3 Ups & 6 Downs From AEW Dark (Dec 10)

2. Protect The Referees

Aubrey Edwards
AEW

Aubrey Edwards is a well-respected referee and a great performer, yet one that's frequently made to look dumb in where she should be assertive and authoritative.

We saw this with Kip Sabian vs. Kenny Omega last night. Penelope Ford interfered in the match multiple times, going as far as putting her hands on 'The Best Bout Machine,' with several incidents going down before Edwards' very eyes. What did the official do? Next to nothing. She pointed her finger and let the shenanigans continue under her watch, stretching the concept of "referee's discretion" to its limit.

AEW must start doing more to protect the referees and their credibility. They have very little authority when heels are allowed to get away with such blatant f*ckery, undermining their rules and the role they play in preserving them. Definitely something for the promotion to start working on immediately, because they hung Edwards out to dry 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.