-AEW needed a home run promo from Jon Moxley after what he did to Bryan Danielson at All Out and they got one with the opening video package. Moxley came across as demented, vicious, and dangerous, but he also gave strong reasoning as to why he did what he did to Danielson. He didn’t give much away in terms of the future story at play, but a “why” was important to establish. The video was shot very well and it set a strong tone for the show.
One true heel
-Per the usual, Christian Cage cut an effective heel promo on Bryan Danielson and the AEW World Heavyweight Championship. Nothing crazy here, but to the point on what people can expect regarding Cage as a contender for the championship. Cage continues to do great work and is still one of the only true heels on the AEW roster.
-Now wait a second — the Don Callis Family is just a thing again? Look, I like Callis and he provides value to the show, but his stable can’t be in and out and in again. Last we saw, Kyle Fletcher was on the outs with Callis. Like most parts of AEW Dynamite, this group needs better definition.
-A good little match between Jack Perry and Lio Rush. You certainly didn’t get the feeling Rush was going to win the TNT Championship, but the idea was to give Perry another W and successful title defense. After the match, Perry told Alex Marvez, “people like me are crucified in this life, so that we can be worshipped in the next” before hopping aboard his bus and driving away. Come again?
What’s next?
-Good to see Adam Page get a chance to talk about his win over Swerve Strickland at All Out. Page conveyed his heel character well and showed the audience just how unhinged he’s become. Watching this, it made we wonder what’s next for him. He’s a top-ish heel right now, but doesn’t have an abundance of babyfaces to work with. Ospreay is available. That would be a good PPV match for both guys to have on the Wrestle Dream show.
-The Moxley faction beatdown of Komander was menacing and tough to watch — in a good way. The presentation of the new group has been very effective, but the question will be whether or not they become too cool to boo. With Bryan Danielson and Darby Allin as the two babyfaces slated to oppose them, there is a good chance Moxley and team can make it work this time where they couldn’t with the Blackpool Combat Club.
-Sammy Guevara vs. Ricochet was a strong way to highlight Ricochet. Guevara was able to work a Ricochet style match and the audience got to see a lot of the special athletic qualities that Ricochet has. None of what we saw was a main event presentation for Ricochet, though, and that’s totally fine at this point. No reason to saddle him with expectations he can’t live up to.
-Okada against the Don Callis Family? In what world does Okada get booed in that story? He’s still a heel right?
I’m right here
-Darby Allin has improved tremendously on the microphone. Not only did he hang with Jon Moxley this week, but he outshined him in some regards. The way he said “I’m right here” sent chills down the spine. Darby is likable, sympathetic, and bad ass all at the same time. That resonates with people. Now, I’m not sure why Darby would put his title shot on the line against Moxley in a match. It’s kind of Darby’s thing to be reckless, but there is reckless and there is stupid. I’m curious what they do for the finish here — Moxley certainly can’t lose a huge match as they build this new faction around him.
-Mariah May got a victory over Queen Aminata. A good match, but one without any intrigue. May calling out Mina Shirakawa was an interesting story pivot. Does Mina side with May? That’s the narrative now. What do you think?
-The Learning Tree stuff this week with Jericho wasn’t awful. Jericho toned down the “Hi Guys!” stuff, so clearly Jericho has been reading this column. As I’ve always said, as long as this stays where it is on the show each week and doesn’t try to present as something more than it is, it has a place on the show.
Silly AEW nonsense
-Ok, I’m buying a vowel. Bryan Danielson was not cleared to face Darby Allin for the AEW World Championship at Grand Slam, so Darby Allin decided to wrestle Jon Moxley instead, but Danielson can wrestle Nigel McGuinness? This makes no damn sense. If Danielson can wrestle on the show it should be against Darby Allin. Plus, not enough people understand the significance of another Nigel vs. Danielson match. Yes, their previous encounter in ROH all those years ago is legendary, but c’mon, only a handful of fans saw that and get the relevance of doing it again. If that’s a match you want to do, fine, but you have to give it more background than what they gave it this week. Plus, you can’t have this match that means so little to so many, derail or interrupt other important plans for the world championship. Silly stuff all around and an example of why AEW has such a hard time seeing long storylines through to the end.
A grand slam for Grand Slam
-The main event Casino Gauntlet Match was excellent. Just a fun, action packed match with lots of talent. Will Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher winning sets up a really good match between them and The Young Bucks at Grand Slam.
What did you think of this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite? Let us know in the comments!
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Your comment on Darby sums it up for me, "Darby is likable, sympathetic, and bad ass all at the same time." Over time, he has really won we over with his whole presentation.