7 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (June 12 - Results & Review)

A strong show with international influence makes real AEW's 'Where The Best Wrestle' slogan.

by Michael Sidgwick
12 June Samoa Joe
AEW

This week's Dynamite promised - and it's weird and bittersweet describing it like this - a vintage edition of the show.

Will Ospreay Vs. Fénix was very much a match, on paper, that made you grateful for AEW's existence all over again. Two mind-blowing magicians going out there with zero limitations imposed upon them - in fact, being actively encouraged to go as hard as possible - is why AEW is such a blessing. No methodical pace. No saving it for the pay-per-view. No in-house style guide.

A celebration of what the pro wrestler can do.

That is AEW.

Underneath, Orange Cassidy, Kyle O'Reilly and Mark Briscoe Vs. Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher and Roderick Strong promised the sort of intricate, pulsating trios action that AEW offered as a selling point. Before, weirdly, the introduction of actual Trios titles.

Dustin Rhodes, the man who gifted AEW much of its early soul, promised to add pathos to Jack Perry's comeback. Then, with Mercedes Moné, there was the huge ex-WWE star who willingly left the bigger company to create the art she truly wanted.

The only thing missing from this vintage Dynamite feel - other than Chris Jericho hardly being in Le Champion form - was 5,000 Texans going apesh*t.

Did another alarming gate detract from the atmosphere...?

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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!