Darby Allin crashed some 20 toes by way of a plate of glass onto the ground, spent an excellent 5 to 10 minutes having ringside medical employees selecting shards out of his again, leaving Sting to carry out his final ever comeback and win, and it might need solely been the third or fourth greatest match on the cardboard for AEW’s “Revolution” on Sunday evening. Such is the way in which of AEW, which at all times appears to ace the check of their PPVs even when the week-to-week tv can get wonky every so often.
“Revolution” was an apt title for not solely AEW’s present, however the place it stands in between what was and what’s coming. Whereas the present was constructed round Sting’s retirement match, it was additionally the in-ring debut (at the very least as full time on the roster quite than simply as a visitor) of Will Ospreay in addition to every week or two earlier than AEW welcomes Kazuchika Okada and Mercedes Mone (nee Sasha Banks) into the fold. Add to it that Bryan Danielson is winding down the clock on his full-time profession, and AEW is certainly shedding one pores and skin for one more.
Maybe Sting’s match was the proper metaphor for what AEW has been and what will probably be — a wholesome and passionate reverence for the previous (the montage previous Sting’s entrance was masterfully completed) whereas adapting it to a distinct kind of wrestling not on TV earlier than the corporate’s begin. Sting’s sons accompanied him to the ring dressed as totally different eras of their father’s character (Surfer Sting and NWO Wolfpac), and some minutes later Allin was hurtling by way of that ache of glass. The Younger Bucks paid homage to Ric Aptitude’s final match by each kicking him within the head (be happy to repeat) after which mocking the “I Love You” from Shawn Michaels in that match earlier than superkicking Sting. Which, in fact, cued the ending part of the match, Sting overcoming all. Right here was a legend of the previous in a contemporary match, not solely wanting proper in place however his standing solely enhancing it.
AEW has performed Sting’s final hurrah in wrestling completely, ever since he confirmed up in the course of the pandemic. Solely bringing him out simply sufficient to make it really feel like an important day, utilizing him to make stars out of everybody he got here into contact with, and treating him like some demigod bestowed upon them. His goodbye was no much less good, a salute to just about 40 years within the ring whereas thanking him for the way in which he propelled the most recent huge firm ahead. And for being nuts sufficient to leap off of stuff by way of different stuff in his 60s. Sting was extra Jeff Hardy than Jeff Hardy in AEW.
Whereas Sting’s final match was the fruits, it could be straightforward to argue it wasn’t the spotlight. Danielson and Eddie Kingston walked out and easily had an All Japan Wrestling “King’s Road” match as a result of they felt prefer it, heavy on strikes and submissions with each transfer feeling prefer it was meant to disclose the innards of the opponent. Each aspect of the match was constructed on Danielson lastly relenting and displaying Kingston the right respect, and although Danielson might be round some months but, it was additionally constructed on Kingston taking his torch because the Wrestler Of The Folks after Danielson exits. They’re each guys who grew up watching the grainy tapes and feeds the followers did, and one way or the other simply received let over the barricade and into the locker room.
Not lengthy after that, Ospreay introduced his presence and declare to be one of the best wrestler on the earth by having a Wrestle Kingdom primary occasion in North Carolina with Konuske Takeshita. It could actually really feel generally that Ospreay continues to be combating off the criticism of his match with Ricochet years in the past that featured all types of flips and leaps, however was derided by some as a gymnastics exhibition. He had the proper dance associate in Takeshita, as each are Grade A athletes, however have nailed the mix of acrobatics with energy and affect strikes that pop a crowd and make for a way more layered match. They might do that:
Or this:
Or this:
They hit each gear, temper, and velocity, and Takeshita as soon as once more appears to be like just like the type of star to backstop the corporate for a decade or extra.
If all that wasn’t our taste of vodka, Christian Cage and Daniel Garcia opened the present with an old-school, conniving-heel outmaneuvers the extra proficient, youthful face for the TNT title. It might have been wrestling 101, but it surely was executed flawlessly, as most of Cage’s run as the largest dirtbag in wrestling has been.
Oh, and Blackpool Fight Membership and FTR balled out in a tag match, and Toni Storm and Deonna Purazzo placed on a banger for the ladies’s championship. These would have been one of the best matches on a Dynamite in a standard week, and doubtless by far.
AEW is on the precipice of one thing with the large names arriving, and isn’t essentially saying goodbye to what it did earlier than. Sting and Danielson/Kingston have been nods to what influenced and constructed the corporate. Takeshita-Ospreay was a teaser for what’s to return subsequent. It’s robust to trip each of those on the identical time, however that’s type of AEW’s factor.
Anyway, get pleasure from Cody and Roman doing one transfer each 5 minutes subsequent month. Certain it’ll be nice.
