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

8. The Different Pacing

AEW set
AEW

Last night's Dynamite was paced much more like an episode of NXT than typical AEW fare, only with greater variety between the ropes (something you can't always say about this promotion), and it was welcome.

Watching similarly structured shows every single week gets tiresome. One of the main reasons why Raw and SmackDown sometimes feel like slogs to get through is because they rarely switch their format. When they do, it's a breath of fresh air. AEW has been careful to avoid such problems thus far and last night was another example of that, with Dynamite's two hours flying by as a result.

Heavy on in-ring action and low on big angles and promos, this show (Janela vs. MJF aside) was more focused on the oft-criticised "real-sport feel" than anything else. Wins and losses do matter on nights like this, even if there has been plenty of nights where it feels like they don't.

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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.