4 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dynamite (5 Jan)

Page vs. Danielson II, Cargill vs. Soho for the TBS Title, Tag Title match, CM Punk shoots & more!

Bryan Danielson Hangman Page
AEW/Scott Lesh

As far as weekly television shows go, last night's AEW Dynamite will go down as one of the biggest of the year.

It could hardly have been more significant. The switch from TNT to TBS is a major change in itself despite the two station's similar viewership numbers, given pro wrestling's history on AEW's new home, and the card was loaded up with big-time matches and segments.

Bryan Danielson challenged 'Hangman' Adam Page for the AEW World Championship in a rematch of last month's ripping first encounter, which finished as a time-limit draw. Elsewhere, Jurassic Express challenged for the Lucha Brothers' AEW World Tag Team Titles under the guidance of Christian Cage, while AEW appropriately crowned its first TBS Championship as Jade Cargill and Ruby Soho met in the tournament finals.

This lot, plus pre-advertised appearances from Chris Jericho and MJF, made last night's Dynamite a can't-miss show before it aired. It's unfortunate, then, that much of what aired was far from can't-miss, and that big chunks of this show either didn't hit the required levels of quality, or didn't resonate as they should have.

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.