Reviews

The John Report: AEW Dynamite 06/17/20 Review

By John Canton • Published 18th June 2020
TJR Wrestling

Welcome to the AEW Dynamite review on TJRWrestling. This is episode #38 of AEW Dynamite from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, FL. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Thanks to Melo Man for the banner up top. Here’s my AEW Dynamite TV review archive.

The show began with the regular Dynamite intro video. This episode was taped last Thursday. There was pyro along with shots of the crowd full of AEW wrestlers and personnel.

It begins with action right away with the AEW Tag Team Titles on the line. The announcers are Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone and Excalibur as usual. Ring announcer did the introductions for the opening match. The ring was surrounded by wrestlers around the ring and also some AEW people in the crowd.

AEW Tag Team Championships: Kenny Omega and “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Natural Nightmares (Dustin Rhodes and QT Marshall) w/Brandi Rhodes

The announcers mentioned the story of Marshall having a crush on Allie and Dustin made Marshall keep Allie from ringside. Omega with a chop on Rhodes, but then Rhodes with a back elbow to avoid a slam. Omega avoided a corner charge, hurricanrana by Omega and Rhodes jumped off the middle ropes with a hurricanrana. That was impressive. Omega avoided a slam attempt. Page tagged in against Marshall with Page hitting chops including a chop to the back. Marshall came back with a dropkick, but then Page came back with a boot to the face. Omega with a springboard into a double axehandle to the back. Omega charged in, Marshall caught him and hit a suplex. Rhodes with an uppercut on Omega and a whip into the turnbuckle followed by a belly to back suplex and an elbow drop. Rhodes and Marshall with a double Russian legsweep. Britt Baker in her “Roll Model” chair with the lovely Rebel/Reba was giving Tony Schiavone messages including that she did not like his tie. Marshall hit an elbow drop to the shoulder of Omega with Ross noting that Marshall’s friendship with Cody got him the job in AEW and QT’s made the most of it. Omega ran the ropes right into a back body drop by Rhodes. When Rhodes charged, Omega jumped over and hit a Kitaro Crusher leg drop to the back of the head. Omega tagged in against Marshall with a running clothesline and a punch on Rhodes. Page with a springboard clothesline on Rhodes, then a fallaway slam on Marshall and Page went over the top onto Rhodes. Page with a sliding clothesline on Marshall. Omega with a rolling senton, then to the middle ropes and a moonsault got a two count. Page with a boot that knocked Rhodes off the apron, then Page with another boot to the face and Marshall did a handspring off the rope into a kick to the face. Nice of Page to stand there and wait for it. Anyway, that led to tags with Omega and Rhodes as the legal men. Rhodes with an uppercut punch, atomic drop and a bulldog. Rhodes with a powerslam on Omega and a powerslam on Page as well. Rhodes to the top rope and a twisting cross body block on both opponents. Rhodes sent both opponents out of the ring. Rhodes with a cannonball attack on both guys on the floor. Marshall with a cartwheel into a dive onto Omega on the floor called the QT Special. Marshall with a shoulder tackle and kip up. Marshall sent Page out of the ring. Omega blocked a Diamond Cutter, but then Rhodes hit a Canadian Destroyer on Omega. Page with a big clothesline on Rhodes. Marshall with a Diamond Cutter on Page. The lovely Allie showed up to root on Marshall on the stage and she looks gorgeous as usual. Marshall missed a moonsault off the top on Omega, who moved. Page tagged back in with a clothesline on Marshall, Omega with a back splash, Page with an elbow and Page hit a German Suplex on Marshall after omega lifted Marshall. Omega dumped Rhodes out of the ring. Page with a Powerbomb on Marshall and Omega with a knee to the back of the head of Marshall, Page with a cross body block over the top on Rhodes and Omega got a two count. Good nearfall. Page hit the Buckshot Lariat at the same time as an Omega knee to the back for the Last Call double team finisher and Omega pinned Marshall to win after 13 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Kenny Omega and “Hangman” Adam Page

Analysis: ***1/2 This was a very good match where they did nice job of following the rules unlike some AEW tag team matches. Marshall is the least accomplished of the four guys, but he had plenty of moments where it looked like he belonged with them. Dustin continues to perform at a high level even in his 50s. Omega and Page haven’t had problems as a team for months now and their reign continues. I don’t mind seeing them as champions because they are great, but I would love to see both guys getting pushed in singles too.

Post match, Allie went down to ringside to check on Marshall. There wasn’t much else post match.

Analysis: In case you don’t know, Allie is married to The Blade and that’s why she was part of that group even though AEW did not mention they were married. The story here is likely that Allie is using Marshall for something, but we don’t know what that is yet.

The announcers ran down the matches coming up this week.

(Commercial)

There was a brief video about Anna Jay. Anna Jay entered and then a creepy woman named Abadon entered. Abadon was a unique looking wrestler with red hair, plus black and red paint on her face. One eye has a red contact and the other has a white contact, so it looks weird. JR was freaked out about her.

Anna Jay vs. Abadon

Abadon with a double leg takedown followed by punches. Jay with forearms to the chest, Abadon no sold it and Abadon hit a running clothesline. Abadon did some choking on the middle ropes. Abadon with a running hurricanrana for the pinfall win after going just over one minute. It was quick.

Winner by pinfall: Abadon

Analysis: 1/2* A dominant showing by this woman Abadon. It was a bit weird because they mentioned Anna Jay before the break and then in a brief video only to have her lose a short match. That’s rare, but it shows that just because somebody is featured doesn’t mean they will win. I don’t know much about Abadon, but Abadon has a very unique look. They need characters in the women’s division, so maybe she will stand out.

Welcome Abadon to AEW officially.

As Anna Jay was down in the ring, the Dark Oder made their entrance and they focused on Colt Cabana at ringside because they were trying to recruit him. Evil Uno gave Cabana an envelope. Mr. Brodie Lee was there nodding about it from the stage. Meanwhile, Anna Jay was being helped out of the ring and she put her hand in Lee’s hand. The Dark Order members helped Anna Jay to the back. Cabana was shown looking at the envelope again.

Analysis: It looks like The Dark Order got their first women’s wrestler in Anna Jay, who’s got a lot of potential as an in-ring competitor. I’m not sure if Cabana will join the group or if he’ll remain a face that wants to keep doing his own thing.

(Commercial)

MJF made his entrance with Wardlow. Billy (who we can’t call Billy Gunn because WWE owns it) entered with his son Austin Gunn and his other son Colt Gunn went backstage. The kids can use the Gunn last name and it’s the Gunn Club group name.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman (w/Wardlow) vs. Billy (w/Austin Gunn)

It was noted by JR that MJF is 24 years old while Billy has been in wrestling for 30 years and of course Billy still looks great at 56 years old. Billy connected with a boot to the face for a two count and then a punch. MJF left the ring to the back, so Billy went after him and carried MJF back in. MJF did a neckbreaker on the top rope followed by a Ric Flair (or Jackie Fargo) strut. Billy with a kick to the gut, but MJF came back with two chop blocks to the left knee. MJF with a knee drop.

(Commercial)

MJF continued on offense with a jumping attack onto the left knee of Billy while taunting Jungle Boy at ringside. When MJF tried it again, Billy moved the leg, so MJF hit the mat. Billy kicked MJF into the turnbuckle with MJF trying extra hard to sell that as a big move. MJF ran right into two punches and a tilt-a-whirl slam by Billy. MJF moved out of the way to avoid a move as Billy was favoring the left knee. Billy charged, MJF moved and Billy hit the left leg against the turnbuckle. MJF slapped on a submission using his legs in a Calf Crusher type submission, he held onto the ropes and referee Aubrey Edwards made him let go of the ropes. MJF argued with Edwards, Billy blocked a Fameasser and Billy hit a Fameasser of his own. Wardlow on the apron, the referee looked at him and Wardlow tossed the diamond ring to MJF. Austin went after Wardlow, but Wardlow hit a clothesline and Billy sent Wardlow into the barricade. MJF got back up and hit Billy with a punch to the head with the diamond ring and covered Billy to win the match after 10 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Maxwell Jacob Friedman

Analysis: *1/2 This was decent with MJF using some heel tactics to win just as a cheap heel should do. I think the length of the match was fine, but if it went even shorter that would have made MJF look stronger. Billy is in great shape for a guy his age or any age really, but he did move slow here even while selling the knee. This was like watching a kid wrestle his dad. It’s not like AEW needs to put Billy on Dynamite when they have a lot of younger guys doing nothing right now. MJF continues his positive momentum.

Post match, MJF walked over to Jungle Boy as Excalibur noted MJF was undefeated in 2020. That led to a brawl with Wardlow battling Luchasaurus while MJF brawled with Jungle Boy and then about 20 wrestlers were there to break it up. I guess social distancing doesn’t matter since they all got tested before the show.

Analysis: I like the MJF rivalry with Jungle Boy as two guys in their early 20s with bright futures that can be long-term rivals in AEW.

Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara aka Le Sex Gods were interviewed backstage by Alex Marvez. Jericho mocked Marvez for having a big head. Jericho said that Orange Cassidy interrupted the Inner Circle twice, but what happened last week wasn’t funny when they beat him to a pulp (with oranges). Sammy laughed about it. Jericho said that they are like blood brothers like the blood streaming out of the face of Orange Cassidy and blood is thicker than water…or orange juice.

Dr. Britt Baker was on her wheelchair throne thing with Tony Schiavone standing by. Tony announced Hikaru Shida defends the AEW Women’s Title against Penelope Ford at Fyter Fest on July 1 and July 8. Baker complained and said shit during the interview. Baker said that she’s a conspiracy victim as if this is WCW Chris Jericho. Baker complained about things. Baker wanted to go, but then Big Swole was driving the cart that had the wheelchair on it.

Analysis: It’s a good way to continue the rivalry with Baker and Swole. Since Baker’s injury is going to keep her out of action for about two months or so, they can have a meaningful match perhaps in August if Baker is ready by then.

Cody entered with the coach Arn Anderson for a TNT Title defense.

(Commercial)

Cody did a promo saying it was time for the open challenge. Cody said that last week after receiving a beating from Jake Hager, he noticed no help from the Young Bucks, Omega, Page, Dustin and he wondered if he was in The Elite or the Nightmare Family…but then he handed it over to Anderson. Arn said he knew that Cody could beat Hager and he said that the timing didn’t feel right, so let’s move past it for now. The Cody/Hager match is at Fyter Fest. Arn said that this is a guy that Cody can take it to and hone his skills.

They showed “Absolute” Ricky Starks on screen saying he was the hottest free agent on the market and he noted that he was a former NWA TV Champion. Starks said he knew this was a chance for him to prove what he can do. Starks talked about being broke, he’s slept on floors, slept on couches and he said he had work ethic and grit. Starks said that he’s got his shoes tied tight and he’s ready to go the distance.

Analysis: Starks impressed me during his NWA run in the last year. He’s a young guy with a good look, he has charisma and a bright future in wrestling. Starks is a free agent, so perhaps he’ll be in AEW again after this or he could show up elsewhere. (After the show, we found out he did get signed by AEW.)

Ricky Starks made his entrance. Ring announcer Justin Roberts did the championship introductions for this TNT Championship match. Cody is 12-1 in AEW in 2020 (only loss was to MJF) and this is Ricky’s AEW debut. They shook hands to start the match as Jake Hager was shown looking on backstage because it’s Cody vs. Hager at Fyter Fest.

TNT Championship: Cody vs. Ricky Starks

Cody ran the ropes with a shoulder tackle and then an uppercut punch. Starks and Cody exchanged punches, Starks off the ropes and Cody hit a dropkick. Cody with a Bob Holly-like move with a kick while Starks was against the ropes and Starks went to the floor. Cody hit a suicide dive onto Starks on the floor to send Starks into the barricade. Back in the ring, Cody ran the ropes with Starks sending Cody ribs first into the ropes. Nice bump there as Starks took control with punches and a leg drop on the apron. Starks went for a move on Cody by the ropes, but Arn moved Cody away and Starks didn’t like that. Starks bounced off the ropes with a Tornado DDT for a two count. Starks grabbed a chinlock followed by an elbow to the head. Starks went for another DDT, but Cody held on and hit a boot to the face followed by a powerslam for two. Cody held up Starks leading to a face first vertical suplex for a two count as Hager was shown watching on a TV backstage. Cody went up top, Starks with punches and Starks hit a superplex off the top. Starks with a cross body block that sent both guys out of the ring to the floor. Both guys got back into the ring as it turned into slugfest. Cody went for the kick off the ropes, Starks moved and Starks hit a Spear for a two count. They went into an exchange of pin attempts with about four two counts in a row. Starks wanted a clothesline, but Cody caught him and hit the Cross Rhodes neckbreaker planting Starks on the head and Cody covered for the pinfall win after nine minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Cody

Analysis: **3/4 It was a competitive match with Starks getting in plenty of offense and looking credible, but Cody managed to get the win as most viewers would expect. I like how it was even the whole way, then they turned it into a slugfest, Cody blocked a clothesline and finished off Ricky with the Cross Rhodes. Starks is a charismatic guy that just showed he can deliver solid matches as well.

Post match, Hager was shown watching on the TV again. Cody shook Ricky’s hand as a sign of respect. Cody left with Arn leading to a break.

After Dynamite this week, AEW Owner/President Tony Khan announced that the company has signed Ricky Starks to a contract. Congrats to Ricky.

(Commercial)

The Superbad Squad of Jimmy Havoc, Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford entered for a tag team match. The Young Bucks were next as the opponents with Matt Jackson having taped ribs because he had a legit rib injury although we don’t know how injured he really is. Havoc had pliers, but the referee found them. There you go AEW making sense of the pat-down before the match.

The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) vs. Superbad Squad (Jimmy Havoc and Kip Sabian) w/Penelope Ford

Havoc sent Matt into the turnbuckle and grabbed the ribs of Matt. Nick made the tag with a leg drop to the back of the head of Havoc. Sabian tagged in right into chops, an elbow drop and a double dropkick. The referee was counting for the ten seconds that was allowed, then he stopped and the Young Bucks hit dives over the top onto the heels on the floor. The Butcher and The Blade trash talked the Young Bucks at ringside. Sabian ran right into the Bucks, who knocked him down with a punch. Havoc tagged in, Nick with a kick to the gets and neckbreaker leading to Matt hitting a splash on Havoc. Matt kicked Sabian out of the ring and a flipping neckbreaker on Havoc. The Blade and The Butcher were at ringside and went on the apron to confront the Young Bucks. Havoc grabbed a yellow sign and hit Matt in the back with the referee distracted and that led to a two count. Sabian tagged in with kicks on Matt.

(Commercial)

The match returned with the heels remaining in control as Havoc tossed Matt out of the ring and onto the apron. The Butcher and The Blade checked out Matt there as FTR’s Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler also joined the match at ringside. Sabian with a kick to the chest of Matt and said it’s good as if it was field goal. Matt tried to fight back, but Havoc with an uppercut and Sabian with a dropkick. Havoc with an eye poke while the referee was distracted and that got a two count. Havoc went for a running attack on Matt, who caught him and went for a sleeper. Sabian tagged in going for a hurricanrana, but Matt gave him a Powerbomb off the middle ropes. Nick got the hot tag with kicks including a kick to the head, a rising knee and a bulldog/clothesline combination on both opponents. Nick jumped over the top into an X-Factor on Havoc and a kick on Sabian. Nick with a jump off the top into a cross body block slam on the apron. Nick slapped on the Sharpshooter on Sabian, who crawled to the ropes and Matt jumped off the top wit ha an elbow drop. Ford went into the ring with a Wet Floor sign while Havoc distracted the referee and Ford hit Nick in the back. Havoc with a lifting DDT on Nick for a two count as Matt broke up the pin. Sabian jumped off the middle rope while Havoc held Nick and got a DDT for a two count. Sabian had some blood from his ear as he jumped off the top, Nick moved and hit a superkick. Matt tagged in for his hot tag with the Northern Light suplexes on Havoc two times and a kick from Nick. Nick jumped off the top with a double foot stomp and Nick hit a kick on Sabian. Matt with a moonsault and Nick with a springboard splash on Havoc for a two count. Matt tagged back in as FTR argued with Butcher/Blade at ringside. Havoc knocked Nick off the apron, rollup for two and butterfly suplex. Sabian tagged in with a diving foot stomp off the top onto Matt for two as Nick made the save. Havoc sent Nick out of the ring. Matt hit a double Northern Lights Suplex on both guys. Nick tagged back in as the Bucks hit a double superkick. They put Havoc into Sabian’s arms and kicked Sabian into a Tombstone on Havoc. That was silly. Anyway, the Bucks hit a double superkick for the pinfall win after 15 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson)

Analysis: ***1/4 Another good tag team match on this show. It went a bit longer than I would have expected. I think sometimes they need to book these teams to win more decisively to make them look more dominant. It was obvious that Young Bucks would win even with Sabian/Havoc getting plenty of offense. That takes away some of the drama. There was still good tag team action in this match.

After the match, the four tag teams got into a brawl with FTR and Butcher/Blade going into the ring. The Young Bucks hit a double superkick and FTR hit a Goodnight Express double team move. Young Bucks and FTR each hit spike piledrivers.

Analysis: More teasing of a FTR and Young Bucks match although it’s possible they team up for an eight man tag team match first.

Taz and Brian Cage were shown outside with Taz doing a promo about Jon Moxley threatening them. Taz told Moxley that his gimmick was taken decades ago by Taz. Cage said he understood the frustration. Cage said that Moxley brought this on himself and he wished Fyter Fest was right now. Cage said he didn’t know what he wants more than to drop him on his head or to win the AEW Title. Taz asked what’s better, Cage said “who better?” and said “nobody” to end it.

Analysis: Who betta than Kanyon? Not exactly, but I loved that gimmick and Kanyon was a very talented guy. Anyway, Moxley vs. Cage should be interesting in a few weeks.

(Commercial)

Jon Moxley did a promo with the AEW World Title. Moxley talked about how he was the man that makes heads roll. Moxley said he’s got demons – bad ones and the only thing that keeps them at bay is hurting people in the ring. Moxley said now Brian Cage’s path has crossed his path. Moxley said beat me if you can and survive if you’re the miserable son of a bitch that can be dragged into the water that Moxley will pull him into.

Analysis: Moxley is a millionaire many times over and married to the beautiful Renee Young. He should be less miserable! It’s a fun gimmick, though.

The announcers did a rundown for next week on Dynamite:

* Sammy Guevara vs. Matt Hardy (Later it was announced that Sammy gets to pick what version of Matt Hardy that he will face.)

* Brodie Lee and Colt Cabana vs. Sonny Kiss and Joey Janela

* Luchasaurus vs. Wardlow in a Lumberjack Match

That’s not a strong lineup heading into next week. They will need to add more big matches.

Coming up at Fyter Fest on July 1 and July 8 airing on Dynamite two weeks in a row:

AEW TNT Championship: Cody (c) vs. Jake Hager

AEW Women’s Championship: Hikaru Shida (c) vs. Penelope Ford

AEW World Championship: John Moxley (c) vs. Brian Cage

There was a video of Rebel in the parking lot looking for Britt Baker and she found her on her iPhone. Baker was in a trash bin and she complained about how Rebel aka Reba wasn’t there for her. Baker said she was there for five hours, Rebel said it was actually one hour. Baker yelled at Rebel for being in the washroom and wondered where Tony Schiavone was. Baker got mad at the cameras being there and said that Big Swole will pay or this. Baker said she’ll sue Swole, she’ll make her pay fines and get payback if it’s the last thing she does. Baker yelled at Reba to get her out of there.

Analysis: More comedy from Baker. I’m not sure if she used any 1997 Chris Jericho lines here, but I enjoy that her character is similar to what Jericho used to do. I also think Rebel is gorgeous, so using her more is fine with me.

Matt Hardy entered to join the commentary team to say that he’s the version of Matt that JR signed in the business in the late 1990s.

It’s main event time with Le Sex Gods of Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara making their entrance. Sammy had his scooter gimmick with him and he was signing Jericho’s song, but then they went to commercial to save us from that.

(Commercial)

The best Friends team of Trent and Chuck Taylor entered with a 9-3 record in 2020. They were serious because they wanted revenge for Jericho beating up Orange Cassidy last week.

Best Friends (Trent and Chuck Taylor) vs. Le Sex Gods (Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara)

Trent and Taylor went after Jericho and Sammy outside the ring. After Sammy sent Trent into the barricade, Trent came back with a Spear. Taylor hit a Sliced Bread neckbreaker on Sammy for a two count. Jericho with a back elbow on Taylor followed by a dropkick off the middle ropes. Hardy said that he was there to help the future while Jericho was there to keep the youth around him and protect him. Sammy hit a dropkick followed by a headlock. Jericho back in with a snap suplex and a knee drop. Taylor went off the ropes, right into a dropkick by Jericho. Taylor walked right into an elbow from Jericho, then Chris went for a Lionsault and Taylor moved, so Jericho hit the mat. Sammy tagged in against Trent, who was intense with hard chops and a back elbow and Trent knocked Jericho off the apron. Sammy came back with a pump kick and Trent hit a German Suplex where Sammy landed on the back of his neck. That looked painful. Trent went after Jericho, who hit Trent in the ribs with a bat and the referee never saw it because he was checking on Sammy. Good spot leading to a break.

(Commercial)

The heel side remained in control with Jericho suplexing Trent ribs first across the top rope. Sammy tagged back in with a breakdance move as Sammy and Chris did one of their poses together. Sammy took way too long to set up a move, so of course Trent came back with a double foot stomp to the chest. Taylor tagged in with a punch for Jericho and a Falcon Arrow on Sammy for two. Taylor went up top with a moonsault, Sammy moved and Chuck hit a Powerbomb for two as Jericho broke up the pin. Taylor sent Jericho back out of the ring. Sammy with a jawbreaker, Trent tagged back in and Best Friends hit a boot to the face in the half n half suplex. Best Friends were going for their hug, but Jericho hit Trent with a forearm. Taylor with a knee to Jericho and Trent with a jumping knee on Jericho. Sammy hit a dive over the top onto Trent while Jericho slapped on a Liontamer submission on Trent, who got to the ropes. I believe that Sammy was the legal man, but the referee was reacting as if Jericho was legal. Sammy tagged in with a kick to the face of Trent. Sammy went up top, Trent tripped him up to crotch Sammy on the top turnbuckle. Taylor put Trent on his shoulders for an assisted superplex and a clothesline for a two count as Jericho broke up the pin. Jericho did an eye gouge that the referee didn’t see leading to a rollup for two for Sammy. Taylor went after Jericho on the floor by sending him into the barricade. Jericho managed to send Taylor over the barricade. The referee was outside the ring with the two guys that were illegal, which is not how you are supposed to referee, but he did it that way to allow the spot with Sammy hitting Trent in the ribs with a baseball bat. Sammy went up top and hit a great Shooting Star Press for a two count. Trent sent Sammy into the ropes where a guy holding a camera tripped Sammy and that led to Trent hitting the Strong Zero for the pinfall win after about 16 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Best Friends (Trent and Chuck Taylor)

Analysis: ***1/2 A long match that told a nice story of how the Best Friends kept coming back even when the heels were cheating throughout the match. Trent kicking out of Sammy’s SSP after a bat shot to the chest was a believable nearfall spot near the finish. They went for something different during the ending with the camera guy tripping up Sammy and we would find out more about that after the break. Jericho was great with his heel work while Sammy continues to impress and Best Friends work very well together. I like that the regular tag team Best Friends beat Chris and Sammy, who do team together sometimes, but not on a regular basis. It’s a big win for Best Friends.

The win means that Best Friends will challenge Page and Omega for the AEW Tag Team Titles during the Two Fyter Fest shows on July 1 and July 8.

Post match, the cameraman put the camera down to reveal that it was Orange Cassidy, who was wearing a mask. Cassidy with a double leg takedown on Jericho, then punches and a Superman Punch that sent Jericho out of the ring. It was announced that Jericho vs. Cassidy would take place at Fyter Fest as well. The show ended with Best Friends and Cassidy having a big hug because you have to give the people what they want. That’s the end of the show.

Analysis: That was a measure of revenge for Cassidy after Jericho’s attack on him last week that left Cassidy a bloody mess. I think it makes sense to do Jericho vs. Cassidy at Fyter Fest as well. They’ll probably have a good match because Jericho’s so creative no matter who the opponent is and I have enjoyed seeing Cassidy mixing it up in recent months instead of just standing there and doing nothing. At least this episode of Dynamite didn’t end in a typical brawl like we see most weeks. That’s progress.

Three Stars of the Show

1. Kenny Omega/Adam Page

2. Best Friends

3. Chris Jericho/Sammy Guevara

The Scoreboard

This week: 7.5 (out of 10)

Last week: 6.5

2020 Average: 7.13

Final Thoughts

Here’s my AEW Dynamite review for this week. It was a pretty good show with plenty of tag team wrestling as usual in AEW (three tags got plenty of time). None of the matches stood out as an exceptionally great TV match although I think the Tag Team Title match to open was the most fun to watch. I think sometimes they need to consider shorter matches in certain situations (like MJF could have beat Billy quicker), but I understand wanting to give people more time to tell a story.

They did a nice job of advancing some storylines to set up Fyter Fest matches in two weeks like the Tag Team Title match and Jericho vs. Orange Cassidy as well. Nice story progression to have Cassidy get revenge on Jericho after the main event. I would have liked to see more from Moxley and Cage instead of just quick promos because that’s for the AEW World Title and I think their story needs more attention. Cody had a solid match against Ricky Starks, who was signed to an AEW deal along with women’s wrestler Abadon. She has a very unique look! It was a better episode this week compared to last week, so that’s progress.

Sometimes I see people on social media after the show saying it’s an all-time great show or whatever. I really don’t think so. Some Dynamite episodes earlier in the year were a lot better, but there are some fans that tend to overrate these shows. I try to be fair. There wasn’t a match higher than 3.5* yet there wasn’t anything that bad. That’s why I went with a 7.5 out of 10 because I liked the story progression. For me to say it’s great would be 8 or higher and I don’t think it was that. It’s not hating. I’m trying to explain my reasoning for my ratings.

The Fyter Fest episodes will air on Dynamite on July 1 and July 8. Here’s what is official so far:

AEW World Championship: John Moxley (c) vs. Brian Cage

AEW TNT Championship: Cody (c) vs. Jake Hager

AEW Tag Team Championships: Kenny Omega and “Hangman” Adam Page (c) vs. Best Friends (Trent and Chuck Taylor)

Chris Jericho vs. Orange Cassidy

AEW Women’s Championship: Hikaru Shida (c) vs. Penelope Ford

I wonder if they will do Young Bucks vs. FTR there as well. I think so.

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Thanks for reading. You can contact me using any of the methods below.

John Canton

Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter: @johnreport

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