6 Ups & 3 Downs From AEW Dynamite (7 June - Review)

2. The Don Callis Effect

Don Callis Konosuke Takeshita
AEW

While not as loud as last week, the Don Callis and Konosuke Takeshita segment was fine.

That it even happened was a step in the right direction. AEW has a rotating cast policy. Konosuke Takeshita himself was cycled in and out of storylines for a year or so as his very slow-burn story was told. His second consecutive Dynamite appearance wasn't necessarily about the content: it was an overt message that the time to truly invest in the character is now. This in effect was a ceremonial event: Takeshita is no longer a recurring character. He's in the credits.

He defeated some Damon Ace in a squash, and not that it matters - Takeshita is already one of the best wrestlers in the world - it wasn't great. His opponent was taller than he is and the match didn't feel like a massacre. The segment was worth watching for Don Callis conducting it like an old master. He sensed that it wasn't going to be as loud as last week's cauldron.

Self-assured, he took his sweet time, and used his tricks to dial up the volume before he began his promo.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!