7 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dark (Jul 21)

1. Hikaru Shida vs. Rache Chanel

Hikaru Shida Rache Chanel
AEW

Rache Chanel's AEW outings to date have offered nothing to suggest that she is even ready for a jobber spotlight, looking ungainly and graceless, particularly in singles action. She went up against one of AEW's finest carriers and the best wrestler in the women's division in Hikaru Shida. This offered glimmers of hope, as Shida has a track record of elevating lesser workers, though it didn't work out.

A played-out fashionista gimmick designed to shadow Chanel's in-ring weaknesses does the opposite, creating dopy spots like Rache locking Shida in the ropes so that she could brush her hair. Weird. Shida did the deal with the Falcon Arrow and took the W moments after.

Having the Women's Champion in there with Chanel devalues the division's top dog. This was no good.

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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.