Wednesday Night Fight

TRIBUTE TO BRODIE LEE

AEW faced perhaps the ultimate challenge on December 30: how to say goodbye to one of the industry’s top stars and present two hours of compelling wrestling action while grieving family members are on hand and a mournful locker room tries to recover. And, oh, do this on live television with very little notice.

Tony Khan and Cody Rhodes led the effort to meet the challenge magnificently, revealing the heart, soul, and values of the young company during a heart-wrenching time. The episode drew comparisons to the May 24,, a two-hour tribute to Owen Hart, who had fallen more than 70 feet to his death at a WWF pay-per-view the previous night.