9 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (5 Oct)

by Michael Sidgwick

1. Still, Damn Fine Main Event

Chris Jericho Bryan Danielson
AEW

Curious result aside, the main event was damn fine and deserves praise for its storytelling and in-ring performances.

Sammy Guevara, ironically, was on bravura form. He knew when to perform at his dazzling best and, even better, when to show ass when he was undone in his attempts to be a pr*ck. Bryan Danielson chopping him to death was deeply cathartic. Daniel Garcia flexing his pure wrestling ability over Chris Jericho was a choice narrative thread, and the finish - indicating that it was all for nought - was a gripping twist in the ongoing story.

In totality, this was a blistering, multi-layered match that most people have forgotten about.

The wrestling is the most important part of the wrestling show, incredibly enough.

It's time AEW gets back to it on a full-time basis; if every show was as good as 95% of this one was, the battle for perception will be won.

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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 current Undisputed WWE 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!