4 Ups & 6 Downs From AEW Dynamite (12 Jan)

2. Filler Fluff

Penta El Zero Mieudo
AEW

Matt Hardy and Penta El Zero Miedo worked at a house show clip in another match thrown onto the card at the last minute.

Competing in his home state gave Hardy some crowd cache early on, though there was little reason for this to exist. Going through the motions, the duo worked a handful of signature spots, tried to give the match an edge by fighting on the apron, worked their trademark chants and taunts in, then got to the finish - Penta putting Hardy down via Fear Factor.

It was the right outcome, but the bout did nothing for either man. Penta gains little from defeating this slowed-down version of Hardy, even in his home state. If the goal was to give him a televised win, running through a Fuego Del Sol or Shawn Dean with minimal effort would have been more impactful ahead of the Malakai Black call-out.

Which we'll get to in the article's second half.

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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.