7 Ups & 4 Downs From AEW Dynamite: Quake By The Lake (10 Aug)

2. Ricky Starks... Runs Away?

Ricky Starks
AEW

Booking Ricky Starks vs. Aaron Solo was a fun nod to the former partners' past. Their shared history as Extra Talent-ed came into play through a backstage segment last week, with The Factory accosting Starks, trying to recruit him. This led to last night's match being booked.

And it was good. Starks was over as a babyface, commanding chants as he fought Solo's scouting and his Factory stablemates' skullduggery, eventually scoring the pinfall through an excellent finish. Solo had done enough homework to dodge the first spear but Ricky came right back, hit the ropes again, and blasted him.

The post-match, unfortunately, portrayed neither Starks nor new feud partner Powerhouse Hobbs in a flattering light.

Ricky literally ran away from The Factory, AEW's designated undercard enhancement stable. He was able to neutralise Nick Comoroto and Solo by throwing them into each other, then slipped away from QT Marshall and Anthony Ogogo, dashing up the bleachers. Meanwhile, a flustered Hobbs pulled a television off the wall backstage.

'Absolute' can't believably take on four men, particularly when one of those men, Ogogo, demands a degree of protection. Nonetheless, although he saved his hide, having Ricky flee a group of wrestlers that only ever wins on YouTube was a terrible look following his red-hot face turn. Hobbs, meanwhile, looks toothless. The situation demanded another Powerhouse beatdown, rather than the big man standing around helplessly.

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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.