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

2. Santana & Ortiz vs. SoCal Uncensored vs. Private Party

Santana Ortiz
AEW

A proper main event with three well-known tag teams? That doesn't sound very Dark, but it's what we got last night - and it was good. Hooray!

This was a sound way to build momentum for one of three teams looking to climb the ladder in the title picture. AEW went with Santana and Ortiz, which was the right choice. These guys are genuinely one of the best duos on the planet yet they've barely come close to sniffing the gold, so hopefully their victory earmarks the beginning of a longer, more sustained push, moving the duo away from goofy comedy.

Big Money Matt Hardy was at ringside, fanning himself with stacks of cash while his boys, Private Party, worked their usual flashy style, even pulling off a Hardy Boyz-style leg drop/splash combo. Marq Quen ended up taking the fall, though. Santana and Ortiz stole it when Santana distracted the referee, Oritz threw the Madball at Quen, and the official confiscated it. The distraction allowed a nutshot and the cradle.

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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.