8 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (16 Feb)

Downs...

2. Cobra Kai Crossover Doesn't Land

John Kreese AEw
AEW

An AEW/Cobra Kai crossover isn't a fundamentally bad idea, given the cheeseball similarities in how wrestling and the cult Netflix series are presented, but last night's appearances from Martin Kove felt forced and tacked on.

Kove, who plays Cobra Kai alpha-villain John Kreese, was adopted by Britt Baker as her sensei. This materialised first through a backstage segment in which Baker tried to fire Mercedes Martinez up for her match with Thunder Rosa, then again later on, when Baker consulted with the ringside Kove before beating Rosa and Martinex down with the aid of Rebel and Jamie Hayter.

On both occasions, Baker felt not like a real, organic character operating in her natural environment, but somebody acting out a role on television. This is the last thing you want from pro wrestling. Suspension of disbelief requires interactions that feel real and organic, not artificial. In bowing to a fictional character and declaring him her sensei, Britt's actions felt fake, which isn't something you should be able to say about a character and performer of her power.

Coming off more like an excuse to get a Cobra Kai cameo on the show than anything else, this added no value to Dynamite.

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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.