14 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (16 Oct)

Jon Moxley & PAC vs. Kenny Omega & Hangman Page steals the show in Philly.

Chris Jericho Darby Allin
AEW

ls three episodes enough content to categorise AEW Dynamite as a great wrestling show? They've just gone three for three. It's a small sample size for sure, and perhaps it'd be wiser to hold off on passing judgment until Dynamite has completed a full pay-per-view cycle, but this brand is crushing everything else in North American wrestling right now.

A night heavy on in-ring action and relatively light on everything else featured two huge title fights. Darby Allin challenged AEW World Heavyweight Chris Jericho in the main event, with AEW's top dog promising to bring his 'Painmaker' persona to Philadelphia. Could the do-or-die underdog dethrone the former 'Alpha' in his first defence, or would Jericho's scuzzy dominance continue? In the women's division, Britt Baker faced champion Riho after earning her spot when she and the joshi standout defeated Bea Priestley and Emi Sakura the previous week.

Philly also saw the tag team title tournament rumble on, with SoCal Uncensored facing the Best Friends and the Lucha Brothers wrestling Jurassic Express, though Luchasaurus' sudden injury totally flipped the dynamic. Oh, there was also the small matter of a loaded all-star tag pitting PAC and Jon Moxley against Hangman Page and Kenny Omega. What a card!

Let's break it down...

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. 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.