AEW Dynamite Match Review: 12 August 2023
Image courtesy of All Elite Wrestling
It’s always hard to choose in a rivalry between two of your favourite teams
I grew up watching the Hardys on WWE, then followed their move to AEW. They were definitely my top team for a long time, and so when Young Bucks came along it was surprising that they took over as my favourites from the legends. To be honest, I still hold a special place for the Hardy boys, and seeing both teams go head-to-head this week was pretty awesome. It’s almost like the Hardys are passing on the torch to the Young Bucks as their protegés - which is pretty cool, as Young Bucks always idolised the Hardy boys.
This week Dynamite was broadcast live from Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The crowd this week was pretty red hot for the match, and the managers on the edge of the ring added some extra intrigue on top of what was already going on by pumping up the Hardys throughout the match.
Image courtesy of All Elite Wrestling
After a colourful entrance from both teams, Matt Jackson (Young Bucks) and Jeff Hardy (Hardys) got to it in a technical scrap that resulted in the Hardys planting Nick Jackson right onto Matt Jackson. This was the start of a match filled with impressive tandem work from both teams. That said, there was a lot of clumsiness from Young Bucks where they kept knocking into each other, which kind of showed their youth a bit.
Image courtesy of All Elite Wrestling
Some of the best tandem work included the delivery of the Risky Business from Young Bucks to the Hardys, a double Twist of Fate from the Hardys to Young Bucks, some double superkicks from the Young Bucks, and the Hardy boys’ attempt at their classic Poetry in Motion (which was swiftly stopped by Nick).
Image courtesy of All Elite Wrestling
There was still some impressive solo work too, like when Jeff dropped a Whisper in the Wind from the ropes onto both Young Bucks, when Jeff also dropped a Swanton Bomb onto Matt Jackson (which nearly ended in a pin fall), and Matt Hardy dropped Matt Jackson in a Power Bomb after knocking him around for a bit first.
The match resulted in Matt Hardy being pinned by Young Bucks in a BTE Trigger which saw the end of the Hardys. Despite the domination, the two teams hugged it out in a display of their healthy rivalry.
Overall, the technical and aerial work in this match was a treat to watch. Both of these teams give their all no matter what, which means that the matches are still super intense and enjoyable despite their kinda sentimental history.
I give this match 3.5 out of 5 stars:
