12 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Mar 11)

5. Avoiding The Obvious

Lance Archer Jake Roberts
AEW

AEW appears to have learned something from the total flops that were the debuts of The Dark Order and The Butcher and the Blade. Rather than having Lance Archer charge out to destroy Cody out of nowhere, they held back, with Jake Roberts actively talking his man down from entering the fray. A smart move that not only builds anticipation for the eventual fight but also shows AEW isn't running the risk of the audience not reacting to these debutants because they don't know who they are, though Archer is a significantly bigger name than those who've previously played this role.

It was nice to see them avoiding the obvious finish in the opening bout as well. A distraction or disqualification following Archer's interference would've stunk, so we'll take this slick, low-key debut instead.

Besides, Lance still got the "holy sh*t" chants. It got over, it worked.

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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.