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

2. Style Over Substance

Adam Cole vs. Jay Lethal was a visually impressive match with lots of slick exchanges and seamless counters. The work was as tight as you'd expect from this experienced pairing, whose years of history guarantees fluidity. The commentary team did an excellent job of unpacking said history, too, providing context for those who weren't there for Cole and Lethal's Ring of Honor years.

But the bout's problems were myriad. Lethal spent considerable time trying to grind Cole's knee down, which commentary put over. The psychology behind that is that it neutralises the boom. It takes away Cole's biggest weapon. Unfortunately, this thread was abandoned for fireworks, with Cole attempting the Boom no fewer than three times after this, then hitting a Panama Sunrise, the propulsion of which puts even more pressure on the knee.

None of this was sold.

Speaking of the Sunrise, we even got a kickout of that complete with NXT-branded shocked facial expressions. In a 10-minute television match. Such things often feel like overkill when done on pay-per-view, let alone a standard midcard television match.

Abandoning substance in the quest for style, the bout concluded on a distraction from reDRagon, allowing Cole to low-blow Lethal, because of course it did. Afterwards, Jurassic Express made the save when a fired-up 'Hangman' Adam Page answered Cole's promo demanding another World Title shot.

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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.