8 Ups & 3 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Feb 17)

5. FTR Grind The Sydals Down

Dax Harwood Matt Sydal
AEW

FTR vs. Matt and Mike Sydal was a timeless pro wrestling story executed well: gritty hard-nosed grinders attempting to wear our a couple of high-flying opponents.

This is the kind of environment FTR excel in. Stifling the Sydals' superior speed and agility by getting in their faces and wearing them out, they were outfoxed by the nimble-footed babyfaces on several occasions but never outclassed. Dax and Cash were effective at clipping their opponents' wings before they could ever build enough momentum to look like they were going to win the match. This was no squash, though. The Sydals were as valiant as they needed to be and their comebacks were well-timed. Matt going two-on-one with FTR brought out one of the match's biggest highs as Mike (downed on the outside prior to this) flew in and made the save and while there was one top rope botch towards the end, it wasn't as disruptive as what happened in the TH2 match earlier on.

FTR's Big Rig on Mike scored the win, with the Sydals entering strong babyface performances that should result in future appearances together. Jurassic Express then stopped FTR from cutting Mike's hair after the bell. Luchasaurus (new mask and all) hit the ring with Marko Stunt and Jungle Boy, decking Dax and Cash, leading to the three-on-three match being booked for 3 March.

Tully Blanchard, at 67 years old, is going to wrestle Jurassic Express. Lord knows what that will look like, but that's the intrigue.

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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.