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I loved AEW Dynamite this week and because I also thought WWE SmackDown and RAW were solid affairs, I have to admit that this has been a really good week of pro wrestling all around. I love it when wrestling promotions think out of the box, and that is certainly what happened with SmackDown, RAW, and AEW Dynamite this week.
It remains to be seen whether or not the quality of the show will reflect in the AEW Dynamite ratings, and it was a shame that Eric Bischoff, who returned to the arena after ages, did not get the pop that he so rightfully should have. But AEW Dynamite embraces the setting, an arena without a paying crowd in attendance, in the right manner and despite there being no actual fans, it still seems livelier than a WWE taping somehow.
Here's what I liked and disliked about this week's episode of AEW Dynamite.
#1 Best: Orange Cassidy says his first words on AEW Dynamite
The very fact that Eric Bischoff made a return to TNT by being a part of this week's edition of AEW Dynamite, moderating the debate between Chris Jericho and Orange Cassidy made it 'must-watch'. I don't know if I would have been nearly as sold about this segment had anyone else but Chris Jericho been a part of it, because while it was funny, it was also very silly, but Chris Jericho is certainly the master of the 'goofy'.
Orange Cassidy is definitely a fine promo and the way that Chris Jericho sold his arch-nemesis' very first words made him an even bigger star this week on AEW Dynamite. I cannot wait for the match between these two men because it's pretty much guaranteed to be entertaining and how!
#1 Worst: The absence of Excalibur at the AEW Dynamite desk
Let me start off by saying that I thought Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, and Taz did a pretty spectacular job on AEW Dynamite in the absence of their colleague- Excalibur behind the commentary desk. I also think that the AEW Dynamite think tank is doing the right thing with whatever action they're taking against Excalibur, because, while people do change with time, mistakes from the past are still mistakes regardless.
The only issue with having Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, and Taz, all of whom are phenomenal in their own right, behind the desk on AEW Dynamite is that they are far too similar, where they prefer to capture an emotion instead of calling out the moves that are happening in the ring. Also, the fact that Taz is very much a storyline participant is something that does not sit well with me considering that he has to, as a result, disparage Moxley and Allin, so Excalibur would have been a far better candidate to call the main event match.
#2 Best: Matt Cardona has arrived with a big win on AEW Dynamite this week
Man, before I start talking about Matt Cardona and his AEW Dynamite wrestling debut, can I just say that I personally thought that the two members of the Dark Order who wrestled in the match were better than the members of the Dark Order that competed in the opening contest? Cody Rhodes and Matt Cardona made a pretty prolific team and Matt Caronda got the big win with Radio Silence. It is clear that he is going to be portrayed as a big deal on AEW Dynamite and I'm sure that anyone who has followed his career trajectory from WWE must be absolutely thrilled.
I wonder if he will be the AEW Dynamite Superstar that eventually defeats Cody Rhodes to become the brand new AEW TNT Champion.
In fact, you can check out more of what Matt Cardona had to say to our writer Rick Ucchino this week by clicking on this link here, once you are finally done reading this article.
#2 Worst: Reba's AEW Dynamite showing was disappointing
I get that the whole point of the Big Swole vs. Reba match was supposed to be that Reba is rusty and when she entered the ring (clumsily) on AEW Dynamite, she was supposed to portray the fact that she was well out of her depth against Big Swole. I just don't think that Reba has the acting chops to pull off a role of this manner and a straight-up wrestling match, where she can show us what she can do, would have been better. Because of all the criticism that comes AEW's way when it comes to the women's division, I would have preferred it, if the women weren't portrayed to be sloppy.
Dr. Britt Baker was the star of this segment on AEW Dynamite, calling out orders like an absolute pro.
This was the one odd segment out from a show that was otherwise pretty good, in my opinion. Let Reba be herself because she has years of pro wrestling experience under her belt that she can definitely bring to the table at AEW Dynamite.
#3 Best: The AEW Dynamite main event match this week
We all knew that Jon Moxley vs. Darby Allin was going to be a good match and the AEW Dynamite main event did not disappoint at all. Jon Moxley obviously won the contest and it makes all the sense in the world to me, because as good as Darby Allin is, he is just not the same household name that Jon Moxley is.
I could have done without MJF's interference in the main event of AEW Dynamite, but it was what it was, honestly. Jon Moxley vs. MJF seems to be the hot new feud that will capture our imagination on AEW Dynamite and I am 'all in' for such a contest.
Be sure to check out the interview that my esteemed colleague Rick Ucchino conducted with Matt Cardona by clicking on the link above, ahead of AEW Dynamite this week. Also, if you watched both shows this week, be sure to leave a comment and let me know which one you preferred and how much you would rate them both out of 10.
