Wrestle Review: AEW Revolution

As advertised, AEW Revolution managed to stir the pot in the wrestling world with the company's first PPV of the decade. While it is hard to see through the horizon of ten years if such quality content is to continue, perhaps the upstart company is here to make waves for the long haul. It's easy to see why Revolution is a fitting start for the company's year, after a slew of strong episodes of Dynamite.

However, how did each match do individually? There was a great hype train under the MJF-Cody feud, a flavor of redemption to the World Title match between old foes Chris Jericho and Jon Moxley. The under-card looked equally strong with a particularly on fire Tag Team Title match between the members of the ELITE.

With all that and more, a whopping eight matches on the card, gave AEW both a quantitative and qualitative advantage to deliver. The brilliant thing is, with more events to come on the road particularly the Double or Nothing anniversary show; AEW has left enough in the bag. At the same time with the space for the build, it was expected for AEW to give Revolution the fire it needed to begin what the title suggests for the Elite company.

So did AEW Revolution truly and wholly deliver? How about we find out!

The Production and Presentation

Before we move on to the matches and segments built on the show, we must discuss one of the elements of AEW that has been a welcome throwback to the glory days of wrestling. AEW has been aesthetically unique in it's approach to PPV events, giving each of it's super-shows a unique look.

While nowhere near as wild and fascinating as the likes of Double or Nothing (with its giant poker chips stand), Revolution leaned perfectly into the digital stylization of its paraphernalia, particularly when it came to the cool sea-green color of the lights and production. At the same time, that subtlety was matched with a deceptively plain entrance area until one notices the LED screen on the top of the ramp. This was beautifully synced with LED bracelets on the hands of fans in the arena that perfectly light up and sync with entrances.

Shout out to the video production crew as well, though at the time they missed key moments, for the most part the camera and editing work found the perfect balance with high impact moves and storytelling moments. Similarly the commentary was solidly on point, including JR who seems to be embracing his occasional follies with a slightly heelish gusto. However, the coming stand out is the team of Excalibur and Taz who could headline a second weekly show soon for AEW, like they did the Buy-In last night.

The Buy-In: An Exalted Time Bomb

The WONDERFUL mystery of the Exalted One continues

SCU (Frankie Kazarian and Scorpio Sky) vs. The Dark Order (Evil Uno and Stu Grayson)

In narrative writing, there is a concept (familiarized by the film), the idea of two individuals seated at a diner chatting casually. Under the table however is a ticking time bomb, we as the audience are aware of it but they are not; creating a room of tension for the coming result. While Dark Order is in the know of the Exalted One (or at least we assume) and SCU wary of their partner Christopher Daniels, the audience waits with bated breath for the reveal.

This time around though with Scorpio Sky and Kaz calling for Daniels to keep his distance, it felt like the heated tag team bout might spell their doom. There was enough groundwork set for Daniels to not only be revealed as a member of the cult group but its mysterious leader.

Expectation played to this in a somewhat muted match. Despite the excitement of the SCU unit, particularly the hot tag to a rising Sky, the match was tempered a bit. Both by SCU's fall down the ladder, as well as the fact that the former Super Smash Bros (Stu Grayson and Evil Uno) still fail to wrestle in their measured Dark Order style. However, it was the post-match that proved to be a thrill with the debut of Colt Cabana as well as Daniel's arrival in ominous robes, before battling down the Dark Order.

Smartly despite the big picture story, AEW didn't waste a reveal on the buy-in though they did an important if somewhat tepid match. Similarly, the red herring of Daniels turn is perfect if he were to eventually reveal himself as the Exalted One. For now, we can scratch him off the suspect list. Though interestingly he did interact with old partner Kaz, he and Sky didn't exactly hug it out as expected. There's great meat on this story, waiting to unfold on Dynamite rather than on PPV for the long haul.

Result: Dark Order picks up the much-needed win before being sent packing by SCU and Colt Cabana!

Rating:

A Swagger filled Debut

Hager is a beast waiting to be unleashed

Jake Hager vs. Dustin Rhodes

One thing AEW might want to consider for the future is how they structure their card. This has been a somewhat jarring issue through their production of Dynamite and it has carried over to PPVs as well. While opening with the heated bout between Dustin and Jake Hager might have been an inspired choice on paper, it particularly didn't feel so with the layout of the match.

Though appropriately rough and tumble, with Hager getting some beastly licks in and an MMA styled warm up. For all that Dustin is incredibly capable of at his age, this should have gone short and sweet in favor of the dominant Bellator fighter. To be fair, Hager has improved leaps in the wrestling ring, utilizing not only his MMA skills but some great expressiveness when called for. Particularly in his anguish over putting away the veteran Rhodes.

The use of Hager's wife also seemed inspired, despite Dustin's kiss to her (an unneeded throwback to Attitude Era shenanigans, particularly by a babyface) was inspired, though that should have intensified. Not as slobber knocker as the interactions on Dynamite promised, but perhaps a decent showcase for the wrestling variety Hager brings as the muscle of Inner Circle. If only this could have been a completely clean win, Dustin doesn't need the protection.

Result: Jake Hager hits a low blow before choking out to tap out Dustin Rhodes and win by submission

Rating:

The Future is Now!

Future world champions collide. This rivalry is for the long haul.

Darby Allin vs. Sammy Guevara

While fans were heated by the opening of the previous match, what really should have raised the curtain was this firecracker of a bout. With a heated feud behind them and a bright future ahead, Darby Allin and Sammy Guevara were poised for a perfect opener. This is especially true if one considers the parallels of their characters to the World Title main event performers.

Nonetheless, the two future main event stars put on a slick fiery showcase just a few seconds shy of five minutes. It started as heated as ever with Allin entering to another cinematic video and a huge ovation, taking down Guevara before an errant suicide dive nearly did him in. Even before the bell rang the two men tore into each other, with Guevara landing a beautiful 630 onto a prone Allin on a table. Once the match began Guevara, with his cocky swagger, tried to use this to his advantage.

Eventually, Allin overcame in a flurry of exchanges proving his mettle as a wrestler with armbars and counters. Similarly, Guevara's use of both the skateboard and attack on Allin's injured throat is proof positive of the two young men's abilities as in-ring storytellers. While there is a lot of sand to be roughed off, Allin's uniquely suicidal mania and Guevara's cocky Guerrero/Jericho demeanor created the perfect chemistry for a hot closing stretch. These two men will hold aloft AEW in the coming years, that's for sure.

Result: With a Coffin Drop, Darby Allin puts away Sammy Guevara to win the match!

Rating:

Perfect and Pure Storytelling

I wonder if Kenny would be this confused if it was Kota Ibushi by his side

AEW World Tag Team Championships: Adam Page and Kenny Omega (c) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson)

The hybrid abilities of Kenny Omega, surprising dexterity of Adam Page and high flying fury of the Young Bucks could have created a serviceable contest in its own right. However, add in the under layer of a slow-cooked storytelling classic and the fans were treated to AEW's greatest masterpiece. Luckily and smartly this was the third contest of the night, just barely draining the viewers with its display.

At the heart of this contest was Adam Page's emotionally volatile insecurities and Kenny Omega's torn loyalties to a teammate who was once the impetus for the Elite's previous civil war in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Smartly leaning into the history of the competitors, particularly the Bucks ability to do anything and everything against their friends to win the gold, the tag team bout started with an unusual softness before escalating in violence.

What has been a staple of beauty in AEW so far, has been the company's ability to organically adjust its narratives to the demand of the fan base. So while Omega and Page were once again forced to rebuild their chemistry and teased dissension, the relatable love for the vulnerable Page pushed The Young Bucks to play heels going forward. It's a genius decision that paid off with the Bucks destroying Page on the entrance ramp and giving no leeway to Omega, despite his courtesy to them.

A banger of a match, that never paused for a beat but remained emotionally invested in the friendship of the four men. That Page teased turning on Omega after he easily forgave the Bucks at the end was clever, especially to once again throttle the divided lines at which he is playing. Eventually, Omega's going to have to choose a side and the unfolding narrative thereon will be better for it. For now, though, a relentless bout of epic proportions is enough to get the heart pumping.

Result: With a stirring comeback, Adam Page saves Kenny Omega to knock both Young Bucks with the buckshot lariat to win and retain the AEW World Tag Team Championships!

Rating:

A Dave Meltzer classic if there ever was one.

Cool Down

Sometimes, some performers just don't have any chemistry

AEW World Women's Championship: Nyla Rose (c) vs. Kris Statlander

Just as it seemed AEW is getting a hang of its women's division, they took a step backward with this match. It did no favors for the competitors or the company as a whole that this bout came right after the Tag Team Championship classic. With the winds out of their sails and a non-existent build, the Women's Title match was bound to be a cool down for the crowd. Of course, that in its entirety is a major problem with the way AEW has handled its women's division.

However, the real problem last night was in the rawness and incompatibility of its performers. Though Riho might not have been a physically available or believable Champion, the Joshi star had the skill to spare. Unfortunately for Nyla, to carry a match is beyond her current capabilities as of right now. Similarly, Statlander's graceful display works best with a willing opponent on the other end, one in tune with her quirkiness as Shanna proved a few weeks ago. The fact that she was ill a few days ago, didn't help that matter either.

Here the two's resulting greenness and lack of chemistry crafted a contest best left forgotten. It's unfortunate to say that, but it truly is perhaps time to criticize AEW's enthusiasm in its women's division. There is talent there despite the vast gulf of quality between AEW and WWE.

AEW might do to quickly consider another reboot for the division, perhaps with the veteran styles of Hikaru Shida or the irritatingly heelish Britt Baker. If they don't, the women's division might remain doomed to become the AEW bathroom break and no one wants that for women's wrestling anymore.

Result: A beast bomb puts away Kris Statlander to give Nyla Rose the win as she retains the AEW World Women's Championship!

Rating:

1 and a half stars out of 5, a slight bit of leeway considering Kris was ill

The First Chapter

Cody/w Brandi Rhodes and Arn Anderson vs. MJF/w Wardlow

With a highly intense build-up, it was obvious that MJF and Cody's bout couldn't live up to such mega expectations. Though MJF called it Cody's final chapter, this in many ways feels like the beginning of a lengthy rivalry. Booked in the imitable style of a Dusty Rhodes feud, this was a solid first chapter but as I mentioned, it just fell short of expectations.

There was something off from the beginning of the contest, despite Cody's garish tattoo and MJF's equally garish tan job. The heat of the bout translated with the two men throwing bombs early on, in particular paying homage to the lashing of Cody. That included the referee hilariously, though illogically, giving Cody the leeway to whip MJF. Parts of it however just didn't translate at the moment, from Wardlow's minimal interference to Cody's missed shot at him that hurt Arn Anderson instead.

The production team also failed to properly catch MJF use his AEW Diamond ring to knock out Cody, and that crafted a big problem to the connective tissue of the bout. Similarly the inability to justify how MJF started to bleed also felt off. Even then, MJF rose to the occasion once more with his heel work, exposing and even biting Cody's injured toe.

Maybe there's more in these two men and hopefully next time the territorial circus style of Cody's matches pays off. For the next chapter, there's potential, for a first chapter there just needed to be a smidge more.

Result: MJF steals the win with his AEW Diamond ring to pin Cody and win the match!

Rating:

Freshly Squeezed

Cassidy squeezed some laughs out of PAC, PAC squeezed the life out of Cassidy in return

Orange Cassidy vs. PAC

Comedy is undoubtedly the hardest genre to perform and perfect in pro-wrestling. Though for quite a while, AEW fans have known of the comedic brilliance of Orange Cassidy; not many have witnessed it in action in its entirety. Not since perhaps The Undertaker, has there been a man with the abilities to mold his performance style to his character with absolute perfection like Cassidy. This is no exaggeration in any form.

There's no doubt from the placeholder bout between Cassidy and PAC, that the man can go in the ring. AEW's smartly had Cassidy smooth out his style to make it palatable for their fan base. Yet Orange still retained his genius ability to work, while remaining as lazy and sloth-like as possible. He tried, as the Best Friends would put it, and he did so with firebrand gusto. Check his indie work out to understand why Orange Cassidy is a long-awaited gift to comedy wrestling since Toru Yano and Santino Marella.

Similarly credit is due to PAC. Just a few days removed from his tragic loss to Omega; PAC bounced back with an energetic performance revealing new dimensions to his persona. He played along with Cassidy's powerfully soft kicks long enough to get him down and got the win with the help of some well timed distractions from the Lucha Brothers.

Result: PAC latches in the brutalizer to force Orange Cassidy to tap out and win the match by submission

Rating:

Captain Mox gets Moby Dick!

AEW World Heavyweight Championship: Chris Jericho (c)/w Santana and Ortiz vs. Jon Moxley

Not only did Jon Moxley betray the trust of the "Le Champion" once with his attack on Inner Circle after "accepting" their membership, but he tricked him once again at Revolution by playing possum with his eye patch. Mox's Title victory was a beautifully poetic moment for a year removed from his decision to leave WWE. It was preceded by a match of two halves.

The first half featured Moxley's uphill struggle to make sure the Inner Circle didn't get in the way of his championship quest. AEW's long-form storytelling paid off especially with the budding tensions between Referee Aubrey and Chris Jericho. Putting his hands on her one too many times and having his Inner Circle interfere in escalation. The somewhat tepid, if not hard-hitting first half saw their exit, and allowed the rampage of violence between the two old foes for the second half.

The back half fared better with Moxley bleeding profusely from a gash above his already (seemingly) damaged eye. Jericho would gouge Mox's other eye, leaving him blind. It was this moment that the future World Champion would prove Jericho wrong. Mox would rip the patch off and the fans would throw their energy at him as he smashed through Jericho with not one but two Paradigm Shifts. This resulted in Mox becoming the second and now youngest AEW World Heavyweight Champion in the company's brief history.

Moxley declared this a victory for everything he holds dearly, particularly his passion for pro wrestling. It was the perfect way to cap off his year long journey to be crowned the new AEW World Champion.

Result Jon Moxley hits an elevated Paradigm shift on Chris Jericho for the win to become the NEW AEW World Heavyweight Champion

Rating:

Final Thoughts

As mentioned in the opening, despite a few rocky moments AEW is off to a terrific start in the new year and new decade. While AEW Dynamite is firing on all cylinders, the added boost of a weekly show brought new life to their PPV formula. The company appears ready to step it up for the anniversary event this year on May 23rd.

AEW might want to consider better structuring their events, despite the great buffers between big matches. Their women's division requires a serious overhaul, with perhaps Kenny Omega stepping back as a booker. Maybe Brandi could try her luck there, giving it the necessary insiders' touch. Similarly Revolution featured the big players, but a lot of the roster has the potential to step up just like the debuting Colt Cabana and the Lucha Brothers did Saturday night.

However, there's nothing to fret. There's a great foundation with exciting new horizons in the air. The company has a fresh and hot as hell world champion, and the building of two emotionally powerful rivalries. MJF and Cody are likely to get bigger and better, but the real gem of AEW post-Revolution is the simmering tensions between the ELITE and Adam Page. One way or another, great payoffs are in the future.

For now, on its own, this show remains as an example of PPV events done right with smart long term storytelling. Perhaps without knowing it, AEW has changed the world of pro wrestling for the better.

Overall Rating: