5 Ups & 5 Downs From AEW Dynamite (25 May)

4. Samoa Joe Overcomes Arm Trouble

Kyle O'Reilly Samoa Joe
AEW

Samoa Joe vs. Kyle O'Reilly was a product of good storytelling.

Jay Lethal, Satnam Singh, and Sonjay Dutt targetted the ROH Television Champion's arm with a lead pipe-assisted assault last week, softening him up for Kyle, whose submission win over Rey Fenix reaffirmed his limb-destroying prowess. This gave the wrestlers a solid psychological foundation for their Owen Hart Cup semi-final, which delivered on its promise.

KOR started out by sticking and moving, trying to maintain a stiff distance while chipping away at the bigger, slower man, who eventually bulldozed his way inside. When given the opportunity, O'Reilly attacked the damaged limb as well as Joe sold it. This was done through multiple strikes, holds, and transitions, which Joe responded to by cracking Kyle's jaw at every opportunity, keeping the pressure on until he was finally able to put O'Reilly's lights out with the rear naked choke.

Good week-to-week professional wrestling from two experienced, clever pros who respect the craft.

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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.