Written by: Kevin Berge
Everyone looking serious except The Young Bucks, who still can't figure out if they're heels or faces this week. (Image Courtesy of: thesportster.com)
AEW Revolution 2021 had much to live up to. It was the first major pay-per-view on the All Elite Wrestling calendar. The 2020 edition of AEW Revolution was one of the best modern wrestling shows. Plus it was a show in the midst of the Road to WrestleMania.
In every aspect, this needed to be a win, and ultimately it was. However, a few hiccups hurt the work of the talent as well as giving fuel to those that gladly criticize AEW.
When you make promises, you have to deliver. AEW unfortunately missed the mark on that, leaving fans with a show that was good but ended with a disappointment that could haunt the brand for months and years to come.
In every aspect, this needed to be a win, and ultimately it was. However, a few hiccups hurt the work of the talent as well as giving fuel to those that gladly criticize AEW.
When you make promises, you have to deliver. AEW unfortunately missed the mark on that, leaving fans with a show that was good but ended with a disappointment that could haunt the brand for months and years to come.
The Buy In: Dr. Britt Baker DMD and Maki Itoh def. Thunder Rosa and Riho
The Buy In, much like other wrestling event preshows, is rarely meant to excite anyone. It is simply a final opportunity to get people talking, remind them of what they are missing.
The tag team match set up for the night did not look great on paper, but AEW pulled a fast one. Britt Baker traded up by selling that Rebel was injured, allowing her to introduce Maki Itoh to American audiences.
This match was not all that involved, but it was fun to see Itoh in the United States. It looks as though she may be signed by AEW, and that is a huge boon to the company. She is massively charismatic, a trait that the women's division still needs.
The tag team match set up for the night did not look great on paper, but AEW pulled a fast one. Britt Baker traded up by selling that Rebel was injured, allowing her to introduce Maki Itoh to American audiences.
This match was not all that involved, but it was fun to see Itoh in the United States. It looks as though she may be signed by AEW, and that is a huge boon to the company. She is massively charismatic, a trait that the women's division still needs.
Rating: 7.5/10
The Young Bucks (c) def. Chris Jericho and MJF to Retain the AEW Tag Team Championships
I will admit that Young Bucks matches rarely work for me. Last year, they had two great ones against Kenny Omega and Hangman Adam Page as well as FTR. The rest of the year, they were far too self-indulgent for me personally.
This definitely leaned too heavily toward indulgence. The supposed personal story going in morphed into an average back-and-forth title clash that ran too long. MJF outshined Chris Jericho as the cocky heel, and the conclusion was especially one-sided.
This definitely leaned too heavily toward indulgence. The supposed personal story going in morphed into an average back-and-forth title clash that ran too long. MJF outshined Chris Jericho as the cocky heel, and the conclusion was especially one-sided.
Rating: 7/10
I know there are a lot of justified criticisms of AEW's slow building of the women's division, but can we also talk about how ugly that tiny women's belt is? Why is it 3x as small as the men's world title? (Image Courtesy of: wrestlingworld.co)
Rey Fenix Wins the Casino Tag Team Royale to Make Death Triangle the New No. 1 Contenders to the AEW Tag Team Championships
This battle royale started slow, but once it got going, it never stopped. AEW has a stacked tag team division, but it was not necessary to showcase so many. Since top teams like FTR and Hybrid2 were not in the match, why was Peter Avalon and Cezar Bononi? Why did three separate Dark Order teams get a spot?
Once the fat was skimmed off from this match, it was all action. Especially upon the arrival of Pac and Rey Fenix, this was off to the races. Fenix and Jungle Boy in the final two was amazing as was John Silver's interaction with Pac.
This match showcased stars not just for the tag team division but also the singles division. It was a well intentioned but overstuffed match that was non-stop excitement in its closing stretch.
Once the fat was skimmed off from this match, it was all action. Especially upon the arrival of Pac and Rey Fenix, this was off to the races. Fenix and Jungle Boy in the final two was amazing as was John Silver's interaction with Pac.
This match showcased stars not just for the tag team division but also the singles division. It was a well intentioned but overstuffed match that was non-stop excitement in its closing stretch.
Rating: 7.75/10
Hikaru Shida (c) def. Ryo Mizunami to Retain the AEW Women's Championship
I had serious concerns early on with this match. Ryo Mizunami played to the crowd too much. The story of her overconfidence was not working because Hikaru Shida was selling lackluster chops.
However, all that was washed away once the women got serious. I would put the final minutes of this match up against anything else on the show. The two went all in, and the intense back-and-forth series of nearfalls was something special.
I do wish it had not led into an awkward post-match series of run-ins, but that was once more a showcase that AEW is still uncertain how to use a great and growing women's division that was best served by letting the wrestling shine through with the Women's Eliminator Tournament.
However, all that was washed away once the women got serious. I would put the final minutes of this match up against anything else on the show. The two went all in, and the intense back-and-forth series of nearfalls was something special.
I do wish it had not led into an awkward post-match series of run-ins, but that was once more a showcase that AEW is still uncertain how to use a great and growing women's division that was best served by letting the wrestling shine through with the Women's Eliminator Tournament.
Rating: 8.5/10
Miro and Kip Sabian (w/ Penelope Cruz) def. Orange Cassidy and Chuck Taylor
Miro has felt at home with AEW because he can show his personality at all times. He is goofy and entertaining, but when he steps in the ring, he is lethal. This match was so much better than it had any right to be.
The Best Man set up the heel advantage then did not care about anything but destruction. The angle with Penelope Ford hurt and Miro barely caring added new depth to this alliance. He cannot be controlled, no matter how much he seems like the fun-loving friend.
The Best Man set up the heel advantage then did not care about anything but destruction. The angle with Penelope Ford hurt and Miro barely caring added new depth to this alliance. He cannot be controlled, no matter how much he seems like the fun-loving friend.
Rating: 8.5/10
WWE has convinced everyone that Brock Lesnar and CM Punk are better than Christian, and it's impressive everyone fell for it. (Image Courtesy of: whatculture.com)
Money Match: Hangman Adam Page def. Matt Hardy
Matt Hardy is getting old, but he has aged much better than many similar to his age by protecting himself. He is certainly in a better physical shape than his brother Jeff Hardy. This showed in the match with Hangman Adam Page.
The two have chemistry, and The Cowboy was able to make Matt look good without overselling for him. Page's hand injury was the primary focus throughout, but Hangman was saved by his new friends, finally turning a corner with his bad luck.
The two have chemistry, and The Cowboy was able to make Matt look good without overselling for him. Page's hand injury was the primary focus throughout, but Hangman was saved by his new friends, finally turning a corner with his bad luck.
Rating: 8.5/10
Face of the Revolution Ladder Match: Scorpio Sky def. Cody Rhodes, Penta El Zero M, Lance Archer, Max Caster, and Ethan Page to Become No. 1 Contender to the TNT Championship
This was fantastic. I would shaved 5 minutes off the run time, but otherwise everything worked so well. Even Cody Rhodes' weird injury tease did not take away from the action, though he was definitely a distraction more than anything.
Ethan Page has arrived, and he is absolutely a perfect fit for AEW. His charisma will be a valuable asset to AEW's growing men's division, and he showed in this match that he can hang with anyone in terms of speed and technical ability.
The real stars of this match were Lance Archer and Scorpio Sky. The Murderhawk Monster was the perfect destroyer. Sky got right back to the best work of his career and absolutely earned this emphatic victory, even getting to throw some trash talk Cody's way before winning.
Ethan Page has arrived, and he is absolutely a perfect fit for AEW. His charisma will be a valuable asset to AEW's growing men's division, and he showed in this match that he can hang with anyone in terms of speed and technical ability.
The real stars of this match were Lance Archer and Scorpio Sky. The Murderhawk Monster was the perfect destroyer. Sky got right back to the best work of his career and absolutely earned this emphatic victory, even getting to throw some trash talk Cody's way before winning.
Rating: 8.75/10
Christian Cage is the Newest Signing to All Elite Wrestling
Once you set an expectation, everyone goes insane. The primary rumors for who would be AEW's next big signing were never even close to signing. CM Punk has retired from wrestling. Brock Lesnar is not interested in anything but the insane WWE contracts he can get for a few appearances a year.
WWE has conditioned many to see Christian as a good enough performer, a veteran who can help others. However, he showed what he could do in TNA as Christian Cage. He was a main event talent, working at a better rate than his best friend Edge during The Rated-R Superstar's best run.
Instant Classic is an asset unlike anyone else AEW has signed since Chris Jericho. He's a veteran with a mind for the business that can work at a main event level for three more years while also helping developing the future of the business. This was an incredible coup for AEW that deserved the hype.
WWE has conditioned many to see Christian as a good enough performer, a veteran who can help others. However, he showed what he could do in TNA as Christian Cage. He was a main event talent, working at a better rate than his best friend Edge during The Rated-R Superstar's best run.
Instant Classic is an asset unlike anyone else AEW has signed since Chris Jericho. He's a veteran with a mind for the business that can work at a main event level for three more years while also helping developing the future of the business. This was an incredible coup for AEW that deserved the hype.
Eddie Kingston loved Jon Moxley so much that he couldn't let him see his Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch ruined by a tech glitch. (Image Courtesy of: stillrealtous.com)
Street Fight: Sting and Darby Allin def. Brian Cage and Ricky Starks
Cinematic matches are a dangerous game to play, but I often find other promotions are much better at the gamble than WWE. WWE has a tendency to cut about 20 more times per minutes than is necessary, and it distracts from even the creative minds of the people behind the scenes.
This was nothing but pure impressive booking. Allin is supposedly largely responsible for how this was mapped out, and it worked beautifully. Sting's ring rust and age was never a factor here because of the cinematic feel.
Allin took some crazy bumps that were hopefully safer than they looked. It was a war that was won by the men willing to do just a little bit more. This was a fantastic change of pace for the night that is one of the best cinematic matches yet.
This was nothing but pure impressive booking. Allin is supposedly largely responsible for how this was mapped out, and it worked beautifully. Sting's ring rust and age was never a factor here because of the cinematic feel.
Allin took some crazy bumps that were hopefully safer than they looked. It was a war that was won by the men willing to do just a little bit more. This was a fantastic change of pace for the night that is one of the best cinematic matches yet.
Rating: 8.75/10
Explosive Barbed Wire Deathmatch: Kenny Omega (c) def. Jon Moxley to Retain the AEW World Championship
You rarely if ever see men with chemistry like Kenny Omega and Jon Moxley. They have had three fantastic matches together, and this was their absolute best. The storytelling was excellent from the opening bell.
These two had a plan, and it worked wonders. Each spot where one of the two hit the barbed wire was felt. The way Moxley kicked out of the One-Winged Angel by kicking the barbed wire to cause an explosion may be the best kickout I have seen in the past decade.
Of course, most will just remember the post-match conclusion, and it was an absolute disappointment. For the story, I loved Eddie Kingston saving Mox, but ultimately it was all for nothing. AEW has pivoted to say it was Omega's fault in kayfabe, but Kingston sold the spot too hard for it not to have been meant to explode.
These two had a plan, and it worked wonders. Each spot where one of the two hit the barbed wire was felt. The way Moxley kicked out of the One-Winged Angel by kicking the barbed wire to cause an explosion may be the best kickout I have seen in the past decade.
Of course, most will just remember the post-match conclusion, and it was an absolute disappointment. For the story, I loved Eddie Kingston saving Mox, but ultimately it was all for nothing. AEW has pivoted to say it was Omega's fault in kayfabe, but Kingston sold the spot too hard for it not to have been meant to explode.
Rating: 9.75/10
Conclusion
The ratings throughout the night were high. The wrestling was great, even though a couple matches needed to be tightened up. It should have been a home run. Instead, everyone will be talking about that ending.
It is true that an ending defines many stories, but I think AEW can pivot well enough to allow everyone to appreciate what mattered most. Omega and Moxley just set the bar for match of the year at least between AEW and WWE so far. Allin crafted an incredible cinematic street fight that will be well worth rewatching.
AEW just needs to be careful about making promises. Clearly, something went wrong with the wiring. It is likely it worked earlier in the night, but something got tripped in the match. I just hope that not too many people linger on the negativity going forward. Of course, this is wrestling. Negativity is much of what we have.
It is true that an ending defines many stories, but I think AEW can pivot well enough to allow everyone to appreciate what mattered most. Omega and Moxley just set the bar for match of the year at least between AEW and WWE so far. Allin crafted an incredible cinematic street fight that will be well worth rewatching.
AEW just needs to be careful about making promises. Clearly, something went wrong with the wiring. It is likely it worked earlier in the night, but something got tripped in the match. I just hope that not too many people linger on the negativity going forward. Of course, this is wrestling. Negativity is much of what we have.
