10 Ups & 7 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Dec 11)

5. Telling Stories

Kip Sabian and Shawn Spears vs. Hangman Page and Kenny Omega was framed as something of an audition for 'Superbad.' Tully Blanchard appeared in an inset promo, claiming that Spears was teaming with Sabian to see if Kip had what it takes to join forces with his charge, forming the best tag team in the world.

The answer is "no," if this outcome is anything to go by.

The action here was fluid, fast, and fun, but the bout's real success came from advancing two storylines. The first and most obvious is Spears' feud with Joey Janela, which was pushed forward when the lights cut out then came back on, with 'The Bad Boy' tying Blanchard to a chair. This pulled Shawn from the ring and led to the finish. Omega hit Sabian with a Snapdragon and V-Trigger and seemed to have it wrapped up, having done the hard work, when Page tagged himself in, stealing the win after a Buckshot Lariat, furthering recent tensions between Hangman and the rest of the Elite.

AEW are working a slow-burning heel turn with Page, it seems, and the Janela/Spears feud still needs paying off. This was good stuff.

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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.