12 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Feb 5)

2. Where Was The DQ? Where Was The Heat?

Penelope Ford Joey Janela
AEW

There was plenty of objectively decent stuff about Kip Sabian vs. Joey Janela. The match had a well-defined face vs. heel dynamic, a functional storyline with Penelope Ford, and the work was mostly solid. Parts of it were totally fine.

But it didn't get over. The crowd were only into it for fleeting moments. We got a muted "Joey! Joey! Joey!" chant here and there, but not a whole lot else, and if an entertainer's goal is to engage their audience, this has to be a Down.

Besides, Sabian should've been disqualified. One really sloppy moment saw Ford ram Janela's head into the ring steps while the referee was right beside her! A third party put their hands on a wrestler, which is as clear a disqualification as you'll see, yet the bout rumbled on and Kip ended up winning with a handful of tights.

The feud rolls on. Here's hoping the follow-up has more heat and sharper officiating.

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.