14 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Oct 29)

Downs...

2. Lights Out... Again

Omega Moxley
allelitewrestling.com

Last night's Dynamite saw Kenny Omega vs. Jon Moxley turned into a Lights Out unsanctioned match and while this shouldn't hurt the quality of what looks like a guaranteed in-ring banger, AEW risk burning the stipulation out.

Moxley and Omega have both wrestled Joey Janela with the unsanctioned gimmick in-play. That's three examples in a relatively short period of time. Not only that, but it's now turning into a crutch to avoid planting a loss on an esteemed wrestler's record. If used sparingly, the stipulation is an undeniably useful booking tool, but the impression now is that AEW are using it as a cop-out.

This is the promotion where "wins and losses matter," right? So why not just have Moxley or Omega eat a definitive loss and book from there? It's something that the promotion have done well with so far, so it's disappointing to see the Lights Out gimmick being spammed.

Advertisement
Channel Manager
Channel Manager

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.