5 Ups & 6 Downs From AEW Dynamite (25 Aug)

4. Malakai's Murder Doesn't Land

Brock Anderson was supposed to play Dustin Rhodes on last night's Dynamite, slotting into a losing role the veteran has played so many times to incredible effect throughout his career. Though he was doomed, he'd march into the mouth of hell regardless, willing to go out on his shield if it meant standing up for what he thinks is right.

It's a shame, then, that despite everyone's best efforts (including Arn Anderson, who cuts a tremendous concerned father figure), this didn't land.

Malakai Black hit the ring through his tortured sludge metal maelstrom, looking to inflict ungodly punishment on the Nightmare Family's lamb. Though he landed some stiff shots, this never felt like a brutal, ugly shellacking. The beatdown never became an onslaught, so when Arn reached for the towel early in the match (and Black begged him to throw it in), it didn't feel earned.

The post-match was equally flat. Milwaukee wasn't familiar enough with Lee Johnson and his entrance music to pop for his arrival, as he arrived on the scene to save Arn and Brock from further punishment and drive Malakai from the ring. It's a logical next step, sure, but a misread in terms of how the crowd would react.

Furthermore, Lee Johnson is a good up-and-coming wrestler, but he's also 17-36. Why would Malakai Black flee from him?