5 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dynamite (2 Feb)
MJF defeats CM Punk in Chicago, Moxley and Danielson meet, Brandi and Lambert confuse.
Tony Khan acted appropriately in removing Brian Kendrick from last night's AEW Dynamite, as short notice as it was.
The conspiratory quotes that did the internet rounds yesterday are both harmful and dangerous. A promoter cannot consciously platform somebody whose grotesque theories on the Holocaust, Sandy Hook shooting, 9/11 have re-entered the conversation. Khan was right not only to condemn Kendrick's execrable comments, but pull him from the Jon Moxley match entirely, having acted on the facts presented to him.
Kendrick's apology was more than the stock "sorry people were offended" often trotted out by disgraced parties in situations like this. He acknowledged the hurt and embarrassment caused by his vile words, stating that these had never been his beliefs, that he's sorry for the pain caused, and that he'll live with the regret forever.
Now, he must live up to this.
Wheeler Yuta came in as Kendrick's replacement opposite Jon Moxley, wrapping what inadvertently became the biggest story heading into this show. CM Punk vs. MJF dwarfed it otherwise, of course, as their industry-best rivalry finally made it to the ring. Elsewhere, Nyla Rose fought Ruby Soho and The Kings of the Black Throne met PAC and Penta El Zero Miedo in a grudge match.
Let's light the fuse...