2 Ups & 5 Downs From AEW Dark (Jan 14)

by Andy H Murray

1. A Fitting Tribute

AEW Tribute to Memphis Wrestling
AEW

Dark's Tribute to Legends of Memphis Wrestling was genuinely lovely stuff - and Dark was precisely the right spot for it. Put nostalgic tributes on your A-show and you risk backlash for taking TV time away from full-time wrestlers and their ongoing storylines. That's not so important on the B-show, especially on weeks like this, and AEW did a great job across the board.

Particularly heartening was Justin Roberts' running through who each person was and what they'd accomplished in the wrestling business, putting everything into context for younger viewers. It was a heartwarming trip through memory lane, the crowd were totally into it, and it's something that connects AEW to wider wrestling history. Here's hoping they do more of these when they pass through other territories.

Jimmy Valiant looks like he's still about that 'Boogie Woogie Man' life, the Rock 'N' Roll Express are still going strong in 2020, the Lance Russell shout-out was poignant, and it was lovely seeing Kevin Lawler representing his late brother, Brian Christopher. Only a heartless individual could take umbrage with what went down here.

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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.