April 29th, 2020
Commentators - Chris Jericho & Tony Schiavone
In this day, Wednesdays are what I look most forward to as a wrestling fan. NXT & AEW both have such loaded, fun products. I haven't watched/reviewed a full Dynamite in a month so as my interest has been higher in NXT, but that changes this week.
Awesome Cody/Darby video package to start the show.
Jericho & Tony run down the agenda for tonight. AEW World Champion Jon Moxley speaks, Wardlow in action, TNT Title Tournament Semi-Final action, and much more!
1) Cody vs. Darby Allin - TNT Title Tournament Semi Final Match
WOW. This roooooocked. Oddly enough might be my favorite of their series even though it didn't have a crowd? It just felt like the perfect culmination of their prior matches. If it had a crowd, it could easily have been ****1/4 match, in my opinion. Darby worked the leg super well and leaned more into a heel role. Britt Baker jabbed Cody from ringside at one point. Darby used the cross roads AND the figure four against Cody which was epic. Brandi brought down a water botttle for Cody after he got his already worked over leg, worked over even more with the figure four. Darby took it and slapped Cody in the face with it. Cody retaliates and goes for a FUCKING COFFIN DROP. Darby gets the knees up and nails the coffin drop but his shoulders are on the mat as he lands/covers Cody and he gets pinned. Lot of people hated on this finish, but I didn't mind it at all.
Match rating - ****
Scorpio Sky video pack airs on how he got into SCU.
MJF reminds us that he is better than us and that he won't be flying in to wrestle in front of six of his peers, but Wardlow will be...
2) Wardlow vs. Musa
Good ol squash for the Wardlow. A hope spot or two for Musa, but all around just Wardlow looking beefy and great. Jericho's commentary on this was also fantastic, he is killing it tonight.
A new episode of the BUBBLY BUNCH airs. Most notable thing here is a VICKIE GUERRERO appearance. These vignettes are a lot of fun.
3) Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Trent) (w/ Orange Cassidy) vs. Jimmy Havoc & Kip Sabian (w/ Penelope Ford) - No DQ Match
What in the FUCK. This was so nuts for an empty arena TV match. So much plunder. Chairs and ladder spots galore. Penelope and Orange get involved. Lots of flying around. Chuck pops Sabian with the awful waffle on chaiRZZZZ for the win.
Match rating - ***1/2
Britt Baker gives us a tour of her dentist office. She introduces us to her makeup artist REBEL. Shout out TNA. I want to review some TNA BAD. So I'm prob gonna do that soon. Anyway this was fantastic. Britt has developed into a huge asset for AEW. So obnoxious and so good at it. This turns into a big rib on Tony Schiavone and it's hilarious and people "like him" with snaggle teeth and guts. Afterwards, Tony says he's gonna have to check with his friend Britt to see "what in the hell went on there" LMAO
4) Shawn Spears vs. Baron Black
Man, Spears really went on a downward spiral since the chair man thing. But this is a squash, I guess to try and establish his legitimacy again. He taps Baron out in 3 minutes to a sharpshooter.
5) Brodie Lee vs. Marko Stunt
Third squash of the night. Marko bumps around great for king Brodie. This is what is. Brodie wins, ready to see him in competitive matches after weeks of squashes.
Jon Moxley pre-taped promo airs talking about how crazy the times are. Next week, AEW is live and he will be there and might throw a thumbtack in someone's eye. After this it's announced, he faces Frankie Kazarian next week. Poor Frankie :( - on the real, I'm excited for this first time (?) match up.
6) Dustin Rhodes vs. Lance Archer - TNT Title Tournament Semi Final Match
Maybe I'm overrating these tournament matches, but damn this was really good. Archer looked like an absolute indestructible force. From his beating of Dustin which included busting him open and the slow methodical assault that followed to the displays of athleticism like the walking of the top rope into a MOONSAULT. Archer looked like the future of AEW here and Dustin was the perfect old veteran to take this beating and try his best to fire back. QT Marshall comes down to throw in the towel for Dustin, but Cody stops him. They sell Dustin being at the end of his rope super well. This reminded me of when Brock destroyed Hogan on Smackdown back in 2002. But better. Archer slams the back of Rhodes' head into the mat repeatedly before finally pinning him. This also adds even more to the finals of this tourney as Archer faces Dustin's brother Cody. I can't wait.
Match rating - ***3/4
Final thoughts: So, either I've been missing out or AEW just had it's best show in weeks. Been unable to find myself sitting through or reviewing an entire Dynamite in the past month as I felt NXT was so much more intriguing/entertaining, but this absolutely ruled and definitely out did NXT quality wise this week. Both the tournament matches are well worth your time.
Next week: Jon Moxley vs. Frankie Kazarian, Kenny Omega & Matt Hardy vs. Chris Jericho & Sammy Guevara in a Street Fight, & more !!
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