AEW Dynamite in Salt Lake City from the Maverik Center did something most scoffed at not even three months ago — it showed the depth of All Elite Wrestling’s talent roster.
It’s no secret critics and fans alike have made mention of “the same people fighting every week” on Dynamite. To some extent this is true, but then again … this is true of every major wrestling company ever. You put the people who draw on television (e.g. The Elite, Moxley, Jericho).
This week, however, the roster depth stepped up in a way it hasn’t fully done yet in AEW’s short run. To fully explain my theory let’s look at the undeniable match of the night — Death Triangle vs. “The Party Boys.”
Rey Fenix, Pentagon Jr., and PAC aka Death Triangle have all been positioned as top, or very close to the top draw players in AEW. All three men have been in main events, and in feuds with and put on great matches with members of The Elite.
“The Party Boys” consisting of Private Party and “The Bad Boy” Joey Janela have had flirtations with the top, scoring big matches in their careers (see Janela/Moxley or Janela/Omega, and Private Party/Young Bucks or Private Party/Lucha Bros as examples), but for the most part, have become staples of the Dynamite mid-card, and AEW Dark.
On AEW Dynamite in Salt Lake City, this match was scheduled, and on paper it looked like Death Triangle would make short work of the newly minted trio as a way to establish them as a dominant force. However, what we got instead was a blowaway trios match. It was incredibly smart booking — Janela and Private Party looked incredible in this match and their chemistry was instantaneous — Janela calling for an impromptu “Gin and Juice” variation with Marq Quen is a perfect example. Despite their loss, these three reminded audiences that 1.) they are awesome at what they do, 2.) they’d probably want to see this act again, and 3.) it certainly does set things up nicely for a trios tournament if there were ever to be one.
As for Death Triangle — while the win wasn’t easy, they established their mantra — speed, violence, intensity. You know what you’re getting out of these guys in-ring as a unit now. And the way they worked together against adversity showed that this wasn’t a “random amalgam of dudes thrown together” but a team with an identity that’s ready to work together, and can work together well.
Elsewhere on the show, AEW dipped back into the gift that keeps on giving in Dustin Rhodes. “The Natural,” one year ago was still hanging around the undercard in WWE, now he’s out here blowing doors off the place. He slid into the main event with Hangman Page against The Spanish God and Le Champion perfectly. I liked their bickering, and their begrudging team work.
Speaking of gifts — Hangman Page might be one of the most over human beings in wrestling not just AEW right now. After a fumble in 2019, Hangman has come into his own and developed this wonderful Sandman meets Barry Windham meets Magnum T.A. character and has become the star we all knew he could be. As for Sammy and Jericho — keep Team “Le Sex Gods” going, they are great together.
The depth was also apparent when Ortiz took on Cody in a really strong opener. He and Santana are criminally underrated singles wrestlers, and it was awesome to see Ortiz showcase himself against AEW’s golden god.
The return of Bea Priestley opened the women’s division up nicely. While Bea was a bit off in the ring, one thing is never off about her — her immense personality. She is a heel through and through, and all mistakes were forgotten once she clobbered her partner Nyla Rose. Speaking of Nyla, gotta agree with the commentary, she has taken huge strides in the ring since winning the belt. As for their opponents Kris Statlander and Hikaru Shida — they’re the future, and when these two meet again for the belt it’s going to magnificent.
Speaking of the women, while Britt Baker’s promo ran long, it was good to see Big Swole put into a feud with her. Swole more than held her own on the mic (and her mic drop comment), and it’ll be good to see a feud, not revolving around the title, in the Women’s Division.
Let’s not sleep on the evolution of The Butcher and The Blade. Yes, they still lose a bunch, but every week these two get better and better in the ring. And let’s forget The Bunny, she’s grown into the manager role so well. Teaming with MJF doesn’t hurt them in the Win/Loss column either. The Jurassic Express is another team that can come in at any time and be a big part of Dynamite. Luchasaurus has rebounded nicely, popularity-wise, since missing all that time off with injury while Jungle Boy and Marko Stunt continue just finding their groove.
Finally, Jake Roberts managing Lance Archer AND we’re finding out who The Exalted One is? Hot damn!
So…no Young Bucks match, no Kenny Omega, no Jon Moxley…no problem for AEW this week.
AEW Dynamite in Salt Lake City is currently on demand, and on the TNT app.
