AEW Dynamite Review - February 8, 2023

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

AEW World Champion MJF def. Konosuke Takeshita in an AEW World Championship Eliminator Match

This is only the third Dynamite match MJF has had since returning from his hiatus in September. Thus, every MJF match has a big-fight feel to it. With a shot at the championship being on the line and not the championship itself, there was a chance Takeshita could win, but he looked strong enough in defeat that the loss won't hurt him as long as he can start racking up wins on TV soon. This was a very fun opener and Takeshita is already a star on the rise in AEW. His alliance with Bryan Danielson has done/will do wonders for him.

AEW Women's World Champion Jamie Hayter def. The Bunny

With Saraya and Toni Storm turning heel, I guess that makes Hayter and Britt Baker officially babyfaces, even though they didn't do anything to cement the turn. At least Hayter was already being cheered anyway and now she's just embracing the audience. We didn't see most of this match due to it being consumed by the commercial break, but what we got to see was decent. I don't mind the story they're telling with the women right now, but the AEW Women's World Championship feels like an afterthought in all of it.

Ricky Starks def. "Cool Hand" Angelo Parker; Starks def. "Daddy Magic" Matt Menard; Daniel Garcia def. Starks (The Garcia-Guevara Gauntlet)

The stipulation was that if Starks would get another match with Chris Jericho if he won this Gauntlet match. The problem is, as other fans have pointed out, why would Starks want another match with Jericho if he beat him clean a month ago? I was in favor of pairing the two together in an effort to elevate Starks, but ​the program is lacking logic at this point. The Gauntlet was fine. Garcia playing spoiler likely delays Starks vs. Jericho II until Revolution. However, I'm caring less and less by the week.

Bryan Danielson def. Rush

Danielson had to win this match in order to get his shot at MJF's AEW World Championship at Revolution. Although the outcome was never in doubt, I thought MJF locking Danielson in a room beforehand (so he'd have to forfeit) and Danielson having to break the door open with his injured shoulder was a smart twist. The match itself was excellent and Danielson bleeding a gusher was a nice touch. I'm glad Rush got a chance to show what he could do as well. I'm really looking forward to Danielson vs. MJF in an Iron Man match.

AEW World Trios Champions The Elite (Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks) def. AR Fox and Top Flight

As I always say, if you're not a spot-fest fan, this match was absolutely not for you. Personally, I'd like to see The Elite slow things down once in a while and tell more of a story, but I'll admit that this was a ton of fun, especially down the stretch. I figured The Elite would retain, but some of those nearfalls from Fox and Top Flight in the final few minutes were pretty convincing. The crowd ate all of it up as well. Now the question is who they defend against at Revolution.

The Gunns def. The Acclaimed to Win the AEW World Tag Team Championship

No, this match was not worthy of the main event slot, but you had to know a title change was coming (or a heel turn from Billy Gunn) when it was announced as going on last. We didn't get Billy betraying Acclaimed, but The Gunns becoming champions might have been worse. It was a subpar match with the expected shenanigans, but needless to say, I'm not a fan of the title change. They get good heat, and maybe this will lead to FTR avenging their loss and getting the belts back, but they're the wrong team to be leading such a stacked division. Doing it at the expense of the uber-popular Acclaimed is also highly questionable.

Overall Show

Although some shows are stronger than others, every edition of Dynamite so far in 2023 has been above average. The renewed focus on the wrestling has been refreshing, but more in-ring promos would be helpful when it comes to furthering some of the storylines more effectively. Unfortunately, this show had one of the flattest endings in a while. The Gunns as AEW World Tag Team Champions does nothing for me. That said, the rest of the show held my interest and was entertaining. Hopefully they can start announcing more matches for Revolution soon beyond just the main event.

SEE MORE: Dynamite Reviews