8 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dynamite (May 13)

2. Order Rising

Brodie Lee Christopher Daniels
AEW

Dustin Rhodes is the best in the world at playing the role of the doomed veteran babyface marching into an unwinnable fight against a straight-up beast but if 'The Natural' is on the S tier, Christopher Daniels is at least an A. He is great in this spot.

There's no better way to use the ageing, diminished 'Fallen Angel' than in this role. Him and Mr. Brodie Lee worked a lean, story-based match stemming from the heat of last week's beatdown, plus Lee's debut, in which the Dark Order's leader levelled CD. Daniels launched a frenzied attack on Lee but was under the hammer for much of it, absorbing a prolonged, controlled beatdown from the big man before launching into a failed comeback late on, his opponent kicking out of Angels Wings at one.

Lee was smiling after that. He knew he had Daniels beaten, no matter what the indie legend threw at him, and looked monstrous not only in shredding CD's finisher, but putting him away with the Discus Clothesline as well.

This match satisfied more for its excellent psychology than its workrate. It was everything it needed to be and more, giving Lee his most credible AEW victory yet.

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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.