8 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dark (Nov 26)

6. Kong Crushes Bates

AWesome Kong Brandi Rhodes Leva Bates
AEW

Awesome Kong vs. Leva Bates was preceded by a typically rubbish Peter Avalon promo (to the defenders: "deliberately rubbish" is still "rubbish"), but the match itself was everything it needed to be.

Leva attempted to distract Kong with a book then strike her early. This was totally ineffective. Bates ate a blow, a spinning backfist, and Kong's Soul Collector finisher, with the whole thing wrapped in under a minute. Afterwards, the former TNA standout and Brandi Rhodes took a lock of Leva's hair for their growing collection.

Nobody could have wanted or expected anything more from this, with Kong and Bates perfectly positioned as monster and jobber respectively. A good job all-round.

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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.