Cody Rhodes Def. Jimmy Havoc

Highlights:

• With what is going on the company really stepped up on commentary. Kenny Omega does a serviceable job as analyst and plays to his strengths. With a little more practice he could be a solid commentator.
• And up and over turned into a pin attempt. See a move enough times and it’s refreshing to see something new added.
• Seeing the wrestlers gamble on the match backstage. Even if they couldn’t be out on the floor it’s a good bit of comic relief.

Low Points:

• Jimmy Havoc’s track record has seen him mostly on Dark so seeing him on the main show feels out of place.
• The running lariat will always look awful. Just because Cody runs further doesn’t make it look any better.
• Two Cross Rhodes? I’m pretty sure just one would have been good enough.

Jake Roberts calls out Cody

Highlights:

• Setting it in front of a fireplace gives a creepy old man vibe to Jake like he’s telling a ghost story that maybe true.

Low Points:

• An all-powerful wrestler who only answer to one man? Where have I seen that before?
• Okay, so now Lance Archer and the Inner Circle are going after the Elite? Why do they need another enemy?

Darby Allin Def. Kip Sabian

Highlights:

• Darby’s vignettes are always a highlight. Bonus points for not ending the feud between him and Sammy Guevara.
• That big arm drag which saw Darby jumping on to the top rope. Great height and very agile.
• Kip Sabians kick to Darby on the Apron.

Low Points:

• Kip is hard to take seriously after the women’s division slapped him around last week. He’ll have to do something soon to get back his look as a serious competitor.
• The blind ref trope looks even worse when the other competitor getting attacked is audible.

Brodie Lee explains the new Dark Order

Highlights:

• Getting rid of the excess member count. The fact the Dark Order had so many members and repeatedly ended up being beat was embarrassing. Hopefully with fewer members they can do more.
• In his first vignette, Brodie comes across as a megalomaniac. Forcing his followers to watch as he eats and screaming at them for the littlest thing.

Low Points:

• Sneezing? okay, I get the reference to Vince last week but I’m really hoping this isn’t going to be some thinly veiled stab at their competition. If so why not go after Paul Levesque?

Brodie Lee Def. QT Marshall

Highlights:

• Brodie Lee’s gear is more in line with the Dark Order featuring the groups symbols.
• Great sell by Qt Marshall with the discus clothesline.
• The big spinning slam by Brodie has to be the highlight of the match.

Low Points:

• Let’s be honest QT Marshall is a jobber.
• Why are they recruiting after that vignette where Brodie knocked the Dark Order for having too many members? and why a guy with a losing streak?

Kenny Omega DEF. Sammy Guevara

Highlights:

• Sammy and Kenny are two of AEW’s best and this match is long overdue. Though Sammy loses he still puts on a great show as usual.
• The Springboard cutter is the highlight of the match. The accuracy involved in deserves acknowledgment especially with Sammy having to turn and perform it blind.

Low Points:

• The conversation between Cody and Tony veering off into a discussion about Star Trek. Save it for a podcast guy.
• We get it Sammy’s character is a ladies man but please don’t make us watch him kiss a sign.

Jericho calls out Matt Hardy

Low Points:

• Jericho talking to a drone. It’s like a bad scene from a movie.
• Trying to recruit Matt Hardy how did that go the last time he did it?
• Another ending involving a beatdown and the Inner Circle.
• Matt Hardy singing.