6 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dynamite (17 May - Review)
Downs…
4. Wardlow & Christian Spit Fire, Stipulation Douses Flames
It was disgustingly in-character of Christian Cage to promote that he was coming to Dynamite to spit in Wardlow's face, and equally believable that the TNT Champion wasn't prepared to hang around and wait for such a gross fate.
As such, the talking segment between the two made narrative sense and played out to a hot and receptive crowd, proving yet again that the injection of Arn Anderson to Wardlow's act might have been one Tony Khan's greatest Hail Mary passes and Christian Cage is one of the most valuable players on any team.
The quickie build has been effective, but Wardlow's promo later in the show laying the challenge down for a Ladder Match was disheartening. The stipulation feels more of a curse than a blessing in 2023, with climbing contests and needlessly intensified danger taking away from what stood the chance of being a uniquely poised singles match. Cage's experience with the gimmick might enhance the rub he'll give Wardlow in defeat, but his dark arts in-ring genius could have achieved that too.