'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
This week's AEW Dynamite continued its build towards the upcoming Full Gear pay-per-view next month. Although it wasn't the best episode, the exciting match card kept the audience's interest till the end.
While fans expected CM Punk to ignite a new rivalry tonight, The Straight Edge Superstar sat at the commentary desk. We'll now be discussing the positives and negatives of the show, given the unexpected title change and a few storyline developments that transpired.
On the back of an eventful Rampage episode last night, do you think Dynamite delivered as expected? Also, if you disagree with the reviewer's take below, pen down your thoughts in the comments section.
#5 Worst: FTR defeats the Lucha Brothers for the AAA tag team championships on AEW Dynamite
In a surprising turn of events, FTR (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood) turned out to be Andrade's close friends tonight as they dethroned the Lucha Brothers to win the AAA Tag Team Championships.
Despite having a title change, it felt absurd to hand Fenix and Penta their first loss this soon, given that they recently captured the AEW Tag Team Titles. Although they lost the titles of another promotion, a defeat might affect the team's credibility and recent popularity.
From a storyline perspective, randomly throwing FTR into Andrade's feud against the Death Triangle didn't seem to fit well. The company has rationalized the scenario by stating that Andrade paid the FTR to pull off this swerve. If the former NXT Superstar brought someone close from his family like Bestia or Dragon Lee, it would add another level of intensity to this feud.
#4 Best: Sting stepping up on Darby Allin's behalf to put MJF on notice
MJF came out tonight for his match against Darby Allin. However, the match was postponed when The Pinnacle laid waste to the former TNT Champion last week.
The Salt of the Earth pretended to have no involvement in that beatdown and, instead, called out Allin to show up. Soon after, Wardlow brought in a referee to the ring, prompting him to have 10-count to declare MJF the winner from his match against Darby Allin.
As the count reached nine, Sting marched down towards the ring with his signature baseball bat. The Icon hit Wardlow with his bat, but MJF used the distraction to escape the ring.
Last week, when some goons, presumably The Pinnacle, attacked Allin, many wondered why Sting didn't show up to rescue his partner. With the legendary Icon rightfully inserted into the storyline, the feud will become more interesting in the weeks to come. The company seems to be steadily building towards a tag team match pitting Sting and Darby Allin against Wardlow and MJF down the road.
#3 Worst: Multiple filler matches on AEW Dynamite tonight
AEW seems to need an excuse every week to put top-tier stars like Jon Moxley on the show. Tonight was no different as Mox went up against Wheeler Yuta in a squash match.
The company might want to get an instant reaction from fans to book such matches. But these meaningless bouts aren't doing anything for the superstars.
Aside from that, Penelope Ford facing Kiera Hogan felt out of the blue and underwhelming. With Full Gear fast approaching, the company must book a few intriguing segments or have Mox come out to deliver a scathing promo ahead of the pay-per-view.
#2 Best: Dante Martin earning Malakai Black's respect
One of the biggest takeaways from this week's AEW Dynamite was the opening match between Malakai Black and Dante Martin.
Despite the predictable outcome, both men delivered the match of the night and set the tone for the show. It wouldn't be far-fetched to say that Martin brought the more ruthless side of Black. The latter had the best match of his AEW career so far.
It was a sight to behold when the 20-year-old earned the respect of the former NXT Champion following the match. After tonight's performance, it is safe to say that Dante Martin could become one of the frontrunners to carry AEW in the future.
#1 Best/Worst: Notable names missing from the bracket for the AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament
During this week's episode of Dynamite, Tony Schiavone unveiled the bracket for the upcoming AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament, starting next week. Aside from Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson, the rest of the names in the bracket don't seem to be strong contenders to win the tournament.
Bryan Danielson vs. Jon Moxley seems like a lock for finals that will go down at Full Gear pay-per-view. Interestingly, Tony Khan's notepad leaked the entire card for the event, mentioning Mox against Bryan in it.
The presence of Dustin Rhodes, who's well past his prime, also shouldn't have been booked in the eliminator.
The company could have added Miro, who recently lost his TNT Championship. It would have been a career-defining opportunity if AEW placed him in the contest.
Regardless, the stakes will be higher when the tournament begins, and if Bryan and Mox top their respective tables, fans will be in for a treat to watch this dream clash next month.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
