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

4. Grapplef*ck F*cks

Bryan Danielson Timothy Thatcher
AEW

In which the real importance of pro wrestling commentary announced itself.

Excalibur and in particular Taz were crucial to the viewing experience here; Bryan Danielson and Timothy Thatcher's subtle, super-intricate match was elevated by the announcers' ability to articulate the forensic technique that drove the drama. It would still have resonated as a very, very good match that wasn't especially difficult to follow, but sometimes a wrestler's perspective is needed. This exact genre of match needed a level of insight, honed by actual in-ring experience, to put the otherwise imperceptible strategy over the top.

Violent and nasty, Timothy Thatcher's approach divides opinion - are his faces intimidating, or silly? - but they worked here to provide a genre that isn't particularly TV-friendly a bit of much-needed theatre. Thatcher (logically) targeted Danielson's shoulder, which he bent in gruesome, unnatural positions throughout in addition to adapting his usual repertoire, with various arm-traps, to compound the agony.

Danielson escaped and emerged with the pyrrhic victory, one that lessens his chances of going over MJF at Revolution - but the Dragon still has the cardio advantage.

That dynamic is developing nicely.

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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!