by The opening match between MJF and Will Ospreay goes to a 60-minute draw.
Grade – B
On a night when you want to celebrate your history and get as many names on the show as possible, a 60-minute match to start things instantly kills that prospect. This match should have been saved for another episode, but alas, we got it tonight. Also, once it got to the 45-minute, 3rd commercial break, you almost knew it was going the distance or at least into the 60th minute in which it did. I also thought an hour-long match sure could have had plenty more high spots then it did. All that being said, MJF becomes the new “International Champion” after using a low blow.
My final thoughts on this one was Tony Schiavone’s commentary during this one was God awful, people begged for JR to retire but Tony is terrible and getting worse as the weeks go on. Again, a good match, but to use over 50% of the show on two guys, was a ballsy move. Also, has MJF lost all of his steam with this pointless heel turn?
The Learning Tree with Chis Jericho is interrupted by Minoru Suzuki
Grade – F
Minoru Suzuki rejected Chris Jericho’s offer to be their partner at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door and then showed up tonight to challenge him to a match next week for the FTW Title. Despite Jericho doing an amazing job getting another gimmick over, they couldn’t have picked a worse guy to come out. A part timer who cannot even speak English on a show that was supposed to celebrate the history of the AEW originals.
Instead, Suzuki comes out and the entire crowd sits on their hands. If it isn’t June, the AEW fans make it known they do not care for New Japan. What a waste of what could have been a great segment with a guy like Jake Hager or Ortiz coming out to challenge him instead. Not good.
Mercedes Mone defends the TBS Championship against Nyla Rose.
Grade – B
Well, it is 9:25 and we FINALLY get our second match on the WRESTLING show. I will say this, they did bring out a AEW original for this one in Rose, even though no one in their right mind could have possibly believed she was going to win.
The match itself was pretty darn good, and worth its spot on the card. Not sure why Britt Baker, an employee of the company would be banned from being backstage, but it wasn’t a shock she found her way through the crowd to pie face Monet when it was over.
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