8 Ups & 3 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Sep 23)

1. A Stumbling Challenge

Matt Hardy
AEW

Matt Hardy wasn't on the ball last night.

Something was off with the tag wrestling legend, who stumbled over his words several times in what could have been a solid babyface promo on Chris Jericho. This came following the previous week's backstage ambush. Clearly, Jericho and Jake Hager were behind this, seeking an advantage ahead of their match with Private Party, and Hardy called the Inner Circle tandem out after running the audience through his deduction process.

Jericho was comfortably the most entertaining part of the segment. He reintroduced the returning Sammy Guevara and denied Hardy's allegations, saying if he was going to take him out, he'd do it face to face. Matt, who hasn't been cleared, wanted to fight there and then, but both members of Private Party interjected, leading to Isiah Kassidy promising to make Chris Jericho his "'Le Champion' bitch."

Neither Kassidy nor Marq Quen sounded too comfortable on the microphone here, compounding Hardy's dysfunction. A rare misstep from the veteran, whose return promo was excellent the other week, though Kassidy vs. Jericho should be a lot of fun.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. 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.