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AEW Dynamite 2/15 ignites the crowd with a silly opener, Orange Cassidy, Billy Gunn, and The Acclaimed defeating Jeff Jarrett, Sonay Dutt, Jay Lethal, and Satnam Singh. This was indeed as I put it, “silly” but there was some sort of charm to it which made it enjoyable. Lots of comedy spots, with the main spot at the end where the babyfaces teased different partners hitting a scissor drop after each member of the heel team interfered. The Gunns appeared on stage to piss off the live crowd, but did not interfere.
Get rid of Satnam Singh. He tagged in, did nothing, tagged out. Sorry, I’m sure he’s there to appeal to some market, somewhere. But how can he have appeal if he doesn’t do anything!?
Rolling right along into our next match, Jon Moxley and Claudio Castignoli defeated Rush and Preston Vance with Texas Tornado rules. Not a bad match. Started off a bit chaotic, and at points seemed to suffer from some miscommunication which hurt the pace. Rush, earned uber-heat with everything. Mox inevitably gets bloody. As the match hit its stride, Claudio ran roughshod through his opponents, even stealing the metal chain brought in and using it to bust Vance open. Mox wound up using the chain for extra leverage to force Vance to tap out.
Decent match, but didn’t have the “oomph’ I expected. Vance still has work to do. He’s good, but it was noticeable for the live crowd to take interest until late in the bout.
It’s important to note the commentary team pushed the “grudge” Preston Vance has with Moxley from his time as “10” in Dark Order. Speaking of whom, backstage “Hangman” Adam Page was shown watching backstage, after the match Kip Sabian, Butcher, and Blade ambushed Page but was reduced by John Silver, Alex Reynolds, and Evil Uno.
Jim Ross sit down interview with Wardlow: Wardlow discussed his upbringing and his father who was absent for most of his life, coming back . This related to Wardlow being inspired to continue his journey to be a pro wrestler. He says he grew out his hair in tribute to his late father, which is what Samoa Joe took from him. So Wardlow wants to take his title. Makes sense.
Mark Briscoe defeated Josh Woods
Great match. Briscoe and Woods have fought many times before and this put it all on display. Woods looks like he is in the best shape of his life.
Renee Paquette with Adam Cole
Cole discusses his inevitable return but won’t quite let on his plans upon his in-ring return. He’s going in all babyface, but one has to wonder if this is the path or if we are in store for a major swerve.
MJF in the ring promo: As always, he pisses off fans and uses the commercial time to personally antagonize the fans sitting at ringside. His promo was expected, running down Bryan Danielson in anticipation for their championship bout at Revolution. However, things take a turn when he brings out Christopher Daniels to “tell the truth.” Welp, he did, pulling out his envelope full of cash, apparently MJF wanted to buy him off. Instead Danielson verbally decimates Maxwell, who replies with a swift kick in the nuts. Danielson runs out for the save.
“Jungle Boy” Jack Perry defeated Brian Cage
Meh. Can’t Care for Cage.
Hangman Adam Page defeated Kip Sabian
Good match. I’d like more of Kip, he’s good, and should be showcased more often. Post-match the BCC antagonize Page to a point where he challenges Mox to one more match at Revolution.
The Acclaimed will get a rematch for the tag team championships at Revolution, as part of a Four-Way title match!
Backstage: The Jericho Appreciation Society is tired of Ricky Starks but he will face Daniel Garcia on Rampage. Speaking of Rampage, Top Flight and AR Fox get a Trios Rematch against The Elite.
Main Event of AEW Dynamite 2/15: Ruby Soho vs. Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. vs. Toni Storm
Little strange of a start with Storm and Saraya attacking a fan with a sign. Also strange for Baker and Storm to taunt Soho to find out what side she is on… considering this is a triple threat match and someone has to win…
Regardless, a hard-hitting and enjoyable main event. Soho getting the win was the right call, furthering the question of which “side” she is on. The only confusing thing about this, again, if she’s in a match, well, she will want to win said match. Having Jamie Hayter jump in the ring to put the belt in Soho’s face is a bit odd. Again, what does any wrestler want? To be a champion.
Dynamite appeared to intentionally put on a lower-key show, as the past few weeks have given us some PPV-quality matches. This is a pro in my book, it gives the show some room to breathe before going full throttle to hype Revolution. Not every episode needs to be ridiculous. Fans will get spoiled, as evidenced by last year. The PPV so far looks stacked and will continue to stack in the next few weeks.
