AEW HITS & MISSES (7/16): Hangman’s Victory Speech, Sad Young Bucks, Mox’s shaken confidence, Copeland’s exposition, Toni Storm owns the room, more

Coming off an epic All In this past weekend, it’s a new era for AEW. First of all, Sunday’s PPV was fantastic. Long, sure, but the top four matches delivered in spades. The main event was perfect weaving so many storylines together that were years in the making. Bravo!

So what’s next? We find out starting on this episode of Dynamite from Chicago. I’m excited to hear from both “Hangman” Adam Page and Toni Storm coming off their wins plus some multi-person matches featuring the top stars of the company. I’m looking for them to continue the momentum built over the past few months, so let’s see how they did.

HITS

HANGMAN’S VICTORY SPEECH

The question that was pondered for months was whether it should’ve been Will Ospreay, Swerve Strickland, Darby Allin, or “Hangman” Adam Page who finally defeated Jon Moxley for the World Title. It was clear to those who watched All In and those who watched Hangman deliver his speech at the start of Dynamite that he was the right choice at this time. I love when Hangman speaks from the heart because his voice cracks in a way that really conveys the emotion of his message. Very few wrestlers have that ability. The smiles on the faces of the fans while he spoke tell you all you need to know about Hangman being the top guy and someone that connects with the audience. His championship reign’s success will be determined by the feuds that are to come, but for now, he looks like the right man to lead AEW into the future.

DORADA VS. FLETCHER

I have been a wrestling fan for over 40 years and I’ve seen a lot. There were some moves by Mascara Dorada in his match with Kyle Fletcher that I had never seen before. This match was terrific. Taz said it all when he quipped, “This guy’s done more moves in one match than I did in my whole career!” You need to give credit to Fletcher as well for being able to sell these moves and showing off his power in eventually winning the match. The fans loved it from the start. Fletcher also laid out his mission after the victory and predictably will go after Dustin Rhodes for the TNT Title he was likely supposed to win at All In before Adam Cole’s unfortunate medical situation.

SAD YOUNG BUCKS

This was fun to watch. After the whole EVP storyline was all over the place over the past 18 months, I was wondering how AEW would handle The Bucks after they lost at the PPV. I very much enjoyed it right from the start. AEW usually does not weave a storyline throughout a show, so when they do, it really stands out. The first hour checked in with Matt and Nick several times, from arriving “not in style,” to Renee and other wrestlers poking fun at them, to their ring entrance with no pyro and updated graphics, and the pure joy Justin Roberts had when introducing them. This was a home run.

ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…

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COPELAND’S EXPOSITION

When a wrestler is gone for a while, it’s always important to remind the fans what has led up to the current storyline and where it’s going. First, I am always a sucker for the fans singing a wrestler’s theme. Great stuff. Second, Adam Copeland did a great job explaining the history between him and Christian and teasing what is to come. That will set up their story once Christian “finds himself.”

Copeland also did a great job telling the story of his issues with FTR, so there was no mistaking his reasons for being angry and his mission to end FTR. Big Stoke came out as the sacrificial lamb and, even though you knew the whole time he was going to end up on his back, it still was a joy to see. The fans helped make the entire segment memorable. Well done, Chicago!

TONI STORM OWNS THE ROOM

No wrestler in AEW commands the room like Toni Storm. No wrestler is adored as much as Toni Storm. Only Toni Storm can start a “Tits!” chant and have it seem tame. And only Toni Storm can get the fans to chant for Luther! Did I mention I love the filter highlighting all things red? Well, I love it. And now, my girl Athena is next and Toni is ready. I can’t wait for this one!

TENTATIVE MOX

It makes perfect sense that Jon Moxley would doubt himself after nearly a year of being unbeatable. Things always went his way for a long time and now the confidence is shaken. Mox played that well in the main event. And now you can add Darby Allin playing the part of Sting in the rafters to mess with Mox’s mind.

QUICK HITS

– GREAT job by the video staff putting together the recap of All In. It was very well done.

– AEW utilized some really unique camera angles during their matches. They had cameras above the ring that gave some really cool visuals, especially in the Lucha match.

– The eight-man tag match that had Hechicero beating Bandido was a blast to watch. Exceptional athleticism from all eight participants made for great television.

– I’ve always been a Mark Briscoe fan and enjoyed his goofiness, but when he got serious in his backstage promo on MJF, I could see something even more special. I think it’s time to tone down the wackiness and if they do; there is no telling how high on the card he can reach.

– I am very excited about a Swerve Strickland-Kazuchika Okada program.

MISSES

TV PRODUCER ISSUES

There are things as a television producer that really bug me! It may not bug you, but it’s my column so… First of all, if you are showing a recorded video from backstage that the announcers refer to as happening “earlier,” take the “Live” bug off the screen!

If you are showing us a video of the Hurt Syndicate and MJF that was recorded after All In on Saturday, then put a small graphic on the screen that says “Saturday.” It makes you look bad when MJF refers to Hangman winning “tonight” and there’s a “Live” bug on the screen. Details folks!

THIS WAS A GREAT EPISODE OF DYNAMITE!

Don’t forget to check out the weekly free podcast I’m part of, “The All Elite Conversation Club” that typically drops on Fridays the PWTorch Dailycast lineup. Joel Dehnel and I have a great time breaking down all things AEW and Joel was in attendance for All-In and will share some cool in-person details including an accurate description of the crowd reactions during the show. Search “pwtorch” on your podcast app to subscribe. Send questions and comments to allelitecc@gmail.com.