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

by Andy H Murray

1. Brian Cage vs. Brian Pillman Jr.

Brian Pillman Jr
AEW

This Battle of the Brians was admittedly more of a mauling than a battle. Good, because it absolutely ruled.

Brian Cage is one of the best squashes in the business and Brian Pillman Jr. has been excellent in his two-week losing role, doing just enough to separate him from the show's other victims. Here, he bumped and sold like crazy. A few slippery moments allowed fleeting windows of offense as Pillman came back to life several times, but Cage kept cutting him off with his videogame power moves, bulldozing him all around ringside before eventually nailing the Drill Claw for the W.

Just total badassery from 'The Machine,' who looked exceptional once more. Some may have wanted Pillman to do more in his AEW sojourns but he isn't signed and may not be able to return with much regularity, so it's fine. Cage is the priority at the moment.

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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.