7 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (19 Jan)
Jon Moxley returns, squashes aplenty, Sting shows out, Cody Rhodes drones.
A quick glance at the title should tell you this was a significantly better episode of Dynamite than last week's, which collapsed under the weight of a thousand interruptions.
AEW erased that problem here. Outside of Leyla Hirsch, Kris Statlander, and Red Velvet's backstage segment, the PAC/House of Black interactions, and 'Hangman' Adam Page accosting Lance Archer, Tony Khan took an eraser to tropes that a big chunk of the fanbase (and the commentariat) voiced displeasure for last week. Tweaking the show's format worked to its benefit. This was a smoother, more energetic, and less mechanical night of action.
The hooks were stronger, too. Jon Moxley's return was a big one, as was Cody Rhodes'. In addition, the fantastic CM Punk vs. MJF feud was due to continue through Shawn Spears' delightful gooberisms, The Kings of the Black Throne made their tag team debut, and the most fun pairing on the planet, Sting and Darby Allin, faced The Acclaimed.
Not a perfect show, despite the upturn. Still, there was enough good and great stuff on last night's Dynamite to call it a comeback. Hopefully it becomes a trend.
Let's light the fuse...