Note: I'll preface this review by saying that I'm a low rater, and I am for everything so don't take it personally if I don't give out 5 star matches for your favourite matches. Anything from 3 above is something I liked.
AEW World Trios Title London Ladder Match: The Patriarchy (Christian Cage, Killswitch & Nick Wayne) (w/Mother Wayne) (c) vs. House Of Black (Brody King, Buddy Matthews & Malakai Black) vs. Blackpool Combat Club (Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta) & PAC vs. Bang Bang Gang (Austin Gunn, Colten Gunn & Juice Robinson)
This was a fun way to open the show. A lot of entrances were done on the pre-show, leaving room for the action. Like always, there were a lot of 'in-out' spots where someone would come in, do a spot and leave again. The biggest moments of the match were people going through tables, which would make you think this was a tables match. But nevertheless, this provides some entertainment. As a trio, House of Black brought the most quality and The Patriarchy were more story heavy with Killswitch aka Luchasaurus aiming to let Christian with the match, which eventually cost them. Honestly the eventual winners (BCC and PAC) felt like a minor part and the BBG has little moments but they felt unnecessary. There to be there. Okay performance wise though. The only thing that I was baffled by was Christian running away backstage, only to come down. I get running out of the ring away from everyone after him, but going to the back seemed odd and never really had a payoff that wasn't anything other than a chuckle. These matches can be fun but they can blend together, this included. ***
AEW Women's World Title Match: Toni Storm (c) vs Mariah May
A boring match. I hoped that if they work a little less workrate and more punches and brawl on the floor that this would be good, but this really wasn't that interesting in that regard anyway. I think they established the feud well enough to have Toni being cheered over the London born Mariah. They also hit the right notes necessary but I wasn't in love with this at the end of the day. Fine but bland wrestling between two not that interesting wrestlers. Mariah May winning was the right choice. Hopefully they develop more glowing chemistry as they have more matches. **3/4
FTW Title Match: Chris Jericho (w/Big Bill & Bryan Keith) (c) vs. Hook
Vigo the Carpathian vs Troy Bolton was about as entertaining as it sounds. I assume that there were rules that allowed for Big Bill and Bryan Keith to interfere which is fine except Hook simply isn't believable in that badass role he tends to occupy. The Taz badass run was a stroke of magic thanks to the genius of Paul Heyman, this feels like a very cheap imitation. And I simply didn't buy it. And this had yet another table bump. Because this show needed it. I thought Jericho would take the pin which is what happened but at the end of the day, Hook will only be elevated by actually putting him higher up the card instead of dragging Jericho down. Okay match that was serviceable. Quick too. **1/2
AEW World Tag Team Title Three Way Match: The Young Bucks (Matthew Jackson & Nicholas Jackson) (c) vs. FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) vs. The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) (w/Billy Gunn)
This was also somewhat disappointing but there was a fun quality to it thanks to the crowd energy. The Acclaimed was very over, the Bucks not so much though. And Ftr was modestly over too. 3 ways are always gonna be structured certain ways, but they kept things moving, and never dwindled pace wise. The Bucks retained which was not a surprise, but what was a surprise was the debut of Grizzled Young Vets. While the pop wasn't great, it certainly made a statement when they confronted the Bucks. Unfortunately the heat dissipated when they attacked FTR, so clearly they will be feuding with them while the champs go missing for another few weeks. ***
AEW World Title #1 Contendership Casino Gauntlet Match: Roderick Strong vs. Mark Briscoe vs. Nigel McGuinness vs. Jeff Jarrett (w/Karen Jarrett) vs. Christian Cage vs. Orange Cassidy vs. Ricochet vs. Kyle O'Reilly vs. Kazuchika Okada vs. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Adam Page vs. Luchasaurus
This was utterly carried by the entrances, and there was some big ones. The likes of Zack Sabre Jr, Ricochet and Nigel McGuinness got some big ones, for a collection of reasons. And they definitely got the best part of the Royal Rumble. I like how the entrance times are at random too. But like the Rumble, the downsides were wrestlers would come in, do a few spots and lie on the floor for ages. It's more obvious live because I can actively see them waiting for their spots. It takes away from the action somewhat. But still it was cool seeing Nigel work spots, even that dumb handstand spot. I'm glad I got to see it. Hopefully it leads to something more. Big story notes were Hangman Page attempting to win to get to Swerve and Christian Cage entering the match along with Killswitch, who came down as Luchasaurus. And just as he teased turning on him, he eventually helped Christian get the victory. A genuine surprise winner. Christian vs Danielson for the title? Yes please. ***
AEW American Title Match: MJF (c) vs. Will Ospreay
A confused MJF making this about USA vs UK almost derailed this feud further than the sappy, embarrassing Tiger Driver story did. However, that all seemed to dissipate when they simply wrestled, until the end that is. And unlike their previous match, this didn't waste any time brawling in the stands for a few spots nor waste time with limb work that wasn't going to lead to anything significant, this was worked with a fast and heavy, workrate pace with big moves and counters. Largely all done well, with the exception of Ospreay brushing off an excellent cut off spot (tombstone on the floor) to hit a spanish fly. The real issue with this match is there wasn't that much drama until the referee bump. From there, they landed the story notes like Garcia returning from injury to confront MJF and Ospreay finally hitting the Tiger driver. So this was a good match, with some broad strokes storytelling, but I guess the meat of the match didn't really have me on the edge of my seat, even if it was well executed move after move. ***1/2
AEW TBS Title Match: Mercedes Mone (w/Kamille) (c) vs. Dr. Britt Baker DMD
These two ladies were hung out to dry, working 18 minutes in the death spot. But the work was dead boring to watch. Like eyes glazed over boring. I wasn't exactly tired either, I was simply not interested. I wish I had uses this match to go toilet but I didn't miss the dogs at least. The highlight of the match was that awesome spinning power slam. **1/4
AEW TNT Title Coffin Match: Jack Perry (c) vs. Darby Allin
This was a fun, but short gimmick match. Although I admire its simplicity following the long match that preceded it. I didn't think either was particularly amazing, but Darby did take some big bumps, like the one off the ramp, which was what I wanted to see. And I dug how he sat up, bursting out of the body bag at the finish. But Jack Perry won easily and decisively, which isn't ideal for someone set to wrestle the AEW champion in a few weeks. Thankfully Darby is above such bad booking. The highlight of the match was Sting returning to make the save when the Bucks and Jack Perry attempted to set Darby on fire. Cool moment to follow a solid match. ***
AEW World Title Vs. Career Match: Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) (c) vs. Bryan Danielson
I think this was the moment everyone had waited for since the day Danielson debuted. And it seemed like it would never happen, especially has his full time career seemed to loom to its end, but this felt different. It felt like it had to be the time for Danielson to win and he did it with style. His performance was tremendous. The drama of everyone wanting and willing Danielson to win took everything by storm. I don't like Swerve as a worker, and I didn't even find him extraordinary here either. I found his work to be plodding and overly methodical, although I like how he would taunt Danielson's family. But he ultimately played a serviceable role which was the antagonist, the obstacle for Danielson to overcome. He almost could've been anyone. It doesn't matter because when Danielson hits his Busaiku Knee, the place blows and then when he hits it again, an even bigger reaction. And finally, Danielson captures the gold with a submission, when the drama was almost at its peak, sending everyone, including myself crazy. Incredible moment. One of the most definitive matches of 2024. ****
Comments
Post a Comment