7 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (January 10 - Results & Review)

2. A VINTAGE Dynamite Opener

Hangman Page Vs. Claudio Castagnoli was a beautiful shoot-out of an opener.

Worked against the Jacksonville skyline and the unbeatable vibe of Daily's, Page was physically outmatched initially by Claudio, the description of whom by Kevin Owens - he's a human horse - remains brilliant in its economy. In the first phase of the match, Hangman sought to win by catching Claudio out with various flash pin attempts before growing in confidence. Page is one of the more intelligent wrestlers in the game - really, of all time - and he used his sharp mind to create an excellent picture-and-picture segue. He took a sip of beer from a ringside fan as Tony Schiavone crowed, nostalgically, about old times. Claudio then grabbed Page and smashed him almost head-first with a press slam over the top rope and onto the ramp. This was no homecoming, but rather a reminder that the work, for a babyface like Page, is never over. The challenges only heighten, literally true in the case of his opponent on the night.

As the modern back-and-forth match often does, Hangman Vs. Claudio evolved into a shoot-out in which both men threw bombs at one another after an exchange of forearms. The execution was snug, the drama and timing terrifying and spectacular - that hurricanrana reversal from the attempted avalanche ricola bomb! - but the unusual, beautiful configuration of the venue elevated the action. The stage stationed right next to the ring was used by Page in what was made to feel like an improvised opportunity to strike Claudio with a moonsault. After more intense back-and-forth, Page won and framed Claudio as a serious threat after a double-barrelled Buckshot salvo.

Very, very good match, one that the intoxicating atmosphere helped broach greatness.