AEW: Dynamite Review
October 21st, 2020
The show opens with Wardlow on his way to the ring...
1) Wardlow vs. Jungle Boy - AEW Title #1 Contender’s Tournament
WARDLOW. Aside from the expected Omega/Page final, Wardlow being involved might be what I’m most excited about as I feel he could be the real sleeper of this thing. I don’t think he’s wrestled on dynamite since the cage match with Cody? So seeing him here and only on special occasions I think helps build the appeal. And this was another good match from the big man as Jungle Boy flew and bumped around for him and they delivered a solid big man/little man back & forth contest. In the end, Wardlow is too much for Jungle Boy to combat and he eats the pin.
Match rating - ***
2) Kenny Omega vs. Sonny Kiss - AEW Title #1 Contender's Tournament Match
EPIC KENNY OMEGA CLEANER ENTRANCE. They did everything in their power to make this feel big and it worked. Poor Sonny Kiss eats a V Trigger and the One Winged Angel and this one is over before it even gets started. Omega advances with a dominant showing in his huge return to singles competition. This makes sense on every level especially considering Omega's original opponent Joey Janela was pulled from the tournament due to having came in contact with someone who had COVID over the weekend. I just wonder if this was the plan in that case too? Guess we will never know!
3) Pentagon Jr. vs. Fenix - AEW Title #1 Contender’s Tournament Match
Hell fuckin yes. One of the best AEW TV matches to date. Penta & Fenix are brothers and a team, but have faced off numerous times and with the stakes this high it makes total sense. Eddie Kingston is on commentary and does a great job helping explain that as well. If you’ve ever seen these two go at it, you know what we got here. Just an absolute bonkers showcase. So much inane shit packed into 15 or so minutes. Fenix wins and will face Kenny Omega next week.
Match rating - ****
4) Hangman Adam Page vs. Colt Cabana - AEW Title #1 Contenders Tournament Match
Colt once again delivers some TV goodness and Hangman looks amazing, also per usual. They do some pretty good spots and gave Colt a little more than you might expect. Uno was at the entrance ramp watching on. Hangman wins with the buckshot lariat.
Match rating - ***1/4
Back from commercial, Taz comes out with Brian Cage and Ricky Starks and cuts a badass promo on how unfair it is that Darby Allin is getting handed a title shot against Cody for the TNT Title at Full Gear. Ricky Starks then gets the mic and shows why he is honestly the bigger star compared to Cage. Awesome stuff from Starks as he vows to put Darby in the grave the next time they meet.
The Chris Jericho/MJF musical that I'm sure you've heard about by now airs and it is fucking hilarious and part of what makes AEW unique. They actually know how to pull of light hearted/comedy stuff without making you feel stupid for watching even though this entire thing is goofy as can be. Who knew Jericho and MJF would be the perfect pairing.
5) Britt Baker vs. KyLinn King
Extended squash for Britt here. But as I have said in previous reviews, she's improved so much that almost everything she's involved in is at the least somewhat enjoyable. Despite this being a squash, King didn't look bad and played her part excellently. Baker wins after a few minutes.
Match rating - **1/4
NEXT WEEK:
- Hangman Page vs. Wardlow
- Cody vs. Orange Cassidy - Lumberjack Match for the TNT Title
6) The Young Bucks vs. The Butcher & The Blade (w/ The Bunny) vs. Private Party vs. John Silver & Alex Reynolds - AEW Tag Team Title #1 Contender’s Match
This was a lot of fun as you’d expect. Silver & Reynolds and Private Party were honestly the highlights and if I’m being honest, I think I’d enjoy seeing them feud over the tag belts more right now than Bucks/FTR. That dream match feud has just lost its luster and I don’t even understand the build they’ve been going for anymore. But, yeah. Bucks win this. Oh, also, poor Alex Reynolds got knocked out cold and it was very scary. Cody even came out to check on him after the show went off the air.
Match rating - ***1/2
Post match, FTR tries to share a beer with The Bucks which they obviously decline and slap out of their hands. It’s so hard to tell who’s supposed to face and heel here considering the past few weeks, especially on the Bucks’ end.
