SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
HITS
OPENING 8-MAN TAG MATCH
This was a very entertaining way to start the show. I loved the mix of personalities and styles of the participants. The dynamic between Darby Allin and Christian reminded you of their past and teased a possible future feud. Seeing Adam Copeland and Kyle Fletcher facing off for the first time was cool plus the fans’ hatred of both Don Callis and Big Stoke added even more enjoyment.
Steven Borden may be inexperienced and most of his move set is very basic, but he looked comfortable in his interactions in the ring, especially with Dax Harwood. So far, he seems to have the crowds behind him. It wasn’t the coolest chant, but yelling “Steve!” over and over while he hit Dax shows the fans are buying in for now.
The finish was a little complicated, but I like that Christian continues to find ways to cheat without his partners realizing it.
UNITED EMPIRE VS. DEATH RIDERS
The match was very good and each wrestler was able to showcase their skills and put on a great show. That’s not why I listed this as a hit. I’m really enjoying the underlying story that we’ve been following that continued in this match. There has been a lot of speculation regarding whether the Death Riders will turn on Jon Moxley due to him showing respect to Will Ospreay.
Over the past two weeks, you are seeing Moxley realize that he must find that violent edge and that’s the only way he has a chance to defeat Ospreay after he was the one who built him into what he has become. Slowly, he has resembled the full heel Moxley as he gets set for All Out. His punishment of Akira after the match showed he may not be losing that edge, however I’m curious what’ll happen at All Out when he has a chance to do something dastardly to Ospreay. Will he pull the trigger?
If not, you could see a bunch of the Death Riders turn on him and Ospreay may need to save him, which will set up a new storyline moving forward. There are a lot of options on the table, which makes this a successful angle.
QUICK HITS
– Christian Cage is the gift that keeps on giving. Watching him reluctantly shake Steven Borden’s hand before their match, stare at it, then wipe it on his leg was brilliant. As was him raising the TNT title at the end instead of giving it to Darby.
“We’re not going to let him [Ospreay] off the hook” – Pac not so subtly letting Moxley know where he and Gabe Kidd stand. As stated above, I like this narrative!
– I love Thekla. Her performance in the video package previewing her match with Willow Nightingale at All Out was fantastic. She should win at the PPV, earn a title shot and solidify her babyface turn.
– “I’ll pay the fine” Ospreay to Renee after Francesco Akira dropped the “S” bomb. Simple, but effective.
– The Trios #1 contenders match was entertaining, but it was a little too cute for me. It continued a trend of comedy on this week’s show. I enjoy comedy in the right places, but it was a little much in a match that had the stakes of earning a title shot at All Out. This should have had a more serious tone with what was on the line.
– That was one heck of a physical women’s match between Jamie Hayter and Lena Kross. The cheap win by Kross set up the violence that’ll be unleashed in the Chicago Street Fight at All Out.
ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…
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MISSES
NICK WAYNE’S NECKLACE
I really wanted to avoid making this a miss. The match was decent between Nick Wayne and Chris Jericho. They both worked hard and it was very competitive. So why in the world would Nick care if Jericho ripped his necklace off? He had a chance to earn a statement win over a respected veteran, but got distracted by the necklace and it cost him the match? It made no sense to me. There are other ways to have Nick take out his frustrations and beat down Jericho. This feud should be a way for Nick Wayne to get a momentum building victory and start to move up the card. This should not be a 50/50 feud where the older guy ends up coming out ahead at the end.
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