6 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (17 Aug)

Downs...

2. Poisoned By Positioning... Again

Toni Storm KiLynn King
AEW

Realistically, this point applies most weeks. AEW shoving its one women's match of the week in the pre-main event death spot is a common occurrence. It happens. These bouts aren't over, but much of this is down to the promotion not giving them a chance to get over.

Last night's instance felt particularly disappointing, though. What was supposed to be a heat-up match for Toni Storm ahead of All Out felt colder than the dark side of the moon. There was little to no investment for Storm or KiLynn King from a crowd waiting to see Kenny Omega for the first time in nine months. A few tepid chants aside, this good, solid television bout played out to near-silence - at least on television.

A less-than-thrilled Thunder Rosa watching on backstage as her friend marched towards title contention was scant development for what is supposed to be a World Championship. King, Storm, and Rosa were hung out to dry by the runsheet, here.

And if the person putting that runsheet together doesn't care, why should those watching the show?

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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.