9 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Jan 27)

Downs...

2. Nemeth Underwhelms Against Page

It's not often that AEW books debuting wrestlers opposite big stars in a considerable Dynamite spotlight, but that's what happened with Ryan Nemeth. Rather than taking the usual Dark route, Dolph Ziggler's got promo time on Road To earlier in the week, worked Hangman Page, and got an opportunity to show who he is, even in defeat.

This was a dry match, unfortunately. 'The Hollywood Hunk' (hell of a nickname) came off appropriately cocky and looked fundamentally sound, though there was little flavour to his control segments and his heel work felt a little by the book. Props for pulling off a Rude Awakening, and perhaps he has more tools at his disposal than he was able to demonstrate last night, but this was flat.

Page blasted back with flurries of lariats and clothesline, eventually downing Nemeth with the Buckshot. Matt Hardy had been watching on from ringside. He took the mic and tried to worm his way into 'The Anxious Millennial Cowboy's' head afterwards, inviting him to join him in his locker-room after being burned by The Elite and conflicted by Dark Order. Another villain to try and lead Page astray, then.