7 Ups & 5 Downs From AEW Dark (Jul 28)

12 matches highlighting FTR, Lance Archer, Sammy Guevara, Orange Cassidy, and more.

Abadon AEW
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One hour and 52 minutes is too long for an episode of AEW Dark.

The usual criticism applies whenever Dark overstays its welcome: these matches are laid out almost identically, so it becomes laborious after the first few. 12?! That's taking the piss. It turns what should be a breezy experience into drudgery and while the majority of these bouts were fine in a vacuum, the whole was often undigestible. Greater variety is needed before such a runtime can be justified.

FTR, Scorpio Sky, multiple Dark Order sects, Orange Cassidy, Sammy Guevara, Abadon, and Lance Archer were amongst the wrestlers highlighted this week. Dark comprised mostly of typical AEW pseudo squashes broken up by more competitive tag bouts, all of which were appreciated.

Like last week, we simplify the process: anything listed as an Up is worth watching and everything marked under Downs should probably be avoided. Dark is about picking and choosing. Hardcore fans, the insane, people with too much time to kill, and professional reviewers are likely the only groups consuming the entire show every single week, so consider this column a guide on how to cherry-pick. You lose nothing by skipping the Downs.

Let's light the fuse...

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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.