8 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (30 June)

1. This Didn't Work

Nyla Rose Rebel Britt Baker
AEW

A curious idea from the moment it was conceived, Vickie Guerrero wrestling on last night's episode of Dynamite was theorised to be a cover-up for somebody else, particularly as Guerrero keeps hyping an incoming surprise. Perhaps a Thea Trinidad would have shown up and dispelled any concerns.

Nope. We got a straight-up wrestling match instead - and unfortunately, not an effective one.

This was an awkward, clunky match that dragged on entirely too long for a clash featuring two people essentially classified as non-wrestlers. Baker worked some good, evasive stuff in trying to avoid Rose early on, but somebody like Nyla should realistically be able to smash Rebel in a few seconds. She didn't, and her work opposite Baker couldn't compensate for the cumbersome Reba/Guerrero periods.

Rebel dislocating her knee while breaking a pinfall was an unfortunate byproduct of a bout that added little to an already struggling feud. Rose's promise to "soften Britt up" was only fulfilled after the bell, when Baker was put through a table, but by then it was too late.

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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.