7 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Revolution 2021
Christian Cage debuts, Jon Moxley and Kenny Omega get explosive, Sting takes to the streets.
The last three-and-a-half weeks have been a triumph of marketing and momentum for AEW.
From the exploding barbed wire deathmatch's announcement on 17 February up to the closing moments of this week's electric go-home Dynamite, AEW had recaptured the pro wrestling zeitgeist. The promotion was as buzzing as it was after Winter is Coming. After two inconsistent months, television was peaking at the right time, the hype was real, and the card was loaded.
Revolution was hot.
A rich, varied lineup brought more than just Jon Moxley and Kenny Omega literally lighting each other up for the AEW World Title. In the opener, Chris Jericho and MJF challenged for The Young Bucks' World Tag Team Titles, Papa Buck's dried blood still encrusted under their fingernails. Tournament winner Ryo Mizunami fought Hikaru Shida for the Women's World Title. TNT Champion Darby Allin didn't defend his belt, but teamed with Sting in a Street Fight with Brian Cage and Ricky Starks, while six wrestlers clashed in the first Face of the Revolution ladder match.
There was also the small matter of Paul Wight's "hall of fame worthy" surprise, and the (self-made) gargantuan expectations that came with it.
With great expectations comes the scope for a great fall. How did AEW Revolution 2021 pan out? Let's light the fuse and find out...
Check out AEW Revolution 2021 on FITE TV, now available on demand.