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Man, AEW put on a few shows that left a lot to be desired in the past few weeks and it was for no fault of their own but because they had limited resources. This week's show was absolutely fantastic from start to finish because the AEW roster knew that they had something to prove.
It was great to see the voice of AEW, Jim Ross return to the desk and team up with Excalibur to lend their support to Tony Schiavone, who's done such a commendable job in the past few weeks with Le Champion, Chris Jericho. As I run down the 'Best' and 'Worst' for this week's episode of AEW Dynamite, I want to assure you guys that I thought that there was a lot more good than bad on this week's show.
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If it seems like I'm a little negative about certain points, I am just nitpicking.
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#1 Best: Jake Roberts and Brandi Rhodes
We have all grown up with the horrific images of Jake Roberts and his slithery friends and I am glad to report that his AEW persona is no different and won't be watered down at all. What better way to build anticipation for a match between Lance Archer and Cody Rhodes than by unleashing a python on Brandi Rhodes, I ask?
The term 'mind games' have been used to describe everything from Shinsuke Nakamura's strange behavior to The Velveteen Dream's over-the-top behavior, but these, ladies and gentlemen, are actual mind games that get under the skin not only of the performer in the ring but also the viewer watching at home, on TV.
What a sport Brandi Rhodes is for agreeing to have a snake slither over her.
#1 Worst: Matt Hardy loses his debut match
Without question, if you were to ask me if I thought that the AEW Dynamite main event match was any good, my answer would be a resounding yes. I am just unsure about the outcome of the said match because I don't think that Matt Hardy should have necessarily lost his first AEW outing.
Why is Matt Hardy losing his AEW debut bad?
One has to always look strong right out of the gate, in my opinion, and the fact of the matter is that for the viewer watching at home, wins and losses do absolutely matter. While it wasn't Matt Hardy who took the pin in the match per se, it was still his team that lost, and that makes you wonder if he is really as big a signing as AEW makes him out to be.
I am not saying that Matt Hardy cannot recover from this defeat because he certainly can, but did he really need to lose even if Kenny Omega took the fall?
#2 Best: Brodie Lee is Jon Moxley's first challenger
Back when he was a member of the WWE roster, Luke Harper fans thought he would remain relegated to the mid-card level and I'm glad to report that his fortunes have changed for the better in AEW. So much so, that very early into his run, Brodie Lee is already contesting for the AEW World Championship against the face of the company, Jon Moxley.
Why is Brodie Lee's AEW Title Shot so very significant?
Well, for one, not a lot of individuals can square off against someone like Jon Moxley in the AEW roster and realistically size up to him, because Moxley towers over them. Brodie Lee is someone who does, and the fact that he has got a shot at the AEW Championship already proves just how much faith the company has in him.
It is interesting to note that across WWE and AEW, 3 of the 4 Wyatt Family members have a world title shot.
#2 Worst: Audio issues
I know that I have been very harsh on Jim Ross in the past in this very column but it was because I remember him at his peak and I thought that his initial few weeks with AEW were comparatively weaker to the rest of his amazing career. I am glad to report that Jim Ross, the man we knew and loved so dearly growing up is back in the saddle again, with Excalibur and Tony Schiavone providing the necessary support.
Audio glitches at the start of AEW Dynamite
But then again, I had a few issues with the start of this week's edition. When AEW first came on air, we saw the commentary team beaming as they were united, but we couldn't hear what JR was saying. I watch the show on the Fite TV app as I'm not based in the United States of America and more than one person complained about the situation in the chat.
If AEW wishes to compete with WWE at the highest level, audio issues need to be ironed out.
#3 Best: MJF
MJF is going to be the next breakout superstar in AEW and while a lot of the attention thus far has been on stars who have cut their teeth in WWE, I have a feeling that MJF could be the first person to break out of that mold and hold the World Championship.
His promo on this week's show was so good that you would have expected someone with years of experience in the business to speak with such confidence, such eloquence, and such arrogance. And yet, at the tender age of 23, MJF cuts a better promo than almost anyone in the AEW roster not named Jake Roberts or Cody Rhodes.
While I don't pick any sides in the Wednesday Night Wars, I hope and pray that he doesn't go to WWE because he will not excel in a world where every single promo is scripted. Speaking of which have you checked out Sportskeeda's Darren Paltrowitz in conversation with AEW legend Jake Roberts?
If not, do so right here!
