12 Ups & 0 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Jul 22)

by Andy H Murray

1. Talent, Enhanced

Falls Count Anywhere
AEW

The Butcher and The Blade are not a perfect tag team. Blade is a tenured, experienced wrestler and a very solid all-rounder, while Butcher has an incredible look, throws a mean lariat, and is evolving as a powerhouse. His lack of seasoning sometimes shines through on national television, however, and that's understandable. The guy's four years between the ropes have yielded only 74 matches (per Cagematch).

And yet AEW continually find ways to make these guys look absolutely great. This is one of the promotion's biggest strengths. Unfinished and unseasoned performers are regularly elevated through careful presentation, with last night's Falls Count Anywhere bout doing it for Butcher and Blade.

A unique start saw The Young Bucks hunting their foes down backstage, finding them chopping up meat in the kitchen. The brawl erupted after Butcher and Blade demonstrated excellent hygiene by washing their hands after the meal prep. A wild, unruly, Attitude Era brawl followed, touching shades of classic Memphis wrestling as it spilled into the concourse. Spots were aplenty (Blade getting Superkicked onto an escalator was particularly great) but not at the expense of heat: it felt like these teams were legitimately trying to punish each other, even when Matt Jackson flipped out of a truck, and that's what it's all about.

Dual dives from the entrance tunnels through tables put The Butcher and The Blade away. Once again, The Young Bucks showed their value by helping a lower-ranked tandem hit the next level. Anyone claiming they're in this for the vanity is full of it.

Advertisement
Channel Manager
Channel Manager

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.