6 Ups & 3 Downs From AEW Dynamite (7 June - Review)
2. The Don Callis Effect
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.