TJR: AEW Dynamite 07/29/20 Review
Welcome to the AEW Dynamite review on TJRWrestling.
This is episode #44 of AEW Dynamite from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, FL. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Here’s my AEW Dynamite TV review archive. Let’s get to it.
The show began with some pyro on the stage. The ring was surrounded by wrestlers along with other AEW people in the crowd. Jim Ross said they were live. The announcers this week are Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone and Taz with no Excalibur. There were some clips of Excalibur doing multiple promos in the mid-2000s saying the “n” word that appeared online this week, so that is likely why he was absent.
The ten-man tag team match opens up the show. The five-man Inner Circle group of Chris Jericho, Jake Hager, Santana, Ortiz and Sammy Guevara made their entrance. The team of main eventer Orange Cassidy along with Trent, Chuck Taylor, Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy with Marko Stunt entered as the opponents for this opener.
Chris Jericho, Jake Hager, Santana, Ortiz and Sammy Guevara vs. Orange Cassidy, Trent, Chuck Taylor, Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy (w/Marko Stunt)
Cassidy did his comedy weak kicks to Hager, who sent Cassidy to the turnbuckle and Cassidy hit a dropkick. Jericho tagged in with a punch to the head of Cassidy and all ten guys went into the ring. Jericho was dumped out of the ring by Trent. The five heels were on the floor and Taylor hit a somersault dive over the top onto the heels. Trent hit a moonsault on the guys on the floor. Boy hit a headscissors over the top and I think Jericho bumped even though he wasn’t touched. Stunt was involved, Hager caught him and Luchasaurus jumped on a pile of dudes with Stunt on his back. Marko was the only one standing. The wrestlers were on the floor for several minutes with the referee not even attempting to count. The five faces all beat Sammy in the ring at the same time. JR made a comment about this being like a tornado tag, which it is not. The match finally went to two guys in the ring with the heels hitting a punch on Trent and Jericho hit a belly to back suplex. Hager tagged in with punches. Trent sent Santana to the floor, Ortiz hit a DDT on the floor and Santana hit a suplex on Trent on the floor with the director missing it because they were showing the ring. The five heels all stomped away on Trent in the corner. Trent hit a missile dropkick. Tony tried to explain the bad refereeing by saying that the referee just wants to let them go. Santana and Ortiz hit a double suplex followed by a moonsault by Santana for two. Sammy tagged in with a knee to the ribs of Trent, who was the face in peril for a few minutes. Sammy with a Samoan Drop, but then Trent got a rollup for two and then Sammy with a clothesline. Hager slapped on a chinlock for about one minute with Trent coming back with a boot to the face and Hager hit a slam. Trent hit a belly to back suplex on Hager.
Luchasaurus got the tag against Sammy, who did a flip bump off a clothesline. Luchasaurus with a double clothesline on Santana/Ortiz as well. Hager and Luchasaurus exchanged punches, Luchasaurus lost his mask briefly and Hager hit him with a big clothesline. Santana and Ortiz hit a double team powerbomb into a knee. German Suplex by Trent on Santana, knee strike on Ortiz, Jericho wit ha Codebreaker on Trent, Boy with a backstabber on Boy, Sammy with a reverse GTS and Luchasaurus with a spin kick to the head. Jericho tried to use the bat, but Cassidy got him and whipped Jericho over the railing. Sammy with a kick to the leg and a running knee to the face. There was some music that played, it was Matt Hardy on the apron and he shoved Sammy off the turnbuckle. Luchasaurus hit a spinning kick to the head of Sammy for the pinfall win after 14 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Orange Cassidy, Trent, Chuck Taylor, Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy
Analysis: *** This was a solid tag team match, but also too chaotic. It’s the usual AEW tag team match where the match broke down and the referee didn’t try to do a countout with the announcers even mentioning it. I thought there would be more Jericho and Cassidy interaction. At least Luchasaurus was able to pick up a win for a change. The finish wasn’t typical of AEW because of the Matt Hardy entrance music playing during the match. I hate when WWE does that and I would have liked to see AEW go with something else.
Post match, Matt Hardy left through the crowd and said “welcome back” to Sammy from a distance as JR correctly pointed out their history.
Analysis: There was history between them, so it makes sense to go back to that. Matt will have no problem putting Sammy over since Sammy is nearly 20 years younger than Matt.
(Commercial)
The three announcers were at the commentary table with a rundown of the shows. JR noted that he had a mask and a wristband on to show they were tested.
Jon Moxley was backstage with the AEW World Tag Team Title match talking about how he thought his issue with Brian Cage was over, but then they had to do a beatdown on his buddy Darby Allin. Moxley said that Ricky Starks has fallen in with the wrong guys. Moxley said that he didn’t start fights, but he always finishes them.
Taz responded to that saying that Moxley is terrified of Brian Cage and Ricky Starks. Taz said Mox’s team is done.
Warhorse made his entrance with a jean jacket and the face paint. It’s a unique look. I admit that I don’t know much about this guy, so I’m interested to see what he can do. Cody was up next as the TNT Champion with the coach Arn Anderson. The announcers put over Warhorse for having a lot of success in independent wrestling. The wrestlers stood in the ring as Justin Roberts did the introductions. For Warhorse, Roberts said that Warhorse is “4,000 pounds of Raw heavy metal and he’s here to rule ass.” That’s unique. At least it’s better than saying 5’10” and 200 pounds or whatever it is. Cody’s singles record in 2020 is 16-1.
Analysis: I would have liked to see a one minute promo from Warhorse telling us about him and his career. You can’t assume the audience knows independent wrestlers.
TNT Championship: Cody (w/Arn Anderson) vs. Warhorse
Cody grabbed a wristlock, Warhorse kicked the arm away and there were some chops from Warhorse. Cody charged right into an armdrag from Warhorse, who held onto the armbar. Cody broke free, went to the floor and Arn told him that he’s got this. They did a spot where they each ran the ropes with Warhorse hitting a clothesline. Cody bailed to the floor.
(Commercial)
The match returned with Cody using a half crab on the left knee. Cody went for the Figure Four Leglock, but Warhorse quickly reversed it to put the pressure on Cody’s knee. Warhorse hit two clotheslines, chops and a clothesline. Warhorse slowly climbed the top rope, Cody went to the floor and Warhorse hit a running double stomp to the back. Back in the ring, Warhorse went up top and hit an elbow drop off the top for a two count. The announcers were yelling about how Warhorse almost won there. Cody got a jackknife cover for a two count. Warhorse with a cradle and then he sat on top to counter a sunset flip for two. Cody charged, but Warhorse got the boots up to block. Warhorse went up top, Cody avoided it, Warhorse favored the left knee and Cody slapped on the Figure Four Leglock submission and Warhorse tapped out to give Cody the win after 11 minutes.
Winner by submission: Cody
Analysis: *** The match was good with Warhorse selling the knee for most of it and that led to the finish. I did like the story of Warhorse being able to counter things and nearly won a few times, but the announcers tried too hard to get excited. It felt too fake when I doubt a crowd would have reacted to those nearfalls much at all. Anyway, I didn’t think Warhorse stood out in any way other than his look. Cody has a lot of three star matches that get around this time nearly every week. It’s a formula that works, but I think he’s capable of better matches too.
Post match, two Dark Order members went out to the ring and they got Warhorse out of the ring. The Dark Order guys were about to fight Arn Anderson, but then Matt Cardona (former Zack Ryder) showed up with a very orange tan. Cardona with running leg lariats to the Dark Order guys. Cardona hugged Cody on the floor and they celebrated.
Analysis: Good to see Matt Cardona on Dynamite. It’s no surprise that he is there since Matt is a close friend of Cody for many years and also very talented. I’m sure people will joke that he only got the job due to being friends with Cody, but I think Matt can do a lot there. He’s got a chip on his shoulder for sure. Likable guy. Hard worker. I wish him the best of luck. As for moving forward, it will be interesting to see how long he is aligned with Cody because it feels like Cody is going to turn heel soon, so maybe Cody turns against Cardona in a tag team match and then they feud for the TNT Title. Then again, maybe Cardona turns on Cody soon. I’m not sure what’s the plan.
(Commercial)
Tony Schiavone was about to do some interview on the stage, but then the Inner Circle showed up. Chris Jericho was upset. Jericho said that in two weeks on August 12, it will be Jericho vs. Orange Cassidy Part 2 in two weeks and then when he beats Cassidy, Orange has to pay him $7,000 for ruining Jericho’s jacket. Jericho is challenging Orange Cassidy to a debate on August 5th with a special moderator. Jericho said he’ll prove that Orange Cassidy is a filthy piece of trash. Santana said that the jacket kinda smells like cat pee. Ortiz: “Like cat pee, Tony!” We got it.
Analysis: I think Cassidy will win that match against Jericho and then they’ll do a third match at the All Out pay-per-view on September 5. Cassidy will win that match too and that way he’ll win the feud. That’s my hunch anyway.
There was an Earlier Today segment with FTR’s Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler with Tony Schiavone moderating a contract signing. There was an AEW legal representative along with FTR’s lawyer. Arn Anderson was there to read over some of the conditions in the contract. Wheeler said that August 12 is Tag Team Appreciate Night Hosted by FTR, the legal representative said that’s agreed to and then FTR signed their AEW contracts. “Hangman” Adam Page showed up with some whiskey and Page poured a whole glass of whiskey. Page said that “Mid-Atlantic boys ride again.” That’s cool. The FTR guys had smaller glasses. Page drank nearly the whole glass.
After the signing, JR joked that Tony did a great job there because Tony barely did anything.
Analysis: Good for FTR to officially sign their AEW deals. I believe that was legit because they said they didn’t have full-time deals before.
The Dark Order guys entered for their tag team match. They were joined by Brodie Lee, Colt Cabana and female wrestler Anna Jay was with them too.
(Commercial)
The AEW Tag Team Champions were up next with “Hangman” Adam Page and Kenny Omega entering as the champions. Colt Cabana was on commentary while Mr. Brodie Lee was standing by. Women’s wrestler Anna Jay was there too. Page attacked the challengers before Omega got out there, so Omega lectured his partner.
AEW Tag Team Championships: Kenny Omega and “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Dark Order (Stu Grayson and Evil Uno)
Omega went for a kick on Stu, who moved and he kicked Uno. Omega with a backbreaker on Stu. Omega with a legdrop to the head and then Page tagged in with a standing moonsault splash for a two count. Omega back in with a double axehandle off the top, then Page went in and the champs did a series of chops together on Uno. They showed some tag team wrestlers in the crowd like the Young Bucks and then Frankie Kazarian was there. Page tagged in with a running boot, then a springboard clothesline on Stu and Page hit a fallaway slam on Uno. Page knocked both opponents out of the ring. Page with a crossbody block over the top onto Stu on the floor, but then Uno whipped Page into the ring post. Uno whipped Omega into the guardrail. The heels isolated Page with Stu hitting a running shoulder tackle followed by a kick to the chest. Stu with a double axe to the chest, Uno tagged in and hit an assisted suplex after Stu kicked Page in the head.
(Commercial – I do get the picture in picture action, but I don’t feel the need to review it.)
Omega was in the ring for his team as he hit a moonsault off the middle ropes on Stu. Uno tagged in, Page got the tag for his team and Omega hit a forearm into a German Suplex by Page. Omega tagged back in, Stu sent Page out of the ring with a hurricanrana and Stu hit some dive out of the ring that was not shown. Uno went up top and hit a Senton Bomb for a two count. Stu lifted up Omega into a Powerbomb by Uno for a two count because Page made the save on the pin attempt. Omega fought back with elbows, but then Stun hit an overhead belly to belly on Omega into Page against the turnbuckle. Dark Order hit double splashes with Uno hitting a cannonball and Stu hitting a top rope splash for a two count. Omega whipped Uno into Stu on the top rope and a neckbreaker on Omega by Uno. Omega hit a Snapdragon Suplex on Uno, then Stu hit a top rope splash on Omega and Page with a huge clothesline on Stu. Page with a Powerbomb on Uno and then Page hit a running V-Trigger to the back for a two count. Page and Omega hit a V-Trigger knee and Buckshot Lariat combo for the pinfall win with Stu right there to break it up, but Stu was too slow to do it. I don’t know what happened there. It made Stu look like a dumbass for not doing anything. It went 13 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Kenny Omega and “Hangman” Adam Page
Analysis: **3/4 This felt like an average tag team match. Omega and Page usually have better matches than this. Grayson is an awesome athlete that does some cool moves, so he’s fun to watch. Evil Uno isn’t at Grayson’s level, but is fine as a bigger guy. It was just hard to get into the Dark Order nearfalls. I also think the finish was screwed up because it made Stu look foolish that he wasn’t able to save his partner even though he was a few feet away. When the referee counted the pin my first reaction was: “Why didn’t Stu help his partner at all?” The announcers ignored it, of course.
Post match, Brodie Lee sent Cabana and Jay to the back. Lee yelled at Grayson and Uno for losing.
Brodie Lee asked Hangman if he thinks that is funny with Hangman laughing about what happened. The Young Bucks went down to the ring to join Omega and Page. Lee said that this is not all of the Dark Order. Lee said that the Dark Order is everywhere because they have strength in numbers and now Hangman will pay. There were a lot of masked wrestlers surrounding the ring. FTR showed up and used a cooler to hit Lee in the head. FTR went into the ring to help out The Elite guys in the ring and the faces stood tall in the ring while the Dark Order guys retreated.
Analysis: The Dark Order group talks a lot of trash, but they have yet to really impress in terms of winning big matches. It has felt like that during all of AEW’s first year. The announcers talk them up all the time as this threat, but they are booked as losers far too often. Anyway, we would find out later there would be a 12-man tag team match next week.
The camera focused on Britt Baker near the commentary team with Baker (joined by Rebel aka Reba) doing a promo. Baker said she knows Big Swole’s suspension won’t last forever – she’s not dumb – she’s a dentist. Baker said she knows Swole is coming after her. Baker said that she’ll give Swole a shot at Baker, but only if she can beat an opponent of Baker’s choice and Baker said that this is still her division.
A commercial aired for AEW action figures that are available at Walmart this Monday.
(Commercial)
There was a promo from Diamante talking about being an independent wrestler for ten years and the other women should fear her. Diamante said she’ll get it done by any means necessary while adding she has nothing to lose. She said that “pressure makes diamonds” to end it.
Analysis: That’s what I meant earlier about Warhorse. A quick promo that allows us to hear from the wrestler.
Hikaru Shida made her entrance for this non-title match.
Hikaru Shida vs. Diamante
Diamante didn’t want a handshake and she shoved Shida in the face. Diamante pulled the hair of Shida for a takedown and then they got into a slugfest. The action spilled to the floor with Shida hitting a running knee while Diamante was against the guardrail. Back in the ring, Shida went up top and hit a missile dropkick for a two count. The match turned into a slugfest, Shida with a forearm and then a jumping knee. Diamante drove Shida throat first into the top rope followed by several chops from Diamante. There was a Stunner by Diamante with no cover because Shida’s shoulders weren’t down. That was sloppy. Diamante with a kick to the ribs. Diamante messed up a sunset flip into a pin attempt because Shida went into the ropes. They grabbed a headlock where they were probably trying to figure out what was next. Shida hit a delayed Falcon Arrow slam for a two count. Shida hit a running knee to the face. It went about seven minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Hikaru Shida
Analysis: * This was bad. It was probably the worst match that I’ve seen Shida have. Diamante seemed like she messed up more than Shida did. They were off and clearly messed up a few spots. The women’s division is clearly the biggest weak spot in AEW with a lack of interesting storylines, very few characters (other than Britt Baker) and this match was disappointing.
Nyla Rose and Vickie Guerrero were backstage with Dasha for an interview. Vickie said it didn’t matter who Nyla’s partner was. They were picking a color to determine a tag team partner for the Women’s Tag Team Cup. Ariane (former Cameron in WWE) showed up to say “I’m back!” Dasha said Ariane will be teaming up with Nyla Rose.
Analysis: Congrats to Ariane for joining the “hey you worked for WWE, you are signed” club in AEW. She hasn’t wrestled in four years apparently. I can’t remember anything interesting that she ever did other than pinning somebody’s back and telling the referee to count. Strange. She’s most famous for being on Tough Enough with Steve Austin and saying the greatest match was Alicia Fox vs. Melina, which led to Austin’s shocked reaction. It’s not that interesting to me.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman was shown walking backstage with Wardlow with random people standing back there along with some “MJF” signs that said “We Deserve Better” on them. MJF entered with Wardlow for his talking segment after a break.
(Commercial)
There were signs that said “MJF 2020 We Deserve Better” around the ringside area. A red carpet was in the ring as well. MJF was in a suit along with Wardlow and it was like a politician about to deliver a speech. There was a podium in the ring as well, so MJF stood behind that as he spoke. There were random people in suits standing behind him.
MJF Comments on the State of the Industry
MJF thanked Tony Khan for giving him a chance to talk to you marks…then he said people. MJF noted that wrestling fans aren’t that bright, but now he can feed them with knowledge. A random woman told him to read off the sheet, so then MJF told her to smile and fans were booing him. MJF wanted fans to use the hashtags #MJF2020 and #NotMyChampion as people continued to boo him. MJF said it was nice to be on Dynamite two weeks ago without being on the sidelines like the benchwarmers (“you’re doing great, guys, proud of you!”). MJF said he’s never spotlighted two weeks in a row is because a certain individual is afraid of being upstaged two weeks in a row. MJF said that’s why things need to change around here. MJF said that one man called for a paradigm shift while saying that a guy that can say what he wants and wrestle whenever he wants (“simply because he came from a place of Titans”) isn’t new…that’s old hat, brother. MJF said that this is now a dictatorship and that is why Jon Moxley is not his champion. MJF did say that Moxley is a great wrestler, but he said negative things have occurred.
MJF noted that wrestling is on the marquee, but all he sees are wrestlers out there that perform gymnastics in an attempt to make the viewers at home think they are good at their job. MJF said that brainwashing starts all the way at the top, so that’s why a World Champion should lead by example. MJF said that Moxley shouldn’t cosplay as a specific wrestler and that’s a “Stone Cold” fact. MJF said he doesn’t have to play wrestler because he’s undefeated. MJF said he’s not a media analyst, but everybody wants to talk about ratings. I don’t. MJF kept on saying “Dictator Jon” while noting that MJF draws better minute by minute ratings than Moxley. MJF said that Dictator Jon doesn’t want you to know that. MJF said that AEW is meant to be the land of opportunity and Moxley has squandered that. MJF said he can throw this company on his back and carry it to the very top. MJF said that he is AEW, he’s the guy that’s going to lead this company for the next 25 years and they’re not going to stop. MJF said that they aren’t going to stop until they turn this brand into the pinnacle for professional wrestling.
MJF: “Jon Moxley, I am challenging you for your World Title and announcing my candidacy as the AEW World Champion. I’ll see you at All Out, Jon. We deserve better!” MJF left.
Analysis: Great promo from MJF. That’s usual for him as one of AEW’s best talkers. I think making this look like a political speech was a bit silly, but he got his point across well. The reality is that MJF is undefeated in singles matches as he said while also being number one in AEW’s rankings that the company seems to care about. I think he made good points in talking about being on two weeks in a row because it’s rare that they feature him a lot and I think he should be featured even more. Perhaps he will be going forward. Anyway, it should lead to MJF challenging Moxley for the AEW World Title at All Out on September 5th. Could MJF win the title there? It’s possible, but I think Moxley’s reign may continue.
Next week on AEW Dynamite:
* Cody and Matt Cardona vs. The Dark Order’s John Silver and Alex Reynolds
* MJF Update on if he gets his AEW Title match
* 12-Man Tag Team Match: FTR, Young Bucks, Page and Omega vs. Dark Order’s Brodie Lee, Colt Cabana, Stu Grayson, Evil Uno and two masked guys
* Chris Jericho and Orange Cassidy have a debate with a special guest moderator
That’s a weak lineup although they did add a World Title match to it. Cody and Matt teaming up is fine, but going against Dark Order losers isn’t that interesting. I think a 12-man tag is too many people in one match as well.
The tag team main event is up next.
(Commercial)
Darby Allin was up first for the main event, but when his music played, he did not show up in the ring. Jon Moxley entered with the AEW Championship and he walked in through the back of the arena with Roberts doing the “Jon Moxley” yelling introduction.
They went backstage where Taz was with FTW Champion Brian Cage and Ricky Starks asking where Darby All is? Taz noted that Starks beat up Allin last week. Taz told Cage to stand in front of him so that they don’t piss some people off (apparently some people have complained about that in the past). Taz put over Cage as The Machine and then put over Cage’s physique. Taz also mentioned “Absolute” Ricky Starks, who did a promo saying he’s young, handsome, successful and is everything your baby mama wishes you were. Starks said that everybody loves Darby because he’s mysterious while trashing Darby for his look and wrestling style like a crash test dummy. Solid promos there. Taz was back on commentary.
Cage and Starks entered the arena, which led to Allin jumping off the top of the entrance area with a Coffin Drop on both guys. Taz yelled about how they trapped his guys.
No Disqualification Tornado Tag Team Match: Jon Moxley and Darby Allin vs. Brian Cage and Ricky Starks (w/Taz)
Cage sent Moxley into the ring apron around ringside followed by a forearm. Allin battled Starks on the ramp with Starks hitting him with a clothesline into the ring. Cage decked Moxley with a roundhouse kick. Allin jumped over the top on Cage, who botched the catch and picked up Allin, so that Moxley could hit a running suicide dive to knock down both guys.
(Commercial)
The match returned with Cage looking dominant after hitting a slam on Moxley and Allin at the same time. Cage with a release German Suplex on Allin with Starks getting a two count out of it. Moxley brought in a steel chair and threw it at Starks. Cage with a pump kick on Moxley, Allin with a flipping Stunner on Allin and Starks with a Spear. Moxley with a knee on Starks followed by a Cutter. Cage hit a spinning clothesline, so then all four guys laid down on the mat to sell that sequence of moves. Moxley avoided a clothesline, then hit a German Suplex and a piledriver for two. Moxley went for a cross armbreaker, but then Starks hit a running knee for two. Starks and Cage hit a double team spinebuster onto a trash can for two as Allin broke up the pin. Allin sent Starks into the ring post, then jumped at Cage, Moxley saved Allin from a Powerbomb and Moxley hit a DDT while Allin hit a Coffin Drop on Cage at the same time. Moxley hit a suicide dive on Starks while Allin got a two count on Cage. Allin slammed a trash can onto the left arm of Cage. Allin brought out a skateboard that had tacks on the bottom of it with no wheels on it. Moxley slapped on an armbar on Cage on the apron while Allin kicked Starks and Allin jumped onto the back of Starks with a double foot stomp with the skateboard, so the thumbtacks on the skateboard went onto Ricky’s back. Ouch. Allin covered Starks for the pinfall win after about 9 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Jon Moxley and Darby Allin
Analysis: **3/4 It was just a brawl without much of a story to the match. I think the finish could have been set up better while also giving the heel side more offense. They got one good nearfall with the spinebuster on the trash can and I think they could have been given more. Starks is a solid worker, Cage does look dominant, but this is another loss for Cage. Moxley worked hard although this was about putting over Allin to give him some momentum now that he’s back in action after missing about a month of action. Give them credit for a creative finish. It would have been nice if this was a longer match because it felt really short for a main event.
Post match, Starks rolled over to show the thumbtacks in his back and there was blood on his back because of it. Cage helped Starks to the back while Taz complained about it while noting it was no disqualification.
Moxley and Allin were left alone in the ring, so Allin pointed at the AEW World Title. Schiavone said that Tony was just told by Tony Khan that they have signed for next week that Moxley will defend that World Title against the #5 contender Darby Allin next week. A graphic appeared on camera for the match. Moxley and Allin had a staredown to remind us just how short Allin is. That was the end of the show.
Analysis: Apparently all you need to do to get a title shot at AEW is point at the title. I get that Allin is fifth in the rankings, but what’s the point of rankings if a guy that is fifth gets a title shot before the four guys ahead of him? It’s a weird system. I doubt Allin will beat Moxley, but the lineup for next week looked weak, so adding a World Title match was a smart move.
Three Stars of the Show
- Cody
- Chris Jericho
- MJF
The Scoreboard
This week: 7 (out of 10)
Last week: 7.25
2020 Average: 7.18
Final Thoughts
This was just an average AEW Dynamite show that was lacking that little bit extra to make it a great show. It wasn’t at the same level as their better episodes.
There were a bunch of matches around the three-star level, but nothing that really stood out. The women’s match was poor. The Omega/Page tag team matches are usually better than this. The 10-man tag was chaotic with some fun moments, but I didn’t love the distraction finish. That’s not something AEW usually does. Cody’s match with Warhorse was solid although it didn’t stand out at all. Plus, it didn’t feel like a big match at all because it was just used to set up the debut of Matt Cardona (former Zack Ryder), who I hope does well in AEW. The promo from MJF was one of the highlights and I’m glad to see him getting that push to the main event that he deserves. The main event gave Darby Allin a big win in a tag match to set him up to challenge Moxley next week.
It’s still an easy show to watch. This just felt less interesting than most Dynamite episodes.
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John Canton
Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter: @johnreport