Jon Moxley Def. Ortiz

Summary:

Moxley dominates in the open but thanks to some interference from Tito Santana Ortiz takes control. Moxley and Ortiz battle back and forth with both men getting in some good offense. Santana gets on the apron and  Ortiz runs into him. the distraction costs him as Moxley hits the paradigm shift and scores the three count. Post-match Moxley uses the keys from the Ford GT and pokes Ortiz in the eye.

Critique:

As a curtain jerker, it’s alright there’s nothing bad about it but at the same time, there’s nothing exciting about it. Moxley finally gets his hand on a member of The Inner Circle in what should have been a squash match.

Rating 3/5

SCU Def. The Best Friends

Summary:

Trent Barreta and Frankie Kazarian start off the match with Frankie running the match until Baretta knees Kazarian in the face and tags out. Chuck Taylor is tagged in and Scorpio Sky gets the tag as well and we get a back and forth as both men eventually tag out. Chaos erupts as everyone starts fighting outside the ring in a big brawl that takes them all out. Back in the ring Best Friends take control until Scorpio Sky interrupts a Strong Zero with a dropkick turning it into a pin and a victory for SCU. Post-match The Dark Order assaults SCU and The Best Friends

Critique:

In comparison to last week’s match against TH2 SCU put on less of a show here. The Best Friends didn’t bring the same level of energy and while they were solid they were nowhere near as impressive. The post-match attack brings us back AEW’s reliance on post-match brawls.

Rating 3/5

Yuka Sakazaki Def. Britt Baker

Summary:

Britt starts off in control until Yuka reverses the wrist lock. Yuka dominates the match hitting Britt with a top rope splash in the ring and outside. Britt tries to get Yuka to tap out with the lockjaw but it’s no use, Yuka then rolls Britt into the crucifix for the three count. Unhappy with the result Britt attacks Yuka with the ring bell and then stomps the back of her head while she bites the bottom rope, causing her to lose a tooth.

Critique:

Yuka hasn’t had a match with the company since Fyter fest and this is what she gets? She controls the majority of the match and does most of the heavy lifting. With Britt Baker turning heel she should have won by playing dirty, she’s already insulting commentators so what’s cheating? This is another one of those times where we can only hope the women’s division will get better.

Rating: 2/5

The Butcher and The Blade & The Lucha Bros. DEF. The Elite

Summary:

The Elite start off strong with triple-team maneuvers and tag in tag out. All hell breaks loose and everyone with the exception of Adam Page gets in the ring and fights, sending their opponents to the outside. The fight continues with Page taking out all four members of the opposing tag teams. The back and forth continues with The Elite looking like they’re about to win until Page tags in and refuses to tag out to the Young Bucks. Pentagon Jr. hits Page with a sling blade and then the Pentagon-driver for the win.

Critique:

The Lucha Bros. and The Elite are some of the best in the world of tag teams. Their matches are like the Marvel movie and your left wanting more. The thing that separates them from other tag teams is their use of top-rope maneuvers, doubles routines, and well-choreographed moves. Well planned and well-executed this match was the best of the night.

Rating: 5/5

Takeaway:

After growing more and more distant it’s clear that The Elite and Adam Page are done so what will become of Kenny’s friendship with Page?

The top title for Adam Page is becoming one of the best running gags on AEW.

Kip Sabian Def. Joey Janela

Summary:

Joey Janela starts strong but Kip fights back and the two men go back and forth controlling this match. Janela ends up on the outside of the ring and comes face to face with Penelope Ford who bashes his head into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Kip continues the beating with a little help from Ford. The match comes to an end when Ford falls off the ring after Janela runs into her while aiming for Sabian who gets a roll-up.

Critique:

Kip and Janela put on an alright match. This doesn’t feel like a feud this feels like an exhibition, there’s not much build-up, they don’t feel like they’re out for blood, and the most they’ve done is interrupt each other’s matches. Hopefully, this feud will be over soon and we will see them go on to better storylines.

Rating: 3.5/5

Takeaways:

Penelope Ford getting hurt will result in one of two things: Kip getting violent towards Janela and attacking him, or Ford and Kip’s relationship starting to strain till she betrays and leaves him.

Cody receives 10 lashes

Critique:

With the title summarizing the segment I thought I would get right into the critique. This feels less like a renaissance painting, with his friends and family around him and his enemies watching from afar, neither side willing or able to do anything. This was one of the most powerful segments and showed Cody as a stubborn but honest person. Cody writhing around in pain is hard to watch and paints MJF as not just a heel he’s sadistic. If I were to have any complaints it would be that MJF was chased out rather than walking away enjoying the pain he caused. 

Rating: 4.5/5

Takeaway:

Cody has shown that time and time again he can pull something deep out from inside and spark the pro-wrestling world. I think it’s safe to say moments like these are why we have AEW.