8 Ups & 1 Down From AEW Dynamite (March 20 - Results & Review)

3. The Elite: Da Best

Kazuchika Okada Dynamite
AEW

Before the Continental title match, AEW furthered the idea that Kazuchika Okada is a megastar.

He was filmed entering the arena in a red Ferrari wearing a pristine suit. He was interviewed alongside the Young Bucks by Alex Marvez, the cruel bullying of whom is already a great bit. Matthew Jackson ordered Marvez to pose his questions in Japanese before - with the help of Duolingo, which he's crushing - doing it himself. Okada spoke in Japanese before, with assured, threatening delivery, telling Eddie Kingston in English that he was coming for his title. Matthew asked Marvez if he caught the first bit. He hadn't. Matthew called him a dumbass. Nicholas, who hasn't said a word of Japanese, told Marvez to learn it. Just a lovely bit of character work here.

Also, the Bucks mentioned that they'd lend the director a hand in gorilla, since they couldn't interfere in the match, and flatter Okada with instant replays. In a lovely little detail, one that put them over as deluded middle management types who deem themselves capable of everything, they demanded a replay of Okada's grin to the camera. They selected the wrong camera and only caught the back of Okada's head.

It was a blink and you'll miss it visual gag, but it was funny, and underscored that the passion to get this new creative boom right is evident in every available second.

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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!