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Even though there were certain aspects of this week's show that did not really hit the mark for me, it is impossible to deny that it was a very eventful and significant show overall. I think it was quite an interesting setup, on Chris Jericho's Rock 'n' Wrestling Rager, which brought with it both the good and the bad.
It was certainly a new experience, watching a wrestling show take place on a Cruise. At the same time, the setup was such that there wasn't as much freedom as there usually is, to perform all the crazy moves that AEW superstars are best known for.
But that aside, this was definitely a show worth watching and I shall explain why, in this article. Be sure to leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.
So, in any case, it's time for the best and worst of AEW Dynamite.
#1 Best: The Young Bucks vs. Hangman Page and Kenny Omega
I honestly thought that putting the titles on Kenny Omega and Hangman Page was a good idea, even though they're not a real tag team like The Young Bucks are. No offense to SCU, but they just don't have the kind of commercial appeal yet that this team does, and I loved the story that the two men told in the ring, with initial miscues and miscommunication.
I also loved the fact that Hangman Page was disrespectful to the Young Bucks, and it is pretty clear that Omega and Page will take on The Young Bucks for the titles next. This is exactly the program that the Tag Team Championships needed to be relevant again and I'm glad to see that four of the best in the company will be slugging it out over these Championships.
#1 Worst: Britt Baker's underwhelming promo
Performing on the big stage isn't everyone's cup of tea. Recently departed progressive rock legend Neil Peart from the band Rush wrote about his struggles with the limelight in Rush's song 'Limelight' and how difficult it is sometimes, to cope with the price of fame.
Unfortunately, Britt Baker, who has the right look and all of the attributes to be the face of the AEW Women's Division may not be cut out for the big time. Even though I personally think that AEW did the right thing by having her go heel, by allowing her to completely reboot her character, the promo she cut in the ring was so devoid of passion and emotion, that it failed to resonate with anyone watching the program.
Maybe Britt Baker could have benefited from having a manager like Arn Anderson by her side, instead of someone like Cody Rhodes, who's already so strong on the microphone. I really don't mean to write Baker off, but I don't think she's ready for the big stage yet.
#2 Best: MJF mocks Cody's lisp
Dr. Britt Baker may not be a natural on the microphone, but MJF was born with a mic in his hand. He was incredible on this week's show, getting an obviously 'smart' crowd to kiss his ring and boo him by making fun of Cody's lisp. MJF is just one of those performers who's so good at such a young age that it's scary to see what he'll be like when he hits his stride as a wrestler.
I know that a lot of people compare him to The Miz, but The Miz does not have the freedom that AEW provides MJF, to be a bully. I loved everything about the segment, especially how MJF came to the ring without Wardlow for backup considering that Cody Rhodes was not allowed to touch him at all. And how The Young Bucks got involved and tossed him into the pool.
This was probably the best thing on the show and I can't wait to see how the Cody-MJF feud progresses in the following weeks.
#2 Best/Worst: The overall length of most matches
This is an issue that I have not merely with All Elite Wrestling but even other promotions geared towards smart fans like NXT. Every match tends to stretch out for far too long and sometimes, it loses the attention of the audience watching at home. As good as the main event between Jon Moxley and PAC was, I just felt that it stretched on for way too long.
But that is not to say that it wasn't a good match, by any means, dear reader. For the length that it was, the two men in the ring told a good story and I also believe that the right person won the contest. Chris Jericho was great on commentary as well, and so were the rest of the announcers, even though Jim Ross made the weirdest call in history, comparing Luchasaurus to one Conor McGregor.
I just think that having a squash match now and then will help establish who the top guys are, and who's in the mid card of AEW.
#3 Best/Worst: Jake Hager
I really don't get why Jake Hager isn't in the ring wrestling and I also think that his ring gear does not necessarily indicate how much of a beast the man is. If anything, the buttoned-up t-shirt makes him look a lot less intimidating than he is meant to be.
I realize that he is the muscle for The Inner Circle but the fact that he hasn't stepped into the ring or even uttered a word since his arrival just makes him seem a little useless to me. I realize his limitations but this is a man who had really stepped up his game in the final season of Lucha Underground and could be a big asset if he is let loose by All Elite Wrestling.
But at the same time, I like the fact that he's the ace in the sleeve of The Inner Circle, who helps them cheat to win their matches. I just want to know what's next for him, going forward.
Maybe he can tussle with Moxley?
