It has been one month since AEW Dynamite took the pro wrestling scene by storm, bringing some of the most entertaining televised matches in years. From the Omega/Page vs. Pac/Moxley match from last week to Private Party vs. The Young Bucks from the second episode, it has been such a thrill to watch and review. The ratings don't lie, AEW Dynamite is the must-see wrestling show. At least, for now.
I say that because we are all hyped for something different. We've watched Monday Night Raw and Tuesday/Thursday/Friday Night Smackdown for years. Sure, there were other options like Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling (you should watch NJPW), but they aren't televised or advertised like WWE's products. Now that there is competition, especially with this supposed Wednesday Night War between AEW Dynamite and NXT, everything about wrestling is exciting. But like I said last week, will this hype sustain for another month? Heck, another week? I guess we'll have to see.
This episode of AEW Dynamite will be in Pittsburgh, PA at the Petersen Events Center. The show will begin at 8 pm ET/ 7 pm CT. Below, you will find tonight's card followed by the results and ratings for each match.
AEW Dynamite Card (October 23, 2019)
- Kenny Omega vs. Joey Janela
- Private Party vs. Lucha Brothers (World Tag Team Championship Tournament: Round 2)
- SCU vs. Dark Order (World Tag Team Championship: Round 2)
- Britt Baker in Brittsburgh
- Jon Moxley vs. Pac
- Best Friends vs. The Young Bucks
Private Party vs. Lucha Brothers (World Tag Team Championship Tournament: Round 2)
Everyone loves an underdog story. I think it is safe to say Private Party are, yet again, the underdogs in this match. Lucha Brothers are essentially on par with the Young Bucks making them one of the best tag teams in AEW. But we've seen upsets before in this tournament, so who knows who will win?
I think I've said this every week, but the crowd is obviously into this, especially with Private Party coming back to the ring since their "match of the year" contender two weeks ago. This energy is why AEW is so fun to watch. This show would not be nearly as enthralling if the crowd was quiet. The crowd is into it and its great.
Honestly, the first bit with Private Party wasn't anything too impressive. It looked sluggish and kind of messy. That quickly changed as Lucha Bros. started to pick up the momentum. The GIANT stomp from Fenix, as well as his springboard moonsault were insane. Once Lucha Bros. picked things up, so did Private Party. We got some really good spots from Isiah Kassidy and Marq Queen, especially from Kassidy when we saw him take on both Pentagon Jr. and Fenix from the apron.
Unfortunately for those who looking for the underdog victory, Lucha Bros. came out victorious sending Private Party packing. Even with the loss, Private Party got the push they needed to be considered one of the better tag teams AEW has in its roster. It was an impressive matchup, and a great way to start the show.
Winner: Lucha Brothers
Rating: 8
SCU vs. Dark Order (World Tag Team Championship Tournament: Round 2)
As seen in last week's episode of AEW Dynamite, Scorpio Sky took Christopher Daniel's spot in the Tag Team Tournament when Lucha Bros. attacked SCU in their first-round match. Surely, SCU is going to do everything they can to get this win so they can get revenge on the Lucha Bros.
SCU and the Dark Order slow things down, giving the audience a break from the quickness that was Private Party vs. Lucha Bros. That doesn't mean we don't get any good spots from both teams. Dark Order or a more deliberate team, with every move meant to debilitate the opposition. With Evil Uno slamming Scorpio Sky into the steel stairs to that throw to the turnbuckle, they want to hurt these two. But SCU is able to keep up with their more technical and quicker style.
The moment of the match has to be Stu Grayson from Dark Order straight up flipping over the turnbuckle and out of the ring to get a good hit on Kazarian. It wasn't enough though as we get a pair of DDT's from Kazarian leading to the pin. It looks like SCU will be getting their revenge on the Lucha Bros.
Winner: SCU
Rating: 8
Kenny Omega vs. Joey Janela
Last time these two went head-to-head, things were a bit wilder. This time, we are seeing these two in a traditional match, giving Omega the advantage. I mean, Omega is legit one of the best in the world, and he's typically the favorite to win any match he is in, despite his record on AEW Dynamite. That doesn't mean Janela can't wrestle or keep up. Quite the opposite, actually.
Moreso than the last match, this match between Omega and Janela is all about the big spots. Janela with the frog splash out of the ring to the plethora of Kenny Omega's snapdragon suplexes are powerful moves that are meant to take out the opponent in one go. But it was the V-Trigger to One-Winged Angel from Omega that finished the match, giving Omega the win.
Pacing is important and I thought this particular match was paced very well. It didn't feel like there were any wasted moments. In general, this week's show is paced pretty well. Putting the fast and furious tag team match right at the front and slowing down that pace with the next two is smart. I don't feel like I am going to miss something just in a blink of an eye every single minute of the show. I am just as enthralled though and still glued to the television.
Winner: Kenny Omega
Rating: 8
Cody/Jericho Promo
Did DDP just come back?
First, let's talk about the promos themselves. Again, it does feel like AEW is pandering to the smarks (smart marks, a.k.a. me probably) with the WWE remarks. I mean, what they are saying in this particular promo does seem true, and they do capitalize on it. Once Cody gets his own stable with Dustin Rhodes, MJF, and DDP, we now have an even match against the Inner Circle. I loved everything they did during this, from Cody taking MJF's scarf and punching the window to Jericho screaming, "I have a ticket," as Cody gets escorted away, it was all great. The promos in AEW have been great overall, and this one has to be the best.
Best Friends vs. The Young Bucks
Okay, we need more Orange Cassidy. Those super kicks were devastating! And then he gets disrespected by the Bucks. How could they do such a thing?!
I do not think I have ever seen a bad Young Bucks match. They are just great performers and I fully believe it is impossible for them to have a bad match. I think this match, along with every match they've had, exemplifies that notion.
That's not to say Best Friends is bad. Beretta has been one of my favorites to watch since he was in Roppongi Vice in NJPW. Chuck Taylor is someone I'm a bit unfamiliar with but he's been a blast to watch too. Going in, it was a bit obvious that this was building up to Young Bucks vs. Santana and Ortiz so it made sense the Young Bucks would win. I am glad it wasn't just a squash, still giving Best Friends some time to shine.
Winner: The Young Bucks
Rating: 8
Jamie Hayter vs. Britt Baker
Hey, we have an actual heel here with Jamie Hayter. I know it may seem weird, but boos are a good thing. I love it when there is that instant reaction. She is a heel and she seems like she could be a pretty good one. Also, the finger-licking thing was gross. Just saying.
However, this was Britt Baker coming home to Pittsburgh. I know I've been saying AEW Dynamite has been unpredictable. This match was not. It was still a fun match, and it was great seeing new faces in the ring, but the outcome was known from the beginning. Baker also needs a bit of a push, especially after her loss from last week.
Winner: Britt Baker the Dentist
Rating: 7
Jon Moxley vs. Pac
Speaking of good heels, Pac is one of the best of them in AEW. It is always fun to see him be the "bastard," especially after watching years of him being a babyface in WWE.
It is always fun watching matches like this. Both of these guys were in WWE. Theoretically, this is a match that could have been on Raw or SmackDown. But it wasn't and, from the looks of it, that's a shame.
Both of these two have an aggressive and brutal style and it shows. Along with this race against the T.V. time clock, it was kept me on the edge of my seat, always glancing at the corner of my computer screen for the time. Moxley breaking Pac's head on the apron, as well as Pac's falcon arrow are perfect representations of this aggressive matchup.
Even with Moxley getting the finisher, he could not get the pin, which leads to a draw. Now, I'm not quite sure what happened after the cameras turned off, but I'm sure Moxley ain't happy.
Winner: Jon Moxley
Rating: 8
Overall Thoughts
I will say that the matches this time around seemed more predictable. Unlike previous episodes, it seemed very obvious who was going to win each match. Which isn't really a bad thing if the matches themselves are good. But there is something about matches actually being unpredictable. We are nearing a PPV, so the results definitely make sense with the stories AEW seems to be trying to tell.
You might be tired of hearing this, but AEW Dynamite is still really good. Every match was fun and exciting to watch. Despite that, I liked the pacing of the shows before it more. In terms of where each match was placed on the card, I thought that was done perfectly. But it all just felt a bit rushed. This episode did pack a lot into two hours, so it makes sense why it felt this way. But I think five matches and a promo is the sweet spot. Regardless, I am still excited to see what happens next week.