The John Report: AEW Dynamite 04/13/22 Review

This week’s AEW Dynamite featured Samoa Joe vs. Minoru Suzuki in the main event, CM Punk facing Penta Oscuro for the first time ever, the AEW Tag Team Titles were on the line and more.

This is AEW Dynamite episode #133 at the UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

It’s Wednesday night and you know what that means. The commentary team of Jim Ross, Excalibur and Tony Schiavone welcomed us to the show.

It was Clobberin’ Time as CM Punk made his entrance to a big pop. Penta Oscuro was up next as Punk’s opponent for this first time ever matchup. Cool entrance for Penta as this darker character with a shovel on his way to the ring.

Penta Oscuro vs. CM Punk

The crowd was chanting for both guys as the wrestlers shoved eachother a few times. Punk wit ha chop, Penta with a chop, then they exchanged forearms and more chops from both guys. It turned into a slugfest as they exchanged punches and Penta hit a standing side kick. Punk with a spinning kick to the gut, then a flip off the ropes leading to a hiptoss across the ring. Punk delivered chops, then he wanted a GTS and Penta slipped out of it leading to an Ankle Lock submission. Punk used his momentum to send Penta into the turnbuckle. Penta hit the Slingblade neckbreaker two times in a row. The fans were chanting for both guys again as Penta kicked Punk’s leg and tossed Punk out of the ring. Penta ran the ropes going for an attack on the floor, Punk avoided it and Penta had to stay there so that Punk could hit his own suicide dive to knock Penta down. They went to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

They battled by the turnbuckle with Penta delivering a jumping kick to the head. Excalibur shouted about how this could have an effect on the top five rankings even though it’s obvious Punk is going to win this match. Punk went for a move off the ropes, but then Punk slipped off the ropes while favoring the left knee. Penta sent Punk across the ring leading to Punk collapsing while selling the left knee injury. They went back up to the top turnbuckle again and this time Punk hit the top rope hurricanrana. I think the slip earlier was an accident. Punk hit a running knee in the corner, Penta elbowed him down and Penta tried pulling on the arm with a submission. Punk countered Penta, flipped him over and applied the Anaconda Vice submission on the head/arm of Penta, but Penta managed to get his foot on the rope to break the hold. They were both on the apron where they exchanged holds, Penta with a kick to the gut and Penta wanted a move on the apron. Punk countered that, Punk wanted a piledriver, Penta got out of it and Punk kicked Penta in the head to knock Penta back in the ring. Punk hit a springboard clothesline along with another corner knee and a clothesline. Punk signaled for the GTS, Punk lifted Penta on his shoulders and Penta blocked the knee strike. Penta came back with an enziguri kick to the head. Penta pulled back on the arm in a submission, Punk countered into a pin and Penta got a pin for two. Penta hit a superkick, Penta went for a jump off the ropes, Punk caught him and Punk hit a GTS knee to the face for the pinfall win after 14 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: CM Punk

Analysis: ***3/4 A great match that was very even the whole way. The hot crowd helped a lot because Punk was fired up because of their energy. That spot with Punk slipping on the ropes could have been bad, but they got through it and Punk sold the left knee for at least a few minutes before he forgot to sell it towards the finish. Lots of counters throughout the match as well. As I wrote in the play-by-play, CM Punk winning was the obvious result since he wins nearly every match while Pentagon is not being pushed that much.

Punk celebrated the win. They keep talking about Punk’s quest for the AEW World Title since he doesn’t have a current feud.

Analysis: I think we’ll see Punk against Adam Page at Double or Nothing next month. It’s just a matter of when they announce it and how Punk earns the title shot.

Chris Jericho was shown arriving at the airport in a private plane with Jake Hager and Daniel Garcia with Jericho saying this is how sports entertainers travel. The other two guys in the group were beaten up by Eddie Kingston, Santana & Ortiz, who drove away in a car.

The ReDRagon duo of Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish entered for tag team action with a 1-1 record. They talk so much about the top five rankings, yet this team isn’t ranked and get a title shot because the champions granted them a shot, I guess. Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy were up next with Christian Cage giving them some encouragement.

AEW Tag Team Championships: Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus vs. ReDRagon (Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish)

Boy with a shoulder tackle, Fish came back with a knee and a forearm to knock Boy down. Luchasaurus tagged in with a hiptoss on Kyle along with a boot to Fish. Luchasaurus worked over Kyle with punches, Kyle avoided a boot and Kyle wrenched the knee against the top rope. Fish with a leg whip while on the floor to send Luchasaurus into the barricade. Back in the ring, Kyle with a kick to the leg and a kneebar submission. Fish tagged in with a senton on Luchasaurus. Kyle ran right into a big knee from Luchasaurus. Boy tagged in, he slammed Fish, Kyle with a knee to the ribs and Boy sent Kyle out of the ring. Boy hit suicide dives on both opponents on the floor. Kyle and Fish moved to avoid another dive, so Luchasaurus hit a moonsault off the apron onto Kyle on the floor. Boy hit a somersault dive over the top onto Fish. Boy barely touched him. The challengers did some referee distraction manipulation leading to Fish doing an arm wringer while on the apron to take down Boy on the floor. They went to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

Kyle was in control of Boy, who was the face in peril. Boy broke free of an armbar, then he brought in Luchasaurus and the big dinosaur dude cleaned house. Luchasaurus hit running back splashes on both guys, then he avoided Kyle’s boot, so Kyle kicked Fish by mistake. Luchasaurus hit a German Suplex, a spin kick and a double clothesline. Luchasaurus hit a double chokeslam followed by a standing moonsault for a two count. I think both guys on ReDRagon were in the ring for about 45 seconds straight without a tag. What’s the point of having rules? Anyway, Kyle did a cheap shot on Luchasaurus to the back of the leg, then Fish went after Luchasaurus too and Boy superkicked Kyle. Luchasaurus held Fish in his arms while Boy jumped off the top with an elbow drop, so it was a sidewalk slam/elbow drop combo. Kyle made a tag leading to a butterfly suplex, then a double DDT and a German Suplex across the ring. Kyle applied an armbar to Boy, who got his right foot on the bottom rope to break free. Luchasaurus kicked Fish off the apron, then all four guys were in the ring as Fish hit a superplex on Boy while Kyle trapped Luchasaurus in a dragon sleeper until Luchasaurus slammed Kyle onto Fish to break up the pin. The fans gave a big ovation. All four guys were still in the ring (what rules?) as Luchasaurus and Kyle exchanged strikes. They all did a bunch of moves, Boy did a DDT on Kyle, Luchasaurus hit a spin kick to the head and Luchasaurus lifted Fish into the air so that Boy could hit the Thoracic Express move that’s a Powerbomb for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus

Analysis: **** Excellent tag team match with the champs finding a way to win again. Luchasaurus continues to impress with the power moves along with this athleticism. Sometimes Jungle Boy stands out more than he did in this match. Fish and Kyle are technically sound. I liked most of the match except for the parts where they spent several minutes just doing double team moves without leaving the ring. When Kyle and Bobby were in NXT their matches weren’t like that, but AEW relies on “spamming double team moves” as the younger fans say.

After the match, Kyle went into the ring with a steel chair and he hit Luchasaurus in the back with the chair. Kyle also hit Jungle Boy with a chair. While Kyle and Fish were in the aisle, FTR appeared with their two sets of tag team titles and taunted Fish/Kyle. The camera cut away quickly. The crowd was strongly behind FTR.

Analysis: It’s weird how FTR are clearly a babyface tag team now, yet they are part of The Pinnacle stable, which is almost never together on screen anymore. Weird booking. I think FTR might win the titles from Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus at Double or Nothing. Just a hunch on my part.

The Blackpool Combat Club was interviewed with Bryan Danielson, Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta with William Regal standing by. They are in a trios match against Gunn Club, who are undefeated as a trio, which sounds comical to me. Anyway, Mox and Bryan spoke a bit while Yuta said the real work begins.

MJF’s in action after the break.

(Commercial)

Jamie Hayter and Toni Storm were interviewed Tony Schiavone. Hayter talked about how they had similar paths in their career and Hayter said she’s going to break her face. Storm walked away without saying anything.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman made his entrance with Shawn Spears by his side.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Captain Shawn Dean

MJF had an issue taking off his jacket, but it was all a ruse because it led to MJF hitting Dean with a forearm to the back. The fans booed when they realized it. I love how gullible “smart” fans are. Anyway, MJF flipped Dean upside down into the turnbuckle. There was a backstage shot of security guys laying on the floor as if they were taken out and fans chanted “Wardlow” for it. MJF whipped Dean into the barricade as fans chanted “We Want Wardlow” and MJF posed by the barricade where Wardlow walked up to him. Wardlow had a mask on his face at first. It was such an obvious spot. Anyway, MJF ran away from Wardlow, who chased MJF onto the ramp. Spears hit Wardlow with a chair to the back, Wardlow no sold it and security guys ran out there, so Wardlow beat them up. Wardlow Powerbombed a guy onto the ramp. The referee took a long time to start counting, MJF grabbed the microphone and the referee was at nine, but MJF said he’ll triple what the referee Bryce Remsburg is paid by Tony Khan. The referee finished the count to ten. It went about three minutes.

Winner by countout: Captain Shawn Dean

Analysis: 1/2* A rare countout finish in AEW. It took the referee about a minute to even start counting, which is bad refereeing, but it’s common in AEW. It was more of an angle than a match to put over the Wardlow/MJF story. The angle is clearly working with the fans rallying behind Wardlow.

After the match, MJF shoved the referee Remsburg and Bryce shoved him back.

Wardlow was shown backstage beating up security guys again. Wardlow said he’s not going to stop until MJF releases him from his contract.

Analysis: There’s a big match whenever they pull the trigger on it with MJF facing Wardlow with Wardlow’s freedom on the line.

Darby Allin was shown on his skateboard late at night somewhere. Allin said Andrade’s name while adding that he’s going to put a nail in this whole thing. Allin said it will be a Coffin Match.

Analysis: That feud is still going on? I guess so. It feels like Andrade loses every match while leading a stable of losers.

There’s a six-man tag team match up next.

(Commercial)

Malakai Black did one of his promos about killing souls. He said a lot of words that I didn’t pay attention to. Black said he wanted you to be afraid of the shadows.

Analysis: He still works there? Okay. I forgot. They barely use him. This guy should be one of the top singles wrestlers in AEW. Instead, he barely does anything with the House of Black group that isn’t pushed much.

The Jericho Appreciation Society trio of Chris Jericho, Jake Hager and Daniel Garcia made their entrance. The fans sang along with “Judas” as usual for all of Jericho’s matches. The babyface trio of Eddie Kingston, Santana & Ortiz were up next as the opponents.

Eddie Kingston, Santana & Ortiz vs. Chris Jericho, Jake Hager & Daniel Garcia

Jericho gave a middle finger to the fans to start the match. Santana punched Jericho repeatedly followed by a kick to stop a running Jericho. Santana and Jericho had a chop fest, Santana tackled Jericho and punched him a few times. Kingston and Ortiz went after the other guys outside the ring, but Hager sent Ortiz into the barricade. Back in the ring, Santana hit a back elbow on Jericho. The face team had three guys in the ring for some reason as they each took turns hitting Jericho with moves including Kingston with a legsweep on Jericho. Kingston attacked Garcia while on the apron. Hager tagged in with a launch into the air leading to Ortiz hitting the mat hard. Ortiz got a sunset flip, Hager came back with a clothesline and a powerslam. Garcia tagged in with punches on Ortiz. Jericho with a belly to back suplex on Ortiz leading to a cocky pin attempt for two. That led to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

Jericho was still in control of Ortiz with a dropkick. Jericho went for a Lionsault, Ortiz moved out of the way and Ortiz hit Jericho with a clothesline. Garcia prevented a tag by hitting a double axhandle on Ortiz and then Ortiz broke free with Kingston getting the hot tag. Kingston with punches, a jumping kick, a knee to the ribs and a double underhook suplex across the ring. Santana gave Garcia the three rolling vertical suplexes aka the Three Amigos tribute to Eddie Guerrero. Santana went up top and he hit a Frog Splash like Eddie for a two count. Santana with a spinning slam, Ortiz tagged in and hit a leg drop off the middle rope. Kingston knocked Hager out of the ring and Eddie hit a suicide dive on Hager. Santana jumped onto Hager on the floor. Matt Minard and Angelo Parker ran out there, so Ortiz hit a dive on them. Kingston tagged in against Garcia with Eddie delivering punches, an Exploder Suplex and Jericho hit Kingston in the back with a baseball bat while Garcia distracted the referee. Garcia covered Kingston for the pinfall win. It went about 12 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Chris Jericho, Jake Hager & Daniel Garcia

Analysis: *** A solid tag team match, but nothing that special about it. The tag match earlier in the show was better. These guys would probably have a better match if it was a Tornado Tag where weapons were allowed, but they tried to do a regular tag team match instead. Speaking of weapons, all it took was one bat shot to Kingston’s back for the heels to win. It was a bit of a flat ending, but I get what they were going for by trying to make it look cheap like that. There will probably be that Street Fight rematch soon.

Post match, the Jericho Appreciation Society was in control against the three opponents, so it was a 5-on-3 situation. Jericho hit a Judas Effect elbow on Ortiz. Jericho’s group celebration.

Analysis: A familiar sight as the heels continue to dominate in this story while the babyfaces apparently have no friends interested in helping.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman was interviewed by Alex Marvez leading to MJF yelling about how he’s the pinnacle of professional wrestling. Smart Mark Sterling was there to read a contract saying MJF can put Wardlow in a match. MJF handed Jose the Assistant some money and MJF said The Butcher will face Wardlow. The Butcher made angry faces at the camera.

Marina Shafir vs. Skye Blue

Shafir used her power to catch Blue and slam her down. Jade Cargill was watching on a TV backstage while there was a shot of Red Velvet and Kiera Hogan are part of Jade’s “Baddie Section” in the crowd. Shafir with an overhead suplex. Blue went for a kick, Shafir blocked it and did a palm strike. Shafir did a takedown leading to an armbar. Blue tapped out to give Marina the win. It went just under three minutes.

Winner by submission: Marina Shafir

Analysis: * An easy win for Shafir, who looked dominant. The crowd didn’t care much. I don’t really blame them. I feel bad for the women’s division in AEW since they seem overcrowded and rarely get TV time compared to the guys.

Hook was shown for an interview earlier today with Lexy Nair there to ask Hook how he was doing. Smart Mark Sterling walked into the picture with Tony Nese, who ripped on Hook a bit, Hook stared at them and they left. Danhausen tried to curse Hook, but that didn’t work again. Oh no. The horror.

There is another tag team match after a break.

(Commercial)

The Men of the Year group consisting of TNT Champion Scorpio Sky, Ethan Page and Dan Lambert did a promo. They mocked Sammy Guevara for getting booed by the fans. They ripped on Sammy Guevara and Tay Conti with Sky saying that the only thing getting bigger at Battle of the Belts 2 is his winning streak.

The team of Powerhouse Hobbs and FTW Champion Ricky Starks made their entrance to cheers because Starks is from the New Orleans area. They are heels, but this is Ricky’s first time in New Orleans with AEW, so he got a big pop. Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee were the opponents. This story has been built up on Rampage mostly over the last month or two.

Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland vs. Ricky Starks & Powerhouse Hobbs

Hobbs ran over Swerve with a shoulder tackle followed by a fallaway slam while Hobbs stared at Lee. Starks hit a running shoulder tackle on Swerve to knock him down. Swerve got a headscissors followed by a dropkick. Lee tagged in for the first time with a hard double chop on Starks. Hobbs went into the ring illegally, Lee threw him out and Lee threw Starks out as well. Swerve got the tag, he jumped off Lee’s chest and hit a moonsault onto the two guys that were standing on the floor. Big pop for that. It was an impressive spot leading to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Swerve breaking free with a dropkick on Hobbs. Lee tagged in with two shoulder tackles on Starks, then he tossed Starks into the corner and Hobbs went after Lee from behind. Starks with a knee on Lee, then Lee got a hold of Starks and tossed him onto Hobbs across the ring. Swerve tagged in for a double team forearm/kick on Starks for a two count. Starks with a hiptoss across the ring, Swerve kicked Starks while on the apron and Swerve sent Starks back into the ring. Swerve tripped up Hobbs on the apron, then Swerve went for a move, but Starks hit a Spear to stop him. Starks hit a Destroyer DDT instead of a piledriver and that was a two count. Cool spot. Lee tagged in, Swerve tossed Starks off the top and Lee ran the ropes with a shoulder tackle on Starks. Hobbs made the save, so he got in Lee’s face and the referee made Hobbs leave the ring. A referee in AEW enforcing rules? Crazy. Anyway, Starks kicked Lee and tagged in Hobbs while Taz walked out there to support his guys Starks and Hobbs. Lee punched Hobbs to knock him down. Swerve was on the top rope, Hobbs knocked him down and then Swerve sent Hobbs into the ring post. Starks wanted a Tornado DDT on Lee, but Lee stopped it and Starks managed to hit a Spear off the middle ropes. Swerve hit a 450 Splash on Swerve to break up a pin attempt. Hobbs with a running splash on Swerve in the corner. Lee elbowed Hobbs to stun him a bit, the referee was looking at Starks in the corner even though he wasn’t legal, which tells you there’s interference coming and there was Taz with a trip on Lee, so that led to Hobbs hitting a huge spinebuster on Lee. Hobbs covered Lee for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Ricky Starks & Powerhouse Hobbs

Analysis: ***1/2 Fun match with a cheap finish for the heels even though Starks was cheered due to being in his hometown. It sucks for Lee that he lost instead of getting a big push from the moment he got in AEW, but everybody can’t win every match. The same goes for Swerve. These four guys are about the same level in terms of where they are and I’d like to see Starks getting pushed more. Hobbs is the same thing. Anyway, they did a nice job in this match.

It was time for Excalibur’s fast talking rundown of things coming up.

AEW Rampage is live on Friday at 7pm ET instead of 10pm ET on TNT in the US:

* AEW World Championship Texas Death Match: Adam Page defends the title vs. Adam Cole. I think that should be a Page win.

* Gunn Club (Billy, Austin & Colten Gunn) vs. Blackpool Combat Club (Bryan Danielson, Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta). A win for BCC.

* Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Qualifier Tournament: Ruby Soho vs. Robyn Renegade. I don’t remember Ruby’s last time in a match on TV, so I’m glad she’s got a TV match.

This Saturday it’s Battle of the Belts 2 on TNT at 8pm ET:

* TNT Championship: Scorpio Sky (c) vs. Sammy Guevara.

* Ring of Honor World Championship: Jonathan Gresham (c) vs. Dalton Castle.

* AEW Women’s Championship: Thunder Rosa (c) vs. Nyla Rose.

Thunder Rosa, the AEW Women’s Champion, was interviewed by Tony Schiavone. They were interrupted by Nyla Rose, who had a cake for her. They went over their rehearsed trash talking lines and Rosa shoved the cake into Rose’s face. Rose punched Vickie by accident went Thunder moved. Rose whipped Rosa into some equipment boxes until it was broken up. I guess that’s supposed to make me care more about the match.

Next Wednesday on AEW Dynamite:

* Wardlow vs. The Butcher. A win for Wardlow.

* Hook’s Dynamite debut.

* Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Qualifier Tournament: Dr. Britt Baker vs. Danielle Kamela. Easy win for Britt.

* Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Qualifier Tournament: Jungle Boy vs. Kyle O’Reilly.

* Coffin Match: Darby Allin vs. Andrade El Idolo.

* Tony Khan will have a huge announcement. Doesn’t he do those every other week? I don’t know what it is, but lots of guessing it’s about the AEW video game coming this summer.

The main event between Suzuki and Joe was up next.

(Commercial)

A video aired about “Hangman” Adam Page defending the AEW World Title against Adam Cole this Friday in a Texas Death Match. Cole said he wasn’t scared. Page said he’ll rip Cole limb from limb and make him swallow his own blood. Cole said that he’ll look himself in the mirror to say that the AEW Champion is here…bay bay. I’ll pick Page there.

Samoa Joe made his entrance as the challenger in this title match. Ring of Honor’s Bobby Cruise was brought to the show to be the ring announcer. They showed Jay Lethal and Sonjay Dutt at ringside to cheer on Joe, who Lethal is feuding with. Minoru Suzuki, the Japanese wrestling legend, entered as the ROH TV Champion. The crowd cheered for both guys. This was Suzuki’s first match in AEW this year.

ROH Television Championship: Minoru Suzuki vs. Samoa Joe

It started out as a chop fest, which was expected. Joe had the size advantage, but Suzuki was ready for it and they continued chopping eachother repeatedly. Joe with a hard chop, Suzuki with a hard chop, they did some punches that had no effect and more chops. After over a minute of chops, Suzuki urged on the fans to cheer more leading to more chops. Joe delivered some rapid-fire chops, Suzuki worked over Joe with several more hard chops. Joe staggered Suzuki with a forearm, then Suzuki fired back and they did more forearms. There was finally a bump after Suzuki ran the ropes and Joe ran him over with a shoulder tackle. Suzuki wrenched on Joe’s arm against the top rope. They went to a picture in picture break.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Joe in control of Suzuki on the mat with a crossface. Suzuki broke free, sent Joe into the ropes and then Suzuki kicked Joe in the chest. Suzuki teased a piledriver, then he said no and wanted another chop fest, so then they exchanged lots of chops. Suzuki ducked a chop attempt and went for a sleeper, but Joe hit a sidewalk slam to get out of it. Suzuki hit a running dropkick. Suzuki tried a piledriver, Joe got out of it and Joe backed Suzuki into the corner. Joe with a jumping kick to the head. Suzuki went for an armbar, Joe broke free and hit him with a forearm. Joe hooked up the Muscle Buster out of the corner, Joe hit it and covered Suzuki for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW ROH TV Champion: Samoa Joe

Analysis: ***1/4 It was a very physical match with a lot of chops. It was probably too many chops, but the fans respond to them well, so I understand why wrestlers do so many chops. It wasn’t a match where they went for a lot of nearfalls or submissions. This was more about wearing down your opponent until Joe was able to hook Suzuki up and hit the Muscle Buster for the win. I get what they were going for, but I wouldn’t call it some epic match the way Suzuki/Danielson was last year in AEW.

Samoa Joe was the new ROH TV Champion. Jay Lethal was at ringside with Sonjay Dutt with Jay holding a special present Joe is going to appreciate. There was a box, they opened it up and it was Jay giving Joe a middle finger. Ouch. So mean.

The lights went out in the building, which meant some big surprise and then the lights came on to reveal it was…Satnam Singh making his AEW debut. Who? He was an NBA draft pick that is 7’3” and he had been training in AEW. Singh hit Joe with a weak-looking clothesline. Tony tried to put him over for working out at AEW’s training facility. Singh lightly threw Joe into the steel steps. Jay Lethal was in the ring with Joe, who choked Lethal and then Sing grabbed Joe by the head while Lethal/Dutt kicked Joe. Lethal hit the Lethal Injection on Joe and put the ROH TV Title on Joe. The trio of Lethal, Singh and Dutt posed over Joe. Nobody helped Joe. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: A poor ending to the show that a lot of fans seemed to hate with good reason. AEW is not the kind of company that wants the gimmicky tall guys. They want hard-hitting in-ring action and bringing in a guy like this isn’t going to sit well with the fans. It’s not like we’re going to expect great matches out of Satnam Singh after watching some of the guys that AEW has on its roster. I’m having Great Khali flashbacks and that’s not a good thing. They even had Singh do the head squeezing thing that Khali used to do. I get why they would like a bigger guy like that. I just don’t know if the hardcore AEW fanbase is going to embrace a guy like that. Also, nobody trying to help Joe at the end makes him look like a loner with no friends. Get some people out there to try to save Joe and take some bumps. I understand wanting to get the new guy over, though.

This is a bonus post-show video that AEW posted on their youtube channel as well.

Three Stars of the Show

1. Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus

2. CM Punk

3. (tie) Ricky Starks & Powerhouse Hobbs

3. (tie) Penta Oscuro

The Scoreboard

This Week: 8 out of 10

Last Week: 8.5

Final Thoughts

I thought it was a great show full of awesome matches. While I wouldn’t rank a match at the same level as FTR/Young Bucks last week, there were consistently good matches all night long.

It was mostly about the matches with only a few promos to set up future matches and advance some stories. The three tag team matches were good with the Tag Team Title match standing out the most. I enjoyed Punk/Penta in the opener and the chopfest that was Joe/Suzuki in the main event. The ending of the show was flat with a big man Satnam Singh making his debut and it didn’t look that impressive. The lone women’s match was poor as AEW continues to treat the women’s division as an afterthought most weeks.

They continue to do a great job with the Wardlow/MJF story. I think the rare countout they booked could have been done better, but they have done a terrific job of making Wardlow a babyface that the fans are going to want to root for when he finally gets his hands on MJF some day. There was definitely good than bad. Another strong episode of AEW Dynamite.

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

John Canton

Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter: @johnreport