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

1. Real Sport(s Entertainment) Feel

Kenny Omega Kip Sabian
AEW

Kenny Omega vs. Kip Sabian was Dark's best match from a workrate perspective, with 'Superbad' good in his role as a decent, athletic heel, and his opponent as strong as one would expect, despite barely breaking out of third gear.

Fundamentally, it was sound, but like Jurassic Express vs. Alex Reynolds and John Silver, the layout was problematic.

This was a full-on Sports Entertainment interference-fest. Penelope Ford was all over the bout, imposing herself on it time and time again, and it got tiresome towards the end. There were far too many shortcuts and it didn't feel like they were generating sufficient heat to justify their frequency, leaving this viewer feeling hollow by the time Kenny secured the pin.

Cheating was always going to be Sabian's easiest avenue to victory, but there needs to be some restraint. Bouts like this don't feel right for this promotion. The "real sport feel" needs to be put over, even on the B-show, as this was way too overbooked to fit the remit.

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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.