7 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite: Fyter Fest (13 July)

2. Takeshita & Moxley Get Bloody

Jon Moxley Konosuke Takeshita
AEW

Konosuke Takeshita's United States excursion already ranks as one of the best in modern times. Three months into a year-long run, the DDT star has won countless new stars with his impactful style, physical charisma, and adaptability, looking great in losing roles opposite Jay Lethal, 'Hangman' Adam Page, Eddie Kingston, and now Jon Moxley.

This was a thrilling Eliminator. It had everything from spirited striking exchanges, heartstopping near-falls (Moxley was Kazuchika Okada-esque in how he timed his 2.9999 kickouts), big bombs, fighting spirited, blood, and more. Everything you could conceivably want from two world-class professional wrestlers and 13 minutes of television time.

It was heated from the first few minutes, with chops breaking the grappling exchanges and Moxley clobbering Takeshita with a lariat, preceding a battle for an apron German suplex. After the picture-in-picture break, during which Takeshita was busted open, they worked at 100 miles per hour, yielding those great nearfalls with heft and drama.

Takeshita ended up tapping out to the Bulldog Choke. We're approaching the time where he's going to have to win one of these televised matches, but he continues to look like one of the best in the world in this spotlight. His transition from Korakuen Hall to American basketball arenas has been seamless.

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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.