The latest installment of AEW Dynamite, branded as "Maximum Carnage," landed in Phoenix, Arizona, promising a night of intense action and significant developments. As is the nature of weekly professional wrestling, the show delivered a mixed bag, offering moments that resonated strongly with fans and others that left them questioning the creative direction. While the thematic promise of "carnage" may not have been fully realized in its most extreme sense, the broadcast featured compelling contests, pivotal character interactions, and the continuation of ongoing sagas. This analysis will delve into the standout performances and narrative choices that defined the episode, exploring what worked and what arguably missed the mark in shaping the AEW landscape.
One significant point of contention arose from the perceived invincibility of a particular performer, a recurring narrative that has, for some, begun to stretch the boundaries of believability. The opening bout, a highly anticipated clash stemming from a brutal prior encounter, pitted Darby Allin against PAC. The animosity between these two competitors was palpable, fueled by PAC’s destructive actions during a previous Blood & Guts event where he sent Allin through a burning table. The expectation was for a visceral, hard-hitting contest that would live up to the intensity of their feud. However, the match’s progression, particularly Allin’s ability to absorb an extraordinary amount of punishment and still find a way to win, became a focal point of criticism.
The contest saw the combatants immediately engaging in a chaotic brawl around the arena, a common tactic to amplify the aggression. Allin’s signature daredevil maneuvers, including a Coffin Drop into an unspecified, dimly lit area, added an element of visual drama. The physical toll on Allin was evident, with particularly jarring spots like PAC sending him spine-first into the steel ring steps, a landing that appeared genuinely impactful. Despite these seemingly debilitating moments, Allin, who has a history of enduring extreme physical duress, consistently found a way to rally. The match culminated in a somewhat convoluted finish. With the referee momentarily incapacitated, Allin secured a submission victory. However, the intervention of Wheeler Yuta, attempting to assist PAC with a steel chair, backfired spectacularly. Yuta’s misstep inadvertently allowed Allin to use the chair on PAC’s ankle before securing a decisive pinfall with the referee back in position. This victory, for some observers, painted Allin as an almost supernatural force, capable of overcoming any adversity, which in turn diminished the perceived threat of his opponents and raised questions about the booking of PAC, who was ultimately defeated despite the circumstances. The narrative arc suggested that PAC should have secured a victory, especially given the prior animosity and the chaotic interference. The outcome left some fans questioning the logic and the impact on the credibility of the wrestlers involved.
On a more positive note, the episode provided a tantalizing glimpse into potential future rivalries and alliances with a significant in-ring interaction involving three of AEW’s most prominent stars: Kenny Omega, "Hangman" Adam Page, and Swerve Strickland. The mere sight of these three powerhouses sharing the same ring was enough to generate considerable excitement among the fanbase. Their presence together post-match was more than just a visual spectacle; it was a carefully crafted narrative moment that opened a Pandora’s Box of creative possibilities.
Each of these men represents a significant draw within the AEW roster. Omega, a former AEW World Champion and a cornerstone of the promotion’s early success, continues to be a top-tier performer. Page, whose journey has resonated deeply with the AEW audience, remains a popular and compelling figure. Strickland, a dynamic and charismatic performer, has rapidly ascended the ranks, establishing himself as a legitimate contender. Their convergence in the ring hinted at a complex web of future storylines. Speculation immediately turned to potential singles matches between any combination of the three, all vying for supremacy and the right to challenge for the AEW World Championship. Alternatively, their interactions could lead to unexpected tag team pairings or even a coordinated effort to confront current champions, such as Samoa Joe, or challenge for the AEW World Trios Championship. The segment felt like a pivotal juncture, injecting a fresh wave of anticipation into the AEW landscape and setting the stage for compelling narratives following MJF’s successful title defense. It was a masterclass in building intrigue without resorting to immediate conflict, showcasing the potential for compelling long-term storytelling.
However, the thematic branding of "Maximum Carnage" proved to be a point of contention for some, who felt the episode failed to deliver on its promise of extreme action. Despite the billing, the overall level of hardcore elements and chaotic encounters was perceived as underwhelming. While acknowledging that AEW does not consistently lean into ultra-violent stipulations, the "Maximum Carnage" moniker suggested a deviation from the norm, perhaps incorporating more blood, weapons, and brutal match types. The episode featured a four-way tornado tag team match, a format inherently conducive to chaos, yet even this contest was critiqued for a relative lack of overt mayhem. While there were moments of intense action, the overall presentation didn’t quite reach the level of "carnage" that the name implied.
The four-way tag team bout, intended to crown number one contenders for the AEW Men’s World Tag Team Championships, featured The Young Bucks, JetSpeed, Gates of Agony, and the newly formed duo of Mark Davis and Jake Doyle, representing the Don Callis Family. While the match itself was a strong showcase of talent and athletic prowess, a more aggressive approach, perhaps with additional members of the Don Callis Family or other factions involved, could have amplified the "carnage" aspect. The opening match between Allin and PAC, while featuring hard-hitting action and dangerous spots, also fell short of the extreme expectations set by the show’s title. Even the main event, a championship defense by MJF against Bandido, while an excellent wrestling match, lacked the kind of chaotic interferences or stipulations that might have truly embodied "maximum carnage." The criticism suggests a disconnect between the show’s branding and its in-ring execution, leaving some fans feeling that the thematic promise was not fully met.
Despite the criticism regarding the overall lack of "carnage," the four-way tag team match undeniably served as a highlight, particularly for the emergent partnership of Mark Davis and Jake Doyle. This bout, designed to determine the next challengers for FTR’s AEW World Tag Team Championships, proved to be a thrilling showcase for several teams, but it was the unexpected dominance of Davis and Doyle that stole the show. The match brought together established pairings like The Young Bucks and rising contenders JetSpeed, alongside the formidable Gates of Agony. While fan favorites JetSpeed and The Young Bucks were often seen as logical contenders, given their past history with FTR and their popular standing, the night belonged to the new heel tandem.
Davis and Doyle, making their official debut as a tag team, displayed an immediate chemistry and a ruthless efficiency that belied their nascent partnership. Davis, a powerhouse with a history of injury setbacks, showcased his devastating brawling style, while Doyle, formerly known as Jake Something, proved to be a perfect complement, displaying impressive strength and agility. Their performance was particularly impressive considering the caliber of opposition. They not only held their own against established stars but also effectively showcased their unique strengths. Kevin Knight, in particular, was made to look like a victim of Davis’s power, selling the finishing sequence with palpable impact. The match also featured strong performances from Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona of Gates of Agony, with Liona even executing an impressive moonsault. Ultimately, the focus remained on Davis and Doyle, who emerged looking like a formidable force in the tag team division, a testament to their talent and the effective booking of their debut. Their victory positioned them as an intriguing, albeit unexpected, threat to FTR.
In a more peculiar booking decision, Brody King’s appearance on the show was largely perceived as underwhelming and a missed opportunity. While King is a prominent figure in AEW, known for his imposing presence and his role within the House of Black, his contribution to the "Maximum Carnage" episode felt minimal and somewhat disconnected from the show’s overall narrative thrust. His involvement consisted of a brief backstage segment, a swift squash match victory over a local competitor named Jon Cruz, and a post-match appearance to assist Bandido after his loss to MJF.
While these moments were noted, the totality of King’s screen time was remarkably brief, estimated at only five to seven minutes. The intrigue generated by subtle cues suggesting a potential turn against Bandido, indicated through his body language, was overshadowed by the limited time dedicated to exploring this nascent storyline. The decision to include these subtle hints felt anticlimactic, especially given the show’s extended runtime. For many, King’s presence on "Dynamite" felt unnecessary, particularly when considering the potential for his talents to be utilized more effectively in a more significant capacity. The booking left fans questioning the rationale behind flying him out for such a minimal impact, especially on a themed episode that was ostensibly about maximizing the intensity and impact of its roster.
Conversely, the main event provided a masterclass in championship wrestling, with MJF successfully defending his AEW World Championship against Bandido. While the outcome—MJF retaining—was largely anticipated, the match itself was a compelling narrative told through exceptional in-ring psychology. The prevailing concern surrounding MJF’s title matches has often been the tendency towards overbooking, with excessive interference, the use of the Dynamite Diamond Ring, and a general clutter of external elements that can detract from the core wrestling. However, in this encounter, MJF and Bandido largely eschewed these tropes, delivering a contest that focused on the physical struggle and strategic targeting of limbs.
The story of the match revolved around the arms and shoulders of both competitors, vital for their respective offensive repertoires. Bandido’s aerial prowess and devastating offense rely heavily on his physical strength, while MJF’s submission game, particularly his Salt of the Earth Armbar, targets weaknesses. The match effectively illustrated this dynamic, with Bandido launching himself into dangerous dives while simultaneously working over MJF’s arm. MJF, in turn, intelligently targeted Bandido’s arm, aiming to neutralize his power and set up his signature submission. The closing sequence was particularly well-executed. Bandido managed to hit his signature 21-Plex, a move that showcased his raw power, but the immense effort required prevented him from immediately transitioning into a pinfall. This crucial pause allowed MJF to seize the opportunity, focusing on Bandido’s weakened arm and grinding out a victory through sheer tenacity and strategic exploitation of his opponent’s fatigue. This performance, devoid of excessive external distractions, highlighted MJF’s capabilities as a top-tier main event performer when allowed to engage in a more focused, wrestling-centric match. It offered a promising outlook for his continued reign as AEW World Champion, suggesting a potential shift towards more compelling, character-driven wrestling contests.
