5 Ups & 3 Downs From AEW Dynamite (3 Aug)

1. Veterans Go Through The Motions

Christian Cage Matt Hardy
AEW

Christian Cage vs. Matt Hardy never felt right. The duo obviously have immense history, having shared a ring close to 200 times, but Hardy suddenly standing up and deciding he was a great Jungle Boy defender so quickly after feuding with him was never believable. Character transitions should come as a result of rewarding storytelling, not because a guy's super-popular brother has shown up and he has to be a babyface now.

Matt's declining physical capabilities made this a tough watch, too. It's understandable that Matt scarcely resembles a Hardy Boy anymore because he's 47 years old, has been doing this since 1992, and his body has a lot of wear and tear. Nobody expects him to work as he did in 2000. Nonetheless, watching him pacing around the ring after Christian Cage, losing his way during attempted takedowns, and struggling against his own limitations isn't much fun anymore.

Cage scored the victory after Matt flew through a table intended for Christian on the outside, then ate the Killswitch back inside. Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy (who tried to run Cage down earlier on) then saved Hardy from a ConChairTo. Cage fled, living up to JB's t-shirt in the process.

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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.