5 Ups & 6 Downs From AEW Dynamite (25 Aug)

2. Running It Back

Chris Jericho
AEW

Last week would have been a fitting end for the Chris Jericho/MJF rivalry. While flawed, the bout was met positively by an engaged crowd that has followed Jericho through each of his Labours and felt impactful enough to serve as the final battle. Instead, we're getting the real Final Fight at All Out, where Jericho has promised to retire and step into a full-time commentary role if he falls.

Like Jericho's feud with Orange Cassidy last year, this feels like an unnecessary final step. He has developed an unfortunate habit of extending his feuds beyond their natural endpoint, past when the audience's investment was at its peak. He now risks doing that again, despite the retirement stipulation.

A good segment between him and MJF last night, peppered with nice lines. Both wrestlers were as sublime in their delivery as you'd expect. Still, concerns that the match is a step too far are very, very real. It's time for MJF to move on from this long-building storyline and into something else.

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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.