6 Ups & 1 Down From AEW Dark (Sep 8)

3. Brian Cage vs. Tony Donati

Brian Cage
AEW

This was Brian Cage's first Dark match since mid-July, when he smoked Brian Pillman Jr., and what a welcome return it was.

'The Machine' looks outstanding in these videogame maulings. Tony Donati (he of inexplicably fabulous entrance music) was the victim here and he barely got out of the gate, eating a German Suplex following Cage's opening flurry. His fightback was pitiful: Donati's strikes had no impact on big beefy Brian whatsoever, and the Team Taz man eventually put poor Tony away with a series of Powerbombs into his old Weapon X finisher.

Another dominant squash worked well, this was excellent for Cage.

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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.