7 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (January 17 - Results & Review)

Ups...

7. Just OK

Gunns Gates Of Agony
AEW

Bullet Club Gold Vs. Mogul Embassy was fine, acting as a backdrop for a further tease of a 'Bang Bang Scissors Gang' stable alongside the Acclaimed, who neutralised the interference of Prince Nana to strengthen their pitch.

It was the sort of match nobody will ever remember but was decent enough in the moment. The Gates of Agony are a fun meathead team, and the Gunns are good flailing bumpers. That dynamic was just about inspired enough to stop you from reaching for a distraction on your phone. It was a touch more interesting watching Jay White play situational babyface.

It’s a role in which he's probably miscast, but he's a very intelligent wrestler, a key babyface attribute that might help him slide into the role. The fans enjoyed how he lulled Bishop Kaun into the Blade Runner for the finish.

The action wasn't spectacular, though the match was packed with it - but the idea of a juxtaposed babyface supergroup going up against a heel stable with no juice is the sort of convoluted move Tony Khan should leave in 2023.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!