After a video package highlighting some of tonight's major matches and a rendition of the National Anthem, its time for our opening contest - Jake Hager vs. Dustin Rhodes. This was long and not great. I can also see why some people would think Dave Meltzer was too big of a fan of AEW to criticize it fairly as this match got 3 stars despite being 14 minutes that felt like 25. None of the work is particularly bad, but none of it is really captivating and there was not an interesting throughline (or one interesting enough) to keep me captivated. Both guys had some signature moves that looked good, but also ones that looked awkward. Hager's Ankle Lock has always been an awkward fit, originally a nod to Kurt Angle at Vince's behest (if I'm not mistaken) that played here - and throughout most of his career - as a symbol of how far he didn't end up going as a major star despite a credible wrestling background, good size, and at least a little bit of charisma and character. Dustin may have been in the best shape of his career, as the commentators noted, but the "spot" where he forced a kiss onto Hager's wife was cringe-inducing and unnecessary and only good for a cheap pop. This match simply wasn't fun in any way, nor was it really physical or clever enough to warrant its runtime. A bad opener to the show. (1.5/5)
Sammy Guevara vs. Darby Allin was next. This was just a straight-up spotfest with both guys busting out everything they could within a relatively short time-frame to get noticed...and it works! Darby dives before the bell, Guevara hits an insane 630 through a table, Darby bumps and sells like a madman, Guevara is an arrogant prick, and then we get an awesome Coffin Flop for the finish. I wouldn't call this "must see" or anything, but I like that they kept things moving and didn't even overdo it with nearfalls and false finishes, choosing instead to just go-go-go and jam-pack their match with crazy high-flying and high-impact moves. A very fun match. (3/5)
Kenny Omega and "Hangman" Adam Page teamed up against The Young Bucks in the next match-up, defending their AEW World Tag Team Championships. This was excellent, loaded with great spots, and I loved the story and tension that built up from beginning to end. Is this the greatest tag team match of all time, though? There are some that would call it that, but I'm not quite convinced. It is a wonderful 30 minutes of wrestling action with some outstanding performances, especially from Hangman and Matt Jackson, but it does eventually veer into "overkill" mode with the false finishes. While many of the big nearfalls came with someone breaking up a count, when they actually had guys kicking out of each other's finishers or surviving moves that should and would typically take someone out of action for weeks to recover (the Indietaker Tombstone on the entrance ramp, for example), it was a bit too much for me. I would still consider this a "must see" match because there may be no better showcase of what these four are able to do together and what their "version" of pro-wrestling is. (4/5)
Nyla Rose vs. Kris Statlander had the unenviable task of following this and despite their best efforts and enough time to try to warm up the crowd, they were unable to do so. I liked Statlander's handstand counter to Nyla's attempt to splash her on the ropes, but aside from that, this didn't keep my interest for long and certainly not for its 13-minute runtime, which felt like it was closer to 20. (1.5/5)
Cody Rhodes vs. MJF was next. This had a huge storyline build as MJF had turned on heel on Cody at the previous PPV, throwing in the towel in his match against Jericho and then kicking him in the balls. Cody got a tremendous entrance with a band playing his theme song and a full crew of supporters - including Arn Anderson, his wife Brandi, his brother Dustin, QT Marshall, and some other folks walking him to the aisle. They threw the kitchen sink into this match but didn't try to out-do the Elite or Allin/Guevara with a bunch of high spots, really focusing on "big moments" instead like MJF going after Cody's damaged toe and ripping off his boot, Brandi attempting a crossbody onto Wardlow that inadvertently led to Cody kicking Double A in the face, MJF getting a nasty cut on his forehead, both guys hitting their signature moves, and then a shocking finish when MJF busted out his Dynamite Diamond Ring to steal the W. Many fans were underwhelmed by this match, though I'm not sure what they were expecting. Neither Cody or MJF are known for their spectacular offense. The crowd was hot for every twist and turn even if some of the Cagematch critics really disliked things. Above-average and, considering its 25-minute runtime, it never dragged. Maybe a hair short of "must see," but if you're at all a fan of Cody's current run in WWE, this won't disappoint. Years later, the most surprising thing about this match is that they didn't have a sequel as this one really seemed like the next chapter of a longer book that would've ended with a stipulation match where Cody wouldn't have to "play by the rules" to get revenge. (3.5/5)
Orange Cassidy vs. PAC followed. This was a ton of a fun. If you're not into OC, avoid this match like the plague because it will irritate you multiple times. That being said, if you're curious as to how Cassidy became so beloved among the AEW fanbase, this match is a great place to start. The crowd is electric and fully behind Cassidy, popping huge for everything he does. PAC is excellent as "The Bastard" heel. Things get a touch too "indieriffic" for me towards the end with the referee being used as a "springboard" at one point, but that's one of very few criticisms about this match (I also must admit to not loving PAC's submission finish and would've liked to have seen him when with a more devastating move). Considering this a "comedy match" is underselling the athleticism on display or the intensity. There is such a stark juxtaposition in the wrestling styles of this match and the one that came before it that I can definitely understand why some people view this show as, in some ways, the start of the Codyverse existing separately from everything else on the card. (3.5/5)
Main event time - Chris Jericho vs. Jon Moxley for the AEW World Heavyweight Championship. The storyline coming into this was that Jericho wanted Mox to join his Inner Circle stable, even offering him a fancy, super-expensive car, but Moxley turned him down because he wanted the title and, I'm not sure when, ended up getting blinded in his left eye (and started wearing an eye-patch). They started the match with some brawling in the crowd before Jericho took over, attacking Mox and bloodying him - which felt "fresher" in 2020 because of how PG the WWE had become and also because, compared to today, when multiple matches on an AEW card are bound to have "color," this show was not loaded with hardcore matches. That being said, I didn't love this. Jericho was moving a little bit better than he does now, 5 years later, but its not like he was in "peak" shape here. Moxley is fine, but some of his kickouts are lazy and I wasn't a fan of building so much of the second half around the Walls of Jericho when nothing else seemed to be based on targeting the lower back. What carries this match is the crowd's investment because they are fully behind Mox. I didn't like the finish either, which was sold on commentary as Mox "playing possum" and only pretending to have a serious eye injury. It would've been fun if they had made it a more meaningful "reveal," but it doesn't really make sense that Mox would wrestle for 20+ minutes half-blind, putting himself at a distinct disadvantage on top of being outnumbered by Jericho's crew. (2/5)
With its underwhelming Kwang Score of 2.71-out-of-5, AEW Revolution 2020 found the company already divided into a split vision of what AEW could be, would be, and should be. On one hand, matches like the opener, MJF/Cody Rhodes, and the main event highlighted an "old school" approach built around big stars settling blood feuds with lots of "ballyhoo and pyro," including some memorable, elaborate entrances. On the flip side, the best matches of the night showcased talents that had built their reputations on the indie scene and Japan and not in "The Fed" - Omega, the Bucks, Orange Cassidy, Darby Allin, and PAC (whose work in WWE only hinted at his actual abilities). Years later - I'm writing this in 2025 - AEW has fully embraced its "indie-riffic" side, but could arguably use a little bit more of what Rhodes and Moxley brought on this show, storytelling built more on emotion and less on trying to constantly "outdo" breathtaking, unbelievable spots and engaging in an "arms race" of needless risk-taking that is often forgotten days later. Aside from the spectacular tag match and some other very good matches, this would not be my entry-point into AEW due to the weak matches bookending the show.
FINAL RATING - High Risk Maneuver
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