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Even though it may seem like we're ripping on AEW Dynamite in this review, don't let that distract you from the fact that this was a really entertaining show, from the opening moments to the closing ones. The matches were good, and certain segments, even though they made no sense, were still entertaining in their own unique way.
AEW Dynamite built towards Revolution, the upcoming pay-per-view from All Elite Wrestling this week, with a whole bunch of competitive matches and engrossing segments. Certain aspects of the show left much to be desired, but there was an organic tone to the whole thing, as opposed to the 'sterile' WWE vibe.
Leave us a comment and let us know what you thought about AEW Dynamite, by posting in the comments section below.
#1 Best: Riho returns to AEW Dynamite and has a scorcher of a match
Not only did Riho return to AEW Dynamite in a big way, scoring a big victory, but she only had the match of the night. Serena Deeb, the veteran, was the perfect dance partner for Riho, and there were several points during the contest where it seemed like it could have gone either way.
Jim Ross was on fire during the contest, telling the tale of the underdog, Riho, and it was great to see him back in his element once again. When Jim Ross is at the top of his game, there is nobody in the business that can touch him.
The women's division of AEW Dynamite has come such a long way since its earliest days. It genuinely feels like one of the highlights of the show these days.
The clash may have been the best women's match all year, across any wrestling promotion!
#1 Worst: The botches on AEW Dynamite just kept on coming
We praised Jim Ross's excellent commentary on AEW Dynamite this week in the very first segment. And so it's only fair that with the praise, we also hand out the criticism. Jim Ross called the AEW World Champion, Kenny Omega, the 'WWE World Champion' live on air. Fans caught on to it and so did Drew McIntyre, who posted the tweet shared above.
The other two AEW Dynamite botches came from Jack Evans and Mike Sydal, both of whom went up to the top rope to deliver athletic moves that went awry.
In both cases, it happened in solid matches that would have made it to the 'Best' section of this list, had the aerial approach not gone astray. One has to wonder why every AEW Dynamite performer attempts such a fast-paced, breakneck style when they don't necessarily have to.
None of these AEW Dynamite botches were dealbreakers, but they looked sub-par on what was otherwise a pretty entertaining show, in almost every department.
#2 Best: Did we finally see Hangman Page join The Dark Order on AEW Dynamite this week?
Let's commend how Negative 1 is being used on AEW Dynamite to start off this section of the review. AEW mentioned that he would be a member of The Dark Order and they meant it. Tony Khan seems like a genuinely good person, looking out for the boys and their families.
Even though this reviewer has been critical of the manner in which Hangman Page has been used on AEW Dynamite, the manner in which the opening segment played out, made you root for The Dark Order, and a potential alliance with Page.
Matt Hardy played the role of the power-hungry, money-grabbing manager as well, even promising a reward to the heels. The idea of a 'money match' where all of their opponent's quarterly earnings will go to the victor is a ridiculous idea, but it's definitely not the most ridiculous thing we've seen or heard in the realm of pro wrestling. What did you think of the AEW Dynamite opener?
#2 Worst: Jade Cargill and Shaq prepare for a major AEW Dynamite wrestling match, by playing the wrong sport
The idea of NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal in an AEW Dynamite ring is guaranteed to bring new eyeballs to the product. And so it made all the sense in the world for AEW Dynamite to air a video of O'Neal and Cargill training for their big match. However, they were playing the wrong sport!
In fact, it was so ridiculous to see Jade Cargill and Shaq preparing for their match, not by learning wrestling holds and moves, but with basketball, that Red Velvet actually sent out a hilarious Tweet mocking the segment.
Nobody expects the upcoming AEW Dynamite match to be Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat at WrestleMania 3, but can we at least give the audience the idea that the participants are taking the match seriously? Yes, pro wrestling, by nature, is supposed to be ridiculous, but this was ridiculous even by All Elite Wrestling standards. What did you guys think of this absurd training video?
#3 Best/Worst: Sting takes a bump on AEW Dynamite. Was it needed, though?
Sting came to the AEW Dynamite ring, putting away the baseball bat to take on a depleted Team Taz. However, the heels got the better of him, and Sting, to our surprise and amazement, ate a massive powerbomb from Brian Cage.
Well, we now know that Sting is good to go and that he can take a bump, at the age of 61. Sting has kept himself in good shape and it's great to see that he will be able to close out his career on his own terms.
That said, it makes one wonder if Sting's aura wasn't diminished by him looking so very weak against two members of Team Taz.
This is the same guy, flattened out on AEW Dynamite, who would take 10 members of the nWo down, back in the Nitro era.
Have you checked out our chat with the AEW TNT Champion, Darby Allin, who had much to say about Sting when we caught up with him?
