TJR: AEW Dynamite 10/14/20 Review (Dynamite 1 Year Anniversary Show)

Welcome to another AEW Dynamite review here on TJRWrestling. It’s the one year Dynamite anniversary show with four titles on the line. It’s a big show for AEW.

This is episode #54 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 an impressive pyro display at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville with the announce team of Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone and Excalibur welcoming us to the show. There were fans in the crowd as we have seen in recent weeks, plus the usual array of wrestlers surrounding the ring. We also saw Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford playing some arcade game too. The wrestlers were in the ring for the first match.

AEW Tag Team Championships: FTR (Dax Hardwood and Cash Wheeler) (w/Tully Blanchard) vs. Best Friends (Trent and Chuck Taylor)

FTR is 11-0 in AEW while Best Friends have 17 wins in 2020. Taylor was in control of Harwood early with multiple shoulder tags and an arm drag. Trent faced off with Harwood as Harwood hit him with a chop and uppercut. Trent got some shots in, Wheeler got the tag and sent Trent into the ropes followed by Harwood hitting a belly to back suplex for a two count for Wheeler. Harwood tagged in with an elbow drop on Trent. The announcers talked about how great it is to be calling Dynamite for the past year. Harwood and Wheeler did a double team slingshot that sent Trent throat first into the middle rope. Wheeler worked over Trent with forearms to the chest, Trent with elbows and Wheeler knocked Trent off the apron to the floor. There were some “Best Friends” chants from the crowd. Harwood grabbed Trent by the leg to keep him down and Wheeler stomped on him. JR mentioned Alabama football coach Nick Saban having COVID-19 and wished him the best. This was while Wheeler had Trent grounded with an armbar, Trent broke free and Harwood was back in for his team. Harwood had Trent on the top rope and gave him a belly to back suplex and a tag to Wheeler got a two count for Cash. Wheeler went to the middle ropes, he jumped off and Trent got the knees up to block.

Taylor got the hot tag with clotheslines on both opponents, then both champions were on the floor and Chuck ran the ropes with a somersault dive over the top to the floor. Back in the ring, Taylor hit a Falcon Arrow slam on Harwood (I wrote Dawson at first – it still happens) and that got a two count. Blanchard grabbed the leg of Taylor during a suplex, which led to a two count for Harwood. Taylor grabbed Blanchard, Wheeler got the tag and Trent went into the ring illegally, the referees never care in AEW and there was a sunset flip. The announcers praised the referee even after he just showed no interest in telling a guy to leave the ring when the guy was in there illegally. Best Friends hit the running boot into a half n half suplex and a running knee by Trent on Wheeler for a two count. Nice nearfall there. Harwood attacked Taylor on the floor to knock him down. Trent with some elbow strikes to the head, but FTR took control with Harwood tagging in for an assisted Powerbomb and Wheeler slam off the back for a two count. Harwood with a belly to back suplex on Trent for a two count. Trent was on the turnbuckle, he knocked down both FTR guys, Harwood tripped up Trent and this time Trent turned the back suplex into a cross body block for a two count as Wheeler broke up the pin. Wheeler with a Tornado DDT on Taylor. Trent wit ha DDT on Wheeler. Harwood with a DDT on Trent and that third DDT in a row got a two count. Taylor punched Wheeler off the apron to the floor. Best Friends hit the Strong Zero double stomp into a slam double team move for a two count as Wheeler made the save. Taylor went after Wheeler on the floor, but Wheeler dropped him with a brainbuster on the floor. Trent kicked Wheeler over the barricade. Trent went for a Spear, Wheeler moved and Trent hit a Spear into the video game machine. Sabian told Ford to get “him” meaning Miro. The referee was so slow to count that Wheeler was able to bring Trent into the ring. JR said referee Rick Knox had a “deliberate” count meaning very slow and Tony said he was glad so they can try to win in the ring. Trent countered a move by Harwood with a DDT as Taylor knocked Wheeler out of the ring. Wheeler brought a belt into the ring, Taylor avoided it and Harwood hit the turnbuckle. Harwood and Taylor went towards the ropes, Wheeler had the title, the referee went down to avoid getting hit, Wheeler hit Taylor with the title and Harwood pinned Taylor for the pinfall win after 16 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: FTR (Dax Hardwood and Cash Wheeler)

Analysis: ***1/4 The champs retain in a match where the referee’s incompetence was used in the finish. There was no reason for the referee to duck and go down to his knees there, but they needed him to do it in order for Wheeler to hit Taylor with the belt leading to Harwood’s win. They could have planned it better. It’s been one year of AEW shows with bad refereeing. The work in the match was good, but it also dragged on a bit. The win by FTR was the obvious outcome since they recently won the titles and I never expected them to lose. Trent really impresses me in every match because he sells so well while Taylor has also done well recently. FTR’s my favorite team in AEW for sure.

Post match, FTR left to the back with their titles. Miro ran down to the ring with clotheslines on both Best Friends guys. Miro tossed Trent and Taylor out of the ring.

Analysis: This means these teams are feuding because Best Friends accidentally destroyed the video game when Trent went running into it. I guess the younger demographic would be mad about that.

(Commercial)

Miro and Kip Sabian (w/Penelope Ford) vs. Sean Maluta and Lee Johnson

Miro threw Maluta out of the ring and into the barricade. Miro whipped Maluta into the barricade. Miro with a high kick to the face. Miro punched Johnson off the apron and threw him into the barricade. Maluta ran right into a clothesline from Miro. Sabian tagged in with a splash off the top rope. Miro went back in the ring with the Game Over submission (Camel Clutch) for the easy win in two minutes.

Winners by submission: Miro and Kip Sabian

Analysis: * A squash match to put over Miro, who was mad because of a video game. Sabian only did one move and got out of there. At least Miro is booked in a dominant way so far.

Kip Sabian did a post match promo saying that they destroyed his prized possession (a video game). Rusev said that “Good Friends” broke his shit, so he said game over for them.

Analysis: Miro, who is in his mid-30s with a lot of money in his bank account, is sad about his video game at work breaking. What a riveting storyline.

There was a shot of the backstage area with Lance Archer beating up Jon Moxley with punches and slamming his head onto the table repeatedly. Archer punched a random guy that was standing by. There were some officials that showed up to get Archer out of there.

The eight-man tournament starts next week. The winner gets a title shot at the AEW World Champion. The brackets look like this: Pentagon vs. Fenix, Kenny Omega vs. Joey Janela, Colt Cabana vs. Hangman Page and Wardlow vs. Jungle Boy. The finals are at Full Gear on November 7 and the winner gets an AEW World Championship match.

Analysis: Some of the names seem random. Why wouldn’t MJF be in this? Shouldn’t the rankings matter? Why are certain people in and others are not in? They don’t explain the choices. I think the brackets being structured as they are means Omega could face Page in the finals. I think that’s what is going to happen.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from MJF

Maxwell Jacob Friedman entered with a suit and scarf around his neck as usual. Wardlow was there with a suit as well. MJF bragged about how great he is as usual and he’s there to stay on top. MJF said he’s about to call out a man that he looks up to dearly. MJF noted that this man stayed on top of the business for 30 years, he’s hear to listen to MJF’s announcement and he introduced “Le Champion” Chris Jericho.

Chris Jericho made his entrance joined by his Inner Circle buddies Santana, Ortiz, Sammy Guevara and Jake Hager. Four of them were wearing Inner Circle jackets gifted to them by MJF, but not Sammy, who still doesn’t have his jacket. The crowd sang the “Judas” song for Jericho’s entrance as usual. MJF let the crowd know they were off key.

MJF asked Sammy if he had a jacket from his good friend Max. Jericho told Sammy to put it on and it was several sizes too big, so it looked ridiculous. That was funny. MJF called Jericho a “genetic” freak while pointing out his abs and his luscious hair. MJF asked to touch Jericho’s hair, so Jericho said he can and MJF touched it while adding it was smooth as a baby’s bottom.

Jericho told MJF to “cut the shit” so Max can tell them the huge announcement that will shake up the world. MJF said he didn’t want any hostility. MJF said that the two biggest minute per minute draws are looking at eachother eye to eye, nose to nose and toes to toes, which is why Jericho is the Demo God. Max called himself the “Ratings Ruler” which drew boos.

MJF said that they have both been on top of their game ever since AEW started, yet they have never gotten physical in the squared circle. MJF said when you’re at home watching Animal Planet – Chris said he hated Animal Planet and MJF said it’s not part of the Turner family. MJF said that they are like predators swimming around prey, but unfortunately the prey has adapted. MJF tried to ask if he could join the Inner Circle, he struggled at first and rambled on about it before he could get it out.

Ortiz said that Max was living out his childhood fantasy by jerking Jericho’s chain and he said they don’t want Max in the Inner Circle, so end of story. Jericho said that they need some time before they let Max know. Jericho suggested that next week they meet up one on one for a steak dinner. MJF asked if he wanted steak, Jericho said he never wanted anything more, Max said he’s on and Jericho said he’ll see him next week at the restaurant. Jericho left with most of his guys as Hager stared at Wardlow before leaving.

Analysis: This did not live up to the hype as some epic segment, but MJF is also an over the top, sarcastic heel, so it fits his personality. It’s a promo to set up a steak dinner for next week’s Dynamite. It’s obviously going to be a slow build where Jericho will begin to trust MJF, but we can all see that an attack from MJF is going to come at some point and that’s going to turn Jericho face to set up their big match down the road. They had some good lines in the promo with some silly dialogue for both guys. I thought it was an entertaining promo segment overall. MJF has had one match on Dynamite in the last three months. It was a squash match on September 16. I’d like to see him wrestle more often.

There was a scene with Dr. Britt Baker getting treatment at a spa along with Tony Schiavone, who was at the table beside Baker. Reba was there with a chart as Baker said that rule number five is to be the baddest bitch on the block. Baker screamed about how Tony might have been naked under the blanket. They did some chest waxing to Tony as well, which led to screaming for Tony. Baker kept on talking while getting a pedicure beside Tony. Baker talked about overcoming a broken nose, a broken leg (it was more like a knee sprain that sidelined her for a few months) and everything else. Baker said that now that she is back, the entire division has been put on notice. Baker spoke about her epic return as we got a graphic saying she was in action next week.

Analysis: Watching Tony Schiavone getting a chest waxing is not something I needed to see, but it made me laugh so I guess it’s okay. Tony and Baker are funny together. Baker is the biggest star in the women’s division in terms of actually having a character. They need to get the title on her soon.

Orange Cassidy made his entrance for his TNT Title match.

(Commercial)

Cody made his long and elaborate entrance. Cody had coach Arn Anderson and wife Brandi Rhodes with him. Darby Allin was shown watching in the crowd. It’s back to the blonde hair look for Cody, who also had some Kinesio tape on his shoulders/neck area.

TNT Championship: Cody (w/Arn Anderson and Brandi Rhodes) vs. Orange Cassidy

Cassidy did his lazy man gimmick to start the match and put his hands in his pockets. Cody shoved Cassidy into the ropes, so Orange kicked his sunglasses out of the ring to really begin the match. Cody and Cassidy locked up with JR noting that it was the first time Cassidy did that in AEW. What a thrill. Cody with two waistlock takedowns, then Cassidy put the hands in the pockets and kicked Cody into the ropes. Cassidy hooked the arms into a pinning predicament for two and another pin attempt got two. Cody with a delayed vertical suplex.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Cassidy doing his weak shin kick gimmick and then a superkick that sent Cody out of the ring. Cody was by the barricade where the Dark Order guys were standing with Excalibur noting that Brodie Lee wasn’t there. John Silver of Dark Order grabbed the TNT Title, Cassidy took it from him and the referee tossed the Dark Order guys to the back. There was a lot of overacting by Silver and the Dark Order group there. Cassidy did the right thing by taking the title away to prevent interference. Back in the ring, Cody wanted Cross Rhodes, Cassidy got out of it, Cassidy countered a reverse suplex into the Stundog Millionaire (stunner) and Cody came back with a Cody Cutter off the ropes. Cody and Cassidy exchanged punches, Cassidy charged, then Cody hit a basement dropkick to the knee and Cody sent Cassidy’s left knee into the ring post. There was another shot of Darby Allin watching from the crowd. It was mentioned that Darby Allin will challenge for the TNT Title at Full Gear on November 7. Cody went off the ropes with a Disaster Kick to the head for a two count. Cody tried for a half crab submission, but wasn’t able to apply it fully with JR saying he couldn’t do it right since Cody was in pain from last week’s match. Cassidy got a rollup for two and Cody came back with a running clothesline for two. Cody did some push-ups, which drew some boos and reminded me of Scott Steiner with the announcers noting it showed that he had a lot left. Cody went for a double underhook, Cassidy crawled to the turnbuckle and Cody sent him up to the top rope. Cody wrenched on the left leg against the top rope. Cody hit a reverse superplex off the top rope for a two count. They went to the ring post with Cassidy blocking an attack by sending Cody into the ring post. Cassidy jumped off the top with a diving DDT for two. Cassidy hit a Michinoku Driver for a two count. Cody with a double leg takedown leading to a Figure Four Leglock in the center of the ring. Cassidy tried to fight out of it, Cody managed to roll over the other way and then they rolled towards the ropes with the referee forcing the break. The wrestlers were on the apron with Cassidy picking up Cody for the Beach Break slam onto the ring apron. Brandi looked concerned at ringside. The referee checked on the guys on the floor and then counted them out of the ring. Cassidy rolled Cody back in before the ten count, he got a two count and Cody with a two count of his own. They were at 19 minutes into this 20-minute match. Cassidy blocked a Cross Rhodes attempt and hit a DDT. Cassidy hit the Beach Break for a two count with Cody getting his shoulder up at the last moment. Cassidy hoked the arm and legs of Cody into a mousetrap pin attempt as the clock ticked down, the referee counted to two and then stop because we were at the 20-minute mark.

Match Result: Time-Limit Draw (Cody retains the title)

Analysis: ***1/4 It was a good match that was exciting towards the finish. It was not nearly as good as Cody’s match with Brodie Lee last week. I think this match was hurt a bit because it felt like midway through the match, they were killing time just to make it to the 20-minute mark and I had a feeling it was going to end up as a draw. Cassidy sold the knee well at times, but then he forgot to do it at other times. If you’re going to sell when you’re taking a move, sell when you’re doing a move too. The last five minutes were timed well. I’m also proud of them for actually teasing a countout spot. Yes, AEW! More of that, please. It adds drama to the match, it helps to tell the story of wrestlers being fatigued and teasing finishes is a part of wrestling. Anyway, Cody held onto the title as expected. Later in the show, they announced a rematch in two weeks.

The match is a draw with Cody retaining the title. Cody held up the title. Cassidy was frustrated in the ring. The announcers overrated the quality of the match, which is what they tend to do.

Lance Archer and Jake Roberts were interviewed by Alex Marvez. Jake said a few words about climbing a mountain, then Moxley showed up and attacked Archer with punches. Security tried to break it up with Archer hitting a security guy with a headbutt to knock him down.

Matt Hardy was interviewed in the crowd by Tony Schiavone. Matt’s wife Reby was shown along with their three sons. Matt thanked everybody for supporting him and said he was feeling 100% and cleared to return. A video was shown with photos of Matt Hardy as somebody in a hoodie walked up to them and lit the photos on fire. The camera revealed that it was Sammy Guevara, who Matt has had a rivalry with. Sammy said he’s the man that took out Matt’s knee (there was a mystery attacker angle), he busted his face and whenever they clear Matt, Sammy will keep hurting him and it’s not over until they send Matt home for good. They went back to Matt at ringside, who wondered if Tony knew about that, Tony had no idea and Matt said he was coming after Sammy.

Analysis: Going back to that feud is fine with me because Matt won the last match, so I think it’s better if the younger guy Sammy gets the big win (I assume that will be at Full Gear) to end the rivalry.

(Commercial)

There were AEW tag teams on the ramp. There’s a Fatal 4-Way tag team match where the winners earn a shot at FTR for the AEW Tag Team Titles. FTR were in the ring with their titles and Tully Blanchard was with them. There was a tumbler with some papers on it, the referees were there to pull the names out and Tony Schiavone read the names.

The four teams are: Private Party, John Silver & Alex Reynolds of Dark Order, The Butcher & The Blade and The Young Bucks. Tony wasn’t happy about Young Bucks since they have superkicked them in the past. That led to a tight handshake by FTR and Young Bucks because they don’t get along, so it was a tight handshake instead of a friendly handshake.

Nick Jackson said that they weren’t there to superkick Tony, they were there to superkick these guys and they hit superkicks on Reynolds and The Blade. That led to a brawl by the four teams in the ring while FTR bailed to the apron. Young Bucks and Private Party cleared the ring of the other teams. Young Bucks and Private Party talked face to face, slapped hands and then Young Bucks hit superkicks on Private Party.

Analysis: Wrestlers have to sell the superkicks when it’s not a match, but in Young Bucks matches, most guys barely sell the superkicks because they are usually just a spot to set up another move. Anyway, I don’t think that’s a great way to set up a title match. A tumbler is used to call out names for the match? They have rankings systems in AEW, so why not just use that? Say Best Friends are out since they lost and then use the next four teams. By doing it this way, you’re basically ignoring the ranking system that is supposed to be a big deal. Anyway, a win for Young Bucks to face FTR for the first time makes a lot of sense unless AEW wants to drag it out some more.

The announcers let us know the Women’s Title match is next.

(Commercial)

Big Swole made her entrance for a title match against the champion Hikaru Shida.

Analysis: In typical AEW fashion, there’s no storyline going into this women’s match. I saw Britt Baker do an interview telling fans not to change the channel when the women’s matches are on. It’s nice of her to defend the company, but when AEW has almost no storylines in the entire women’s division then it’s tough for fans to care. It is not the fault of the talent. Creative has to be better. It’s been this way for over a year now too.

AEW Women’s Champion: Hikaru Shida vs. Big Swole

They did a handshake before the match since they are both faces. Swole with a takedown, then she ran the ropes and Shida hit a shoulder tackle. When they were running the ropes at times it almost looked like they were jogging really slow due to being unsure of what to do. They each got some rollups with Shida hitting an arm drag and Swole did one. They did a slow-motion run into eachother two times. They looked like they were going at half speed. Shida with a knee by the apron to take control. Swole shoved down Shida while they were on the floor.

(Commercial)

Swole was in control in the ring with a headbutt to the chest. They messed up some spot by the turnbuckle due to Swole slipping while trying to do a slam. Shida was on the ramp and Swole hit a Cutter off the bottom rope on the ramp. Back in the ring, Swole hit the cutter off the bottom rope again and this time it got a two count. Swole’s husband Cedric Alexander does a similar move with a jump off the ropes into a DDT. Anyway, Shida with a German Suplex for a two count with it looking like she lost her grip a bit. Shida with a knee to the back of the head and a Falcon Arrow slam got a two count. Swole with the roaring elbow to the face for a two count as Shida got her hand on the bottom rope. Shida came back with an elbow strike, a running knee to the back of the head and then another running knee to the front of the head for the pinfall win after about nine minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Hikaru Shida

Analysis: ** A below-average match that didn’t feel like a big title match at all. Swole has some good-looking offense and I like her strikes a lot. Shida is a polished all-around wrestler. They just didn’t seem to click very well. It wasn’t as intense as I would have liked, but they had some good nearfalls towards the end of the match. It just felt like a match to put on the show to take up ten minutes because they wanted all the titles on the line.

After the match, Shida celebrated with the title while Nyla Rose looked on from the crowd. They put Vickie Guerrero with Rose a few months back, but they have done very little Dynamite with them.

Next week on AEW Dynamite:

* Private Party vs. The Butcher & The Blade vs. Alex Reynolds & John Silver vs. Young Bucks. Winners get an AEW Tag Team Title shot.

* AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament begins: Pentagon vs. Rey Fenix (battle of the brothers), Kenny Omega vs. Joey Janela, Colt Cabana vs. “Hangman” Adam Page and Wardlow vs. Jungle Boy. The finals are at Full Gear on November 7. The winner gets the first shot at the World Title after Full Gear. I believe those four matches are next week, but they did not make that clear.

* Le Dinner Debonair between Chris Jericho and MJF.

In two weeks on AEW Dynamite, Cody vs. Orange Cassidy in a TNT Champion rematch.

Eddie Kingston walked out with the Vladimir Guerrero Montreal Expos jersey (yes!), Pentagon and Rey Fenix. They sat by the commentary table.

A video was shown about Shawn Spears having issues with Scorpio Sky. Spears said he has learned that one moment can last a lifetime. Spears was mad that Sky saved Matt Sydal a few weeks ago, so he was targeting Sky after that.

Analysis: They have done so little with Spears this year. I like Sky a lot, so it should be a good match whenever they do it.

The AEW World Title match was up next after a break.

(Commercial)

There was plenty of time left in the show as the “Murderhawk Monster” Lance Archer made his entrance with Jake “The Snake” Roberts by his side. Archer knocked down some AEW staffer that was standing nearby. Jon Moxley made his entrance by walking through the back of the arena like he loves to do. Earlier in the show, it was announced as a No Disqualification Match. The action began before they could be properly introduced.

AEW World Championship No Disqualification Match: Jon Moxley vs. Lance Archer (w/Jake Roberts)

Moxley is 19-0 in 2020 and Archer is 13-1 in 2020. Moxley went right into the ring and hit a Paradigm Shift DDT for a two count although he didn’t lift Archer up much. Eddie Kingston was on commentary with Fenix and Pentagon standing by. They left the ring with Archer whipping Moxley into the barricade. Moxley recovered quickly and hit his tope suicida (suicide dive) onto Archer on the floor. Archer came back with a forearm to the face followed by some eye-gouging. Back in the ring, Moxley with a clothesline, Archer no sold that and hit a running shoulder tackle to send Moxley to the floor. Archer with a cannonball off the apron onto Moxley on the floor to take control.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Archer setting up Moxley on the apron with two tables on the floor below them. Moxley clotheslined Archer back into the ring. Moxley jumped off the top, Archer grabbed him and Archer decked him with a forearm. Kingston said he used to be close with Moxley until he left for the land of the entertainers (that’s WWE) and Moxley was supposed to take guys like Eddie with him, so that’s the issue there. Archer decked Moxley with a stiff forearm to the jaw, but Moxley came back with a German Suplex, which is not a move he did that often. Moxley with a running clothesline. Moxley threw three chairs into the ring. Moxley threw one of the chairs into Archer’s head. Moxley set up two chairs in the ring that he opened side by side in a seated position. Archer avoided a slam off the shoulders and Archer hit a Chokeslam onto the two chairs for a two count. Moxley slapped on Ankle Lock submission, Archer to the ropes and the referee couldn’t break the hold due to No DQ, so Archer went to the floor. Archer grabbed a trash can, Moxley ran the ropes and into Archer with the trash can shot to the head. Archer with a trash can shot to the body of Moxley. They went to the apron again with the two tables below them, Moxley hit a low blow to block an Archer move and Moxley hit a double arm DDT like a Paradigm Shift through the two tables on the floor. The idea was that Archer went headfirst through the table while Moxley went through butt/back first so it’s not as painful as taking it on the head. Moxley was bleeding on the bridge of his nose. Back in the ring, Moxley hit the Paradigm Shift again with Archer kicking out at two. Moxley slapped on the Bulldog Choke with Kingston pointing out that he didn’t submit or quit to that move, Archer sent Moxley into the turnbuckle and Moxley got a rollup. Archer with a DDT on Moxley. Archer had Moxley up over the shoulders and hit the Blackout slam with a lame cover with his back on the chest, which was done to have Moxley counter into a pin where he hooked the arms for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Jon Moxley

Analysis: ***1/2 It was a very good match with Moxley selling very well, then making the big comeback and winning in decisive fashion. As I always like to write, it felt like a fight and that makes for a better match. There were a lot of hard shots from both guys, I liked the table spot they did and there were plenty of good nearfalls. I think the finish should have happened after the Paradigm Shift in the ring (after the table spot) where Archer kicked out at two. It’s important to protect the finishing move of the World Champion Moxley and having a guy kick out of that in a match on Dynamite just seems a bit too much. I get wanting to have Moxley win by a counter to show that he didn’t dominate the match. It was more of a crafty win by the champion while keeping Archer strong since he wasn’t beaten by a finishing move or submission.

Post match, Archer was pissed off about the loss and he kicked Moxley in the face. Rey Fenix and Pentagon went into the ring with Fenix hitting Archer in the back with a chair, which Archer didn’t sell. Kingston was standing by the ring too. Roberts got Archer out of the ring.

Kingston did a promo asking the crowd to applaud the AEW World Champion Moxley. Kingston mentioned the days when they used to hang out together. Kingston said that they had a great match last time even though he never tapped out. Fenix handed Moxley his AEW World Title. Kingston said it’s been one year and this man Moxley has carried this company. Kingston said he’s proud of Jon and he always knew he could do it. Kingston and friends raised Moxley’s hand and then Kingston did a spinning back fist to knock Moxley down. Kingston slapped on a rear naked choke submission on Moxley. Referees tried to get to Moxley, but Pentagon and Fenix blocked them. Kingston let Moxley go after about 20 seconds. Kingston said that the AEW World Title is beautiful and it’s everything they fight for. Kingston said that he’s going to get Moxley. The show ended with a shot of Moxley face first on the mat.

Analysis: It was clearly going to be an attack from Kingston, who acted like he was friends with Moxley before the attack. I assume that this will lead to Moxley vs. Kingston again for the AEW World Title with that match happening at Full Gear on November 7. There is no other storyline for Moxley right now, so that seems to be where it’s headed.

Three Stars of the Show

1. Jon Moxley
2. Lance Archer
3. FTR

The Scoreboard

This week: 6.5 (out of 10)

Last week: 7.75

2020 Average: 7.18

Final Thoughts

It was a good episode of Dynamite, but it certainly did not live up to the hype of being a one-year anniversary celebration. The four title matches produced some solid matches although I thought last week’s Dynamite had some better matchups. The main event with Jon Moxley beating Lance Archer was my favorite match because it had a different feel as a No DQ Match with some nice use of weapons. Also, Moxley still has to deal with Eddie Kingston, who is back in the AEW World Title picture. FTR retained the titles over Best Friends in a competitive match with a dumb finish. I don’t mind heels cheating to win, but make the cheating look better than what they did. Cody’s match with Orange Cassidy was not a classic. Last week’s Cody match with Brodie Lee was a lot better. The women’s match was forgettable.

I was hoping for some big moment with the MJF and Chris Jericho segment, but all it’s leading to is a steak dinner next week. When it was over, I was like “that’s it?” rather than being excited about what they did. I get that they are doing a slow burn angle here. At least they have some funny dialogue. As for Miro, he gets to have a feud over a broken arcade video game machine. Lame storyline.

I thought they might do more big angles on one-year anniversary show. Instead, it just felt like a typical show that was lacking in terms of memorable moments.

The next AEW PPV is Full Gear on Saturday, November 7. Here’s what we know so far.

TNT Championship: Cody (c) vs. Darby Allin

FTR will defend the AEW Tag Team Titles against the winners of the Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match.

The finals of the eight-man tournament will be at Full Gear as well.

I assume they do Jon Moxley defending the AEW World Title against Eddie Kingston as well.

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John Canton

Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

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