8 Ups & 1 Down From AEW Dynamite (24 Aug)

2. United Empire Topple Death Triangle In State Of The Art Headliner

AEW's ongoing Trios World Championship tournament has produced varied action thus far. Its most notable match to date, The Elite vs. La Faccion Ingobernable, was story-driven, built mostly around Kenny Omega's healing body to raise kayfabe questions over whether or not the long-absent star had returned to wrestling before he was truly ready.

Last night, we got a spotfest.

And what a spotfest it was.

This was the kind of cutting-edge, state-of-the-art, blow-you-out-of-your-seat banger this division will yield countless examples of through its lifespan. United Empire defeated Death Triangle in an adrenaline-pumping ripper of unbelievable spots performed at a fierce pace that provided a different giffable moment every other second, to the point that play-by-play is almost pointless.

Building towards showdowns between PAC and Will Ospreay was a clear priority, though the match also yielded Kip Sabian's return. The Englishman, who has been following PAC throughout his various All-Atlantic Title defences, removed himself from his cardboard box, neutralising his rival before the finish. Gone for over a year, it's nice to have him back.

Prior to this, PAC, who might not be a human being at this stage, somehow reversed Ospreay's Stormbreaker into a Poison Rana.

A post-match showdown with The Elite followed for United Empire. Kenny Omega and Ospreay have been building to a match for a long time, doing so primarily through media snipes. Expect whatever happens between them on next week's show to build anticipation for a future singles clash.