10 Ups & 0 Downs From AEW Dynamite (25 Jan - Review)

2. The Enemy Within?

Britt Baker
AEW

There was quite a bit to like about the bulk of the work on show between Ruby Soho and Toni Storm before an ending that was destined to leave a sour taste in the mouths of many.

Storm was snug as always, and though it's slightly disheartening to have to boo her following the amazing graft she put in to salvaging the division in 2022, she's just as good in the role as she was as a babyface. Soho's feeling like a wrestler reborn after her return from injury too, and her clear alignment in the bigger picture being clarified via this singles match suggested there's more to come.

There's no escaping how poorly this finish scans in the moment. For the start of yet another storyline predicated by the ills of one style of wrestling versus the magic of one fostered within AEW, a music distraction conclusion chokes on the cake its trying to have and eat.

But this company has worked hard for its "let it play out" privileges. If anybody feels as though they'll use the turf war as a way to forward their own gains, it's Britt Baker. This was as non-committal a commitment to the Homegrowns as she could have executed here, but it's enough to fool the other babyfaces and especially Women's Champion Jamie Hayter, should she choose to reveal that she's no friend at all when the moment benefits her most.

And who are we to doubt him?

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett