4 Ups & 5 Downs From AEW Dark (May 19)

3. Hikaru Shida vs. Dani Jordyn

Jordyn taking the Burn Book from Mean Girls to the ring almost made this bout an Up on its own, but alas.

The layout betrayed Shida here. She worked well (when doesn't she?) and gave Jordyn plenty, but shouldn't have. The Japanese star challenges Women's Champion Nyla Rose at Double Or Nothing this weekend. That she's probably losing that match means she needs to look extra strong on Dark and Dynamite, yet she looked far from dominant here.

Assertive? Yes, but not dominant. Dominant title contenders don't go back-and-forth with enhancement wrestlers.

The layout is situational. No match on the show needed to be more one-sided than this one did, hence the Down.

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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.