Breakneck Pace | AEWeekly #218

Welcome to the #AEWeekly review discussion where PWM contributors reflect on the highlights of the last week in AEW. The eligibility week always includes the most recent episode of Dynamite and Collision, plus any social-media exclusives up until publication.

This week’s contributors are Abel [@loza3.bsky.social] covering Match of the Week and the week's MVP, Larissa [@actual-swamp-hag.bsky.social] expanding on the Moment of the Week, and Sergei [@sergeialderman.bsky.social] talking about the Best Interview and Story Beat, as well as editing and organizing it all.

 A page of links to prior installments may be found here: #AEWeekly

We'd love for this and any and all of our content to be the beginning of a conversation with our readers. To interact with any and all of our contributors please accept our invitation to join the Pro Wrestling Musings Community Discord. Then follow this link to the #AEWeekly Discord Thread.

Darby Allin vs PAC

"​Darby Allin must do it again!..."

by Abel.

AEW World Champion Darby Allin is having an all-time run as champion, and I would say that statement isn't limited to just AEW, but in all the history of pro wrestling. The pace and quality of matches Allin has had in his month as champion have been breakneck. The vibes given off by this specific title run feel like the Doomsday Clock that comes up in the news every so often. The big hand keeps getting closer to midnight, and the anxiety keeps growing before we all die at midnight. Darby’s run is similar in that we all know it's going to be short, and the anxiety about when that happens is only growing week by week. We all know it's coming to an end, but we don't know when.

This week, it was PAC’s turn to try and take the title from Darby, and out of the three previous one-on-one matchups that these two guys have had before, this is the best – which feels insane to say because those matches were great. However, this will go down as the two rivals' best match – unless something truly extraordinary comes up in the future. That is why PAC vs Darby Allin for the AEW World Championship is our Match of the Week.

First, we need to talk about the venue. The SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, the home of the TGL – a new virtual golf league – was a truly unique setting for a wrestling show. The visuals of a wrestling ring next to a bunker and a green were jolting, but in the best way. AEW has been using unique spaces to good effect for over a year now — music halls like The Mission Ballroom in Denver and The MGM Music Hall at Fenway, among others – but this has been by far the most distinctive thus far.

This is how AEW separates itself from the rest of the industry. These types of gimmick events are what make AEW different from everyone else, and corner that particular market. If even just one new viewer gives AEW a try based on social media exposure, it's a win. Also, even if this took place in such an “establishment” location – it is golf after all – the act of repurposing it made it incredibly punk rock.

There has never been anything like Fairway To Hell, and specifically, nothing like this main event. Golf is so stuffy, so you are going to get the golf purists who will absolutely hate it. But that makes me like it even more – shaking a few cages along the way.

With all that said, PAC vs Allin was the perfect match to be the highlight of an event like this. Both men are willing to throw their bodies around, which, in this backdrop, gave us a visual we've never seen in pro wrestling before. The image of Darby Code Red-ing PAC into the bunker has been everywhere on the internet for the past week, to AEW's benefit.

As soon as the bell rang, Allin taking the match to the green immediately was a great way to get the match started. Most of us wondered how the golf course would be implemented in this match, and we didn't have to wait long. What I also loved is that the fighting on the golf course wasn't even the wildest thing. Darby getting thrown through two tables from the balcony was phenomenal. It's not a Darby Allin gimmick match without being thrown two stories through some tables. That shit rocked

I guess my own real complaint about the match was that the no-count-out stipulation was shoehorned in to avoid rushing the great visuals of PAC and Allin fighting on the green. I think maybe they should have just made it a no-disqualification match. But that is just a small nitpick to a great match.

​PAC bumped his ass off. He sold that John Woo drop kick like he was a villain in a DC comic book. That, almost as much as Allin being dropped through two tables, made me raise my eyebrows in shock (complimentary). PAC’s missed Shooting Star Press, the turning point of this match, must be such a mind-**** to set up for – knowing you're going to miss your soft(er) landing on the outside. PAC took it in stride and made it look amazing.

There is no other wrestler on the roster who deserves to be in this spot more than Darby, right now. He was given the title – when many thought he shouldn't have been – and has been putting together an extraordinary run. The fans truly bought it. The pop of the crowd when Allin kicked out after falling through the tables sounded like 10,000 people, not 1,600.

​A babyface, when pushed to the brink and painted into a corner, can use heel tactics to win – like low-blowing and using the belt on his opponent – and not lose any white meat points. (Ed: more importantly, if the heel brought the cheap tactic into play – if the babyface's cheating is in direct counter to the heel's attempt to cheat. What's good for the goose… This trope has been playing into all MJF matches and most Darby matches ever since it was key to Darby taking the title from Max.) Darby had to use everything at his disposal to retain his title, and that is exactly what he did. After neutralizing PAC, he hit his Coffin Drop and won another amazing, physical battle.

​PAC should be proud of his performance. While he didn't win, PAC delivered in the entire wrestling and popular culture world for AEW. Allin now has a 4-day turnaround before he has to face off against Konosuke Takeshita. I wouldn't be at all surprised if I'm writing about that next week!

Mina Shirakawa and Harley Cameron

"Look inside..."

by Sergei.

There is a long tradition in wrestling of giving your tag-team partner a rousing pep talk when their head seems to be in the wrong place. And also a long tradition of ripping one's shirt off: to show a different shirt underneath… or a muscular chest…? But those traditions have never played out QUITE like they did between Mina Shirakawa and her tag partner Harley Cameron last Wednesday on Dynamite.

In spite of the language barrier and thick accent, Mina gave a genuinely inspirational speech about looking inside yourself to your heart and passion rather than outside at troubles and obstacles. But if it weren't for the great comedy bit at the end, I dunno if it would be the best of the week or anything….

But then Mina decides to rip open Harley's T-shirt to reveal the wrestler underneath… except Harley didn't have her gear on under her shirt. And interviewer Renee once again proved her value with a truly priceless reaction face. Now, I know not everyone likes the silliness in wrestling, and I understand: there's been way too much poorly conceived or executed silliness that legitimately makes it embarrassing to be a fan. But trying to cut goofiness out of wrestling entirely? That would be cutting out its heart.

Darby Allin and Max Friedman

"I'm talking about your damn hair..."

by Sergei.

Ever since Darby Allin took the AEW World title from Max Friedman in a shockingly quick victory, MJF has been whining and complaining that it was a fluke and that Darby should just give him "his" title back… and when that didn't work, demanding at least a rematch. But Darby has told him "no" every time, and suggested that Maxwell needed to put something of value on the line himself to get that match. This past week on Dynamite, MJF came to Darby with some offers: perhaps his scarf? His Dynamite Diamond ring? A million dollars? Darby turned down every suggestion and made his counter: hair vs title. If Maxwell wins, he becomes champion again… if he loses, he has to shave his head. Despite his burning desire to regain his so-called "Triple B," MJF walked away unable to answer, too intimidated by a match with that much on the line. So Darby gave him one week (ie, till tonight) to put up or shut up.

Max Friedman has been in Darby's shoes many times – facing someone who wants a match with him and using his right to refuse to control the situation and get something he wants. What Max has demanded in that situation is to make his enemy jump through hoops, with the goal of … at best possibly preventing the match from happening, but at worst at least wearing his opponent down beforehand. He's done this with Cody, Jericho, Wardlow, and others. His motivation for using this strategy is some combination of cowardice, insecurity and/or calculation. But what Darby wants from Max here is completely different: although MJF did in fact walk away from the challenge for the moment, Darby isn't actually trying to avoid fighting him in the end. Darby wants to take Max's hair as justice – literal justice (for all the crap he's put Darby and others through in the past) and poetic justice (for being "the most vain piece of shit" he's ever met.)

There are a couple reasons this is Story Beat of the Week for me. For one, seeing the uncertainty and trepidation in MJF's eyes when the stipulation was suggested is absolutely delicious. And the other: there are some really intriguing possibilities for how Max will attempt to counter this. After all, Darby made an offer. Max was too intimidated to reply immediately, but given a week to think, he's bound to have a counter-offer. Maybe something he hopes might make Allin back down. And I think I might know what it will be.

MJF can easily make the case that, the way Darby has been handling his reign, being champion isn't likely to be a long-term state of affairs for him – Darby has said so himself. Whereas if Max's head gets shaved … who KNOWS how long it might take to grow back…? Maybe it never would! (Look at Kurt Angle!) So Darby should have to put something else up that's longer term than his reign as champion is likely to be. And something that – like MJF's hair – would affect Darby's appearance… I mean his paint.

Max would imagine that challenging him with a risk like that would make Darby back down… because he can't really wrap his mind around how Darby thinks about risk. (Or doesn't.) And Hair vs Paint would make for one hell of a compelling match-up for the main event of Double or Nothing. Now… will it actually go down like that? I guess we'll find out in a few hours!

Kevin Knight

"A Jet takes flight…"

by Larissa.

My expectations were high going into Kevin Knight and Darby Allin's title match. The last time these two faced off, Knight debuted his superhuman coast-to-coast, soaring across the ring to land a vicious dropkick to Allin's chest - an unexpected standout moment of the Continental Classic. Allin's title reign has had plenty of great moments so far. It's been a hoot watching monsters like Brody King fling him around like a beanbag; nobody has more fun taking horrific-looking bumps than Darby does. But he's also a surprisingly adaptable wrestler, able to put on a solid match with opponents of any size. 

Of course, it doesn't hurt that Kevin Knight could have a great match with a ham sandwich. While he has a stupendous tag team partner in "Speedball" Mike Bailey, (and the day that one of them turns on the other I will be calling my therapist) it's exhilarating to see Knight rise to the challenge of a singles run as TNT Champion. Every time we see him he's a little more self-assured, a little more willing to push his own abilities to the limit.

Which brings us to… The Jump. After setting Allin up on the announce desk and landing a few preliminary punches, Knight jumps onto the top rope and immediately launches himself across about fifteen feet of empty air to clobber Darby with a springboard clothesline – and he almost overshoots it, barely catching Allin across the shoulders and sending both of them rolling behind the desk. Someone in the audience shrieked in genuine terror – high praise in the wrestling world. Knight got the kind of altitude humans are normally only able to achieve with the aid of wires and a harness.

It was definitely the standout moment in what was otherwise a pretty unremarkable (in my opinion) episode of Dynamite. 

Mark Davis

"Hard work pays off..."

by Abel.

Mark Davis has come a long way since he first showed up in AEW. The Aussie has battled back from multiple major injuries, and many would say he has lived in the shadow of his two former stablemates, Will Ospreay and Kyle Fletcher – who have become global stars in the wrestling world. Now, Davis has carved out his own little corner of success and can perhaps become just as big a star as his two former United Empire brethren. His National Title win against Jack Perry not only gave Dunkzilla (fantastic nickname) his first AEW singles title but also rewarded him for being one of the hardest workers in the promotion, proving that putting in the work on a weekly basis can pay off.

The success Davis has had recently in AEW is a real testament to the perseverance he has shown since his debut in 2022. Davis was dealt a really bad deck of cards over the last couple of years, unable to build any momentum in his career after two major injuries, sidelining him for the better part of two years. I haven't talked to the guy, but I bet he felt hopeless while battling through the injuries, especially since his two buddies –  Will Ospreay and Kyle Fletcher – were making a name for themselves as singles wrestlers in the US.

It wasn't just the title win on Fairway to Hell that highlighted a fantastic week for Davis. On the 3-hour show on Wednesday, Davis was given a platform to speak, a rare opportunity for Dunkzilla. Davis is naturally good at talking. He seemed very ready to take on a new role, and winning a singles title – against one of the more popular wrestlers on the roster – may be the catapult needed to make him a real prime-time player. He's mostly been used as a silent goon, or muscle, for the Don Callis Family, and not much else. However, with just that 1-min promo, Davis showed he has more to offer than just being the goon of the DCF.

Now that we know Mark can cut a good promo, I hope Callis will not be on my television as much. (Ed: o, sweet summer child!) The Callis Family served as an effective way to develop him into a menacing foe, but if he wants to continue to grow, he might need to leave to sink or swim on a roster that is the deepest a pool has ever been. Davis seems to have what it takes, as was demonstrated this week.

Granted, Davis did become a champion to further the rivalry between two other wrestlers; however, you can't take away the fact that TK trusts him enough to win a singles title at all. And now that he has been given this chance, Davis has the opportunity to prove that perhaps he has what it takes to carry around other, more prestigious, titles as well.

A lot of wrestlers complain about their position on the roster or their TV time. However, some of those same wrestlers aren't willing to get in the ring every week and lose, or do whatever it takes, to get better and show the creatives that they would be useful in a role closer to the top. Wrestlers like Mark Davis make it a point to get on TV by any means… and when you build momentum and prove you can be part of the bigger story at large, they will give you the ball. Davis is proof of that.

Looking ahead, it will be exciting to see what more Davis can accomplish as he continues to rise in AEW.