Rate the AEW Dynamite!: 8/2/2023

[HMARK Center]

I don't normally rate the shows, but that felt like a 10.

To me, a 10 doesn't *have* to mean that every single segment was a five star affair; it could also mean that the show just flowed and everything that happened fit into it, giving you something fresh feeling after whatever came before (makes for a different scale from how I usually rate pay per views or bigger cards, I guess). The sheer variety in match types and layouts last night was a sight to behold, genuinely something for everyone, and most of the promos/segments all moved things along, with the MJF one being key to setting up what might be the fateful night in determining where this story with Cole goes. Super easy watch that never felt bogged down or aimless.

Plus, you have a few all-timer moments mixed in there:
-I'm not a big RVD guy, but that pop for him was sick, and the segment gave us Jack Perry endangering a child.
-The Embassy/Wayne video was absolutely incredible, and further cements, especially if MJF is really turning face, that Swerve is the next top heel.
-Shida winning a hard hitting match with Storm to close out the show on a high note title change that likely indicates a pivot in the women's division/title scene.

So yeah, 10 based on combining variety, an easy watch, and some big moments to feel like a real event.

[Clutchhausen]

One of the best Dynamites I've ever seen. Just great start to finish.

[Super Duper Dragunov]

7

I'm here for Supervillain Swerve. Keep doing this stuff. It's great.

Congrats to Shida for doing the damn thing. She's more than earned another run. Stoked that she won.

The opening tag, and three way I enjoyed and I thought were well laid out.

The Elite match I didn't care about at all. Tired of "Wayward Son" and been done with "Wild Thing". The match itself lost me, mostly b/c of who they were facing.
The MJF stuff went on way too long. It eventually arrived at the announcement (READ THE CONTRACT!) but it could have been trimmed down.
RVD got an audible laugh from me, even though it was cool as hell to hear him come out to "Walk".
The ROH Tag match had talents I liked, but not gonna lie if I said I also didn't play Two Dots from time to time during it.
I mean when Komander and Vikingo take 100 years to set up a move I gotta do something

A couple good matches, decent main event with the right winner, but quite a bit on this one I just didn't vibe with.
Kinda felt like filler in many ways, which is fine, but it was filler that I wasn't particularly into.