This show started rather mediocre but got very strong by the end. This was a fun episode of Dynamite with three fantastic promo segments, a pretty good pacing and some fun in ring action. While the opening match felt entirely superfluous and rather dull, the rest of the matches were really entertaining, with the triple threat the standout. The show was given real life by an electric crowd, without whom the show would not be nearly as highly rated. The same can be said in the promo department, as Swerve and Hangman tore the house town, as did Darby, Christian, MJF and Jay White. The strength of those segments alone were strong enough to push the show into a 0.75 in the storytelling department, even with major flaws in some other areas of storytelling that, without these top tier segments, could’ve made for a far worse overall score. As is, the strength of those segments, as well as the fun action, made this a really fun go home Dynamite.
Tonight on AEW Dynamite, its the go home show for AEW Wrestledream, as AEW looks to build momentum heading into its newest PPV event. We will see a preview of the fatal 4 way tag team number one contenders match, Willow Nightingale takes on Julia Hart, and Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page sign their contract. Let’s get at it!
AVERAGE Rey Fenix vs Jeff Jarrett
Anyone that knows me knows I love a Jarrett special and that was precisely that, but for some reason this felt deeply pointless and very boring. There were some clunky readjustments and contrivances to make spots work, and the ending felt deeply unsatisfying and it all felt like a big old waste of air. It wasn’t awful, just underwhelming as a show opener. At least the crowd were into booing Jarrett which was something.
Result: Rey Fenix by Pinfall via Roll-Up
David Sheldon WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
MJF and Adam Cole have a segment on a boat. I could give or take this one to be honest as it felt like treading on the same ground as usual, but the Paul Wight reveal admittedly did get a chuckle from me.
Christian vs Luchasaurus vs Darby for the TNT Title is booked for Collision. They are really going out of their way to stack that card.
GOOD The Callis Family Speak
Renee Paquette opens with the world’s stupidest question, asking if Guevara has joined the Don Callis family, when everyone and their cat knows he already has. Guevara is also really playing into a new gimmick, with the charisma of Max Cady, as well as the typography of Pacino’s Scarface on his titantron. This was a well delivered promo by Sammy, but beyond attacking Ibushi nothing really advances, and the whole storyline relies on people having selective amnesia to what Jericho did only a few weeks ago. Its booking at its laziest, but like I said, this promo in isolation was good, and I am excited for the trios match at Wrestledream, though no more excited after this promo than I would’ve been otherwise.
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 3.25 Stars
Ricky Starks vs Wheeler Yuta is set for Wrestledream. I mean this as no disrespect to Yuta, but I feel this shouldve been on Collision and the Danielson rematch should’ve been at Wrestledream.
AMAZING Nick Jackson vs Brian Cage vs Claudio Castagnoli
Well this had no right to be as good as it was, an incredible triple threat only hampered by a lack of story going in and a slightly underwhelming finish, both in design and a slightly shoddy execution which drops the rating right at the end. The bulk of the action here though was really fantastic and I had an absolute blast. Commentary did telegraph the winner early on a bit too much, but it makes the most logical sense and I am really excited to see it.
Result- Matt Jackson by Stolen Pinfall via Riccola Bomb
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 4 Stars
The Righteous get another vignette. I like the way these vignettes are produced (even if they are quite clearly Wyatt Family homages/ripoffs) but they’ve been put into a title picture far too soon, and this should’ve been a vignette to build the idea of the team for a greater reward months down the line, especially when The Kingdom were right there for the same spot.
AMAZING MJF/Adam Cole/Roderick Strong/Jay White Promo-
Well this was a very packed segment. The cliffnotes are that MJF and Jay White are feuding over the world title, and MJF will now defend his tag titles in a handicap match at Wrestledream. All participants were great as always, but I wanted just a tad more bite from the content of the MJF/White interaction. It was still excellent, but it didn’t get me as invested as some other promo’s had, maybe because I didn’t really believe MJF’s criticisms of White, where usually they really feel 3 dimensional. Still a very very good promo though, and a match I’m excited to see.
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 4.25 Stars
Fabulous sitdown interview with Darby Allin and Christian Cage. This sold their match brilliantly and was outstanding work by both men. The best thing on the show so far.
GREAT Orange Cassidy vs Matt Jackson vs Austin Gunn vs Penta El Zero Miedo
A very entertaining stunt fest, but as expected from a match of this kind, the psychology was all over the place. All the spots were extremely innovative and great fun, but it was a little weightless and ran a bit too long for my taste, as well as, again, a lack of cohesive match storytelling throughout. Still, nice to see Cassidy get another big win, and a spectacle showcase match is always appreciated, especially with these workers.
Result: Orange Cassidy by Pinfall via Orange Punch
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 3.75 Stars
GREAT Willow Nightingale vs Julia Hart
This was a very well worked match by both women, though no factor was necessarily strong enough to tip into a perfect score, which keeps every rating at 0.75. A really good back and forth contest making both women look great, and ending with great momentum for Julia ahead of the TBS Title match on Sunday. Did exactly what it was supposed to do, and did it very well
Result: Julia Hart by Pinfall via Moonsault
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 3.75 Stars
MUST WATCH Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page Contract Signing– Watch Segment Here
Two of the most underrated promos in the world go at it in an incredible exchange, both really feeling fired up, well rehearsed and maximising every second of their minutes. This made me even more excited for their Wrestledream match, with a simple and well told story executed very well. I am a huge fan of this.
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 4.5 Stars
The little tease at the end with the man in the devil mask. I dont think thats MJF but we’ll have to see…
Overall…
This show started rather mediocre but got very strong by the end. This was a fun episode of Dynamite with three fantastic promo segments, a pretty good pacing and some fun in ring action. While the opening match felt entirely superfluous and rather dull, the rest of the matches were really entertaining, with the triple threat the standout. The show was given real life by an electric crowd, without whom the show would not be nearly as highly rated. The same can be said in the promo department, as Swerve and Hangman tore the house town, as did Darby, Christian, MJF and Jay White. The strength of those segments alone were strong enough to push the show into a 0.75 in the storytelling department, even with major flaws in some other areas of storytelling that, without these top tier segments, could’ve made for a far worse overall score. As is, the strength of those segments, as well as the fun action, made this a really fun go home Dynamite.
Matches: 0.5/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.5/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 1/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Photo Credit: All Elite Wrestling – September 27th 2023
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
