9 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (May 19)

2. Stolen Shoes Blues

Matt Jackson Julia Hart
AEW

Julia Hart is a great addition to the Varsity Blonds. Who else are you going to pair with the college-aesthetic tag team than somebody working a cheerleader character, having excelled in the field as a national award-winner? A perfect fit.

And a great sympathy magnet, too. We saw that here, as Matt Jackson sprayed Hart's eyes ahead of a well-played finish that culminated in The Young Bucks winning when Brian Pillman Jr. was hit by a springboard facebuster while trapped in an agonising Sharpshooter.

This felt like a coming-out party for the Varsity Blonds. Pillman Jr. and Griff Garrison have been on the radar as a promising tandem for months now, but hadn't quite broken through the undercard. They were fantastic here. As good as The Young Bucks were as controlling d*ckhead champions, the Blonds' babyface fire was just as crucial to the match, particularly on Garrison's first hot tag following a prolonged beatdown on his partner. Griff threw himself around the ring at 100mph, entering a strong babyface performer.

Eddie Kingston and Jon Moxley attacked post-match, beating the Bucks down and stealing their expensive shoes. It's great for the Blonds to be in the orbit of these teams. They'll have to wait for their big opportunity, given how stacked the division is, but they're on the right path - and how can you not root for Brian Pillman Jr. after Dark Side of the Ring?

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

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.