If you were to ask me if I rate AEW Fight for the Fallen higher than both nights of Fyter Fest, the answer is a resounding yes. Not only was AEW Fight for the Fallen for a very good cause, but the wrestling was good and the show laid the groundwork for a lot of quality programming over the coming weeks.
The criticism I have for the show is only because I write this review, and I have to look at AEW Fight for the Fallen with a critical lens, personally. If you ask me, off the record, whether or not you should watch these two hours of programming, I'd tell you to go for it, because AEW Fight for the Fallen was a significantly more enjoyable watch than both RAW and SmackDown over the past week.
So, with that in mind, here's what I liked, and here's what I did not care for.
#1 Best: Vickie Guerrero officially becomes Nyla Rose's manager at AEW Fight for the Fallen 2020
We all loved Vickie Guerrero during her WWE run, did we not? And by this, I mean that we all hated her to the very core. Well, at AEW Fight For the Fallen, she did show up and I have to say that I love the pairing with Nyla Rose. Guerrero's promo wasn't funny and hokey as one would expect from a WWE promo, and I have a feeling that having a manager will do wonders for Nyla Rose's career.
I know that a lot of fans were disappointed that Eric Bischoff did not show up at AEW Fight for the Fallen 2020 but I genuinely think that Guerrero is a far better fit. Also, what's up with Tully Blanchard, sitting in the stands, surveying for talent from the roster?
#1 Worst: Throwing in the towel in the AEW Fight For The Fallen main event
Let me just start off by saying that Taz was on fire at AEW Fight for the Fallen, be it on commentary, getting the main event over and making it sound like a big deal and also as a manager, making Brian Cage seem like a way bigger star than he currently is. In fact, it is because there was so much hype around the AEW Fight for the Fallen 2020 main event that I am disappointed that it played out in the manner that it did.
But the fact that such a highly anticipated match, which was the marquee contest at AEW Fight for the Fallen ended in the manner that it did, with Taz throwing the towel in, just added a dampener to the proceedings after what was a fantastic contest indeed. Jim Ross did his best to tell the story of why Taz had to do it but at the same time, it was just a disappointing outcome.
#2 Best: Several heel turns teased at AEW Fight for the Fallen
From the moment that FTR joined the roster, I had some misgivings about them being babyfaces because, as we all know, they are the definition of a great heel squad in the vein of Arn and Tully or The Midnight Express. On this week's episode of Dynamite, entitled AEW Fight for The Fallen, FTR showed the first hints of a heel turn, as they unmasked Rey Fenix and also, poured beer on Kenny Omega shortly thereafter.
But this wasn't the only potential heel turn we saw at AEW Fight for the Fallen because FTR would join Adam Page in the back for a round of drinks, making us wonder about his future. Also, Kenny Omega showed the first hints of a heel turn at AEW Fight for the Fallen as he mercilessly beat down upon his opponent even after his big win this week.
Let's just say that AEW Fight for the Fallen 2020 set up a lot of interesting possibilities for the future and I am excited to see what the future holds for the company.
#2 Best/Worst: The Demo God brings up the rating war with NXT at AEW Fight For the Fallen
I just think that it's a little lame when you lose a viewership war and then bring up a demographic to justify the fact that you actually won, on social media.
As Tom Colohue of Sportskeeda said in the latest installment of the Dropkick DiSKussions podcast, shouldn't it actually be about the total number of fans that are into your product as opposed to how many advertisers are watching your show?
But what is truly alarming is that, at AEW Fight For the Fallen 2020, Chris Jericho made a comedy bit about how he was the Demo God, beating NXT in the rating war.
The only reason why this whole segment is a Best/Worst and not a 'Worst' is that Chris Jericho was hilarious, and he is probably the only person in the world who could have made this ridiculous shtick at AEW Fight for the Fallen work, very honestly.
That said, it still wasn't my favorite segment.
#3 Best: The Elite stole the show once more at AEW Fight for the Fallen 2020
When Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks are in sync and in synergy, there is nobody in the entire world that comes close to their fluency in a wrestling ring. At AEW Fight for the Fallen, the trio proved why The Elite has charmed so many hearts and minds in the pro wrestling world despite the fact that they never had the support of the WWE system unlike some of the other stars in the current AEW roster.
Jurassic Express was fantastic too, and one has to think that Luchasaurus, in particular, has a very high ceiling because of just how big and athletic he is. I can totally imagine him as a future AEW TNT Champion or even a tag team Champion.
Sonny Kiss vs. Cody Rhodes wasn't my favorite match at AEW Fight for the Fallen personally, but do check out his interview with Darren Paltrowitz of Sportskeeda going into the biggest match of his career on this night.