Welcome to our AEW Dynamite weekly review series.
This week’s Dynamite went down at Des Moines Wells Fargo Arena in Iowa. Seven matches were contested on the show, including the AEW International Championship match between Will Ospreay and Rey Fenix in the main event.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look a the biggest hits and misses from Dynamite.
Hit – Swerve Strickland refuses the EVPs
Swerve Strickland kicked off AEW Dynamite this week. The world champion talked about his upcoming match against Will Ospreay at Forbidden Door. Strickland called Ospreay a fighting champion before dragging The Elite. The EVPs showed up and asked Strickland to be their fifth man at Blood & Guts, an offer he declined.
Okada telling Strickland AEW is his house followed by “bitch” was hilarious. The Bucks handed Strickland their new shoes line as a gift, but the champion declined because he doesn’t wear size nine. We might get a new version of Team AEW with Strickland as a potential member for Blood & Guts. But who will join The Elite as their fifth member?
Miss – Dustin Rhodes vs. Jack Perry
Dustin Rhodes and Jack Perry squared off in AEW Dynamite’s opening match. This was the TNT qualifier for Forbidden Door. Dustin found himself battered despite getting the offense on Perry, who picked up the win following a low blow and a running knee strike combo.
Perry not picking up a clean win was probably the only good thing about the match. Dustin took a lot of beating after he was busted open. The DDT on exposed concrete should’ve done the job. The comeback spot felt unnecessary because Dustin was going to lose anyway.
Hit – Six-man tag team match on AEW Dynamite
Roderick Strong teamed up with The Don Callis Family against Kyle O’Reilly, Orange Cassidy and Mark Briscoe. All six men put on a great match for the crowd in attendance and at home watching. Fletcher picked up the win for his time following a piledriver.
This is my pick for the Match of the Night (even though they had Ospreay versus Fenix in the main event). Trios matches are among AEW’s biggest strengths. Both teams tore the house down and had the crowd invested throughout.
Miss – TV Time with Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho, Big Bill and Bryan Keith had their TV Time with special guests Private Party. Jericho and Zay went back and forth on the mic. Private Party tricked Jericho into teaching them a splash. The duo then took out the Learning Tree.
This specific segment just didn’t do it for me. I believe TV Time, overall, is doing a good job. Jericho, Keith and Big Bill can carry it on their own. Let’s see if Private Party goes over in this feud against Jericho and his men.
Hit – Mercedes Moné vs. Zeuxis
Mercedes Moné had her second televised TBS title defense on AEW Dynamite. The CEO put her title on the line against CMLL’s Zeuxis. Mercedes retained the title following a Moné Maker.
For a TV match, this was pretty good. Zeuxis got a lot of offense against Mercedes. Of course, they weren’t going to have the champion lose ahead of her scheduled match at AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door.
Miss – Will Ospreay vs. Rey Fenix on AEW Dynamite
Will Ospreay and Rey Fenix collided in Dynamite’s main event. The Aerial Assassin defended his International Champion against Fenix. Ospreay won the match following a Hidden Blade on Fenix.
I don’t know if I’m in the majority or minority but I didn’t like this match. This had too much gymnastic routine for my taste. Both men are phenomenal athletes, don’t get me wrong but I am more a fan of in-ring storytelling than spot after spot after spot.
Also read: Young Bucks vs. The Acclaimed, Contract Signing Added To 6/19 AEW Dynamite
