4 Ups & 6 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Jan 20)

3. Private Party Struggle To Convince

Matt Hardy Private Party
AEW

There was some nice symmetry to Private Party and Matt Hardy vs. Top Flight and Matt Sydal, with AEW's two high-flying up-and-coming tag teams recruiting an old master of the style, and the match at least had a clearly-defined face/heel dynamic, though the execution wasn't there.

Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy attempt to inject extra aggression into their work. They were slower and grindier at Hardy's behest, trading many of their adrenaline-pumping moments for a more methodical approach. Again, logical stuff if they're going to progress as heels, and this is an adaptation period. They're not going to nail it at the first attempt.

Unfortunately, this first villainous outing wasn't much fun to watch. Private Party don't look anywhere near as comfortable in this role as they do their usual style and while much of this is understandable, a subpar match is a subpar match. A handful of mistimed, poorly-coordinated spots contributed to this, as did the finish, with Hardy's referee distraction allowing Kassidy to use a chair on Dante Martin. Fine in a bubble, but Dynamite had three wonky finishes last night.

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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.