7 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (11 May)

5. Jeff Hardy Out-Bombs Darby Allin

Darby Allin Jeff Hardy
AEW

No longer able to move around the ring like he used to, his body ground down through decades of working such a physically intense style, Jeff Hardy's matches need a compensatory effort from his opponents these days. Hardy still takes insane bumps and remains over as hell, but the space between his big bombs is wide open. It's understandable, a shame, and everything else, but noticeable.

Darby Allin was exactly the kind of dance partner he needs. More than willing to throw his body around to tell a story and ensure his opponent looks good, the former TNT Champion was insane here. Even beyond the obvious ladder dive, when he flew to the outside and onto Jeff (and a pile of stacked chairs), Allin was like a projectile at points, injecting most of the bout's energy.

Allin wasn't alone in bumping hard, though. Jeff took a wicked one to the ring steps after his younger opponent rolled away from the Swanton Bomb.

It was surprising to see Jeff win here, as Darby would have been amongst the favourites to hit the finals. Still, Hardy's triumph sets up a match with Adam Cole, which will then presumably lead to The Hardys vs. The Young Bucks, who joined the rest of the Undisputed Elite on the stage afterwards.

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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.