-So, you had to figure that this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite was going to start off exactly as it did. MJF was livid and demanded his championship back. This highlights the exact problem with how they did the Darby Allin world title win last week. MJF was speaking the truth out there — as the heel. He did kinda get screwed over and Allin isn’t exactly a credible champion in winning the belt the way that he did. Well, then why do it the way they did? It’s all about protecting MJF and this opening segment proved it. It’s nice that Darby Allin is the champion, but MJF is still the guy. Big difference.
The Kevin Knight push continues
-The Kevin Knight vs. MJF promo battle was a fun segment. Knight held his own. I continue to enjoy the way he cuts promos. He has a different cadence, but is compelling and articulate. Knight vs. MJF next week should be a blast.
-It took Brody King nine minutes to beat Lio Rush? Nine????? Something isn’t right about that. King can’t be booked as a dominant monster babyface and go nine minutes with Rush. Plus, the Rush gimmick isn’t good. It’s forced, totally out of the blue, and way over-acted.
-No TLC match for FTR vs. Copeland and Cage 3? Figured it would be a perfect time for that. Alas, it’s a New York Street Fight instead. Well, not officially yet, but it will be. Copeland cut a fine promo ahead of making that challenge. Enough is on the line where it makes sense for FTR not to duck them in a third tag championship match.
From The Takedown on SI
-Good to see Hikaru Shida back in action. The match against Mina Shirakawa was fine, but the main thing I thought about during it was how important Shida was to AEW during the pandemic. She saved the women’s division early on in AEW and likely won’t ever get the credit she deserves for it. However, Shida got the win this week, but that says more about the downswing for Shirakawa than it does a push for Shida.
Sorry, but no
-Under no circumstances should Mark Davis be defeating Will Ospreay on television. That just can’t happen. Ospreay is arguably the biggest star in AEW and is doing jobs to a tag team faction jobber? Steve Austin wouldn’t be losing to Scotty 2 Hottie. I get that Ospreay has a little protection because of the finish itself, but it’s not like AEW is trying to make Mark Davis into something. This is all angling to be the summer of Ospreay, but so far Tony Khan is over thinking things. Fans want to cheer Ospreay all the way to the world title. That’s the ride they should be taken on. Small dips and turns are fine, but nothing massive. The story is his comeback, so just let it be about that. It’s a feel good story that shouldn’t make people worry about Ospreay’s well-being.
-Samoa Joe rules. That’s all. Such an authenticity to what he does in the ring. The show will be better week to week with him back. What happens with The Opps? Not sure it matters.
Darby sets the tone
-Wow. Darby Allin vs. Tommaso Ciampa was an insanely wild, violent, but brilliant match. Not only were these guys crazy with bumps, but the urgent pace they had on them reinforced the danger and craziness. This was a tone setter of a match for the Darby Allin title run. Allin said, in what was a strong promo, that he was going to put the title on the line every week until his body gives out. I’ll say. The match he had with Ciampa perfectly set the table for that exact story. The outcome will likely be his inability to hold the belt for a long time because of the violence in his matches. It’s great stuff that fits the Allin character. MJF is an obvious heel to capitalize on it.
What did you think of this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite? Let us know in the comments!
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