11 Ups & 5 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Oct 9)
2. One Angle, Many Stories
Speaking of accomplishing lots of different things in a short period, how about that show-closing angle? This did everything it needed to - and more.
It began with a straightforward three-on-one attack on Dustin Rhodes before Hangman Page fired back, throwing a chair in Jake Hager's face, then brawling with him to the back. Cody got the arena blackout spot before the lights came back on to a massive pop. His Cross Rhodes decked Sammy, leaving him alone with Jericho, but in came Santana and Ortiz for another momentum shift.
Cue: MJF. Cody's apparent "best friend" was brilliant here. Armed with a steel chair, he teased the big heel turned as the Inner Circle held 'The American Nightmare' at his mercy, with the 'Salt of the Earth's' inner conflict etched on his face. He didn't cave, though. Instead, MJF crushed the heels to a big pop... and then f*cking Darby Allin SKATED DOWN THE GODDAMN RAMP to attack Jericho. Good lord.
A list of things this pushed forward/established:-
- Hangman Page vs. Jake Hager.
- The Young Bucks vs. Santana and Ortiz.
- Cody vs. Chris Jericho.
- The MJF heel turn.
... and it played out to the loudest reactions of the night. Perfect professional wrestling.