7 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Dec 18)

6. Layered Storytelling

PAC Dynamite
FITE TV

Immediately following the match, PAC disrupted the Omega/Page showdown by presumably terrifying the cameraman into showing him on air. It's a thin explanation, but it works in the inherently contrived context of wrestling, and that cameraman wasn't invisible, thank Christ. In a lovely, lovely character moment, he drew his fingers to his mouth and made a "shush" gesture before - again, presumably - beating the sh*t out of poor Michael Nakazawa.

This was pitch-perfect black comedy perfectly within character. PAC could beat the sh*t out of Michael Nakazawa if he squared up to him nose-to-nose with both hands tied behind his back. He wanted to attack Nakazawa from behind because he is a BASTARD.

This was AEW's great, layered, shared universe storytelling in microcosm: the acts feud with multiple opponents at once because they aren't following a script. They obviously are, but the booking approach rarely feels like it. Omega is desperate to retain the core of the Elite; Page could care less, and is using Omega to get back in the game; PAC has resolved to once more defeat Omega because his defeat is of dire consequence to him.

Both developments are occurring in parallel with the other because every motivation is considered to create a twisting, holistic, captivating world.

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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!