14 Ups & 1 Down From AEW Dynamite (Aug 22)

13. Starks Contrast

Ricky Starks Darby Allin Brian Cage
AEW

Ricky Starks coming out dressed as Darby Allin following the win over Will Hobbs was WWE-tier corny, though Ricky redeemed the segment by cutting a good promo after Taz's introduction, allowing Brian Cage to truck Allin from behind.

With Darby on the mat, Starks said he didn't need face paint to be a somebody. He's always going to be better than Allin in every single way and if life is a joke, Darby is the biggest joke on them all. Finally, the heels close the segment with a cruel, unnecessary two-on-one beatdown, leaving two potential singles matches on the table.

It initially looked like AEW were booking Cage vs. Allin, though Starks (through his work here and his great Dark promo this week) has arguably emerged as a more exciting opponent. Who says they can't do both?

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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.