AEW Dynamite Review - October 21, 2020

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Wardlow def. Jungle Boy in an AEW World Championship Eliminator Tournament

I liked how the commentators acknowledged how Jurassic Express briefly feuded with MJF and Wardlow earlier this year. This was a fun opener with the size dynamic working to their advantage. Jungle Boy always looks good in defeat, but I'm looking forward to day that he picks up his first big singles win. Wardlow advancing was logical and his offense is never not impressive to me. Now let's just hope AEW isn't still planning on splitting him from MJF any time soon.

Kenny Omega def. Sonny Kiss in a World Title Eliminator Quarterfinal Match

Kiss filled in for Joey Janela, who had to pull out of the show due to coming in contact with someone that recently tested positive for COVID.​​ Kiss and Janela haven't many (if any) matches of importance on Dynamite, so I had absolutely no issue with this being booked as a straight-up squash for Omega. In fact, it only added to his heel turn, along with the over-the-top intro from Justin Roberts. It should be noted that there was no one definitive moment where he turned heel, which makes me think we might get it at Full Gear.

Rey Fenix def. Penta El Zero M in a World Title Eliminator Quarterfinal Match

I don't think I've seen these two go one-on-one since the first season of Lucha Underground, so I was really looking forward to this and it did not disappoint. It was an exciting affair with the brothers bringing the best out of each other as always, this time as opponents. I'm positive they could contest an even better bout, but this was a nice taste of what they're capable of for those who may not be aware. Fenix vs. Omega should be fantastic, assuming Fenix can compete after apparently getting hurt here.

"Hangman" Adam Page def. Colt Cabana in a World Title Eliminator Quarterfinal Match

I like Cabana, but this storyline he's had going with The Dark Order these past few months has done nothing for me. He largely wrestles and acts the same with the only difference being that the other members didn't attack him afterward. The match itself was enjoyable even though the outcome was never in doubt. To be honest, I would have been fine with Page dominating Cabana much like Omega dominated Kiss earlier in the evening, just because Cabana isn't much higher on the AEW totem pole than Kiss is and it would have told the story that Page and Omega are both coming into this tournament not wanting to waste time.

Team Taz Addressed Darby Allin and Will Hobbs

I'm all for Team Taz continuing to target Allin even though Ricky Starks already lost clean to Allin. That match was strong enough that I'd definitely be down for a rematch. They talked about Hobbs, too, so Allin and Hobbs vs. Starks and Brian Cage seems to be inevitable. Hobbs turning on Allin and joining Team Taz isn't out of the question, by the way. It might be the best spot for him to be in to ensure he doesn't get lost in the shuffle on his own.

Britt Baker def. KiLynn King

Baker has been showing more of a mean streak since returning from injury and it's refreshing to see. The skits she did while she was out hurt were terrific, but that terrible Tooth and Nail match she had with Big Swole at All Out made me worried she'd be a comedy character going forward. Thankfully, that hasn't been the case at all. This was another solid showcase for Baker and I'm looking forward to her eventually rekindling her rivalry with Hikaru Shida, this time over the AEW Women's Championship.

The Young Bucks def. Private Party, The Butcher & The Blade, and The Dark Order (Alex "3" Reynolds and John "4" Silver) in an AEW World Tag Team Championship No. 1 Contender's Four-Way Tag Team Match

With the story they were telling coming into this show, there was no way any other team but Young Bucks was winning this thing. Silver getting a flurry of offense in was a pleasant surprise and it was a quality main event on the whole, but it was hard to take anyone else seriously, even Private Party who have done nothing notable lately. As excited as I am for Young Bucks vs. FTR at Full Gear, Young Bucks have been acting like heels since All Out and thus it's going to be a weird dynamic unless something drastic happens in the next two weeks. Also, why was Tully Blanchard unmasking treated like a big deal when he already accompanied FTR to the ring not too long ago?

Overall Show

People are definitely going to be divided on it and understandably so, but I found the "steak dinner" with Chris Jericho and MJF entertaining. It won't be for everyone, and I don't think it would work with almost anyone else, but I fall in the category of people who didn't mind it. That said, I wouldn't blame you for hating it, either. Meanwhile, I loved how the first hour of the episode focused fully on the World Title Eliminator and the presentation of it was well done on the whole. The hype for Full Gear is heating up and we got a better idea on this show of what that card is going to look like. All in all, this was a pretty good effort from AEW.