5 Ups & 5 Downs From AEW Dynamite (18 May)

3. Rey Fenix Falls Into Kyle O'Reilly's Trap

Kyle O'Reilly Rey Fenix
AEW

Rey Fenix and Kyle O'Reilly told the right story in their Owen Hart Cup bout.

Fenix is faster, more athletic, and capable of dazzling opponents with those advantages. He moves like lightning and takes people out of their game, which is usually how he wins. KOR, meanwhile, is presented as the superior striker and grappler. Their natural story involves using their respective advantages to try and nullify the other person's. Wrestling psychology in a nutshell, really, and they executed it well.

Rey's dynamic, dramatic explosions disrupted Kyle's flow on several occasions, with the Lucha Brother successfully implementing a shock and awe gameplan - but only in bursts. A smart, savvy strategist, Kyle scouted for this, springing multiple traps to catch Fenix, inspiring the flyer to keep pushing the pace.

Arm targeting and selling was paid off in the finish, when KOR finally caught Rey in an armbar. Fenix tapped out as soon as the limb was extended, having struggled desperately to keep his hands together at first, wrapping the story the right way.

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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.