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

2. Torture Porn

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AEW

Dark's closing segment was a poorly-executed, rushed match-builder that felt like it came out of nowhere - and not in a good way.

The action cut backstage soon after Joey Janela and Jimmy Havoc had defeated Jurassic Express. Joey was hanging out, smoking a cigarette, when Tully Blanchard approached, scorning 'The Bad Boy' for their last interaction. This led to Shawn Spears jumping Janella, jamming a pair of pliers into his mouth, and seemingly targeting a tooth, then shoving the cigarette down his throat. End scene.

This is supposed to be a wrestling show, not a Saw movie, so why are Spears and Blanchard going around yanking teeth and making men swallow lit cigarettes? It's one thing using a staplegun or barbed wire skateboard in a hardcore match, but this? This is off. It doesn't work for a wrestling company that champions a real-sport feel and we can only hope that the eventual match between these two is better than the setup.

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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.