9 Ups & 3 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Apr 22)

1. Clipped-Winged Angel

Kenny Omega Alan Angels
AEW

The problem with Kenny Omega's singles presentation in AEW is that the promotion has taken him for granted, expected viewers to invest in him as a top guy from day one, and not gone out of their way to present him as special in any way.

These concerns were largely assuaged through the awesome tag run with Hangman Page, but they're back again. Last night saw him go back-and-forth with an overmatched Alan Angels for six minutes. Six minutes! That's entirely too long and while the work was solid, the layout (with Angels enjoying numerous counters and spots of offense) did nothing to get Omega over as a top guy.

Nice to see Omega putting somebody away with the V-Trigger rather than the One-Winged Angel and again, this was fundamentally sound. That matters little, though. Lance Archer just beat Angels in 1:38. While Omega isn't a monster, he is somebody the audience is supposed to receive as a headliner. He should be running through these dudes in similar fashion, not trading holds with them.

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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.