8 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (6 September - Review)

Chris Jericho thinks you are a "dipsh*t" for doubting him - and last night, he was correct.

by Michael Sidgwick
Swerve Strickland Hangman Page
AEW

Tony Khan, at the AEW All Out press scrum, was asked about PPV builds, since more than one in recent memory has fallen well short of expectations and the all-important sense of anticipation. He talked about the need for "maintenance" shows and the basic, solid requirement of building stars through wins and not burning through hot angles and fiery go-home promos.

He had a point. Developments must escalate slowly to reach an earned crescendo at the right moment. Sometimes, episodic wrestling must be predictable or even a bit boring.

This Wednesday was not the time for that.

AEW produces 260 hours of major cable television every week. The new company line - "You complained about the build, but the PPV was great, stupid!" - is not good enough. AEW has proven itself capable of telling some of the best long-term, emotionally resonant stories in modern wrestling history. Some of the best promos of their generation and of all time are on that roster, and they spend more time brawling with two stables at once than articulating a believable, intense grudge.

AEW got a second chance at All Out '23. A seminal pay-per-view, coupled with the closure of CM Punk's final exit, convinced fans that they can once again invest in the fiction with no shadow looming over it.

Was the fiction good enough last night?

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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 surefire Undisputed WWE Universal 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!