match. It was still very good. The CM Punk/Miz promo was strong as usual. The rest of the show was mostly average stuff with some hit/miss content.

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Thanks for reading. Go Los Angeles Rams, Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs. You can contact me using any of the methods below.

John Canton

Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter: @johnreport