Biased Thoughts: AEW Dynamite #161
2 Hours. 2,5k Tickets Sold. November 2nd 2022
Darby Allin vs Jay Lethal (***1/4) The match was really well done but the important thing is to build some great heat for the quarterly tag match of Darby and Sting and I really think they did a good job. Jarrett´s angle was hilarious because is really bizarre to see him in AEW, also he did a good promo to introduce this new stable(?). Cole Karter looked good with Sting´s gear. Fun stuff.
A new vignette about The Elite being erased from AEW history, I think Khan saw the success of the vignettes of Wyatt´s comeback to WWE and is applying the same in this case, as well with House Of Black. I like this kind of stuff, it generates expectation not only about the wrestlers coming back but to think about what type of storyline they will be in.
Jon Moxley vs Lee Moriarty (***) The match had some interesting limbwork but Moriarty is very hit or miss for me, he had some tremendous matches in the independent scene but has been a while since he had a really great match in AEW. I think been a full ROH roster member and develop more in that show would help.
It was Billy Gunn´s birthday and of fucking course we are gonna celebrate. This was the weakest The Acclaimed segment in a while but still had his moments. Also they´re so over that everything they do will get over in the building. Can´t wait for next week´s big tag match, all the tag teams involved are good to great so should be tremendous as well as a great atmosphere.
Chris Jericho vs Colt Cabana for the ROH World Championship (**1/4) Colt Cabana got a pop and I laugh so loud because we all knew this was a message. About the match, it was bad. I addded a 0.25 to the star rating for García´s funny interactions in ringside.
Orange Cassidy vs Rey Fénix vs Luchasaurus for the AEW All Atlantic Championship (***1/4) Is crazy to say that this was a very good plot point for different stories instead of a full blown spotfest spectacle that we all would have expected from Cassidy and Fénix with some great cameos from Luchasaurus. After the match KATSUYORI SHIBATA with CHAOS saved Cassidy from PAC and then Shibata signed the contract for an All Atlantic Championship match in Rampage. This moment was the peak of the episode.
Rick Ross is tremendous.
Jade Cargill vs Marina Shafir for the TBS Championship (DUD) I didn´t like anything about this, just a waste of time. The women´s division has been recovering for a while and this was a step back, not only for this match(?) but as well for the Baker and Saraya interview segment that didn´t progressed anything.
Samoa Joe vs Brian Cage for the ROH TV Championship (***1/2) Brian Cage really impresses me with his high flying, some people don´t like it but I personally think that is a positive to have, still, I want to see him use more powermoves because dude is huge. Joe has been the definition of consistent, still has a huge pressence even when his peak in ring years are far behind. The postmatch was a copypaste from Rampage and I´m fine with that, always good to see Powerhouse Hobbs in TV.
Rating of the show: 6/10
Extra Notes:
- I think Jarrett is a fun addition. Good to see Cole Karter in a more important spot.
- I know Khan has been giving a lot of TV time in multiple AEW shows to ROH to build an strong fanbase that would want to follow the new ROH when their own show debuts, but I´m starting to get tired. Specially when there are some wrestlers that I REALLY WANT TO SEE not been on TV and I know the cycles of booking Khan does, but man, it has been too much.
- The in ring aspect of the show is not as strong as in the summer, but I think with The Elite and Takeshita back, we will have some must watch television.
- Hobbs TNT Champion sounds GREAT.
