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This week's episode of AEW Dynamite was not as good as the show has been in the weeks leading up to Revolution, but it was a fine show nevertheless. And yet, because of the high standard that has been set in recent weeks, I would say that this was one of the company's weaker efforts this calendar year.
But this was the show where more than one seed was planted and I'm curious to see how they will grow and prosper in the coming weeks. While it may not have had the emotional connection that a show with Cody getting ten lashes on his back did, it was certainly an eventful episode.
Feel free to agree or disagree with me in the comments below. If you missed the show and watched NXT instead, let me know exactly what you thought of it.
Let me start off with what I thought was the most significant development this week.
#1 Best: The Death Triangle
I would have to say that this was the most significant development on this week's show by a very long shot. PAC, Pentagon, and Fenix have all been featured players on AEW Dynamite, but they needed some kind of a coalition to really make a mark.
Not only can they continue the rivalry with Orange Cassidy and The Best Friends, in due course of time, they can also feud with and elevate Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus, and Marko Stunt in a faction vs. faction war. PAC and his allies could also go after the World Championship and the Tag Team Championships, respectively, and overwhelm the babyfaces with their numbers.
I am not certain that Death Triangle is the best name that the company could have come up with, but for the time being, it is what it is.
#1 Where is Lance Archer?
I think it's very poor form indeed to advertise an appearance and not pay it off thereafter. Lance Archer was supposed to be on this week's show from what I remember, but he did not show up and a lot of people on the internet seem upset about it.
Mind you, this was not one of those deals where fans were jumping to conclusions, wondering whether Matt Hardy was coming to the company or if indeed Luke Harper would make his AEW debut after his departure from WWE. This was something that AEW had promised to fans themselves.
A lot of people tune in to watch the show based on the promises that are made by the company and not paying it off pay actually cause fans to be upset. I mean AEW has the most amount of goodwill among all the wrestling promotions out there and they cannot afford to not deliver.
Did Jim Ross accidentally say that Lance Archer was supposed to appear next week, on last week's show? I wonder if it was a botch from him.
#2 Best: Jake 'The Snake' Roberts
In an era where everyone raised their voices to be the loudest man in the room, Jake Roberts lowered his volume and made you lean in to listen to him. He was the best promo of his day and he is still the best promo in the business, in the year 2020. The man has arrived and he is primed to be a manager for a client of his, who should be announced very soon.
I genuinely think that anyone who gets the Jake Roberts rub is going to benefit greatly. I wonder if it will indeed be Lance Archer or maybe even Luke Harper if he is on his way to AEW. Isn't it great to see that AEW is bringing managers back?
Managers can add a whole new dimension to any match and even the odds against the heels if they are not playing fair, but in the case of a heel, they are usually the ones bending the rules. Truth be told, from Jake Roberts' delivery, he is going to be a heel manager, I presume. I can't wait.
#2 Worst: Predictable results
I am genuinely okay with squash matches and I think they are necessary with regard to stories being told inside the squared circle. With that in mind, I did not mind the match between Leva Bates and Big Swole at all, because Swole is obviously the woman with a higher ceiling in the company. But everything on the card seemed extremely predictable indeed and it was clear to see who the bigger star was, in every instance.
Take PAC and take Chuckie T for instance. Everyone in the arena knew that PAC was going to pick up the big win. In any case, this was a good way to showcase the stars that AEW has but it was a very predictable way to fill out three hours of content.
I miss the uncertainty of whether Wardlow would lose his debut match to Cody Rhodes when the two did battle inside a steel cage but I guess it was a special occasion and the same will only be replicated on very special episodes of Dynamite.
#3 Best/worst: Continuing Moxley vs. Jericho
There are quite a few issues I have with the whole Championship picture. The first is that Chris Jericho is way too popular to be a heel and even though he tries his best to get booed, the audience sings his theme song and one can see that he relishes the attention.
And secondly, I don't know if Jon Moxley vs. Chris Jericho is a feud that should continue for far too long but it certainly seems like this is the way that the company will go. I genuinely thought that he would be written off TV for 2 months, but it was a way for Jericho to swerve the fans.
You don't want too much of The Inner Circle vs. Jon Moxley because we have seen that has happened on SmackDown with Roman Reigns and Baron Corbin. As AEW fans, we have a good impression of this feud thus far, but it shouldn't overstay its welcome.
What did you think of this week's show, folks? Did you enjoy it?
