Biased Thoughts: AEW Dynamite #191
Viejas Arena, San Diego. California. 5,3k Tickets Sold. May 31st 2023
BCC vs Lucha Brothers & Bandido (****) This was an excellent opener with a fantastic crowd and 6 of the best in the world going at it. Keep opening with matches like this and things will start to get better creatively and business wise.
The Elite segment worked for three different things, announcing that Kenny is not in Canada and not in the USA (I guess he will be at Dominion), Hangman´s relationship with DO is on the downside and Matt Jackson is BEAT UP.
Jay White with finally with some promo time and this was a great comedic angle, Jay and Juice are hilarious and bring some color into a feud vs FTR. Ricky Starks was great in his run in and Jay vs Ricky II is announced for next week and I´m HYPED.
Swerve Strickland vs Big Bill vs Trent Beretta (***1/2) This was a super fun 3 way between great wrestlers as well of working as an unofficial #1 Contenders match for Orange Cassidy´s International Championship.
The Acclaimed segment was to establish their goal, and is to give gold to their old partner Daddy Ass Billy Gunn, and hey, even if I don´t like to see old guys belted up is a good storyline vs the brutal House Of Black.
Konosuke Takeshita and Don Callis segment was perfection, Callis and Takeshita promo segment was WRESTLING, tremendous performance by both and LOVED that Takeshita talked in Japanese with such a confidence, he aced that shit.
Darby Allin & Orange Cassidy vs Gates Of Agony (NR) I couldn´t watched it because I was still in awe of the previous segment and I was rewatching it LMAO. Sorry. But I heard good things, specially Toa Liona.
JungleHOOK is back baby and the feud between Jack Perry and Rush continues, this was the right way to go because JungleHOOK are super over and LFI are PERFECT heels. But first give El Toro Blanco some wins.
Kris Statlander vs Nyla Rose for the TBS Championship (***1/4) Really good match between this two. A rivalry that goes past 2020 and this was great mainly because showed Statlander is not afraid of using her powerhouse and high flying moveset, something that is difficult after serious long term injuries. Happy for Stat and good to see Nyla.
Adam Cole & Britt Baker vs Chris Jericho & Saraya (***1/2) This was a MUCH better performance by Cole as well of the match in general and listen they didn´t add super workers. Fun crowd pleasing main event.
Rating of the Show: 9/10
Listen man we didn´t got a super workrate peak level episode but everything hit and this episode included an all timer segment that has a new young hot act getting a deserved shot. One of the best episodes of the year and San Diego was one of the best AEW crowds I´ve heard. A home run after a mid PPV. KEEP IT UP!!!
Extra Notes:
- Takeshita and Don Callis are a main event act, didn´t expect this level of reactions. He has to be a World Champion soon.
- Jay White, Ricky Starks and Juice Robinson just needed some mic time, that´s it.
- When The Elite is the main focus AEW feels fresh and hot, they really are what that shirt says.
- Good for Cole and Jericho to erase some stink out of them after the DoN match.