6 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dynamite (1 Dec)

3. This Was Awkward

Lio Rush
AEW

AEW experimented with a couple of on-ramp segments last night, using the guest commentators to draw feud partners from the back and further ongoing storylines. Both attempts felt awkward - and actively disrupted the show's flow.

Lio Rush accosting Taz, Hook, and Powerhouse Hobbs lost steam as Taz continually butted in on Rush, interrupting his promo. From there, Lio struggled to sound as sure of himself as he usually does, meaning that even when Dante Martin and Ricky Starks emerged from the heel tunnel to taunt him, his assertion that he was going to fight like hell in the Dynamite Dozen Battle Royal didn't land.

This one stings, as the Lio Rush/Dante Martin/Team Taz saga is one of the best midcard stories in the company at the moment. Last night was one of the first examples of one of their segments failing to land. At least Rush and Team Taz's participation in the battle royal opens up lots of interesting possibilities next week, which will hopefully serve as a make-good.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.