7 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (18 Jan - Review)

Downs...

2. Ricky Starks vs. Jake Hager (And Assorted Shenanigans)

Ricky Starks Jake Hager
AEW

Ricky Starks vs. Jake Hager didn't overstay its welcome, running only a few minutes outwith the picture-in-picture ad break, and they got the obligatory hat spot out of the way. 'Absolute' entered a solid performance, too, though this six-minute clash was hampered by a sluggish Hager control portion and a post-match with one development too many.

Starks escaped through the crowd before Daniel Garcia and Sammy Guevara could jump him. Later, the Jericho Appreciation Society cut a promo confirming Starks and Action Andretti vs. Guevara and Jericho for next week. Rather than keeping it simple, AEW instead added a stipulation to Garcia and Andretti's Rampage match. If Danny wins, he partners Jericho, not Guevara - and will do so wearing new leather gear gifted by Guevara.

This feud is unfortunately going in the direction of many Jericho Appreciation Society feuds before it. Meandering, time-consuming steps are being taken that may leave Starks no stronger than when he started. Perhaps he should share experiences with Eddie Kingston.

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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.