3 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dark (Mar 10)

In which weird goth stuff takes over AEW.

Abadon AEW
AEW

All Elite Wrestling's much-discussed "real sport feel" took an absolute pounding on last night's episode of Dark.

Yes, it's the B-show, but this still matters. That Dark isn't booked and presented to Dynamite's standards isn't a roadblock: it's still a product that AEW is piecing together, putting their name to, and sending it out into the world. These aren't dark matches despite the show's name. By that logic, WWE 205 Live would be a dark match show, so yes, this hour-long weekly should be open to constructive criticism.

Putting more established acts over defined enhancement wrestlers and newcomers was the aim last night, though AEW's efforts weren't entirely successful. Most of these bouts were well-performed. Still, a handful suffered from ineffective layouts, nullifying the victors' rub, though the show-closing angle was well-received and hit the right notes.

Jimmy Havoc and Hikaru Shida were in singles competition against a couple of newcomers. Elsewhere, Jurassic Express locked up with Kip Sabian and Peter Avalon in the opener, Private Party met Sonny Kiss and Brandon Cutler for the main event, Colt Cabana made an appearance, and Luther continued to be a menace.

Let's light the fuse...

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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.