8 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (1 Feb - Review)

5. Konosuke Takeshita Scores His First Big Win

Konosuke Takeshita Brian Cage
AEW

In a very fun if shallow match, Konosuke Takeshita completed his Kenta Kobashi-adjacent arc; after impressing in several narrow defeats, every last one of which was awesome, he finally won a big match on TV. It was a hoss spot-fest with little in the way of narrative tissue - Cage's signature match - but an at-times spectacular version of it. It elicited the gasps that this genre offers at its best; the big power bombs were ludicrous, in a good way, and a red-hot crowd popped for their ability to pull off a big dumb blockbuster.

Takeshita needed this win on this night because he's set to work MJF next week. The idea that he's finally hit form will enhance the drama of that more important match. It's still a formality, but this result better enables suspension of disbelief in the moment. Fans will want Takeshita to win, which will also work in its favour.

Was Cage a slightly underwhelming choice for the moment?

Possibly, but the timing was right, and after the MJF match, everything Takeshita does will take a far more interesting turn.

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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!