12 Ups & 5 Downs From AEW Full Gear

Downs...

5. Brandi & Kong Take A Scalp

The ongoing Brandi Rhodes Is A Mad Goth Now saga rumbled on after Britt Baker vs. Bea Priestley, with AEW's Chief Brand Officer leading her charge, Awesome Kong, to the ring decked out in a big goth dress to big goth music and big goth lightning, with Kong destroying the defeated Priestley with a spinning backfist and Implant Buster, then slicing off a lock of her hair to add to a belt full of similar samples.

Rhodes is a fine valet and her managing Kong makes sense, but this change of direction isn't resonating so far. The warm, affable businesswoman who presents a cooking show from her home kitchen has become an obsessive wackjob overnight. She's charismatic enough to make it work long-term, but for now, it's not having the desired effect.

Brandi's new character needed more time. The switch needed to be a gradual one to get over early, and AEW now face an uphill battle to right the course.

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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.