5 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dynamite (23 Mar)

3. Diminishing Returns

Speaking of things AEW has done one too many times, Red Velvet and Leyla Hirsch wrestled again on last night's Dynamite, continuing a feud that started on Dark and is now effectively entering its fourth month.

The match wasn't over as a result of this. Velvet and Hirsch got little from a crowd tried of variations of this pairing hitting the ring in a storyline that could have been wrapped up weeks ago. That they struggled for cohesion between the ropes didn't help, despite the match getting a hot start with Hirsch knocking Velvet off the apron while she was doing her entrance taunt.

The finish, admittedly, was clever, with Hirsch using one turnbuckle as a red herring to distract the referee before pulling another from her trunks, clocking Velvet. That this storyline will yield an overdue overhaul in the excellent Kris Statlander's character is another supplement Up. Still, AEW has done a poor job of building reasons to invest in these talented people and their storyline issues.

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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.