8 Ups & 5 Downs From AEW Dark (Aug 18)

Downs...

5. Abadon vs. Red Velvet

Abadon AEW
AEW

Abadon has to be sold. An oft-repeated point in this column, admittedly, but it has to be said. If the character is treated as a regular wrestling gimmick and not a terrifying force of nature, it doesn't work - as was the case against Red Velvet.

This wasn't as egregious as KiLynn King's toughened-up defiance against Abadon the other week, though it was still harmful, as Velvet played cocky early on, continually worked openings, and had 'The Living Dead Girl' on the ropes a few times. Scooting away from Abadon as she crawled across the ring early on was the only time the victor's fear factor was put over. By the end, it was another 50/50 bout in which Abadon looked more like a standard wrestler with a unique aesthetic, not the horror show she was put across as when she mauled Anna Jay on Dynamite.

More dominance, please. The character demands it. Imagine The Undertaker selling extensively for local jobbers on WWF Superstars in 1993.

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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.