8 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Nov 30 - Review)

1. The Elite Are Called The Elite For A Reason

The idea that the Elite and Death Triangle couldn't work a best-of-seven series was always preposterous, and they proved it within literally seconds.

The Elite attacked Death Triangle immediately, which made sense as an in-ring strategy. They are behind, desperate, and needed to get a win on the board. This sparked a wild brawl by the entrance set, from which PAC and Matt Jackson threw themselves to the floor. This was so immediately captivating that, in addition to crafting the match with its own identity distinct to their previous two encounters, the crowd weren't allowed any time to decide whether or not they wanted to chant for or against CM Punk. His name wasn't uttered. He was no distraction. The layout made certain of that.

They are called the Elite for a reason.

When the match hit the ring, it wasn't quite as pulsating as the first nor as outrageous as the second, but it was still very exciting underpinned with strong storytelling elements. Death Triangle proved over-reliant on the hammer, and the fractures within the unit continue to show, but, as expressed with a gorgeous triple moonsault to the outside, when they're in sync, they are totally formidable.

Weirdly, since they have the best chemistry out of every permutation of all six men, Nick Jackson and Rey Fénix almost got lost, which threatened to break the immersion.

The finish was excellent; Matt Jackson got his knees up to counter the Black Arrow as Kenny Omega, a details genius, frantically stopped himself from entering the ring lest Fénix push him into a save.

The decision to go 2-1 makes the next match far more interesting too, and the decision to take a break next week was also sound, since fans need to miss this to savour it.