5 Biggest Takeaways from AEW Dynamite (February 2nd, 2022)
I like to keep things as positive as possible.
I like WWE.
I like AEW.
- Mr. Money in the Bank… Finn Balor! - November 28, 2023
- A Quick Fix: 3 Changes to Make with AEW Programming - November 4, 2023
- And The DEVIL is….. - November 2, 2023
With Moxley back in AEW, it’s only fitting that he starts the shows off. The energy he brings to the ring through his entrance and during his matches is unmatched right now within AEW and it really helps set the tone for the rest of the evening. Even in a match against Wheeler Yuta, you can’t help but get pumped up when Mox comes on the screen. From the beginning of the show, to the end of the show, AEW delivered again. Nyla Rose and Ruby Soho battled in a decent women’s match, House of Black continued it’s run of dominance as they took out Pac and Penta and the Ass Boys continued to let Jurassic Express know that they are tired of being overlooked. With the action that took place and the segments that filled in time, the flow of Dynamite was amongst one of their best outings to date and as I said last week, the timing of it is perfect. As they inch closer to their Revolution event, it’s time to pick up some momentum and that’s exactly what they are doing.
So with that, let us move into the 5 biggest takeaways from this week’s AEW Dynamite!
#5: A New Adam Cole
Adam Cole has heard and/or seen the online criticism. The run thus far has been underwhelming by the standards he has set based upon his status and performance’s elsewhere. Fans have let it be known they are not happy with his “fall from grace” as they call it and Adam has sat back for long enough while it went down.
After taking to Twitter to acknowledge that social media will not dictate his happiness, he cut a promo on Dynamite to let the world know that the fun and games are over. It’s time people start to give him the respect he deserves and to realize that his undefeated record in AEW is not something to take lightly. He’s going to start with Evil Uno on Rampage and remind people why he is one of the best damn wrestlers in the world today, BAY BAY!
#4: Go Away Heat
This is not a term I like using. I don’t even like to hear people use it. I think heat is heat and most people don’t realize that when they dislike a heel, that is the whole purpose of their character. With that said, Brandi Rhodes is the definition of go away heat. Don’t believe me? Go look it up in the Dictionary. I’m almost positive her picture is attached. She has forced herself into more angles within AEW than any other wrestler has even had the chance of being involved in and there is only one reason that she has been afforded that right. Cody Rhodes.
The world knows her wrestling ability is not on par with the other women that continue to get overlooked in the women’s locker room. It’s bad enough that the division only gets one match a show, now they have one less segment to work with so Brandi can feed her own ego. Her promo’s are so forced that it’s almost cringeworthy and her pauses after her absolutely flat one liners almost make me feel bad for her. That is until I remember that this is Brandi Rhodes we’re talking about and she brings all this upon herself. If you missed it, the crowd’s loudest chant of the night was for Brandi to “shut the f*ck up!” to the point where she had to just plow through and try and drown them out with her annoying voice.
Can we get Josh’s number please… https://t.co/pv6aeiwRqi
— Brandi Rhodes (@TheBrandiRhodes) February 3, 2022
But here we are, yet again, with Brandi Rhodes making room for herself on the show as she inserts herself into a program with Dan Lambert and Paige Vanzant. Will it include Cody? Maybe. Maybe not. The only thing we know for certain is that it will not be entertaining unless it ends with Paige Vanzant absolutely demolishing Brandi Rhodes in quick fashion, making Paige one of the biggest babyfaces in all of professional wrestling.
#3: Absolute Cowboy Shit
The cheers are starting to fade for Hangman Page. Though, no fault of his own, the run as AEW Champion has been a flop for the most part. Yes, he did have two incredible matches with Bryan Danielson but outside of that, what else stands out during this 81 day reign? There have been weeks where he wasn’t on the show and most of the other weeks he was looked upon as an afterthought on the show as he struggled to make any kind of impact on the show. The honeymoon was over before it ever began and it’s a sad sight to see because of how much Page has to offer.
Last night, that was finally addressed. Hangman Page let it be known that he wants to be a fighting champion and frankly, he’s pissed that he hasn’t had the chance to do that. He wanted a challenger 3 weeks ago and outside of Lance Archer stepping up, there has yet to be a match for him. Archer is a good opponent for him as it will make the babyface have to overcome the odds of a much bigger, stronger opponent in a match that is tailor made to Archer’s style. When Hangman wins this war, he will look like that babyface champion we all want him to be and hopefully they will begin to utilize him as the top guy of the company as he rolls into Revolution for what is hopefully a program worthy of our investment.
#2: Bryan Danielson Squad
After Bryan Danielson failed to win the AEW title from Hangman on his second attempt, the question was: what’s next for Bryan? Too good to leave the main event but now a challenger no more for the AEW title, where would he fit in? Last night, they gave us the perfect role for him.
Jon Moxley had himself a decent battle with Wheeler Yuta and as he stood in the ring victorious, he would be approached by Danielson. What everyone thought would lead to a confrontation ended up being the exact opposite. Bryan praised Jon for his AEW title run, said he could have done more with support and that is exactly why he was here. This company shouldn’t be championed by dinosaurs, vloggers and millenial cowboys. It should be run by no nonsense people such as himself and Mox. Extending a hand to form an alliance was not the route I expected them to take yet it is the road I am glad they are traveling. This has intrigue written all over it and just knowing that Danielson will soon be leading a stable of young talent, guiding them under his wing is enough to have me invested before it even begins to take shape. Who else will Bryan seek? Will Mox say yes? I can’t wait to find out and this is definitely something everyone should be keeping their eyes on.
#1: Twice as Nice!
What more heat could Maxwell Jacob Friedman possibly achieve? After a lengthy, yet fantastic program with CM Punk, the culmination finally arrived last night in Punk’s beloved hometown of Chicago. With an undefeated record and his eyes set on AEW Gold, all signs were pointing to Punk going over in the Windy City. MJF does not need victories at this stage of his career due to not only his age but also his ability to remain relevant due to his promo skills while also being an instant heat magnet for every little thing he does. With MJF winning the promo battles, it also just made too much sense for Punk to over as well so that they could be seen as equals that would no doubt lead to another exchange later on down the road.
That is not what happened though. MJF was able to choke CM Punk out in the middle of the ring, albeit he was cheating, it was still a sight to see. Chicago’s hero, lifeless in the middle of the ring as Max has his hands raised. But wait! That wouldn’t be enough. After noticing the tape used, the referee would restart this match and the story seemed to be as clear as day. Punk would redeem that loss and find himself victorious at the end of this show. And that’s where they swerved us. MJF would beat Punk AGAIN as he got the 1, 2, 3 in the middle of the ring after once again cheating with the Diamond ring. It doesn’t get any more deflating for a CM Punk fan than to watch him get beaten twice in the same night in the second city saviors home. The crowd was in disbelief as was I as this show came to end with MJF sitting indian style in the ring as an unconscious Punk lay in the background.
.@RealWardlow's intentions were seemingly ambiguous, but @The_MJF has taken advantage of the situation and knocked out @CMPunk in front of a stunned crowd and takes the victory here in Chicago on #AEWDynamite on @TBSNetwork! 😱 pic.twitter.com/YR2QLVjuFb
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) February 3, 2022
This is how you make a top heel. Not to say Max wasn’t a top heel before but now, he is THE top heel without question. Nobody will generate more hate and not just because he talks the talk, but now he is walking the walk. The “rub” was awesome and as great as MJF has been with not breaking character in the past, he couldn’t help but share a moment with Punk in the center of the ring. This clearly meant the world to MJF and he has more than earned this moment after his abysmal run with Jericho last year. I fully expect Max to look to Adam Page as we move towards Revolution as the AEW Championship is the next logical step for him and an interesting feud is something Page needs now more than ever.
About Author
