12 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dynamite: Bash At The Beach (Jan 15)

Downs...

4. Recruitment Drive

Dark Order Man
AEW

This week's Dark Order segment saw their motivational speaker/spin doctor stood on a darkened room, presenting an update on the group's ongoing recruitment drive to their apparent "Exalted One." Michael Nakazawa, Brandon Cutler, Kenny Omega, and Hangman Page were amongst their targets, with the Order taking additional steps to acquire them, but while the first two make sense (the group are all about taking advantage of down-on-their-luck losers), Omega and Page? Really? These guys just earned a Tag Team Title shot. They don't fit the group's remit.

A well-produced segment here, but the act is done. Stick a fork in it. "The Exalted One' speaking on a goofy B-movie EVIL VILLAIN PERSON voice didn't help matters either and while last year's indoctrination vignettes were decent, the damage done to The Dark Order in recent angles has now rendered their position untenable.

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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.