9 Ups & 1 Down From AEW Dynamite: Holiday Bash

5. Awesome Repetition

Wardlow AEW
AEW

There was nothing fresh nor fancy about Wardlow Vs. Shawn Dean, but that was by astute design.

The fans are into Wardlow. The fans are being conditioned into being into Wardlow, which is the suggestive story playing out ahead of his full babyface turn and split from MJF. To further this story, the Greensboro fans were reminded why Wardlow rules with another awesomely basic multi-powerbomb assault. He killed Shawn Dean with four bombs, and after the first, quietly loving the crowd reaction, Wardlow - a genuinely great pro wrestling actor - subtly raised his eyebrow.

Shawn Spears again tried to discourage this crowd-pleasing bit, to Wardlow's muted resentment.

Nothing you've not seen before, but you want to see it again, which is the entire point.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!