7 Ups & 5 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Nov 11)

4. Dysfunctional Debut

Cody Rhodes Jade Cargill
AEW

A handful of positives to note with this segment:-

1. It was refreshing to see AEW dedicating significant screentime to a woman's debut on Dynamite. The framework of Jade Cargill's introduction was everything the scene has been missing since its inception: a focused, fleshed-out character spotlight and an immediate snapshot of the newcomer's personality.

2. Brandi Rhodes' promo. Hot fire.

3. Shaquille O'Neal isn't going to come to AEW and give you a four-star wrestling match, or whatever, but he's a huge, huge star whose appearance will make sense if it pops a number. There is no reason to believe it won't.

These plus points almost deserve a separate Up. Unfortunately, the segment's delivery was a little dysfunctional and clunky, dragging it down to this side of the ledger.

Cody Rhodes announced he won't be seeking a rematch with TNT Champion Darby Allin, but teased an MJF rematch. Cargill's interruption came out of nowhere, and not necessarily in a good way, though she has presence and physical charisma. Her "winning" the segment by smirking Brandi's promo off and angering her to close was the right move, though the execution of everything in between felt mechanical.

Plenty to build on here, and dovetailing straight into Cody, Darby, and Will Hobbs' issues with Team Taz was a nice touch, but the segment trundled along when it should have popped.

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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.