Welcome back to Wrestling Inc.’s weekly review of AEW Dynamite, and oh boy, this week was a mixed bag. We had a lot of highs and lows, from the explosive return of Kenny Omega to the not-so-memorable in-ring return of MVP. Here’s a breakdown of the three things we loved and three things we hated this week.
3 Things We Loved
- Kenny Omega’s Return It’s no secret that Kenny Omega’s return to AEW has been highly anticipated, and “Maximum Carnage” delivered. Omega showed no signs of ring rust, performing with his signature fluidity while also adding a new element to his work, particularly by selling his midsection. This subtle but powerful storytelling is what makes Omega’s in-ring psychology stand out, especially after the brutal health issues he endured. His clash with Brian Cage was a well-paced match that highlighted both Omega’s return to form and Cage’s strengths as a solid base. While this wasn’t a five-star classic, it accomplished exactly what it needed to do: establish Omega’s comeback and set the stage for bigger things to come. Cage played his role perfectly as well, giving Omega the space to shine while looking strong in the process. The post-match stare-off with Will Ospreay left fans hungry for more, teasing an epic future showdown.
- Women’s Casino Gauntlet Match Much like the Men’s Casino Gauntlet match from last week, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the inaugural Women’s Casino Gauntlet Match. But to my surprise, it exceeded expectations. The match was fast-paced and held my attention, especially with the debut of Megan Bayne, who brought a fresh energy to the division. The match structure kept things engaging, and the talent involved showcased their strengths, building towards a memorable climax. It was clear AEW was taking this seriously, and the Gauntlet format provided a great platform to elevate some underutilized women’s talent.
- MJF’s Sharp Mic Work While the segment between MJF and Jeff Jarrett later in the show was a bit off, MJF’s mic work still shines through. His ability to land brutal, personal zingers is unparalleled. From calling Karen Jarrett a “MILF” to roasting Jeff Jarrett with the “grim reaper” line, MJF continues to prove that his verbal skills are as sharp as ever. Even though the segment dragged, MJF’s charisma carried it, and his ability to keep the crowd engaged—even if they were chanting for the wrong reasons—was impressive.
3 Things We Hated
- MVP’s Lackluster Return AEW hyped up MVP’s return to the ring, but it didn’t live up to the expectations set by the commentary team. The hype suggested a big, triumphant return, yet the match itself didn’t feel significant. MVP didn’t get much of a spotlight, and his involvement was minimal. The Hurt Syndicate’s victory was overshadowed by the fact that MVP didn’t even get the pinfall, which felt like a wasted opportunity. If AEW wanted MVP to be a part of the action, they should have built the match around him, rather than letting Shelton Benjamin do the heavy lifting. It felt like the return was more of a last-minute decision that didn’t amount to much, especially after all the promotional buildup.
- Jeff Jarrett vs. MJF Promo Battle This was a segment that dragged on for far too long, with MJF trying to keep it spicy but ultimately falling short. The crowd was into it for a moment, but as the segment dragged on, their attention waned, and it became awkward. Jarrett’s attempts to fire back felt forced, and the “yo mama” style insults didn’t land the way AEW hoped. The whole segment felt like a chore rather than a hot angle, and it left me wondering why AEW was pushing this as such a high-profile feud. MJF’s sharp mic skills couldn’t save this one from the extended awkwardness. It didn’t help that they dragged in real-life references like Owen Hart, which felt unnecessarily distasteful. The chemistry between Jarrett and MJF just isn’t there, and this feud needs to end quickly before it becomes unbearable.
- MVP’s Return Underwhelming Compared to the Build To make matters worse, AEW’s presentation of MVP’s return was heavily overhyped compared to the actual execution. Yes, he’d been off TV for a while, but as we all know, MVP had been active on the indie scene recently, so the “two-year absence” line felt misleading. The match was just another forgettable six-man tag, with MVP not contributing much to the finish. The whole thing felt like a wasted opportunity for a bigger return or a more meaningful match. When AEW makes a big deal out of someone’s return, it sets up high expectations, and sadly, this one didn’t live up to the hype.
Final Thoughts
While AEW certainly delivered some memorable moments, especially in the form of Omega’s return and a strong women’s gauntlet match, there were segments that left us scratching our heads. MVP’s lackluster return and the awkward promo battle between Jarrett and MJF did AEW no favors this week. Hopefully, AEW can find a way to close out these weaker storylines without dragging them out any further.
As always, AEW shows that it’s full of surprises—both good and bad. The key is to keep the momentum moving in the right direction, focusing on the talent that’s been building excitement and keeping fans engaged, while trimming down the fat in the more awkward segments. Here’s hoping next week brings more highs than lows.