1 Up & 5 Downs From AEW Dark (Jan 28)

3. Sabian & Marshall Stumble Through

Kip Sabian QT Marshall
AEW

QT Marshall isn't an elite worker. This is fine in matches like his recent dalliances with MJF and The Butcher and The Blade because it's part of his charm. You're watching this overmatched undercard guy go balls to the wall because you know that he knows he's out of his element, but he fights on regardless. It's an easy story to get behind and one that has helped make Marshall a sentimental undercard favourite in recent months.

This doesn't work opposite wrestlers like Kip Sabian, against whom QT becomes Just A Guy. Rather than coming off as a spirited underdog pushing himself far beyond his limits, without that urgency and energy, Marshall was faceless. He works well in the face of certain doom, scrapping for his life, but it doesn't click against less threatening wrestlers like Sabian. 'Superbad' is fine, but "fine" doesn't help situations like this.

Sabian taking the victory was the right result and the match itself wasn't awful; just subpar. Such is life on Dark.

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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.