Night 1 (January 6)
Results
8-man Tag Team MatchThe Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) and SoCal Uncensored (Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian) defeated The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens and Max Caster) and The Hybrid 2 (Angelico and Jack Evans)
8-man Tag Team Match
It took one week and The Acclaimed are already referring people drawing comparisons to Thuganomics/Word Life era John Cena rapping to the ring. Their rhymes are getting better, but boy are they not capitalizing on this. We've seen these guys talk shit for weeks now and continue failing to get a win over anyone - at least not on Dynamite. AEW Dark could have two dozen matches and I still couldn't care enough to watch that show every week when next to nothing on that show is ever referred on Dynamite the next day. So again I ask... Why should me or anyone for that matter care about wins/loses on Dark?
This match itself was just like any other Young Bucks match in this company up to this point. A lot of guys doing spots just to do them. Guys crowded up at ringside to catch someone else doing dives back to back. The biggest offender of this was the finish, where one of the Bucks took forever and a day to line up his moonsault out of the ring during the Meltzer Driver while his brother stood there like a complete dumb ass holding their opponent in the Tombstone Piledriver position until Daniels hit the BME to complete the maneuver.
After this match, we are reminded of the stipulation that SoCal Uncensored put upon themselves on an episode of AEW Dark, whereas if they suffer one more loss, they are done as a tag team. I'm guessing that Daniels is looking to retire as he's easily more banged up than some of his other ex-TNA/IMPACT Wrestling brothers (AJ Styles, Frankie Kazarian, Samoa Joe, Chris Sabin, etc.) are. He could easily step into the role of a much needed road agent/trainer for talent on AEW while Kazarian steps up into a singles run. I could see him getting at least one run with the TNT Championship, only to lose it to another member of SCU, namely Scropio Sky.
Singles MatchWardlow defeated Jake Hager
Singles Match
It's no secret that I think that the former Jack Swagger AKA Jake Hager is a charisma vaccuum. He was the worst thing about the Season 4 finale of Lucha Underground - if his matches didn't stink up that season enough. Hager is the goddamn fucking definition of BORING in the dictionary when it comes to wrestling matches. I rather watch paint dry than see him or Baron Corbin on my television.
On the other side of things, Wardlow shows a lot of promise, but now isn't the time to pull the trigger on him blowing up on his allies and/or turning on MJF when we've barely even had a year for their business relationship.
As for this match, this was a lot better than it needed to be, especially in comparison to other powerhouse vs. powerhouse matches on both shows this week. I thought this match had a rocky start, but it came together by the time it was over.
I thought the F-10 from Wardlow in the finish ruled too.
Singles MatchCody Rhodes (with Snoop Dogg) defeated Matt Sydal
Singles Match
Cody Rhodes gave Arn Anderson the night off to allow Snoop Dogg to serve as his "coach" for this match to promote that The Go Big Show for the TNT Network, where both Cody and Snoop are acting as judges.
I don't know what was going on with this match, but Cody came out here wrestling the former Evan Bourne like this was one of their matches on the main event of WWE Superstars or something. Sydal is one of their newer talents, yes, but I thought Cody gave him a little too much offense - as usual.
I swear, the people in this company need to start being selfish in terms of trying to be 50/50 in terms of how much they give their opponents in matches. You devalue your talents and strip them of what made them special in the first goddamn place when you present everyone at the same equal footing. Eventually you're going to have to have your top guys running through talent and of course that's going to hurt feelings of some of your midcarders and low-tier talents, but hell, let's be real here. There's talents on that roster who should just be happy to have a job in this company when they shouldn't be doing nothing but looking at the lights every week and nothing else.
This match ended up being an excuse just to get Serpentico and Dr. Luther involved, only for Sydal and Cody to team-up against them. This exchange ended with Snoop Dogg giving Serpentico the most pathetic Diving Splash from the top rope that I've ever seen.
You know it's bad when even Sasha Banks went on Twitter and called her cousin out for disrespecting the family like that.
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| New AEW TNT Championship design that debuted tonight during the official weigh-ins. |
Either before or after the Cody/Sydal match, they held weigh-ins for the TNT Championship match that is allegedly headlining Night 2 between Darby Allin and Brian Cage. I had to laugh at Taz's comment about Darby only weighed as much as he did because he had on his heavy emo belt buckle and all of his other shit on. Any idiot can tell that he looks like he weighs at least 120-130 lbs. tops. Anywhere else but in wrestling that this would be a weight class mismatch in terms of sizing these guys up for a fight.
I'm expecting a clusterfuck of a finish during Night 2 as I don't see Darby losing the title this soon. At least, I hope not. Then again, you don't want to beat Cage too much.
Singles Match for the AEW Women's World ChampionshipHikaru Shida (c) defeated Abadon
Singles Match for the AEW Women's World Championship
This was easily the worst thing on the entire show. In AEW's defense though, this match was airing during the tail end of Rhea Ripley and Raquel Gonzalez's last woman standing match on NXT's New Year's Evil special, and it was bloody obvious which was the better match of the two if you were switching channels back and forth.
For the record, I never thought Abadon was very good when I saw her matches prior to coming to AEW and after the fact following her debut on AEW Dark. That fact sticks out like a sore thumb here as well. I will admit that the biting spot here made more sense for Abadon than it did for Shayna Baszler last year. The only saving grace here is that this match didn't overstay its welcome. Abadon got her spots in but Shida fired up on her comeback and hit her signature Running Knee. Thanks for comin', Abadon.
Singles Match for the AEW World ChampionshipKenny Omega (c) (with Don Callis) defeated Rey Fenix
Singles Match for the AEW World Championship
This match was the easiest best thing out of Night 1 of this two-week special event. It was definitely worth the wait too after being postponed for safety concerns - first during the eliminator tournament and then secondly last week following Brodie Lee's unfortunate demise. We got one hell of a tribute show from that delay and made this show feel even more special to boot.
Any fan of Lucha Underground could fill you into how talented that Fenix and his brother Pentagon Jr. are in the squared circle, but this match was essentially a sampler platter of what he could do when he kicks it up a notch. With every match in this role as AEW World Champion, Kenny Omega is pulling out all of the stops too and finally reminding long-time fans of his work in New Japan why he is regarded as one of the best wrestlers in the world of his current generation.
This match isn't without faults though. There was one Diving Corkscrew counter into a V-Trigger from Omega that didn't connect at all from the camera angle shown. That was an eye sore in an otherwise excellent main event.
Closing Thoughts
The most talked about things on this show were the Bullet Club "reunion" and the Omega/Fenix match.
I don't see how any casual fan who doesn't have any idea about any of these "insider" references with Kenny Omega, the Young Bucks, and the Good Brothers would be excited about the reunion of their stable that didn't appear in this country in mainstream wrestling. I understand that AEW caters to the "smart mark/smark" modern day wrestling fans, but that's a niche audience to be building your entire show around without any sort of notion of growing that said audience.
As for the people who are aware of the Bullet Club and their tenure from when all six of these guys were a part of it in New Japan Pro Wrestling, they have all of the reason in the world to be losing their minds at this.
Sadly, it seems like New Japan isn't onboard with this at all as their Bullet Club never left and there's still some ill will between all of the members of the Elite leaving NJPW to start AEW. So who knows what AEW is going to call this faction since I doubt they will be able to get the legal rights to that in order.
The tease for the Lucha Bros. against the Young Bucks was interesting as that's a match-up that could be very fun to watch, despite blowing their loads on this encounter during the early outings of AEW. The match between Omega and Fenix shows that both the Lucha Bros. and the members of the Elite still have another gear to shift into, so that could make for some great television in either case, especially if they are given enough time to work their magic in the ring.
Night 2 (January 13)
Results
Singles MatchPac (with Lucha Brothers) def. Eddie Kingston (with The Butcher, The Blade, and The Bunny)
Singles Match
This was a great match for Kingston, especially since he didn't have to devolve into the hardcore wrestling spots with foreign objects and weapons. Pac was able to control the pacing here and it made for a great opener, especially in comparison to what NXT were doing over on the other channel at the same time. I have to question Pac still using the Red Arrow as his finish though when he should be getting that Brutalizer submission over more. One could argue that Kingston is too tough to ever give up for a submission win, but the Red Arrow should continue being protected. No one should be kicking out of that move, but at the same time, it's pretty stupid to do that move the slap on the submission immediately after it. He should be trying to end matches with either one or the other.
On a side note, where does Lance Archer fit into all of this? I get that he's been helping out Death Triangle against Kingston, The Butcher & The Blade (w/ The Bunny), but isn't that a tad bit of overkill? Shouldn't he be helping out Darby or something to even the odds against Team Taz? It just seems rather odd that he keeps coming out here and clearing the ring while butting heads with both factions that are feuding with each other.
Singles MatchMiro (with Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford) def. Chuck Taylor (with Orange Cassidy) by submissionBecause Taylor lost, he will be Miro's butler until Sabian and Ford's wedding at Beach Break.
Singles Match
This was a complete waste of time. Does anyone care about seeing Chuck Taylor as Miro's butler? I guess that could make for some interesting comedy segments on a show that has far too much comedy/silliness, but whatever. I'm ready for this wedding between Kip and Penelope Ford to be over with. It feels like they have been dragging this out for months now.
This was a throwaway segment, but merely served as a background to set up the Inner Circle's match for next week as they will compete against each other in a triple threat tornado tag team match to determine who will be the tag team that will represent the faction. If Santana and Ortiz don't win this then I don't know what to say about how they are booking those guys for over the past year.
Six-man Tag Team Match
The Elite (Kenny Omega, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson) (with Don Callis) def. Danny Limelight and Varsity Blondes (Brian Pillman Jr. and Griff Garrison)
If you didn't see the swerve with the Good Brothers teaming up with Omega here coming a mile away, then you obviously haven't been paying attention over the last few weeks. They are teaming together at IMPACT Wrestling's Hard to Kill PPV over the weekend anyway so they had to draw interest into this pairing somehow on this show.
This was an OKAY match, but nothing that that blew me away. Limelight definitely has some promise though, same for the Varsity Blondes. I'm confused about Pillman Jr. though. Is he still contracted to MLW too? I saw him on Fusion an hour before this episode of Dynamite aired live and it definitely threw me for a loop. He must be one of their few talents that are allowed to still work for MLW or at least finishing up dates for them before coming to AEW full-time.
In either case, I didn't think this was much to write home about outside of keeping this "invasion" or rather partnership with IMPACT Wrestling alive, along with establishing that the Bullet Club (or whatever they are going to call this iteration of it in this company) is reunited.
Tag Team Match
FTR (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood) (with Tully Blanchard) def. Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy and Marko Stunt)
I'm sure it took every shred of willpower in the fiber of FTR's very beings not to go in here and stretch Marko Stunt out and beat the piss out of him in this match. Instead, FTR got a great tag team match out of him and Jungle Boy. I'm not too keen about Jungle Boy's new music like everyone else, but whatever floats your boat, Tony Khan. It's not my money you're wasting.
Marko was able to get his stuff in and not look like there was blatantly obvious cooperation to set those spots up - a testament to FTR's professionalism and skill level to hide that technical aspect of the match while keeping this match believable for the most part. FTR was laying on the hits pretty snug but it still looked fucking awesome. Jungle Boy made a few good hot tags to keep things exciting, only for FTR to cut him off from Stunt completely until they were able to pick up the win. Jungle Boy and Marko Stunt could definitely learn a lot from working with them. I hope they came away from this match with something to up their game. Matches like this against opponents like FTR are only going to make them better, more rounded out performers instead of the laundry list of spot monkeys up and down the AEW roster.
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| Jade Cargill reminds Cody that she and Shaq haven't forgotten about him and Brandi Rhodes. |
This show saw the Dynamite debut of Britt Baker's Waiting Room segment that is a callback to talk shows like Piper's Pit, complete with its own backstage set. These segments have been regulated to AEW Dark for months now, but this is the first time that they decided to do this on an episode of Dynamite, with Cody Rhodes showing up as the special guest. Cody didn't get to say nothing at all, really, when this segment merely served as a platform to setup a match/feud between Jade Cargill and Red Velvet of all people. I guess since Velvet was Brandi's sidekick before she left on pregnancy leave, they are going to stick her into the spot as Jade's opponent in this feud since AEW still wants to do this thing between Shaq and Cody.
Even back when I was following her muscle and fitness modeling work prior to signing with AEW, I thought Jade Cargill looked like a force of nature or that she just stepped off the page of a comic book. I wish her all of the best luck in this business to be a success. She definitely has looks down. ALL of those girls who came out of the back to try to stand between Jade and Velvet looked like small children in comparison to this woman. For her sake, I really hope she's as terrifying in the ring as she looks out of it.
Singles Match for the NWA World Women's ChampionshipSerena Deeb (c) def. Tay Conti (with Anna Jay)
Singles Match for the NWA World Women's Championship
When Taynara Conti was in WWE as part of the NXT brand, I never saw what the big deal was about her from her matches that she would have as part of their programming. Among the roster of multi-talented women that they had at the time, it was easy to get lost in the shuffle. She should consider herself lucky for getting out of there when she did. I said it back during their Women's Tag Team Tournament during the fall that Tay Conti showed a lot of promise and tonight was more evidence of her growth since leaving WWE. Leaving that company and coming to AEW turned out to be a blessing in disguise for her AND Serena Deeb. Deeb seems to be having another career renaissance with her run as NWA World Women's Champion. She's been killing it left and right in her matches since coming into this company. She definitely brings out the best out of whoever she steps into the ring with. As a former WWE Performance Center coach, you can see her knack for that shining through in all of her matches. She's stated in a recent interview that she would love to serve as a trainer/coach/agent of sorts for AEW's Women's division.
In my honest opinion, Tony Khan would be fucking stupid not to give her that position. She's definitely over-qualified for the role.
Conti has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of from walking away from this encounter in defeat. I'm sure she's turned a lot of heads tonight and rightfully so. I would love to see her and Serena Deeb have another match or two down the road. This match was miles above and beyond that poor excuse of a women's wrestling match in Night 1 between Shida and Abadon.
Singles Match for the AEW TNT ChampionshipDarby Allin (c) def. Brian Cage (with Ricky Starks and Hook)
Singles Match for the AEW TNT Championship
The first two-thirds of this match was Brian Cage beating the piss out of Darby Allin, who somehow was hanging on and still managing to kick out of everything this dude was doing to him. It reminded me of how ugly that match between Daniel Bryan and Brock Lesnar was a few years ago was until Brock made one slip up that allowed Bryan to turn the tide into his favor for a comeback. The same thing happened here where Cage took a flat back bump onto the steel steps, which was beyond moronic for a guy who had a pretty nasty back/spinal injury prior to signing to this company. This allowed Darby to hit the Coffin Drop and ALMOST steal the win via count out. I would have been fine with the finish right there, but they had to squeeze in Sting's involvement as he came to Darby's aid when Team Taz was up to no good. Sting hit one of (at least 3 other members of Team Taz) with his baseball bat while the rest stood back looking awestruck as Darby rolls Cage up into a crucifix pin from the top rope for the victory.
I honestly threw my hands up. The first two-thirds of this match was excellent, but the Sting stuff killed it for me for what was otherwise a great main event. If they don't want to beat Darby this soon for the TNT title, then that's fine, but don't boot this fucking match where you're going to have Cage lose clean AGAIN in another high profile title match. I swear, this company has no idea how to book monster heels. The only way they get over is if they win and if you're handing them losses left and right then it's going do nothing for them in the long haul. It doesn't matter how much of a big game you have their managers talking for them if the monster loses at every chance he has at a championship.
I don't get what is the point of Team Taz talking a big game but never winning absolutely jack shit when it comes to the few occasions that they have matches on Dynamite? I could only laugh when Powerhouse (Will) Hobbs came casually strolling out of the entrance tunnel following the loss too. Where the fuck was he when everyone else was frozen in fear at Sting just standing there? Sting is only ONE guy. Is there some sort of no touch policy for him out of fear of hurting him again? If he can't even work angles in these small skirmishes/brawls, then what was the point of signing him outside of selling T-shirts? Don't give me that shit about this is the same as him going against the nWo all on his own. At least those guys tried to put up a fight. We've been at this for over a month now of Sting showing up and the entire half-dozen guys that make up Team Taz start running like this dude has a gun.
Closing Thoughts
In comparison to Night 1, Night 2 definitely had more noteworthy matches, but it had it's fair share of eye sores too. The NWA World Women's Championship match definitely delivered - as usual, along with the opener between Pac and Eddie Kingston, FTR vs. Jurassic Express' Marko Stunt and Jungle Boy, and the main event featuring Darby Allin defending the AEW TNT Championship against Brian Cage.
I'm still interested to see how Jade Cargill's career is going to pan out while remaining lukewarm about this Bullet Club reunion of sorts as AEW continues to partner up with IMPACT Wrestling. As good as these NWA World Women's Championship matches have been over the past year, I can't help but wonder how long can NWA stay afloat to maintain this business relationship. Without any sort of television or internet platform, NWA is losing steam fast from the wealth of momentum they had at the start of 2020. Unfortunately, that's not AEW's burden to bear, despite they are profitting off the showcase of their excellent female talent, despite only it being limited to Thunder Rosa and Serena Deeb (who isn't even contracted to that company). I have my fingers crossed that Thunder Rosa can pull out an excellent performance out of Britt Baker too instead of that crap we got between her and Big Swole last year. Ugh.
What I'm not interested in? This utter stupidity that they have Miro involved with that is just as bad as the tail end of his WWE career before he got released, along with the hit or miss antics from the Inner Circle. I just want AEW to continue emphasizing the good stuff and put less focus on the bad.
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