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Tonight's AEW Dynamite exceeded everybody's expectations and put on an enthralling two-hour show. Despite an underwhelming match card, the company successfully engaged the audience by swerving with a collective display of big surprises and returns.
The company also kickstarted a steady build towards the upcoming Revolution pay-per-view in early March. Now, shifting our focus to this week's episode, a few outcomes and storyline progressions felt questionable. With that said, we'll now be discussing positive and negative takeaways from the show.
If you dissent from any of the opinions below, feel free to pen down your thoughts in the comment section.
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#5 Best/Worst: Wardlow's hot winning streak came to an end on AEW Dynamite
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One of the most significant highlights from this week's show was the first-time-ever clash between Wardlow and CM Punk. It initially felt like a one-sided affair, as Mr. Mayhem annihilated The Straight Edge Superstar by delivering multiple "Powerbomb Symphony."
Punk took the beating of a lifetime, becoming almost lifeless. Wardlow could have easily pinned the former WWE Superstar had MJF not intervened to stop the pinfall count and ordered his henchmen to continue beating his opponent. The decision backfired as Punk picked up a quick roll-up victory.
It was evident that the company would protect both these men, especially CM Punk. Though Wardlow turned into a star overnight, his 18 matches winning streak ended.
From a storyline perspective, it served well because Mr. Mayhem even teased turning on Friedman and will eventually do so at some point. The company, however, could have booked a disqualification finish to the bout, which wouldn't have halted Wardlow's momentum.
Regardless, Punk will now face Shawn Spears next week. It is becoming clear that AEW plans on saving MJF vs. CM Punk for Revolution pay-per-view in a few months from now.
#4 Worst: Lance Archer emerging as Hangman Page's next challenger for the AEW World Title
AEW star Lance Archer finally returned tonight after being on the sidelines for nearly three months due to an injury. Although it was surprising to see him back, the company blundered by pitting him as Hangman Page's next opponent.
Though heel Archer could be a formidable challenger, what would be the point of having the ranking system then? As of this writing, Adam Cole has claimed the number one spot and has earned the right to enter the world title scene. It looks like the company is delaying the main event level push for almost every other former WWE Superstar.
Moreover, we've already seen how Tony Khan has dropped the ball on Archer in the past. It probably won't be any different this time around.
#3 Best: Brody King debuts to save Malakai Black
After weeks of vignettes and rumors all over the wrestling world, Brody King finally arrived in All Elite Wrestling tonight. He saved Malakai Black from a massive beatdown at the hands of The Varsity Blondes and Penta.
King is now officially the first of many additions that would join the House of Black faction in the future. While Black should have been a solo worker considering his sadistic gimmick, King as his disciple could help the former WWE Superstar terrorize the tag team division.
On top of that, King may even help Black fulfill his prophecy of becoming AEW World Champion down the road. There are endless possibilities with this pair.
#2 Worst: Sting and Darby Allin feuding with The Acclaimed on AEW Dynamite
Sting and Darby Allin took their revenge on The Acclaimed tonight and set up a tag team match for next week's AEW Dynamite. As exciting as it would be to see Sting and Allin in action, it seems like another underwhelming feud.
It's worth noting that WCW Icon only has a few years left in his wrestling career. The company is clearly missing out on an opportunity to book him in dream feuds against stars like Chris Jericho and Malakai Black, to name a few. After watching Sting's in-ring outings last year, the 62-year-old star can undoubtedly compete in singles matches moving forward.
The company also appears to have scrapped his feud with Andrade, who recently offered to recruit Allin as his new assistant in exchange for hefty money. Fans would have loved to see a potential first-time-ever match between the WCW Icon and the Mexican star.
#1 Best: Dr. Britt Baker joined forces with Adam Cole on AEW Dynamite
We discussed earlier how Adam Cole should be the next challenger for Hangman Page's world title. But one wouldn't mind seeing the former WWE Superstar form a short-term alliance with girlfriend and reigning women's champion Dr. Britt Baker.
The couple destroyed Orange Cassidy and Kris Statlander during a brawl between Best Friends and The Elite tonight. It could be argued that Baker would be a more suitable on-screen partner to The Panama City Playboy than The Young Bucks and ReDRagon, who appear to be holding Cole back in the men's division.
Cole and Baker will now team up for the first time next week on AEW Dynamite when they face Cassidy and Statlander in a mixed tag team match. It would be a must-see match for wrestling fans all over the world.
