I often voice my concerns about the lengthy AEW shows, particularly "Dynamite." When a company brands an episode as "Biggest Massacre," I anticipate significant chaos, but that wasn’t the case tonight. This episode felt more appropriate for one of the extended three-hour time slots, but with no upcoming pay-per-views, there was little justification for an extra hour of "AEW Collision." The branding may have fit better with either of those shows. While AEW has used the "Maximum Carnage" title around this time in previous years, I’m puzzled as to why it was necessary now.
That said, the wrestlers put on a solid performance, though the hardcore element was surprisingly mild for an AEW show. Given the common criticism regarding blood usage, integrating it could have enhanced the atmosphere tonight.
The standout match for me was the four-way Tornado tag, but it too lacked the expected intensity. Aside from Ricochet pulling the referee from the ring, there wasn’t much excitement. I’m not entirely sold on the expanding Don Callis family, but their involvement could have ramped up the action significantly. Imagine if Mark Davis and Jake Doyle had included other allies to tilt the odds or rushed in during the confrontation with FTR—though the heel-versus-heel dynamic felt a bit off.
The opening match featuring Darby Allin and PAC had some strong moments, delivering the thrilling spots typical of an Allin bout, but it didn’t quite meet the high expectations set. And while Bandido’s defeat by MJF in the AEW World Championship match was predictable, it still had its entertaining moments, although nothing particularly shocking occurred.
I’ve likely mentioned this before, but if AEW isn’t equipped to deliver on their bold promises, they should consider toning down the playful branding. To me, "biggest carnage" implies a need for hardcore stipulations, but despite a major title being contested and an engaging four-way tornado tag, the chaos was sadly lacking.
Written by Daisy Ruth
Fan Take: This news is significant for wrestling fans because it underscores the importance of delivering on promises made through branding; consistent, thrilling content is essential for maintaining viewer interest. If AEW continues to fall short of expectations, it risks losing its competitive edge in a crowded wrestling landscape.
