Official AEW Dynamite Thread: 12/4/19: Moxley v. Janela

AJ Styles, you just made the Lexicon!! I want to see the Lexicon of Le Champion. Was Jericho about to say the Villain was on the Lexicon??

Melanie Cruise. That's who the woman was in the Brandi/Kong angle. I knew I'd recognized her, and not just because she kinda looks like Tessa. Gotta assume she's actually on the roster otherwise that's a bold ask to axe all her hair.

When Jericho was naming off everyone, did you notice he stopped at saying "Marty" when the music hit. Clearly he was gonna say Marty Scurll. I really hope Marty leaves ROH and comes to AEW. He deserves to be seen by a greater viewing audience than what ROH has.

I was reading a really, really cool long term theory on Reddit about Marty.  The basic idea was Marty has been behind the majority of the villain factions showing up (Dark Order, "Nightmare Collective", the 3 B's (I don't know what the heck to call Allie's new thing)), and that he's essentially making a giant legion of doom on a huge revenge plot.  I can't imagine Marty staying in ROH under any circumstances. He cut his final battle promo at a bloody Cracker Barrel. I'm guessing he is the cliffhanger ending on December 18th for the "season finale" of sorts. With Mox & Jericho both having Wrestle Kingdom at the beginning of the year, bringing Marty in keeps some major steam going while they put that upcoming PPV title feud on ice for a week or two to let them do their Japan thing.  I will legitimately scare my neighbors with how loud I'm going to pop if Scurll does show up.  Waiting and waiting for that "Whoop Whoop"

This isn't supposed to be an attack, I just think there are actual answers for a couple of these:

Luchasaurus -- Still hurt. I think the standing moonsault was a huge litmus test for his hamstring, but can tell when he does his kicks right now he is still hesitant to crank things up to his usual intensity.  Not moving as fast as normal, etc.  Maybe my coaching eye is failing me, but to me it looks exactly like an athlete slowly returning to play and not quite confident enough that he's completely rehabbed.  If his stock doesn't improve once he's healthy I'll completely agree with you, but right now I think it's only because of the injury. 

Hager -- I'm guessing because his last Bellator fight was just a giant blooper real, he's probably trying to rush into another fight to get a real one before he starts wrestling. I'm totally guessing here, but that would make sense to me.  Originally he wasn't supposed to start wrestling until after his Bellator fight, and then that fight was a big wet fart of nut shots, so I gotta imagine the circumstances changed and he's trying to get another fight in first. 

Light Roster(Same guys) -- I gotta think this is an attempt to help with two things. Work-life balance/indies. A  fair amount of their crew still does appearences in other companies, cycling in and out probably helps with tapings, indie appearences, etc.  Secondly, probably helps with the work-life balance. Be in pure wrestling mode for a bit, then be in family mode for a bit. Can't use everyone every week, this likely helps give a little more long term balance and helps keep them physically and mentally healthy.  Also when someone comes back after a few weeks they feel fresh again, hopefully helps with overexposure. I suppose after only like 8 weeks it's tough to tell long term but that's my guess. I could be 100% off on this one, but they said from day 1 that they were going to kind of cycle talent like this, and I feel like I remember them mentioning work-life balance as a big reason. I gotta go strong disagree on the light roster part though. I think their roster is freaking loaded. 

Selling: I'm always torn on this. I totally get what you're saying, but at the same time, sometimes no-selling is realistic too.  Not every punch in boxing is going to rock someone. In largely anaerobic lactic based sports, sometimes you gotta use the little bit of energy to make one more shot/move then recover.  Like a huge tennis rally.  Firing back and forth with everything you have then recover.  I.e. "no-sell" because you're just trying to fight back with everything, and then collapse after when you realize how tired/hurt you really are.  Just my two cents on that, but I don't mind some of the 'no-sells' because it feels more like an athlete just trying to hang on.  Some no sells are definitely stupid though. *cough* Fiend HIAC */cough*

I thought the show was good. Im not surprised AEW won the ratings. They're at where i thought theyd be a month ago, which is neck and neck. I heard the ratings difference was small. I watched both products. I personally feel AEW needs better structuring with storylines, placement of segments/commercials. At least when i watch NXT, I understand whos feuding, why they're feuding, and majority of the time the storylines are good. Plus, how are AEW still having audio problems. First 10 mins my commentary sounded low until they boosted it up louder

solid episode!

- laid the card and night out well
- good kickoff tag match, some awesome spots
- Excalibur really coming into his own
- Love that Tony Schiavone is back on the main team
- Another solid Cody segment
- The whole Brandi Rhodes angle is really whack and I’m not huge on it but I’m not a major women’s wrestling fan so not for me either way.
- Daniels getting prominent booking positioning is great to see, been a fan of him for close to 20 years
- Good vignette of Bunny/Butcher/Blade
- Main event was good. Jericho was bound to make an appearance after last weeks episode.