5 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dynamite (20 April)

1. Never Going Out Of Style

CM Punk and Dustin Rhodes worked a classical style of professional wrestling that never goes out of fashion, basing their in-ring story largely around Punk, the smaller man, trying to negate his 6'6" opponent's advantages by destroying his left knee.

And it was fantastic.

The format opened the door for Dustin to do what Dustin has always done best: sell and show fire. Rhodes was phenomenal defensively, hobbling around like a broken old man as Punk honed in on his knee. His selling on offense was commendable, too. There were several occasions here when the damaged joint gave way beneath the veteran, preventing him from taking advantage of situations he may have otherwise controlled. This forced him to dig deep, soar on adrenaline and adrenaline alone, outmatched and outgunned against the best in the world.

Fantastic selling carried throughout a match is a timeless way of willing a crowd behind the guy taking the beating. It helps that Dustin has never had trouble commanding an audience in this role, of course, but that the building was split behind him and Punk speaks volumes to his enduring babyface power.

'Hangman' Adam Page emerged after Punk and Dustin had concluded business and shaken hands, going face-to-face with Punk at the top of the ramp. That match looks likely to go down at Double Or Nothing next month.