3 Ups & 7 Downs From AEW Dark (Nov 5)

3. Water & Oil

Comedy has a place in All Elite Wrestling, but not like this. Shawn Spears vs. Michael Nakazawa stunk.

Imagine the least engaging house show action possible, meshed with an oily comedy spot. That's what this was. Coming in at almost nine minutes in length, it was basic, plodding action interspersed with Nakazawa's antics. The Japanese lube enthusiast slid out of a waistlock with his baby oil, forced Tully Blanchard to skitter off the apron, and had Spears falling on his arse as he dashed to the corner. At one point, he pulled off his jockstrap and tried to attack Shawn with it - and none of it conjured even the politest of laughs.

Thank the wrestling gods that this thing was on Dark, because it should never make it to Dynamite. This is the kind of nonsense that will turn casual fans away, not Orange Cassidy's effective work, and while Spears picked up a much-needed win over Nakazawa, that it took him so long undermined any credibility gained.

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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.