5 Ups & 1 Down From AEW Dark (Mar 24)

2. Jake Makes 'Em Hurt

Jake Hager smashed poor Joe Alonzo in about a minute, coming out of it looking like a dominant alpha-brute in the process.

Taking immediately control with a go-behind, 'The Big Hurt' started smashing Alonzo around, absorbing a low dropkick before nailing a wheelbarrow suplex with tremendous elevation. A Sammy Guevara cheapshot on the outside kept the villainy rolling before start slapping the jobber around, hit the Uranage into the head-and-arm triangle to choke Alonzo out, holding onto the hold after the bell, because duh.

"Jon Moxley better look over his shoulder for this man," said Excalibur on commentary. This, folks, is probably your next AEW World Championship bout, though Hager is likely still a win or two away from true contention. He looked a lot more impressive here than in the Dustin Rhodes clash, though.

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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.