This week’s AEW Dynamite emanated from the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky!

This episode featured a couple of odd booking choices, yet another great Bryan Danielson match, and a beautiful tribute to the fallen Jay Briscoe.

Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara vs. Ricky Starks and Action Andretti

Grade: C

The show started with the first odd booking choice, as the Jericho Appreciation Society picked up a victory. It looked like the long-term play would be Chris Jericho continuously losing to Starks and Andretti, that would be far more interesting. It’s difficult to see what the payoff here was with the JAS win. Maybe this angle is done and both parties are moving on, which would be for the best. The crowd simply doesn’t seem to care.

AEW TNT Championship: Darby Allin v Buddy Matthews

Grade: B-

First off, buddy Matthews can GO! His style meshes well with just about anyone who he goes up against. But it’s odd to see him in a singles match when the AEW Trios division could use a little attention. Why not book this as a House of Black match versus Darby Allin and a tag team? That would give Malachi Black and Brody King some much-needed TV time and also protect Darby, as he would not have to carry the entire workload. But, a solid match nonetheless, as Allin picks up another win.

It looks like we’re getting a rematch between Darby and Samoa Joe. This could play out two ways: Joe wins back the TNT title (giving Darby some time off) or Wardlow comes back and costs Joe the victory.

Adam Cole Teaser

Grade: C-

It’s difficult to watch this and not compare it to the Cody Rhodes teasers that have been running concurrently in WWE. This video package for Adam Cole felt like it was shot and edited in 5 minutes earlier in the day, whereas The American Nightmare’s videos feel like they’ve been carefully crafted and thought out.

Regardless, the video accomplishes its point; Cole will be back in some capacity at AEW Revolution.

JungleHook v Ethan Page and Matt Hardy

Grade: D

The strange pairing of ‘Jungle Boy’ Jack Perry and Hook were back again, this time against the even stranger pairing of Ethan Page and Matt Hardy.

It looks like Page’s brief singles push is now over. Being stuck in angles like this seem to have no true payoff. Why Matt Hardy still gets TV time is beyond reason. There are plenty of other wrestlers on the roster who could use the exposure.

And if Jungle Boy is going to be in a tag team, why not just pair him back up with Luchasaurus?

The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn / The Gunns – Family Therapy Session

Grade: B

This was a wise decision to do this as a taped segment versus live in the ring. Sometimes these ‘therapy sessions’ skits can go very long and become drawn out and boring. The length of this was just right and allowed all parties to get their say in without getting overexposed. It’s been a slow gradual push for the Gunns, and separating themselves from their daddy is looking to have a solid payoff. 

“Our faults as sons, are your failures as a father” is an insult that cuts deep.

This will be an eventual title match, most likely at AEW Revolution.

Hangman Adam Page Backstage Promo

Grade: B-

Adam Page has slowly been showing a darker edge over the last couple of weeks. Teasing another knockout versus John Moxley, right in front of Renee Paquette, is bringing a different shade to his character that is desperately needed. One of Page’s better promos in AEW.

Bryan Danielson v Brian Cage

Grade: A-

You may be shocked to hear that Danielson had another outstanding match. This time, he faced a completely different style of opponent from previous weeks. ‘The Machine’ played the perfect power game throughout with a variety of suplexes and attacks on the shoulder.

The roll-up victory by Danielson was smart booking, as it protected Cage and allowed him to immediately attack Danielson right after to inflict more damage.

Cage is an incredibly gifted worker for a man his size. Being able to play both the power game, while having tremendous agility, really allows him to pair against a variety of opponents. It’s a shame he insists on having a terrible mohawk. He looks like Don Mattingly after a scolding from Mr. Burns.

Toni Storm v Ruby Soho

Grade: B-

A heel Toni Storm? Let’s do it. As a face, her character was getting a little stale. This new coat of paint gives her a completely new set of matchups. And, she looks like she’s having fun in the ring. 

Soho picking up the win (with the assist of Dr. Britt Baker’s distraction) was a nice surprise. All in all, a solid match that helps develop more (and badly needed) storylines in the women’s division.

MJF Backstage Promo

Grade: B

Yet another solid promo from the undisputed talker in today’s game. 

MJF has cued up Danielson’s next opponent, Timothy Thatcher. While it’s novel to see an outside wrestler come in and face Bryan, why not stack the deck and book him in a handicap match versus an AEW tag team?

Mark Briscoe v Jay Lethal

Grade: A+

The emotion of this Jay Briscoe tribute match was apparent. A hug between the two, as Lethal was crying throughout the introductions, showed how much Jay meant to both competitors.

But both those men are pros, and once the match began, each of them turned up the tempo.

It was no surprise to see Mark Briscoe pick up the win in a hard-fought, very crisp and intense match, including a tremendous elbow drop from the top rope to outside the ring from Briscoe to Lethal on the scorekeeper’s table.

The locker room emptying to the top of the ramp at the end of the match to pay their respects is always a classy touch and added importance to the overall moment.

A worthy grade. A worthy tribute.

Rest In Peace, Jay.