AEW Dynamite episode 32 was taped from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, and it was coming off a much improved live episode. Being back outdoors and having a nearly full crew again really helps the focus and flow of the show. They’re starting to build heat for the Double Or Nothing PPV, and while it’s a bit late, at least they’re putting together a pretty solid card.
We opened with Jake Roberts and Lance Archer in the ring for a promo. No disrespect to the absolute legend that is Jake Roberts, but he sounds very old and labored in person. While his verbiage here was still pretty good and garnered heat, he sounded like he was growling and struggling to get his words out. Even still, he talked about attacking Brandi last week, and that brought Cody out. Cody pulled up in his impressive vehicle, but only drove it about three feet through some obviously placed guardrails. While I like the grandiose gesture of a heated Cody making an impact, the vehicle felt unnecessarily like a cheap Stone Cold 1997 rip-off. They brawled for a bit before Jake convinced Archer to back off. While the intent was great, the execution was so-so. Mike Tyson will be presenting the winner with the title, and I expect it to be Archer.
They show an excellent package on the AEW tag team division. More character pieces like this for the undercard, please.
Jurassic Express vs. Best Friends
Jurassic Express is one of the acts I’ve been missing the most under the old taping schedule. This was a solid opening tag match that kept most of the comedic side-acts at bay. Jungle Boy takes an excellent beating, and while Luchasaurus’ offense is a bit kick-heavy, it’s cool to see such an agile giant. MJF attacks Jungle Boy, and Fenix lays out Orange Cassidy, leading to Chuck Taylor getting the win with the Awful Waffle. This keeps Best Friends on a winning streak and puts heat on the MJF/Jungle Boy match at Double Or Nothing. Wardlow attacks Marko Stunt after the match.
Hikaru Shida vs. Penelope Ford vs. Kris Statlander vs. Britt Baker
This four-way was said to have Women’s Championship implications, and it wound up basically being a number one contender’s match. This started as most AEW women’s matches have…multiple great athletes trying to do too much, and getting a bit choppy. The match started rough, but really came together in it’s second segment. Penelope Ford felt like she was moving through quicksand in this match. Baker and Statlander got chippy with each other early, and it wound up in Baker getting the Lockjaw on Statlander on the outside. Shida pins Ford with the knee. Later in the night, Nyla Rose attacked Shida with a kendo stick. At Double Or Nothing, it’s Rose vs. Shida in a No DQ title match, and Britt vs. Statlander. I wish the matches had more heat, but it’s random to see Britt facing Statlander instead of Brandi here.
They gave Sugar Dunkerton (aka Pineapple Pete) a little promo here. He started by saying how long he’s been waiting for an opportunity, then turned to comedy, saying Jericho’s fame has made his life sweet. It makes me wonder if Jericho’s commentary alone can get Dunkerton an AEW contract.
Matt Hardy/Kenny Omega vs. Proud and Powerful
Hardy and Omega team for the second straight week, making me wonder if they’re trying to drive a wedge between the tag champs for a Hardy/Page feud. This match went long, but was still a fun watch. P&P are pretty diverse, and they can toggle between silly, brawling, and high flying pretty seamlessly. They cut off the ring and worked the mats well here, and Hardy played his character very well also. Sammy Guevara came out in a neckbrace just to get beat up again. It made him look like a nerd, but it fits his annoying heel character. This would have benefited from being 5 minutes shorter, but Hardy won with a super Twist of Fate.
Taz was interviewing Darby Allin backstage, and he apologizes for talking down to Darby last week. Darby says he was an amateur wrestling standout, and walks away frustrated again. If this leads to a Taz mentor storyline for Darby, I’m all for it.
MJF vs. Lee Johnson
Lee Johnson has been the most impressive of the recent jobbers the company has used. He’s a very good athlete who bumps well. MJF makes quick work of him here though, with an armbar tap-out. MJF gets on the mic after, saying that he can’t wait to face Jungle Boy, and he’s facing Marko Stunt next week. It’s refreshing to have the best heel in wrestling back in the building live.
Chris Jericho vs. Pineapple Pete
This is the second straight entertaining squash match. AEW made the most of putting it’s stars over undercard talent here. Dunkerton has a whole pineapple themed entrance, and he spared no expense on it. Jericho comes out with a Pete shirt on, with the entire Inner Circle in tow. After a brief energetic flurry, Jericho wins with the Judas Effect. He gets the mic after, and makes fun of the Elite. He challenges them at Double or Nothing to a Stadium Stampede match on the football field. He didn’t specify what that meant, but I’m assuming it’s a 5-on-5 Falls Count Anywhere match. Vanguard 1 flies down to accept the challenge, and Jericho destroys him (or it) with a baseball bat. Matt Hardy runs down, crushed and sad over his fallen companion. I don’t understand why the five armed Inner Circle members didn’t jump Hardy here, but it was a good promo nonetheless.
Brodie Lee vs. Christopher Daniels
I was very excited to see Brodie in a main event with a veteran like Daniels, and it didn’t disappoint. This was the best match we’ve seen on AEW in a few weeks, and it developed nicely. Daniels was able to string together some nice combos, but still not keep Brodie down. They booked this match to seem even, yet Brodie didn’t have to sell too much. The camera did some great zooms on Brodie’s stoic, maniacal eyes. SCU/Dark Order got involved in an in-ring brawl with no DQ called, and that was the only part that didn’t fit or make sense. Brodie gets the win with the Roaring Elbow in a good match. Afterword, Moxley comes out of the stands and starts taking out Dark Order members, but Brodie Lee and Ten escape with the title. Moxley gets the mic and says that at Double Or Nothing, Brodie’s AEW career will end before it begins. Very nice way to protect Moxley after last week, while having the heel still escape untouched.
Overall, this was another good show, on par with last week. They had a lot of in-ring action, while following up the matches with in-ring promos. The show was balanced, and a majority of it was built around the match set-ups for the PPV. The recent AEW roster additions were really showcased this week.
