Got round to watching it earlier and was a really good show. Just did the PPV so no pre-show and was pleasantly surprised it was only four hours, which felt much more manageable in the age of 5/6/7ers where you need a Mars bar and a tinfoil blanket by the end. Seemed a bit odd to come in part way through the trios thing (I had no idea it was over the top eliminations until about 15 minutes in) but I guess that was the tease for people to buy and see The New Level. I’m hoping we see a more Swerve-friendly version of them going forwards where they feel a bit more sinister/sadistic than The New Day.
Match of the show for me was the men’s tag titles. Told a really good story of the wily older team working nasty against the younger, flashier team who had to use shenanigoats to get the win when they realised they couldn’t put them away fairly. Probably the best Cope’s looked in AEW. I’ve been going off Young Bucks matches and probably the tag title matches in general as they just end up feeling very long and samey with the same synchronised move spots (stereo suplexes, stereo clotheslines etc.) that tend to look a bit lame but this was a nice chance of pace and it made such a difference. My only real gripe was that they didn’t let the ending breathe at the end of the match with the parade of tag teams coming out right after the bell to willy wave about the depth of the tag division- you’ve just built this match up as a battle of the generations and one team has just had to cheat to get the win, that alone sets up a rematch (possible a TLC) but instead it got lost with everyone piling out.
Thought the continental cup match was much better than I was expecting given the ending wasn’t really in doubt before time. The near falls towards the back of the match were great and I did wonder whether they were going to give Nigel the feelgood upset but the actual ending and the way he finally had to give in was perfect.
Gutted for Willow, was really hoping they’d give her a longer run with the belt and play up the Mercedes can’t beat Willow line or at least have Mercedes take a shortcut rather than having her go out clean. Still a brilliant match, Mercedes getting busted open early really helped play in to the grudge match feel. Did wince with the suplex off the apron, that was a proper splat. Not sure where they go from here with either Mercedes or Willow – unless you’re turning Thekla face, bringing someone in or Toni Storm’s ready to come back, there isn’t anyone who’s jumping out as a next challenger and with the TBS title now more of a lower level belt (as it probably should be), Willow’s left in limbo a bit once her hand’s healed.
Can’t really add anything to Fletcher/Takeshita/Okada or the main event that hasn’t already been said, both top draw. Did enjoy the UKFF-style subliminal messaging during Takeshita's entrance where the A was cut off of the screens from the angle they filmed the entrance so it just read TAKESHIT in big letters.
