9 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (15 Sep)

7. Allin Gets Past Spears

AEW has found a great role for Shawn Spears as a d*ckhead bully heel against the roster's sympathy magnets. He did a great job against Sammy Guevara a few weeks ago, more than holding up his end of the bargain in an elevatory win for his rival, and while last night's match with Darby Allin didn't quite hit the same gear, Spears deserves special commendation for his performance once more. The guy's a professional - and matches like this show why his peers love working with him so much.

Allin was battered early on. Trashbagged over the top rope after being smashed in the corner, he had his skull sandwiched between Spears' body and the ring steps. Seconds later, he crafted his own opening, dodging a running knee so that Shawns' exposed joint hit the steel, creating the weakness that led to the finish.

Spears' comeuppance for using water and a towel to was Allin's facepaint away came when Darby struck the knee on the top rope. A minute or so later, the Coffin Drop produced the pin.

A big heat angle followed, with FTR joining Tully Blanchard and Spears in a beatdown of Allin and Sting. Sting, 62 years old and with a history of spinal issues, ate a spike piledriver to set up next week's tag at Arthur Ashe Stadium. That's how you leverage real-life concerns into compelling pro wrestling drama.