6 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dark (Dec 8)

2. The Varsity Blondes Level Up

Varsity Blondes Alex Reynolds
AEW

Last week's Dark Ups & Downs article called for the Varsity Blondes to evolve as an act. Here, they did just that, with Griff Garrison and Brian Pillman Jr. not only getting a new team name, but fresh attire and a theme as well, before entering a slick performance against The Dark Order's Colt Cabana and Alex Reynolds.

Garrison and BPJ worked with greater expression here. Their personalities shone through, particularly when they were in control, and they felt a lot more together as an act. The retro aesthetic and Hollywood Blondes call-backs make sense, given Brian Pillman Sr.'s spot in the fourth incarnation of that team, and the duo scored a nice, elevatory win over Reynolds and Cabana via Doomsday Blockbuster.

A show-closing promo with Alex Marvez positioned the Blondes as babyface underdogs ahead of tonight's match with FTR. "What we lack in experience, we make up for with varsity athletics and some damn good genetics," said Pillman Jr., which is a nice, catchy line.

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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.