8 Ups & 3 Downs From AEW Dynamite (6 July)
1. Wardlow's Big Moment Just Feels Right
For all that has been said of Wardlow's last few weeks since defeating MJF, AEW got the big moment right.
Last night's TNT Championship switch was as satisfying as it should have been. It was clear, immediately, that Wardlow was extremely over in Rochester. The stacked odds were a benefit, too. Wardlow surged during his spree of destroying security guards opposite MJF. Here, the Street Fight stipulation guaranteed American Top Team involvement, giving Wardlow another stream of goofs to annihilate en route to dethroning Sky.
Scorpio did a professional job on the last night of his second TNT Title reign. He looked weak, yes, but should have looked weak. There was no good reason for AEW to undermine Wardlow's dominant rub by having Sky survive for longer or come closer to toppling his challenger. Putting the up-and-comer over as the most unstoppable prospect possible is the priority here and rather than doing half a job, AEW went all the way in, having Wardlow flatten fighter after fighter, survive a belt shot, and conduct a three powerbomb Symphony for the win.
Confetti fell during a celebratory scene post-match, putting a cherry atop a big moment that felt joyous and satisfying. Dynamite peaked in its first segment.
Dan Lambert taking a powerbomb or six would have made this even better, mind.