5 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dynamite (August 9 - Review)
4. Jack Perry Vs Rob Van Dam
In stark contrast to the opener living down to extremely low expectations, Rob Van Dam's punt to try and save the FTW Title from Jack Perry's oily grasp was an unmitigated success.
In good shape and keen to show it off, RVD's north-of-50 frame betrayed the birth certificate multiple times. Watching him rotate from apron to floor with the barricade spinkick was as heady a pleasure as hearing "Walk" last week, the rolling thunder looked as good as ever even if the split-leg moonsault sputtered, and seeing the Five Star Frog Splash after thinking it would only be teased rather than delivered was superb for sustaining the heat.
Perfectly pitched as annoyingly difficult hurdle for heel Perry to hop over, Van Dam was only undone by Bryce Remsberg being knocked out by a flying chair in a wicked ref bump. By the time replacement referee Aubrey Edwards arrived, Perry - decked out in Jerry Lynn's most famous attire no less - was able to steal a victory both men had fans believing might not come. A quiet triumph on exactly the right stage, a this strange two week exercise has put the former Jungle Boy in his best spot yet since the Forbidden Door turn.