SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
Darby Allin defeated Marq Quen: HIT
This was a good match. I’ve now seen both members of Private Party and Darby Allin have quite a few psychologically-sound singles matches, at least in the first three-quarters. Next step is to find a way to bring out the highspots in the end in a way that doesn’t undercut the selling at the beginning.
The commentators did a good job reminding us of the storyline developments that took place involving the AHFO breakup last week on Dynamite. Very good television match, made even better by the crowd. However, entrances and an actual main event spot would have made this feel much more special.
After the match, AFO tried to attack Darby and Sting, but the Hardy Brothers came out to rescue them.
Men of the Year Promo: HIT
It would have been difficult to hype up Wardlow vs. Sky in just a week, but Lambert somehow managed to make me interested in seeing the match beyond just “curious to see how MJF screws Wardlow.” The TNT championship gives MOTY so much more credibility as a heel force.
House of Black Video Promo: IT HAPPENED
They threatened to spread their corruption to someone who is resisting. Not quite sure who. Maybe Pac?
The promo delivery felt pretty contrived to me.
Jamie Hayter defeated Mercedes Martinez: NARROW MISS
A decent match with another screwy/distraction finish to build heat for the Women’s Championship match next week.
After the match, the heels tried to beat on Martinez, but Rosa ran out with a steel chair to make the save.
Nothing wrong with any of this, but it’s a little too paint-by-numbers. WWE faces rightful criticism at times for their formulaic approach to most feuds, and AEW is starting to settle into a similar pattern, I’m afraid. I wish they did more with Rosa than just run-ins and mean looks. How about, in addition to running out with a chair tonight, two weeks ago you have her roaming around backstage or in the parking lot, waiting for Baker and co. to arrive? This is your Women’s Championship feud; branch out a little. Give these wrestlers opportunities to flex their talent in creative ways. Changing the setting for angles and/or having show-long mini-storylines during this feud can really help to get people more invested in it.
I’m sure the title match on Dynamite next week will be great, and Rosa will have a very heartfelt celebration. It will be wonderful to see, but that doesn’t change the fact that this feud had the opportunity to revolutionize women’s wrestling, and it hasn’t even come close to it.
Hikaru Shida video promo: HIT
Excellent stuff. Good, justified intensity from Shida. Some people may think the “cut your head off” threat is a little eye-rolling, but I don’t mind exaggerations from time to time. I’m honestly more interested in this rivalry than Baker-Rosa right now.
Keith Lee vs. Q.T. Marshall: HIT
Entertaining extended squash. I can’t say this was a good match, but its goal was to show Keith Lee taking it to a universally hated heel, and it delivered in that respect. QT is really good at selling, and his feuds with incoming popular acts are a good use of television time.
After the match, the Factory attacked Lee, but he managed to fend them off on his own. There was an amusing stare down between Lee and Comoroto, but the latter isn’t good enough to carry a feud yet.
Powerhouse Hobbs was at the commentary desk. After Lee took care of the Factory, Starks and Hobbs ambushed Lee and laid him out.
Main Event Promo: MINOR HIT
Tony Nese made a good heelish case that he didn’t get the pomp and circumstance for his debut that way Swerve did. Swerve’s response was fine as well.
Nothing too wrong with the promo battle, but this just doesn’t deserve to be a television main event right now. Nese has only had one television match in his six months as an AEW wrestler, which was in December against Sammy Guevara, and he lost. He has built up a small win streak on Dark since then, but does he really have the star power to main event a show that doesn’t have much marquee talent on it? Shouldn’t this have gone to Darby Allin vs. Marq Quen, whose feud involves quite a few other established television stars (like Sting and Andrade)?
Shane “Swerve” Strickland defeated Tony Nese: HIT
Good match. While the crowd was pretty tired, there were pockets who kept chanting, “Whose house? Swerve’s house!”
Commentary: MINOR HIT
Commentary was fine. Good to not have Chris Jericho, for a change.
Overall Show: MINOR HIT
One thing I’m realizing as I reflect on this show is we saw a lot of African American excellence, from the men’s matches to the reminder that Scorpio Sky is TNT champion. I’d rather see Sky as a babyface, especially given his wrestling style, but I’m still excited to see where this goes.
As far as marquee star power goes, Keith Lee and Darby Allin were probably the biggest stars in prominent roles on this show. I’d argue that Lee still needs more time to remove the WWE stain, so this show could feel a little underwhelming to some folks. However, I’d much rather see wrestlers like Lee and Swerve built up on television instead of Dark.
The underwhelming build to the Women’s Championship match, in addition to questionable match structure, brings my rating of the show down a notch.
On an unrelated note, it really sucks to hear about Big E’s neck injury earlier tonight on Smackdown. I wish him a very speedy recovery!
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