8 Ups & 3 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Dec 9)

by Andy H Murray

1. Dynamite Diamond Drama

MJF Orange Cassidy
AEW

Speaking of things that could have been disastrous had they not been put together so meticulously, MJF vs. Orange Cassidy was great pro wrestling television.

This was pure theatre. An abundance of moving parts that would have felt cluttered in less skilled hands come together dramatically, with MJF punishing 'Freshly Squeezed' in a ruthless, cruel beatdown between the ropes, building to invigorating OC comebacks, while third parties circled on the outside.

The Inner Circle came off like a wild, unruly gang again, cheating to MJF's advantage whenever Bryce's back was turned. Their actions prompted a squad of babyfaces to leap the barricade and support the outnumbered Best Friends late on. When the inevitable big brawl broke out, an intense Miro rampaged out from the back, flattened Cassidy, and facilitated MJF's win, launching security guards from the stage as the show went off the air.

Trope laden, Sports Entertainment-style wrestling done well, but take nothing away from the wrestlers. Remove the window dressing and you'd still have a hateful, intense fight with well-spaced fightbacks and small joint manipulation that was paid off throughout.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.