Predictability in wrestling is often a good thing, but there's not a lot worse than the obvious twist when it comes at the expense of a cool babyface.
AEW had attempted - with partial success perhaps - to lead viewers away from thinking that Callis had in fact been setting up an alliance with Trent Beretta all along after he lost to Orange Cassidy yet again at Double Or Nothing. Trent said he was leaving, Callis looked elated at a result gone his way, and though it was still clear Cassidy wasn't going to sign on the dotted line, new questions were raised about just who it would be.
Instead, the payoff reverted the obvious twist, and was all the weaker for it. Cassidy should have clocked this possible threat weeks ago as everybody else did, and in kayfabe, why exactly would 'The Invisible Hand' spend weeks of his life on a flimsy misdirect just to bring a multi-time loser and choke artist into his ranks?
Folding in Kris Statlander for the reveal was at least economic use of television time, but more on her good night elsewhere.
Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett
