4 Ups & 7 Downs From AEW Dark (Jun 16)

3. Shawn Spears vs. Lee Johnson

Yup. Too long.

Lee Johnson is a good little enhancement talent but he shouldn't have really given Shawn Spears any trouble here, particularly when you consider Spears' new storyline. He's got the black glove now, like Ted DiBiase's Mid-South heel run or Barry Windham in the Four Horsemen, with Tully Blanchard telling him to get his sh*t together. 'The Chairman' worked a more domineering style as a result and dwarfed his opponent physically, though the momentum could have been a lot more decisive in order to sell the new direction.

Spears didn't need to truck Johnson a la Lance Archer and did look meaner, keeping his match-ending Sharpshooter locked in a little too long. Dark doesn't generally get squash matches right, though. That's the problem.

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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.