5 Ups & 6 Downs From AEW Dark (Sep 22)

Another show, another must-see Ben Carter match. This is becoming a habit.

Eddie Kingston Lucha Brothers
AEW

AEW Dark was thrust into the unfortunate position of being the second most interesting show on a night that saw the promotion release the one-hour Late Night Dynamite special just after midnight. This was a pre-emptive measure to combat an NBA playoff series between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers potentially going to a seventh game, and yielded a fun, breezy hour of wrestling on TNT, highlighted by Ben Carter further establishing himself as a can't-miss prospect.

Mr. Carter was on fire again here, albeit on an entirely different show.

This was a sluggish episode of Dark. One could probably glean this from looking at the 11-match card and 90-minute runtime alone, though this one was extra stodgy, with little to differentiate most of the squashes. Cherrypicking is therefore essential on a show designed to highlight Ricky Starks, Eddie Kingston (and his entire stable), two Dark Order tag teams, Serena Deeb, and more.

A reminder of the usual Dark Ups and Downs system: an Up is worth watching regardless of investment levels, while a Down should only be checked out if you're into the spotlighted performer. Let's light the fuse...

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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.