6 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Feb 24)

No Paul Wight, but AEW delivered a Big Show with Archer vs. Fenix, Baker vs. Rose, and more.

Darby Allin
AEW

Paul 'Big Show' Wight is All Elite.

What a deeply weird sentence to be typing in 2021. Presumed a WWE lifer due to his 22-year tenure and regular cameos, even in semi-retirement (Show last appeared on the 4 January episode of Raw), Wight jumping ship broke the internet. Immense surprise was the pervading reaction: not because people think a 49-year-old giant who has been poorly booked for most of the past 20 years will tip the scale in this new wrestling war, but because Wight was a WWE institution.

Nonetheless, it looks a strong acquisition. Wight's vast experience will benefit AEW's growing, learning roster, and booking legends and veterans well (and respectfully) is an All Elite hallmark. It'll likely work out.

Wight wasn't on last night's show, with his debut confirmed for next week instead. He missed a night of hot angles and action dragged down only by the occasional wonky segment and flow issue, highlighted by two blistering matches at the top of the card.

Rey Fenix battled Lance Archer for a spot in the Face of the Revolution ladder match, Nyla Rose and Britt Baker fought to advance in the Women's Title Elimination Tournament, Sting fought back after last week's powerbomb, and Papa Buck got proper f*cked.

Let's light the fuse...

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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.