5 Ups & 5 Downs From AEW Dynamite (25 May)

1. Britt Baker vs. Toni Storm Falls Apart

Britt Baker
AEW

Britt Baker and Toni Storm's Owen Hart Cup semi-final went off the rails well before its contrived finish.

This, unfortunately, was a particularly cumbersome performance from Baker, who, for all the excellent work she has delivered over the years, is still a better character than a pure wrestler. She looked sluggish here, her work mere whispers of violence. So weak were her attempts at smashing Storm's head into the apron that Toni looked like she was throwing her own skull down. Prior to this, Baker shoving Storm into the post scarcely generated enough pace to shift a moth, let alone a human being.

The clumsy finish compounded a rough match that should have been considerably better. Jamie Hayter pulled two distractions, the second of which led to the end, with a sloppy roll-up assisted by Britt grabbing the ropes putting Toni away.

Storm had promised hell if Baker and her cronies screwed her out of victory. A good story beat for sure, though this first outing did little to build anticipation for a rematch.

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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.