14 Ups & 1 Down From AEW Dynamite (20 Nov)

Starring Rey Fenix and Nick Jackson as two of the best high-fliers of all time.

Chris Jericho Scorpio Sky
AEW

The Wednesday Night Wars are bloody great.

While we could do without things like the dopy "suck it, Vince!" sign seen in tonight's crowd (and Cody's acknowledgement of it after the show), WWE's decision to run NXT head-to-head with Dynamite no doubt compels AEW to raise their own standards every single week. This goes the other way as well, of course, and with enthusiasm running high for both products, the period before this wild, creative battle already feels like a distant, desolate memory.

This week's Dynamite promised - and delivered - much. Jon Moxley vs. Darby Allin, Private Party vs. Proud and Powerful, Rey Fenix vs. Nick Jackson, and the Dynamite Dozen Battle Royal, with Chris Jericho hyping a "huge announcement" on social media hours before the show went on the air. One notable disappointment aside, it was a hugely successful night of compelling in-ring action, angles, and promos, rich in variety and story, with small-but-noticeable improvements peppered throughout.

It'd be heartening to see another viewership increase with the product hitting the mark so strongly, though it'll be tough going against NXT's ballistic WarGames/Survivor Series build on the other channel. Let's light the fuse regardless...

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.