‘AEW Dark: Elevation – Episode 15’ Review
Welcome to this weeks episode of AEW Dark: Elevation, I’m editor Phil and let’s get straight to it, with no messing – much like Elevation itself!
Match #1: FTR def. Royce Isaacs and Jorel Nelson
My Thoughts: Royce Isaacs and Jorel Nelson had a pretty decent showing here thanks to FTR giving them some leeway to show off. A couplke of spots looked a little too telegraphed but otherwise this was a decent hard-hitting WRESTLING match as per most of FTR’s matches.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #2: Nyla Rose def. Delmi Exo
My Thoughts: Another Nyla squash. Anyone else wishing she’d face an actual opponent these days? Another case of linger intro than match!
My Score: 0 out of 5
Match #3: The Acclaimed def. Baron Black and Tamilian Vineesh
My Thoughts: Tamilian Vineesh took all the abuse from The Acclaimed in this match, with Black getting a brief flurry of offence in that made him look strong, getting a one-count pin. But this match was all The Acclaimed in the end, with Max Caster hitting the mic drop for the win.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Varsity Blonds def. Bums R Us (Raymond & Milo Beasley)
My Thoughts: I’ve never heard of Bums R Us before this match but if this showing is anything to go buy I don’t really want to see more. There seemed to be an issue in this match and you could literally see the disappointment/disdain on the face of Pillman and Garrison at the end of the match – which said a LOT!
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #5: Kris Statlander def. Renee Michelle
My Thoughts: A little but clumsy at times this match got better the longer it went on. Statlander looked good as usual, eleveating Michelle come the conclusion too.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #6: Matt Hardy def. Jora Johl
My Thoughts: Jora Johl looked like the complete package before the match started just a shame he had to sell for Matt Hardy – who just went through his usual shenanigans AND mocking Christian Cage at the same time.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #7: Shawn Spears and Wardlow def. Ryzin and Kal Herro
My Thoughts: This weeks first AEW quasi-squash, this was mainly Herro and Spears – the former who apparently p*ssed off the latter… somehow. Once Wardlow was tagged in it was all over for Ruzin and Herro.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #8: Powerhouse Hobbs def. Darien Bengston
My Thoughts: Hobbs destroyed Bengston here, ragdolling him around the ring in a squash match. All I can say about Bengston is that he looked like he’d borrowed Raven’s old grunge look!
My Score: 0 out of 5
Match #9: Jade Cargill def. Robyn Renegade
My Thoughts: Jade Cargill’s dominant streak continued here in yet another squash match – though this is more forgiveable than Nyla Rose’s efforts, mainly because Cargill’s currently still on the rise and not plateauing like Rose.
My Score: 0 out of 5
Match #10: Penta El Zero Miedo and Eddie Kingston def. Vary Morales and Fuego del Sol
My Thoughts: This should’ve been the main event. Three AEW megastars in one match deserved better than the 10th match on the card. When’s Fuego becoming All Elite Tony Khan? Dude deserves it at this point… He better win the Friend-lympics, that’s all I’m saying! At least Eddie Kingston gave Fuego a chance to shine in this match.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #11: Jungle Boy def. Cezar Bononi
My Thoughts: Jungle Boy sold like crazy for Bononi making the giant look as tough as he is tall. Of course Jungle Boy was never going to lose given his match later this week!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #12: Matt Sydal def. Jack Evans
My Thoughts: Pretty much everything you’d expect from a match from two high flyers. Each man seemed to be trying to out do the other throughout the duration of this match, giving the match a frantic feel.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
News of the Night:
- Two Indian wrestlers on Elevation is clear sign AEW are serious about making a play for Indian TV distribution.
- Matt Hardy offered Jora Johl an “intern” job – cleaning up after the HFO, shining shoes etc. I couldn’t tell if the promo was racist or just a callback to the young boys of Japanese wrestling.
Final Verdict: 2/5
More squash matches than necessary and only a couple of 3+ star matches this episode makes for a decidely average week for Elevation. On the plus side Fuego Del Sol looked the best he has in quite some time in his match!
