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So how did the final episode of AEW Dynamite this year fare, you ask? I thought that it started off very strong, and as it so often happens, tapered off from the time the women's match started.
I'll get into the specifics during the review, but the women's division in AEW is by far the weakest thing about the company at the moment. Viewers have the option of switching to another network and seeing Superstars like Dakota Kai and Io Shirai tear it up in fantastic matches.
In any case, be sure to let me know what you thought of this week's episode. There were definitely some bright spots, but overall, there are certain elements that keep dragging the show down every single week.
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AEW seriously needs to address these problems to ensure that 2020 goes off without a hitch for them!
#1 Best: Kenny Omega and Adam Page tease a potential feud
The issue with AEW is that, in their attempt to be different from WWE, they had eliminated almost every aspect of what we know and love as 'sports entertainment' until this week's thrilling opening contest happened.
The Lucha Brothers scored an impressive victory over Kenny Omega and Adam Page when the two men had a massive miscommunication in the middle of the ring. It did seem like it would come to blows and now, this is a feud that we can all sink our teeth into.
But speaking of sports entertainment, I loved the fact that PAC showed up on the big screen and seemingly even kidnapped Michael Nakazawa, who is Kenny Omega's best friend, leading to what has been the most compelling storyline in AEW since it began. It gives PAC a whole new layer of personality we hadn't seen thus far!
#1 Worst: Multiple botches through the night
I actually liked the team of Darby Allin and Cody Rhodes until they decided to do synchronized dives and Allin botched so badly, he nearly got hurt. AEW stars perform at a very high level and honestly, he did not need to dive at all because the match was great until the dive happened.
I've mentioned this before but Jim Ross calls Jungle Boy by every name under the sun, so much so, that it's almost become a running joke. He is Jungle Boy at times, Jungle Jack at others, and Jungle Boy Back Perry at times as well.
I also did not like the fact that Excalibur corrected Jim Ross during the course of a live broadcast because that just made the whole deal look very amateur indeed. The women's match had botches too. But I'll dedicate a whole section for the same.
#2 Best: Building a brand new star
If you log in to the WWE Network, you can see a lot of Ric Flair matches from the territory days. As the World Champion, he would visit various territories, work with the strongest babyfaces in every territory, and retreat by the skin of his teeth on every single occasion. It's clear that Chris Jericho has eased into this role and he did a commendable job in elevating Jungle Boy this week.
I loved the setting with Jungle Boy's mother, sister, and grandmother all sitting at ringside. Jim Ross told a fantastic story of Luke Perry's famous father and I loved the idea of a sit-down interview with the young man too, where Jungle Boy spoke about how proud his father would be, of him. I loved the idea that Chris Jericho did not instantly pin Jungle Boy, because he wanted to inflict punishment.
The match ended with Jungle Boy not tapping out to Jericho's trademark submission move. A new star was born!
#2 Worst: The women's division
I hate being critical of the women's division every single week, but the fact of the matter is that there is a massive gulf in the quality of matches between the men and the women in All Elite Wrestling. This is especially stark if you switch over to NXT and survey the level of competition that's on at pretty much the same time.
The comments on Fite TV stated that it seemed like this match was happening in slow motion, and honestly, at some times, it did seem so. Kris Statlander thankfully picked up the win because while she's no Riho in the ring, she is still miles ahead of Britt Baker, who was just not in her element.
AEW seriously needs someone like Tessa Blanchard to come in and steer the women to the next level. Maybe Blanchard is better off doing what she is with Sami Callihan, at the moment.
#3 Best/Worst: The main event and everything that followed
I honestly thought that AEW would close out the year with a big title change, with the Young Bucks being crowned as AEW Tag Team Champions. Such was not the case, because SCU picked up the win after a good match.
I don't know what to feel about The Dark Order, honestly. I get that they're trying to be intimidating but there's something about them that just does not connect with me.
But then, maybe the best way to overcome this problem is to feud with The Young Bucks because it will elevate the heels in a big way. I am also not certain that SCU is the best choice to hold the AEW Tag Team Championships honestly.
Maybe a change of guard is needed at the top of the division with Shawn Spears and his mystery partner. In any case, see you guys for yet another AEW review in 2020!
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