9 Ups & 3 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Apr 15)

2. A Massive Tonal Shift

Jon Moxley
AEW

AEW went for a different style of presentation with Jake Hager vs. Jon Moxley, which was reportedly recorded several weeks ago in Jacksonville. Jim Ross came in as a solo commentator, replacing Chris Jericho and Tony Schiavone, and without Marko Stunt and the Gunn Club making enough noise for a dozen men in Georgia, Dynamite suddenly felt dead. That's how sharp the change was.

Going for a solo commentator was a mistake. Ross tried, but couldn't fill the gaps on his own. The result was a match full of long, awkward silences, making its colossal 30-minute runtime feel like double that, which isn't even a criticism of J.R. - it's hard to imagine anyone else faring better in the situation.

A weird viewing experience for a show that was rolling along nicely prior to the main event, worsened by the bout itself...

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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.