AEW Dynamite 6/26/21 Quick Takes

“Hangman” Adam Page vs. Powerhouse Hobbs

I thought this was a great opening match. I am so glad that Hobbs is finally able to perform in front of crowds. As for Page, It is a smart play to keep him as a show opening act. The people love him and it helps to create an energy that lasts for the rest of the night. The match saw a lot of physicality. This was by no means, a “technical masterpiece”. This was a fight, which is probably why I liked it. Page wins after a Dead Eye. I do appreciate a wrestler using a different finisher when they need to. The story between Team Taz continues to move as Brian Cage stopped Hook and Ricky Starks from interfering in the match. I do not know what the endgame is here but I do hope that there is some sort of payoff.

Faceoff Between Konnan and Tully Blanchard

Man, this was entertaining. Konnan came out to the LAX music and I had flashbacks to the Impact Zone. Both Konnan and Tully traded some verbal barbs that were absolutely cutting. Konnan calls to bring out Proud and Powerful to take out Tully but Blanchard points to the big screen and reveals that Santana and Ortiz have been laid out earlier on. The men in the ring are actually FTR and hit Konnan with a spike piledriver after a brief beatdown. I enjoyed this.

Dante Martin vs. Matt Sydal

Prior to the match, Vickie Guerrero came out and did what she does. She brings out Andrade El Idolo for some reason. He does look like a million bucks though so, I guess there’s that. As Sydal makes his entrance, he and Andrade have a brief staredown. As for the match, it was fine. I liked the dynamic between two generations of high flyers. I know Dante is known for his tag team work but I do think he has potential to have a nice single’s run at some point. Matt Sydal wins a Lightning Spiral.

“All Ego” Ethan Page vs. Bear Bronson

Not a whole lot here. Page was outmuscled by the bigger Bronson but being the crafty heel that he is, he’s able to stay one step ahead.With the help of Scorpio Sky, Page gets Bear Bronson up for an Ego’s Edge after a low-blow for the win. After the match, the usually aloof Ethan Page becomes more serious and more intense as he challenges Darby Allin to a coffin match at the upcoming Road Rager. I would have let this feud go on for a bit longer before the two touched but this will be a great match.

Bunny vs. Kris Statlander

This was OK. Bunny has improved A LOT since the last time she had a singles match on Dynamite. Statlander seemed to get a great crowd reaction. There were some fun interactions between Bunny, Blade, and Orange Cassidy. At one point, OC stops Bunny from using some brass knuckles and puts them in his pocket. This distracted Bunny long enough for Statlander to connect with a particularly scary looking Big Bang Theory. Afterward, Angelico and Jack Evans help Blade beat up OC with the knucks as he poses in the ring.

AEW World Title: Kenny Omega (c) vs. Jungle Boy

This really had a big fight feel. Both men had their respective groups with them. Justin Roberts did his formal introductions. They showed Jungle Boy’s family in the crowd. This felt like a big deal. As far as TV main events go, this will be hard to beat for a while. Kenny Omega could have easily gone into “T-shirt Kenny” mode but he didn’t. When he tries, he really is one of the best there is at the moment. This was a sort of crowning moment for Jungle Boy. He put on a very noteworthy performance here. Kenny Omega wins with a One-Winged Angel. Look, there was no way Jungle Boy was going to win here but, that’s ok. This is how a star is made even after a defeat. Jungle Boy became a made man tonight. Post match, Omega tried to hit his opponent with the belt but got stopped by Christian Cage. As Omega bails, Matt Hardy and Private Party come out to take out Cage. As Christian goes for a Kill Switch, The Young Bucks are out and hit a superkick. The Elite celebrate as Hardy lands a Twist of Fate on Christian.

Final Thoughts:

1. This episode has a lot of quick but really effective promos weaved in throughout the show. Miro, the Bucks, Brian Pillman Jr., and Penta/Eddie Kingston all had great segments. This is how you set up a lot of things without dragging the pace of the show down.

2. I’m still not sold on the neverending run-ins after a main event. I get that you want to end on a cliffhanger of sorts but this is overkill.

3. Who’s next to challenge Omega?

I thought this was a great opening match. I am so glad that Hobbs is finally able to perform in front of crowds. As for Page, It is a smart play to keep him as a show opening act. The people love him and it helps to create an energy that lasts for the rest of the night. The match saw a lot of physicality. This was by no means, a “technical masterpiece”. This was a fight, which is probably why I liked it. Page wins after a Dead Eye. I do appreciate a wrestler using a different finisher when they need to. The story between Team Taz continues to move as Brian Cage stopped Hook and Ricky Starks from interfering in the match. I do not know what the endgame is here but I do hope that there is some sort of payoff.

Faceoff Between Konnan and Tully Blanchard

Man, this was entertaining. Konnan came out to the LAX music and I had flashbacks to the Impact Zone. Both Konnan and Tully traded some verbal barbs that were absolutely cutting. Konnan calls to bring out Proud and Powerful to take out Tully but Blanchard points to the big screen and reveals that Santana and Ortiz have been laid out earlier on. The men in the ring are actually FTR and hit Konnan with a spike piledriver after a brief beatdown. I enjoyed this.

Dante Martin vs. Matt Sydal

Prior to the match, Vickie Guerrero came out and did what she does. She brings out Andrade El Idolo for some reason. He does look like a million bucks though so, I guess there’s that. As Sydal makes his entrance, he and Andrade have a brief staredown. As for the match, it was fine. I liked the dynamic between two generations of high flyers. I know Dante is known for his tag team work but I do think he has potential to have a nice single’s run at some point. Matt Sydal wins a Lightning Spiral.

“All Ego” Ethan Page vs. Bear Bronson

Not a whole lot here. Page was outmuscled by the bigger Bronson but being the crafty heel that he is, he’s able to stay one step ahead.With the help of Scorpio Sky, Page gets Bear Bronson up for an Ego’s Edge after a low-blow for the win. After the match, the usually aloof Ethan Page becomes more serious and more intense as he challenges Darby Allin to a coffin match at the upcoming Road Rager. I would have let this feud go on for a bit longer before the two touched but this will be a great match.

Bunny vs. Kris Statlander

This was OK. Bunny has improved A LOT since the last time she had a singles match on Dynamite. Statlander seemed to get a great crowd reaction. There were some fun interactions between Bunny, Blade, and Orange Cassidy. At one point, OC stops Bunny from using some brass knuckles and puts them in his pocket. This distracted Bunny long enough for Statlander to connect with a particularly scary looking Big Bang Theory. Afterward, Angelico and Jack Evans help Blade beat up OC with the knucks as he poses in the ring.

AEW World Title: Kenny Omega (c) vs. Jungle Boy

This really had a big fight feel. Both men had their respective groups with them. Justin Roberts did his formal introductions. They showed Jungle Boy’s family in the crowd. This felt like a big deal. As far as TV main events go, this will be hard to beat for a while. Kenny Omega could have easily gone into “T-shirt Kenny” mode but he didn’t. When he tries, he really is one of the best there is at the moment. This was a sort of crowning moment for Jungle Boy. He put on a very noteworthy performance here. Kenny Omega wins with a One-Winged Angel. Look, there was no way Jungle Boy was going to win here but, that’s ok. This is how a star is made even after a defeat. Jungle Boy became a made man tonight. Post match, Omega tried to hit his opponent with the belt but got stopped by Christian Cage. As Omega bails, Matt Hardy and Private Party come out to take out Cage. As Christian goes for a Kill Switch, The Young Bucks are out and hit a superkick. The Elite celebrate as Hardy lands a Twist of Fate on Christian.

Final Thoughts:

1. This episode has a lot of quick but really effective promos weaved in throughout the show. Miro, the Bucks, Brian Pillman Jr., and Penta/Eddie Kingston all had great segments. This is how you set up a lot of things without dragging the pace of the show down.

2. I’m still not sold on the neverending run-ins after a main event. I get that you want to end on a cliffhanger of sorts but this is overkill.

3. Who’s next to challenge Omega?

#prowrestling #AEWDynamite #wrestling #AEW #KennyOmega