8 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (16 Feb)

3. The Old Master I

Promo master CM Punk opened Dynamite, sitting cross-legged in the middle of the ring, finally serving MJF the conditions of their rematch.

The warring parties settle their beef in a dog collar match at Revolution, which couldn't be more perfect, given how well the gimmick ties into the entire feud. Starrcade 1983 brought the most iconic singles match of 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper's career, as he battled Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine in a grisly, ugly dog collar bout, dripping with a brand of violence that's almost impossible to recreate in today's wrestling landscape. With 'Hot Rod' referenced continually through the feud, including in Punk's masterful promo last night, it had to be this. It couldn't have been anything else.

And MJF's response to Punk was spot on, too. The man who often has far too much to say was rendered speechless. If he fancies himself "Piper in Portland", he must now prove it or die.

This was sensational stuff from Punk, one of the best weekly American television wrestlers working today, as he pulled from the past to weave something new - as has been the case this whole feud. An engaging diatribe with fantastic wordsmithery ("Will you be my Valentine?") from one of the best to ever do it, with great crowd investment, it couldn't have worked out any better.

And yet it wasn't even the best thing on the show.