8 Ups & 1 Down From AEW Dark (Oct 15)

by Andy H Murray

1. The Best Bout Machine

Do you miss the old Kenny, straight out the 'Dome Kenny, six stars in Tokyo Kenny, classics wherever he roams Kenny?

If so, you need to watch Dark. 'The Best Bout Machine' is back.

This was the first time Omega has been anywhere near his best since he wrestled Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom 13 - and that match feels like it happened a lifetime ago. He just hasn't been on that "best in the world" level thus far in AEW, having delivered 7/10 performances against PAC and Chris Jericho, and while Kenny's 7/10 is better than most wrestlers' peaks, this bred disappointment.

Perhaps this was by design given his ongoing kayfabe meltdown, but this was the Kenny Omega that broke the internet a few years ago. This was the guy people want to see. This was 'The Best Bout Machine.'

This may have been one of the most accomplished performances of Omega's entire career. His instant mastery of the Lights Out stipulation was as impressive as his pacing, storytelling, and character work, and while Joey Janela entered a sublime performance himself, the real story coming out of Dark is his opponent's comeback.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.