By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW Dynamite Hits
Cody’s announcement: Cody delivered a fantastic promo while making the announcement that he won’t challenge for the AEW Championship again if he doesn’t win the championship on Saturday. I didn’t think anything would top the Becky Lynch and Shayna Baszler verbal exchange on Raw for some time. Yet while there were style differences and both were excellent, I actually prefer Cody’s promo, which is high praise considering how much I enjoyed the Raw segment. The added stipulation is an interesting one in that I viewed the match as a slam dunk that Chris Jericho would retain. The new stipulation makes things feel less predictable. It could mean a Cody title win, but it could also lead to some interesting storylines if he loses.
Chris Jericho propaganda video: There were several laugh out loud funny moments in the mockumentary style video. For as much as WWE tries to be comedic, I can’t remember the last time they’ve done something this comical. Sign Patricia Bobski now!
Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara vs. Kenny Omega and Hangman Page: A good main event with the champion going over clean thanks to Pac’s interference, which beefed up his own issues with Page heading into their match. The big show closing brawl with the players from the top pay-per-view matches severed as good hype for each of those matches.
Pac vs. Trent: A hot opening match. There wasn’t much mystery as to what the outcome would be given that Pac has a meaningful pay-per-view match and Trent is a tag wrestler, but they worked hard and had the crowd with them from bell to bell. It was also good to hear Pac deliver a post match promo to set up his Full Gear match with Hangman Page.
The Dark Order vs. Private Party: Evil Uno’s new look is a big upgrade over his old gear, which should have been left in the trash at his final independent event. The act still leaves a lot to be desired and I have no idea what The Creepers are all about, but Dark Order took a step in the right direction despite losing the match.
Brandi Rhodes video: While it’s strange that Brandi is a heel while her husband is the most popular guy in the company, I’m waiting to see if it all comes together somehow. So putting that issue aside, this was a well delivered promo and it was encouraging that it was more straight forward than the Lucha Underground style video that she was featured in last week.
Shawn Spears vs. Brandon Cutler: Spears needed this decisive victory. Fans seemed willing to accept him as a high end heel before he lost to Cody, so hopefully this was a step toward getting him back on track. Quite frankly, Tully Blanchard is too good at what he does to be relegated to managing a mid-card wrestler. Have we heard from Tully on AEW television yet? Spears had the single note “10” gimmick in WWE that ran out of steam quickly, so hopefully his Chairman gimmick in AEW is going to be about more than that just time he hit Cody with a chair and then lost the next match.
AEW Dynamite Misses
Emi Sakura and Jamie Hayter vs. Riho and Shanna: A well worked match but still a minor Miss. Riho seems to be clicking at some level. While the other three women have had some ring time on television, the character development in the women’s division leaves a lot to be desired.
Full Gear hype: A big Hit for the top matches. Still, it’s a lot to ask viewers to pay $50 for a pro wrestling pay-per-view in 2019 when there are so many free or cheaper alternatives. The remainder of the show came together very late. For the price they are charging, AEW can do a better job of trying to make viewers feel like every match on the card is significant.
“For as much as WWE tries to be comedic, I can’t remember the last time they’ve done something this comical.”
The last time WWE was that funny was when they had Chris Jericho. The guy is just amazing.