AEW Dynamite Review - February 1, 2023

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Jon Moxley def. "Hangman" Adam Page

Once again, these guys killed it. Their first match was fun before the abrupt ending, the rematch was excellent, and this was also very entertaining. This easily could have gone either way and the crowd was into the action the entire time. I'm not high on Page losing to Moxley so soon after he beat Moxley clean, but Page's post-match mannerisms seemed to indicate their storyline isn't over yet. One more match at Revolution wouldn't bother me.

AEW World Tag Team Champions The Acclaimed def. Turbo Floyd and Truth Magnum (Non-Title)

No, Floyd and Magnum are not the latest additions to the AEW roster. Rather, they were two local enhancement talents who were quickly fed to The Acclaimed in what was a quick squash. The post-match angle saw Billy Gunn trying to get between The Acclaimed and The Gunns and granting The Gunns a title shot on The Acclaimed's behalf before walking out. I surely hope this isn't leading to Billy betraying The Acclaimed and reuniting with his sons. I don't care about Billy being separated from The Acclaimed, but I have no desire to see The Gunns as tag team champs.

Konosuke Takeshita def. ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champion Brian Cage

I have no idea whether Cage will wind up staying with AEW once his current expires soon, but I, for one, have been happy to see him finally utilized on the AEW shows. Granted, he isn't winning any meaningful matches, but I'll take this over him not being around at all. This was a quality contest and Takeshita winning his first televised match was key, especially with him facing MJF next week on Dynamite.

Bryan Danielson def. Timothy Thatcher

The outcome was as obvious this week as it was the last few weeks, but I can't complain because I really liked his match. I know it won't be everyone's cup of tea and it may not have been as fast-paced as what the average AEW viewer is used to, but I found it to be a refreshing change of pace and I'm so glad we got it. Thatcher scored plenty of offense before eating defeat and him targeting Danielson's injured shoulder made for a solid story. Rush is a random opponent for Danielson next week, but that will undoubtedly deliver as well.

AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill def. Red Velvet

I realize these two have history dating back two years and that Velvet is never beaten Cargill before, but I simply did not see her as a viable threat to Cargill. She hasn't been built up at all lately and although a shock win was possible, it would have been silly. Hopefully this puts an end to Cargill's feud with the former "baddies" because she desperately needs more credible competition. The match was decent while it lasted and at least it got Cargill to 50-0 finally.

ROH World Television Champion Samoa Joe def. Darby Allin in a No Holds Barred Match to Win the AEW TNT Championship (ROH World Television Championship Was Not Defended)

This trilogy of matches between Joe and Allin has been just tremendous. They have such strong chemistry together and this was another exceptional war from them. They took full advantage of the stipulation as they put each other through hell and pulled off some sweet spots. Joe regaining the gold was certainly a surprise, but I'm not necessarily upset since Allin got his hometown win a month ago and made the most of his brief reign with a handful of great title defenses. Joe can now rekindle his rivalry with Wardlow, who returned afterward sporting a new look.

Overall Show

AEW's streak of above-average editions of Dynamite continues. The two hours once again flew by and everything served a purpose. I will say that they need do a better job of incorporating some in-ring promos into the show as they've done in the past, but I understand doing some of that stuff backstage and keeping the focus on the in-ring action. Moxley vs. Page, Danielson vs. Thatcher and Joe vs. Allin all delivered and made this an enjoyable episode.

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