Hello AEW Galaxy
The AEW Dynamite go home show before Double or Nothing featured a stacked match card. So let’s check out how the show was and find out What worked and What not.
1. Wardlow vs Shawn Spears (Cage Match)
An amazing match with finest storytelling from start to finish. Wardlow cleared the final hurdle after overcoming the odds. Post match carnage was awesome.
What Worked
- The heel act by MJF as a referee was absolute gold. If the heel is a referee, he is free to do anything right from the start. This storytelling makes more sense than heel calling it down to the middle and then committing a dastardly act right towards the end.
- Wardlow breaking the handcuff after being pummeled by the heels was a mark out moment. This story has done so well to hype up Wardlow as a face.
- Spears cracking MJF in the skull followed by MJF’s fall was so poetic.
- The finish was so well executed. Kudos to Spears for amazing expressions of fear as Wardlow readied self to conduct Powerbomb symphony.
What Not
- Wardlow’s senton on Spears did not connect.
2. Hangman Adam Page face to face with CM Punk
A very dull confusing promo from the champion. CM Punk made more sense as he stated that this is just business. Hangman’s promo was monotonous in sense as he was just screaming in the mike and making not much sense.
Honestly, the issue that Hangman has with Punk has made no sense.
3. Private Party vs Jon Moxley & Eddie Kingston
A fast paced match with Private Party using their high flying style against the brawler style of Mox and Kingston. Both teams played to their strength with Mox picking up the win with paradigm shift.
What Worked
- Two different styles worked well in a fluid match
- Kingston’s water bottle spot looked unscripted but was fun to watch.
- The tandem sequence of Kassidy’s jumping stunner followed by Quen’s Shooting star press was slick.
- Post match brawl with JAS focusing on Bryan’s injured leg is storytelling 101.
What Not
- Ref Aubrey Edwards pulling Jericho away single handedly looked awkward.
4. FTR vs Roppongi Vice (ROH Tag Team Championship match)
A fantastic match that ended in a no contest due to interference by NJPW’s United Empire.
What Worked
- The match was enthralling from start till the end
- All 4 contestants knew each other too well. That converted into quick counters and reversals which added to the drama.
What Not
- United Empire’s interference was marred by too many botched moves.
- The final table spot involving Trent Beretta and Great-O-Khan was a disaster.
5. Hardy Boys cut a promo on Young Bucks
A good promo by Hardys comparing their journey with that of Bucks. Raised up the stakes for their match at DoN. Jeff’s GOAT reference was funny.
6 . Jungle Boy vs Swerve Strickland vs. Ricky Starks
An absolutely gripping match. The 3 worked effortlessly in this high adrenaline match and the crowd complimented their effort with roaring applause and cheers.
What Worked
- Absolutely everything. From bell to bell this was an entertainer. The crowd had a difficult time picking their favourite.
- Ricky Starks should rename himself Ricky Star. He is undoubtedly the absolute.
- Swerve landing on his feet from Jungle Boy’s Reverse Top rope Hurricanrana was spot of the night.
- The top rope slingshot move by Keith Lee at the end of post match Brawl looked unbelievable for a man of his size.
7. Toni Storm vs Britt Baker (Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament Semifinal)
DMD pinned Toni Storm with slight assist from Jamie Hayter.
What Worked
- Crowd Chants helped make this match feel important
What Not
- The two had a lot of timing issues
- Some spots were executed in slightly clunky fashion.
- Toni deserved the win. Her momentum has been halted with this loss.
8. Samoa Joe vs Kyle O’Reilly (Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament Semifinal)
Samoa Joe advanced to the final of the tournament by putting O’Reilly to sleep with rear naked choke submission.
What Worked
- O’Reilly working on the injured arm of Joe. These little things make pro wrestling fun.
- Joe and O’Reilly’s opening sequence was some smart mat wrestling.
- Joe’s power moves looked destructive. The lariat for 2 counts looked like it legitimately hurt.
- O’Reilly countering Muscle Buster into an arm lock.
A great show
AEW keeps on producing great shows with some top class pro wrestling on display. This was yet another night where 2 hours passed without any opportunity for a long piss break.
