8 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (8 Dec)

1. Bucks & CHAOS Take Their Time

Young Bucks
AEW

The Young Bucks vs. Chaos was well-worked - but not well-paced.

16 minutes was too long for a bout that took ages to get to its point. Struggling for dynamism, the wrestlers cruised their way through stodgy opening exchanges that led to a second act that dragged and dragged and dragged while the Bucks worked the heat. They got there in the end, with the closing stretch's momentum swings drawing more energy from the crowd at the right moments, but the action would've been a lot more satisfying had the fatty mid-section been trimmed.

Nick Jackson sold the ankle for much of this bout, continuing to put over the hellish impact of Full Gear's falls count anywhere bout. That was appreciated, as was Rocky's fire towards the end, but the wrestlers waiting around without weaving an in-ring story compelling enough to compensate for the bloat wasn't much fun at all.

As for the comeback? More on that later.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.