6 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dark (Aug 4)

Easily the best Dark in months, thanks, primarily, to Scorpio Sky.

The Butcher and The Blade
AEW

Last night's AEW Dark was one of the web series' finest offerings in months, as the runtime was trimmed to a relatively lean 69 minutes (nice) and there was enough repetition in the bouts to avoid the complaints kicking in. It was a fun, light, and breezy watch for the most part, which is what Dark should be every week, offering a fine blend of competitive matches and more straightforward squashes.

Taz and Tony Schiavone were in particularly fine form in the announce booth. The duo were popping each other from the very first match and kept things light-hearted throughout, whether they were calling the action or gently ribbing each other. Their chemistry is such that it feels like they've been working together for decades, not months, and with so many modern wrestling companies getting commentary so wrong these days, having announcers of this calibre is a joy.

Scorpio Sky, Private Party, FTR, Abadon, Joey Janela, and Sony Kiss were amongst those highlighted this time. The usual Dark system applies: an Up is worth watching, a Down isn't unless you're strongly invested in one of the participants.

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.