5 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dark (Aug 11)

1. Kip Sabian vs. Michael Stevens

Kip Sabian Penelope Ford
AEW

Avoid this at all costs. Jesus, what a shambles.

Michael Stevens walked out, exhibiting what could have been a fun, flamboyant character against a traditional Sports Entertainment heel in Kip Sabian. His entrance was the best part of his performance. Between flirting with Penelope Ford and strutting across the ring, the guy was all over the place. His comebacks revolved around him generating power by waving his crotch around, his work was incredibly sloppy, nothing he did had snap or pop, and his timing was off as well.

Sabian had to work around his subpar opponent rather than with him, eventually bringing the bout to a sweet, merciful end with his rope-hanging twisting neckbreaker. If this was an off night for Stevens, it was very off. Out of his depth, dysfunctional, and genuinely hard to watch, he looked like he didn't belong.

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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.