6 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dark (Jul 14)

3. Shawn Dean, Will Hobbs and Joe Alonzo vs. The Dark Order (3, 4, and 5)

John Silver Shawn Dean
AEW

A match featuring the Dark Order's lowest-ranked wrestlers and three jobbers might look like a hard pass on first glance, though this was several levels above the web series' usual fodder. These six wrestlers went out and had a fun, indie-style match. All big bombs, fast exchanges, and quick tags, this was in and out at roughly ten minutes and genuinely fun to watch, with John Silver, Alex Reynolds, and Alan Angels working hard for their spot.

Most of the highlights came when big Will Hobbs was in the ring. While the Dark Order had little trouble with Shawn Dean and Joe Alonzo, Hobbs is a very large man indeed and only fell when the heels ganged up on him. He was allowed to showcase some great-looking power-based offense throughout and has definitely earned another shot with AEW in the future.

A flipping Destroyer DDT from Reynolds and Silver finished Alonzo off. The match was like swallowing a handful of Skittles: a sugar rush with little nutritional value.

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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.