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

3. FTR vs. The Initiative

FTR AEW
AEW

Peter Avalon and Brandon Cutler have now taken to calling themselves The Initiative, which seems fitting, given the spirited, semi-competitive defeats that have come their way in recent weeks. Here, they were served another by FTR.

FTR's first few AEW tags have seen them follow a blueprint similar to the Brain Busters of Tully Blanchard and Arn Anderson in that they typically eschew prolonged heat sequences for quicker tags and swings. Here, they worked more of a classic southern tag style, grinding Cutler down early on, using heel tactics to keep him isolated, building heat for Peter Avalon's tag. 'The Librarian' then came in and ran wild momentarily, only to be thwarted by FTR and pinned with the Mind Breaker.

Watching FTR flexing their mastery of classic tag team wrestling is always a treat, no matter the opposition, and Cutler and Avalon's high-effort performances are appreciated. Their first win is going to be big.

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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.