HomeTelevision'All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite' in Boston: This Show is Now Undeniably Must-Watch

‘All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite’ in Boston: This Show is Now Undeniably Must-Watch

By Bill Bodkin

All Elite Wrestling Dynamite in Boston

All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite in Boston was another big test for the upstart wrestling promotion. After last week’s red hot premiere, which scored a serious rating, could AEW sustain the magic they captured in week one?

The answer was a resounding yes.

All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite in Boston started hot with The Young Bucks taking Private Party in the first match of the inaugural AEW Tag Team Tournament. AEW has done a really nice job of building up Private Party as more than just a bunch of young dudes with cool moves. They’ve promoted them, especially in Being the Elite, as a team much cooler than The Bucks, much quicker than The Bucks, and a team that commands and demands the respect of The Bucks.

While this match was paced at a million miles an hour with a thousand moves happening at all times, there was actually three compelling stories being told here. The first, was by the commentary team, who once again delivered. They constantly reminded us that a time limit draw would lead to both teams being eliminated, and the longer the match went a draw definitely seemed likelier with each passing moment. The second story was that of human chess — both teams foiled each other at every move — spoiling their opportunity to secure the win. That lead into the final story of The Young Bucks being absolutely frustrated that they could not put the younger team away. The three stories being pushed here created drama, and took this from being a spot fest to a classic.

To be truthful there is no way I could recap this one — you need to experience it. Not watch it, experience it. Hands down this is the best match on Dynamite (not a hard thing to say since this is the second episode), and easily one of the best matches AEW has produced to date.

Was the right call made for the tag tournament? It absolutely was. Private Party is the future of AEW’s tag team division, so having them go over on The Bucks cements them as legit contenders. In fact, would you now be surprised if they made it to the finals? Also, how much hype and drama will be around their eventual rematch?

Chris Jericho, Santana, Ortiz (these dudes need a team name), Jake Hager, and Sammy Guevarra made their way to the ring after the commercial. Heel stables are cool as hell, no matter the promotion. Jericho then laid into what was absolutely one of his best promos since “The List.” The AEW fans adore Jericho, and rightfully so. However, Jericho still is able to take the smartest wrestling fan and inspire them to boo him. The AEW Champion put over his new squad to the heavens — a smart move since the former LAX and Sammy might not be known commodities to the fans, and well, Hager is probably still seen as a WWE castoff.

Jericho brilliantly shut down the massive “We the People” chant, taking an off the cuff shot at his former employer. He finally revealed the name of the group, “The Inner Circle.” It’s not a great name. Then again neither is Undisputed Era. However, they’re both pretty cool, despite the name. Also, I guess AEW is cool with using the word “shit.” Just don’t abuse it guys.

The #1 Contender Match for the AEW World Title took place between Darby Allin and Jimmy Havoc. The outcome was obvious from the get-go, Darby was going to win. In a few matches he’s established himself as a crowd favorite, and let’s face it, his match with Jericho is going to be very fun. However, this match wasn’t about Darby. It was more about Havoc. AEW needed to showcase Havoc in a “regular ass match” as Pop Break contributor Kenny Pete would say. We’ve only seen him in the batshit crazy hardcore matches, or be a background player in multi-man matches. Here we saw that, yes, Havoc doesn’t need plunder to wrestle (a fact fans of BritWres already know). Darby was able to win with a spectacular Coffin Drop. While not the flashiest match, this gave credibility to Havoc, and got the W for Darby.

Next up was a women’s tag match featuring Japanese legend Emi Sakura and Bea Priestly taking on AEW Women’s Champion Riho, and Dr. Britt Baker, DMD. Riho got a monster pop, so yes she’s over, and was the right person to put the belt on. Much like the tag match on AEW: Dark featuring Britt and Bea, this a solid match that had its hiccups. Britt had a couple of moves not go her way, and the pacing felt off at times. Sakura, who was over as hell at Double or Nothing, didn’t have the same connection with the audience, but repeat visits to AEW could change that.

Bea was solid but she hasn’t recaptured the magic she had at Fight for the Fallen. I think when we get her in a singles match we’ll see more of what makes her great. In the end Britt throws on her awesome Rings of Saturn with a Mandible Claw finish for the W. Post-Match, Britt gets cracked in the face by Bea, and there’s a big pull apart. So the good guys win and stay in the hearts of the fans, while Bea keeps digging her heels in as a top villain.

Then we had some “interesting” production choices. We see, sort of, a promo video for Best Friends, Chuckie T and Trent. We cut back to Jenn Decker, who unfortunately was not ready (did not look like her fault), and she had to stumble into asking the team how they feel about The Young Bucks being out of the tournament. This, of course, leads to our Orange Cassidy cameo, which gots a Road Warrior pop. However, we then quickly cut to black, and we see Shawn Spears in spotlight sitting in a chair, a chair he dramatically slams shut and he heads to the ring. This was definitely the low point of the episode.

Spears along with Tully Blanchard in his corner, to the shock of no one lost to Jon Moxley, making his return to the ring. MOX did not lose any of that “Deathrider” juice from NJPW earlier this summer, as he was vicious, intense, and constant motion. It was refreshing to see a guy, who earlier this year was “just another guy,” now be white hot and a top guy in AEW. Moxley made it a point to use his elbow, previously infected with MRSA (a very serious infection if you’re wondering), as often as possible.

As for Spears, he looked good in the ring. Again, another guy who was just “there” earlier this year is looking better than he ever has. However, there’s one issue with Spears. Six weeks ago he was built as this mega heel going into his match with Cody. Now, two straight loses. Two straight, convincing loses. AEW cannot go down the Tye Dillinger road with Spears, they need to figure out a way from the fans not to slot him back into that “guy who has good matches but constantly loses” role.

Post match, Kenny Omega came out with a bat wrapped in barbed wire, and a broom wrapped in barbed wire. Now, I know he’s The Cleaner, but the initial sight of a barbed wire broom was silly. But, once Kenny positioned it different and you saw how much wire was on that sucker, things got serious. Omega threw the bat to Mox, and we were going to have a fight. This was good stuff. Then PAC, who was at commentary during the match (and was terrific) nails Omega in the back with a chair, using the edge of the seat crack Omega. It was a strong shot, and here’s where things got interesting. Moxley laces into PAC verbally, and then chooses not to attack Omega. He wants a fair fight. Good. Save it for the PPV.

Finally, we had our main event tag match featuring Hangman Adam Page and Dustin Rhodes vs. Sammy Guevara and Chris Jericho. Super strong, super fun match. Can we talk about how Dustin Rhodes somehow is getting better as he ages? I’ve been watching him since he got the surprise win over Ted DiBiase in the WWF in 1990, and this might be the best he’s ever been. Page and Guevara looked big time here, and Jericho continues his character of the arrogant of Le Champion with great intensity. The Inner Circle takes this match when Jake Hager wipes out Adam Page, which allows Sammy and Jericho to take out Dustin — and finish him off with The Judas Effect.

The Post Match was W I L D. We had a lights on, lights off moment that saw Cody Rhodes in the ring, and start throwing leather with Jericho and Sammy. Page and Hager went at it and brawled to the back. MJF hit the ring with a chair, and in a red hot moment, teased that he’d hit Cody but instead creamed The Inner Circle. In true MJF fashion he looked at the crowd with an arrogant “told ya so” look and soaked in his deserved adulation. It was short lived as Santana and Ortiz wiped him out. This of course brought The Young Bucks out. Jericho powdered and took his belt. Then in the background Darby Allin is seen skateboarding to the ring and jumps Jericho, and then cracks Le Champion with his deck. Jericho threatens Cody and Allin as we go off the air.

Now, while this was wild AEW has to be careful not rely too heavily on this “end of Nitro brawl” finish. They need to be careful with not going to this well too often. With that said, the brawl was a ton of fun, it had intensity, and the MJF moment was highly creative. When he does turn on Cody, it’ll be amazing. As for Darby, wow. That was totally unexpected, and it made him look like a danger to Jericho. Sure, he probably won’t win, but now we’ve got some juice to this match next week.

Simply put, All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite in Boston was a must-watch episode. It might sound lame as hell to say, but I finished this episode with a smile on my face. I was happy. I was invested in the show, and I can’t wait for next week. I can’t wait for more AEW. This is a good thing for wrestling — a strong, viable alternative only helps create more opportunities in the wrestling world, and inspires others to greatness. This is a hell of a time to be a fan.

All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite in Boston will rerun on TruTV on Saturday morning and will be streaming on the TNT app.

Bill Bodkin
Bill Bodkinhttps://thepopbreak.com
Bill Bodkin is the editor-in-chief and co-founder of Pop Break, and most importantly a husband, and father. Ol' Graybeard writes way too much about wrestling, jam bands, Asbury Park, Disney+ shows, and can often be seen under his seasonal DJ alias, DJ Father Christmas. He is the co-host of Pop Break's flagship podcast The Socially Distanced Podcast (w/Amanda Rivas) which drops weekly as well as TV Break and Bill vs. The MCU.
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