9 Ups & 1 Down From AEW Dynamite (8 Sep)

7. Powerhouse Grounds Martin

Dante Martin Powerhouse Hobbs
AEW

Powerhouse Hobbs quietly climbed to number two in the men's singles rankings this week. Team Taz's bruiser has become a legitimate title contender after last week's win over Brian Cage and a hot run of form on YouTube shows, and his charge gathered further pace as he put Dante Martin down last night.

This was a well-played clash of styles. Martin's arsenal of springboards, dashes, and dives helped him stay away from Hobbs' clutches at times. He provided many of the bout's highlight moments, with his high-arcing missile shotgun dropkick particularly impressive, but Hobbs caught the eye himself. Catching Dante halfway through the ropes on an attempted dive, he smashed him into the ring post in unorthodox fashion, then got incredible air on the match-ending Spinebuster that finally put the Top Flight man down.

Dante continues to impress as an up-and-coming prospect. The time to push him will come later on. For now, Hobbs is clearly ascendant, with the TNT Title perhaps in his sights. It's a welcome push for a fresh face who has developed immensely during his time in AEW.

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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.