7 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (2 Mar)

6. Wardlow Gets Put In His Place... Again

Shawn Spears Wardlow
AEW

Speaking of AEW storylines that aren't attracting enough praise, here's Wardlow and The Pinnacle.

Underrated pro wrestling uber goober Shawn Spears watched on with disapproval as Wardlow dispatched Cezar Bononi with a simple three-powerbomb Symphony. Afterwards, when Wardlow pulled his steel chair away on the backswing, Spears recognised he'd made a gigantic error by getting in his stablemate's face, flashing the perfect "oh f*ck" expression before backing down.

This would have been enough to keep the story moving on its own, but things progress backstage as well. Fresh off bloodying CM Punk, MJF told Wardlow that if he won the TNT Title, he'd allow him to keep it. Wardlow's "I'm too busy making sure you always win" drew a slap from his employer and another dressing down, with MJF promising to put him and his family out on the streets.

Perhaps the biggest escalation of the MJF/Wardlow split so far, this amplified one of the most interesting character dynamics in the promotion at the moment. The big blow-up is on track to be huge. With the right execution, it'll make a babyface star of Wardlow.

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Channel Manager
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.