10 Ups & 1 Down From AEW Dynamite (Feb 19)

Ups...

10. Darby's Back

Jon Moxley Darby Allin
AEW

The biggest bright spot coming out of the clunky beatdown segment was Darby Allin's return, which got over extremely well.

The lights cut out entirely before Wicca Phase Springs Eternal hit the PA system and the fans popped hard. Already a big-time AEW cult hero, Darby got a great reception as he hit the ring, battered the Inner Circle with his skateboard (countering Jake Hager's low-blow with the deck was particularly tasty) and stood tall with Jon Moxley to close. Then, he stole Revolution opponent Sammy Guevara's cue card gimmick by pulling the written messages out during the commercial, promising to take his voice at the pay-per-view.

It's great to see this livewire ball of energy back on AEW television after Guevara crushed his throat a few weeks ago. Allin rules. He's popular, exciting, and elevates everything he's involved with - as proven again here.

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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.