11 Ups & 1 Down From AEW Dynamite (Jun 14 - Review)
Downs…
1. Wardlow Vs Jake Hager
AEW
In a pre-match hype video, TNT Champion Wardlow discussed the upcoming outing against Jake Hager as if it was the latest chapter in a legacy feud.
By the strictest definition he was correct, but chapters as inconsequential as this and some of the ones that came before it only feature in books nobody chooses to read. An odd call-back to long-gone time, this bit of matchmaking was only ever cute at best and Hager's limitations stood firm in the way of 'The Wardog's growth as a babyface in the years that passed.
This was dull and formulaic and would have been far better had Wardlow soundly defeated any number of dynamic talents backstage or, if looking for another monster, Big Bill. It was made no better for the post-match either. Christian Cage and Luchasaurus bloodied up Arn Anderson backstage just like they'd done to Brock seven days ago. Well, not just like it, 'Double A' looked actually bludgeoned rather than stained with a used teabag. The magnitude of the moment was plagued by some trademark sound and production issues and the creeping sense in the building that the programme already peaked at Double Or Nothing.
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
