5 Ups & 8 Downs From AEW Dark (Aug 25)

6. Jake Hager vs. Marko Stunt

Jake Hager
AEW

Marko Stunt is a phenomenal squash match victim whose murder by Lance Archer's hand was one of the most memorable television matches of the year. Jake Hager, unfortunately, is sloth-like in his execution, leading to a largely unconvincing shellacking of the Jurassic Express man.

Where Archer was fierce, Hager was going through the motions. This has been the story of his AEW run thus far. He fizzed with life in his electric debut and the enhancement bouts preceding his AEW Title match, but disappointed against Dustin Rhodes, Jon Moxley, and Cody, barely slipping out of second gear. Here, he adopted a similar approach en route to beating Stunt.

Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus couldn't run Hager offer before he dealt further damage after the bell. Here's hoping the teased match with Luchausaurus works better.

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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.