10 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Jan 22)

3. Decent Match, Duff Finish

A similar story to Baker vs. Kelly, here. Joey Janela vs. MJF was a solid little bout with 'The Salt of the Earth' very effective in his d*ckhead role as he poked 'The Bad Boy' in the eye and spat in his face, looking cold and uncaring as he infused his work with a genuinely vicious snap. For seven minutes it was good, good stuff... and then the finish happened.

Janela's old flame, Penelope Ford, marched out with Kip Sabian. The duo snogged each other's faces off to divert Joey's attention and that triggered the distraction finish, with MJF picking up the victory.

Sure, it advances the Janela/Sabian storyline and gives MJF a victory, and those with a higher tolerance for such tropes will forgive it, but this isn't the kind of finish we want to see in AEW. It'll only be a major problem if such finishes become the norm, but they're beyond tiresome. Let's not make them a habit.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.