This was a strong show, with great matches and effective storyline progression. The Owen Hart finals, despite both deploying the same finish, both delivered bell to bell, setting up two high profile matches for All In. Despite a few segments suffering from poor delivery, the content of the promo work on the show did much to advance numerous stories, and set up for a mouthwatering few matches announced for next weeks anniversary show. The crowd was often frustratingly muted, but the performers still delivered some fantastic displays of in-ring prowess, and capped off the show with one of the most effective heel turns in recent memory. An fun and effective show by AEW.
Tonight on AEW Dynamite, the Owen Hart Tournament’s conclude with two high profile final matches. Willow Nightingale looks to go back to back as she faces Mariah May, while Bryan Danielson looks for one last chance at the Men’s World Title against Hangman Page. Elsewhere on the card, Chris Jericho faces Samoa Joe in a Street Fight, we see a Global Glory 4 Way, and Swerve returns to Dynamite. Let’s get at it!
GREAT Ospreay/MJF Promo
Obviously this has two seperate promo components to consider. Ospreay’s live promo was solid, although this felt a bit unique in that Ospreay’s usual stream of consciousness felt more scripted here, as he seemed to be trying to get through a series of points. That led to a few stumbles and not the most natural delivery I’ve ever seen from Will, but he conveyed what he needed to and got some good attacks in. MJF, by contrast, had a pre taped delivery which was great, and some of the best promo work MJF has done since returning. Still a very good exchange to set up a match next week, even if it wasn’t Ospreay’s liveliest speech.
David Sheldon WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
MUST WATCH Bryan Danielson vs Hangman Page
This was a fantastic and brutally bloody way to kick off the show. This built slowly, using the long run time it was afforded, and the result was something that slowly grew and grew in violent anger. Although there were some plot holes you could pick apart if you so chose, the Jarrett reveal was super fun, and though the ending was yet another role up, this time I think the decision to protect Hangman in defeat made sense, and played into the sense of injustice Hangman feels that pushes him to join the Elite out of insecurity. A terrific final to a terrific tournament.
Result: Bryan Danielson by Pinfall via Roll-Up
David Sheldon WR Star Rating – 4.5 Stars
ABOVE AVERAGE Swerve Strickland Promo
I feel bad for the low rating here, but this was such a messy promo from Swerve. Swerve could barely seem to get his words out, he was constantly dropping words and getting caught in tongue twisters. There were good points, and good things set up. But I have to be objective and despite my admiration for Swerve, this was not his finest hour
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 2.75 Stars
A fun enough Acclaimed rap video that went on for far too long for my liking.
GOOD Samoa Joe vs Chris Jericho
This was mostly a typical 2024 Jericho street fight. A relatively slow but nonetheless entertaining brawl, that limited the walk and brawl nature that can sometimes irritate me in these types of matches. It was nothing special and occasionally felt as though it was lagging in energy, but picked up at the end with The Learning Tree decimating Joe and putting him through the wall in a crane. A good angle to end a solid match
Result: Chris Jericho by Stoppage
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 3 Stars
AMAZING Tomohiro Ishii vs Kyle Fletcher vs PAC vs Claudio Castagnoli
Well this was a bit of fun wasn’t it. I expected no different given the incredible performers involved. A few slip ups and tight moments, and it wasn’t the hottest crowd, but the action was nonetheless incredibly entertaining. Ishii is great value as always but Claudio was the standout for me here. PAC gets the win with a vicious brutalizer, which the commentators said will set up PAC and Ospreay down the road.
Result: PAC by Submission via Brutalizer
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 4 Stars
GREAT PAC Promo
Short but very sweet promo from PAC, who discussed how much he needed Wembley Stadium and would not be denied his moment. Not meaty enough for an Amazing rating, but fantastically delivered and dripping in venom.
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 3.75 Stars
GOOD Mercedes Mone Toast
This was quite the waste of time, as it didn’t really accomplish much beyond what was said last week. However, I cannot give this lower than 3 stars because it was nonetheless a very well delivered promo from Mercedes, who is so much more natural and comfortable in the heel role. She ran down the crowd enjoyably and Britt beating up security was fun, though it needed more meat on the bone to be anything higher. I wanted it to accomplish more, but it was nevertheless well performed by Mercedes.
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 3 Stars
AMAZING Mariah May vs Willow Nightingale
Another terrific Owen Hart final between two of the best in the company. I thoroughly enjoyed the back and forth dynamic, and while this didn’t quite have the same level of interweaving story as the Men’s, it was nonetheless a very effective final match. The finish was yet another frustrating roll up, the fourth in the women’s tournament and the seventh overall, which is ludicrous and not as justifiable as the men’s one. That was saved however by the outstanding closing angle of Mariah turning on Toni Storm, ending the show in one of the most brutal and effective heel turns in recent memory. A job very well done
Result: Mariah May by Pinfall via Roll-Up
David Sheldon WR Star Rating- 4.25 Stars
Overall…
This was a strong show, with great matches and effective storyline progression. The Owen Hart finals, despite both deploying the same finish, both delivered bell to bell, setting up two high profile matches for All In. Despite a few segments suffering from poor delivery, the content of the promo work on the show did much to advance numerous stories, and set up for a mouthwatering few matches announced for next weeks anniversary show. The crowd was often frustratingly muted, but the performers still delivered some fantastic displays of in-ring prowess, and capped off the show with one of the most effective heel turns in recent memory. An fun and effective show by AEW.
Matches: 0.75/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.5/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Photo Credit: All Elite Wrestling – July 10th 2024
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here :
