Overview:
The AEW Dynamite of this week has provided memorable moments and matches. Crowd restrictions were overcome, although the energy increased, and narration was enhanced. Let us look at the highlights and the growing pains.
- 1. Intimate Yet Electric: 900 Fans, 3,000 Arena
- 2. Opening Segment with Style, and Some Gaps
- 3. Mercedes Mone vs. Alex Windsor: Belts, Nostalgia & Clarity
- 4. Ricochet vs. Hurt Syndicate: Storytelling Over Spots
- 5. Briscoe vs. Archer: A Short, Purposeful Clash
- 6. Toni Storm’s Challenge Falls Flat
- 7. Statlander & Shafir: Intrigue & Mystery
- 8. Bandido vs. The Death Riders: Misdirected Drama
- 9. FTR / Copeland / Cage Angle: A Missed Opportunity
- 10. Main Event: Full-Throttle Mayhem
- 11. Preview Hype: Collision Offers Promise
- Final Take
1. Intimate Yet Electric: 900 Fans, 3,000 Arena
Wrestling thrives on crowd energy, and AEW’s decision to run a packed 900-person show at the 3,000 Arena paid off. A tight, loud crowd provided an atmosphere far more engaging than a cavernous arena dotted with empty seats. Still, AEW faces optics challenges, especially compared to WWE’s massive live tapings.
Wrestling News
“I’d rather watch a show with 900 rabid fans than 2,000 people in a 10,000-seat arena where everything is dark and tarped off.”
2. Opening Segment with Style, and Some Gaps
The episode started with an energetic fight between Gabe Kidd and Darby Allin, which was cut by Death Riders and The Opps. Enter Hook, whose slow-moving, more measured than dramatic tread was somewhat out of place. Subsequently, the segment failed horribly as announcers laughed in the middle of a story, killing suspense.
3. Mercedes Mone vs. Alex Windsor: Belts, Nostalgia & Clarity
Mone was coming in with nine championship belts, all indie titles that have little appeal to the average fan. However, she played a very strong game against Alex Windsor, proving the increased sophistication of the women’s division. The segment posed some questions: What is Riho getting a title shot at All Out with no background?
4. Ricochet vs. Hurt Syndicate: Storytelling Over Spots
Ricochet went into his Hurt Syndicate history and ordered them to meet him and GOA. All Out now has an emotional underpinning to a match, now that MVP has stepped up. It depicted AEW being more narrative than just moving bodies.
5. Briscoe vs. Archer: A Short, Purposeful Clash
A brief but effective match between Mark Briscoe and Lance Archer reminded us that less can be more. It served its storyline purpose clearly. Briscoe got the win when needed most.
6. Toni Storm’s Challenge Falls Flat
Toni Storm issued an open challenge for the AEW Women’s Championship. No response. That absence sent a message: whether due to scheduling or creative misalignment, it weakened the moment’s impact.
7. Statlander & Shafir: Intrigue & Mystery
A standout visual moment came when Marina Shafir confronted Kris Statlander, dropping cryptic hints about a “friend” taking notice. A teaser rich with promise for future storytelling.
8. Bandido vs. The Death Riders: Misdirected Drama
A solid match marred by interference confusion. The referee argued with Shafir rather than disqualifying the group, breaking the psychology. As if the distraction wasn’t enough, the appearance of Jon Moxley and Allin attacking him set up unresolved intrigue.
9. FTR / Copeland / Cage Angle: A Missed Opportunity
An angle with FTR, Adam Copeland, Christian Cage, and the ROH locker room felt unfocused. New stars like Jordan Oliver stood out, but were delivered mixed messaging. When Priest was told to “get his bitch ass out of here,” instead of standing up, the segment pulled more away than it gave.
10. Main Event: Full-Throttle Mayhem
In a wild six-man tag, Adam Page, Kenny Omega, and JetSpeed took on Kyle Fletcher, Josh Alexander, and The Young Bucks. The crowd was engaged across the board. While referee chaos and rule-bending stretched believability, the energy and spectacle won over classic AEW pacing at its finest.
11. Preview Hype: Collision Offers Promise
AEW deserves credit for promoting upcoming Collision matches. With three matches already announced, they created a compelling promise loop for fans, something proven to lift ratings and engagement.
Wrestling News
Final Take
September 3, Dynamite was disorganized, yet pregnant with the possibilities of fearless drama, spontaneous crowd action, and solid storytelling germs. The scale of the arena can be contextually confusing, and certain parts of it failed, but others, such as the challenge of Ricochet and the carnage of the Main Event, are memorable. AEW is at the stage of creative charge; continuity will follow.
