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A week after smashing NXT in both the ratings and the key 18-49 demographic, All Elite Wrestling looked to continue its momentum with the second episode of Dynamite, and once again, the show lived up to its name. Pre-emption by the MLB playoffs thankfully appears to have been avoided, and the action began on TNT at 8 PM eastern. It was an explosive episode, but what notable developments took place, and just how explosive was it?
Let's explore last night's show more in-depth, segment by segment.
The Young Bucks vs. Private Party: A+
The first 25 or so minutes of AEW Dynamite showcased The Young Bucks vs. Private Party to kick off the tag team title tournament. This was a brilliant way to start the show and immediately signaled that AEW is going to take its tag team division seriously.
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The Young Bucks were the heavy favorites going into the show, seeded first in the tournament, but Private Party had become popular over the summer and were looking to make a name for themselves on their television debut.
The Young Bucks dominated most of the contest, but Private Party's tenacity was making it difficult for the more experienced, well-traveled team to put their opponents away. Every time it looked like the Bucks had the match won, Private Party somehow survived.
This eventually led to a counter rollup where Private Party walked away with the upset, to the delight of the crowd.
With the Bucks embroiled in a faction war, this actually wasn't too shocking, and they did everything they could to put a rising, popular act over. It was nice to see, as the Bucks could definitely afford the loss while Private Party gets to continue to make a name for themselves.
Chris Jericho introduces the Inner Circle: A+
After last week's chaos, people were looking for answers, and Le Champion of AEW was only too happy to deliver them. Marching down to the ring with his newfound friends, Chris Jericho declared that they were the "Inner Circle" and that they would run AEW.
Over the course of the promo, Chris Jericho put his faction over and, memorably, silenced the "We the People" chants that erupted when he was introducing Jake Hager, the former Jack Swagger, declaring that they were "a stupid idea from bad creative and that's gone." After the disastrous ending to Hell in a Cell on Sunday, the crowd was especially keen to hear that! Nevertheless, Jericho did his best to play the heel.
Over the course of the promo, Jericho put the world on notice, put over his friends, and showed just how superior unscripted promos are to scripted ones. I'll just leave this here.
Jimmy Havoc vs. Darby Allin: B
This number one contender's match was more notable for the angle rather than the actual ring work itself, though both men brought a gritty feel to the encounter. Both could take a lot of punishment and had unorthodox styles, even going so far as to bite each other during the match.
The result was no surprise, though, as everyone expected Darby Allin to win. That was the right decision. Allin has gotten over since his match with Cody in the summer and now he will get some main event shine in an encounter with Chris Jericho.
Riho and Britt Baker vs. Bea Priestley and Emi Sakura: D
If AEW has a weakness, it's definitely its women's division. This match wasn't bad, but there were some problems with it and it was the lowlight of the show. There was a disjointed feel at times, as Emi Sakura was trying to pump up the crowd, seemingly forgetting that she was supposed to be the heel in the affair.
More alarmingly, AEW made its women's champion feel like an afterthought in the beef between Baker and Priestley, as she was playing the role of referee or security guard in trying to break up their brawl after the match.
Baker takes Riho on next week. Priestley is likely to interfere, so it may lead somewhere, but still, making the champion feel like the third wheel is never a good move.
Jon Moxley vs. Shawn Spears: B+
After an MRSA infection kept Jon Moxley out of All Out, his re-debut was eagerly anticipated. He didn't disappoint, though the match itself with Shawn Spears was fairly pedestrian. Spears put up more of a fight than perhaps he should have, but this was more notable for the atmosphere than the match itself.
PAC was on commentary, raging that he was being overlooked for a title shot. Many people were questioning why Allin and Havoc were ahead of him in line, so putting it into an angle was smart.
After Moxley won, Kenny Omega emerged, carrying barbed wire weapons and challenging his antagonist to a showdown, only for PAC to ruin the standoff by ambushing Omega with a chair. Thus, the tweener, face, and heel roles were established for the three of them, respectively.
Where PAC fits into this rivalry remains to be seen, but his intervention was a good way to keep tensions high between Omega and Moxley, with the crowd longing for the match at Full Gear.
Main event chaos: A+
Once again, Chris Jericho was in a tag team match with his Inner Circle comrades against those associated with the Elite, and once again, the angle was more notable than the match itself. Jake Hager's interference kept Jericho and crew on top, but things descended into chaos afterward.
The Elite and Inner Circle brawled with each other. Adam Page exchanged blows with Hager up the ramp and backstage. The Bucks came out to attack Santana and Ortiz, while Cody and Jericho went at it. MJF came out and teased a turn on Cody, but ultimately stuck with his friend. When he does eventually turn, it's going to be a hot angle, to say the least.
Finally, Darby Allin came out on his skateboard, wanting a piece of the champion before their match next week.
This time, the heels were in retreat, but many angles for Full Gear and afterward were set up, and the segment was chaotic enough to compel you to come back next week. That's how every show should end.
