Episode 21 of AEW Dynamite came to us from Kansas City, MO, and it was the “go-home” show before this Saturday’s AEW Revolution pay-per-view. With electricity in the air coming off of last week’s cage match, let’s see how AEW got us ready for one of their biggest shows to date.
Pac vs. Kenny Omega- Iron Man Match
Right away, we kicked off in the home of the Super Bowl Le Champions with a 30 minute Iron Man Match. Pac and Omega came in knotted at 1-1 in their AEW careers against each other, so this was their rubber match. As always, these two have great intensity and chemistry together. The feeling out process was short, and they got right to work, keeping up a frenetic pace throughout. Pac always adds to his arsenal in big matches, and he showed why he’s one of the best in the world in this match. My only issue with this tight contest was the theatrical, over-the-top motions and facials from Omega, but that’s the case in all his matches. Pac hit Omega with a chair for a DQ in the first fall, but then tied in up 1-1 after a Black Arrow. They went to a draw, but someone (we were never told who) made the match sudden death. Omega won with the One-Winged Angel. I loved the match, but hate the result here. Pac needed the win, and Omega is already a champion who’s been wrestling in tags lately. With the Bucks at ringside, having them inadvertently cost Omega would’ve given them tension for Saturday’s match and would’ve given the singles wrestler the needed win.
After the match, Pac talks angrily on the ramp at Tony Schiavone. Orange Cassidy comes out for absolutely no reason, and Pac punches him in the face. I wish they gave Cassidy a reason to confront an angry Pac.
Inner Circle vs. Jurassic Express
This was a fun, fast paced six-man tag. Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus are very over, and they have big futures ahead of them. The chemistry of Santana, Ortiz, and Guevara was shown off nicely here, as they led the match. Good psychology as they set up for Luchasaurus’ hot tag, and he comes in and cleans house better than nearly anyone in AEW. Darby Allin comes out and distracts Sammy Guevara, and Jungle Boy gets the win. Good result, and it adds heat to what should be an awesome Guevara/Allin showdown on Saturday.
They showed a masterful MJF/Cody package. AEW’s production value and recap packages are phenomenal. This told the great story of MJF turning on Cody to get ahead, and Cody relating to the fans as a true star. Props to producer Keith Mitchell for making this feud feel uber important.
Best Friends vs. Butcher and the Blade
I really enjoy Butcher and the Blade each week, as they’re a bit of an old school throwback to 80s tag teams. I’d love to see them against The Revival if we ever get so lucky. This is a decent but forgettable match, highlighted by Orange Cassidy’s showdown with The Bunny. Allie takes off Cassidy’s shades, so Cassidy takes off her bunny ears and wears them. Best Friends win with Strong Zero, and I can’t help but feel like Butcher and Blade deserve better than this.
Best Friends are in the ring with Tony Schiavone after the match. They say they’re back on a roll, and that Cassidy will “try” against Pac. Cassidy vs. Pac is made for Saturday’s PPV, and I really hope this isn’t more than a 6 minute squash for Pac. I know Cassidy can actually wrestle, but I’m not really biting on his lazy comedy shtick personally.
Yuka Sakazaki vs. Big Swole vs. Shanna vs. Hikaru Shida
I like the fact that we got a ladies showcase on the show, but I wish they’d have given this time to the Nyla/Statlander feud, or at least given this four-way some major stakes. Excalibur was trying to explain to JR on commentary about an anime character that Yuka is based on, and he hilariously blows it off. This started solidly enough with some strength spots and four-lady spots, but then went off the rails quickly. This wasn’t very good as a wrestling match. The ladies tried hard, but they got lost a lot, and noticeably slapped their legs on kick spots. Three of the ladies in this match have massive potential (I don’t see it in Sakazaki), but they haven’t found their comfort zone yet. Shida wins with a knee and will likely face the winner of Nyla vs. Statlander.
The Dark Order says that on Saturday, they’ll show SCU who’s the best. I suppose that match is added to the PPV. They say Chris Daniels will be “obsolete”, which is clearly a reference to Matt Hardy. I like that AEW has been using multiple obvious nods to potential candidates for the Exalted One (Raven, Daniels, Callihan, Hardy) to try to keep fans guessing.
They do a sit-down interview where Jim Ross talks to the Young Bucks, Omega, and Hangman Page. They hype up their friendship and talk about the Bucks being the best tag team without holding the titles. Adam Page is drinking and has a few outbursts. The Bucks get upset and say he was a jobber in Ring of Honor before the Bucks brought him on “Being The Elite” and made him famous. Page walks off in disgust.
The main event segment this week is a weigh-in between Jericho and Moxley. Famed announcer Gary Michael Capetta is out to bring out the competitors. The crowd is hot, and there are UFC style ring-girls and a massive scale in the ring. This had a massive big-fight feel. Moxley jumps on the scale right away, but Jericho stalls. Le Champion draws heat by calling Pat Mahomes the wrong name. Moxley headbutts Jericho and busts him wide open. All hell breaks loose, as the Inner Circle jumps Moxley. Dustin Rhodes runs out and attacks Jake Hager, and they fight in the lobby by the Dippin Dots food cart. Darby Allin runs out, but Sammy Guevara breaks his skateboard over his head. Moxley and Jericho square off again, but Jericho hits Moxley’s Paradigm Shift on him on the scale. This pandemonium not only made the upcoming main event feel tense and important, but also did a lot to enhance the undercard feuds as well. Brilliant chaos to end the show.
Overall, AEW’s roll continues. The Iron Man match was excellent, the packages were great, and all the feuds were given focus to progress. They made Revolution the top priority, and it really made the main event segment feel special and unpredictable. I’ll be back on Sunday to review the Revolution show, as well as Thursday for a belated Dynamite review!
