‘AEW Dark: Elevation – Episode 56’ Review
Welcome to this week’s review of AEW Dark: Elevation, we’re back to Paul Wight and Mark Henry on commentary (with Excalibur thankfully joining them) but a bigger 9-match card this week… but still only running around 45 mins again? Let’s get right into the review and the action!
Match #1: Lee Moriarty def. Serpentico
My Thoughts: Nice to see Serpentico back in singles action and nice to NOT hear too much from Luther in his corner. As I’ve said before, Serpentico is great as a singles competitor though he had some really stiff competition in Lee Moriarty, whose skill and Taiga style eventually got the better of his opponent.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: Abadon def. Danni Bee
My Thoughts: Another squash match for Abadon, this time against a debuting Danni Bee. As I said last week, seeing Abadon obliterate her opponents in a solid squash is so satisfying! But she still needs to be in the women’s main event picture now…
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #3: Penta Oscuro def. JPH
My Thoughts: Penta Oscuro (aka Penta El Zero Miedo) in a rare Elevation appearance, dominating JPH – whose size and strength would normally be an advantage – in a match that sent a message to the rest of the roster. Another squash match I can get behind!
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #4: Frankie Kazarian def. Brandon Cutler
My Thoughts: This was a fun match. Literally. Kazarian and Cutler played up the comedy in this one, making it seem less like a straightforward AEW quasi-squash match (which it really was). Kazarian and Cutler actually work well together and… hopefully… Kazarian taking on one of the Elite’s stooges means he MIGHT face members of that faction in the near future.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #5: Jamie Hayter def. Rache Chanel
My Thoughts: Another squash match but ANOTHER one that works in terms of storytelling and selling Jamie Hayter as a powerhouse. I gotta say though, if AEW want to sell Hayter they need to let her talk more – she was a tremendous addition to this week’s toy hunting vlog from Ethan Page, really showing a new side to her (at least that I hadn’t seen).
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #6: Max Caster def. Sonny Kiss
My Thoughts: Finally we get an actual wrestling match rather than any sort of squash. Caster and Kiss were a pretty good match-up, with the pair pretty evenly matched. A solid match overall.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #7: Hikaru Shida def. Madi Wrenkowski
My Thoughts: This was an example of an AEW quasi-squash match, with Shida letting Wrenkowski get in some offence. I don’t know how well that was thought out given that Nyla Rose just annihilated Wrenkowski on Rampage… Doesn’t that weaken Shida? Given that it took her some time to get the win? Hey, I’m not booking this stuff!
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #8: Ruby Soho & Anna Jay def. The Renegade Twins
My Thoughts: I’m digging the new team of Ruby Soho and Anna Jay, good to see Jay still getting “TV” time given that her former tag partner Tay Conti seems to be more involved with Sammy Guevara’s schtick rather than the tag-team scene. Plus it’s good that Jay can learn from the more experienced Soho at the same time. The duo just need to work on their chemistry now.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #9: Roppongi Vice (Trent Beretta and Rocky Romero) def. QT Marshall & Aaron Solo
My Thoughts: Rocky Romero is back in another AEW guest spot, raising the game for this episode of Elevation. Thankfully this match-up made for a decent main event that got the best out of QT Marshall and Aaron Solo. Nick Comoroto played the difference maker… Plus Mark Henry was good on commentary for this match too. Shocker!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
Another average episode of Elevation, packed with squash matches – which is why they crammed an extra 3 matches into the same time limit as last week! We had a decent opening match and a good main event and some squashes that actually made sense this time (Hayter, Abadon, Penta) so it’s not all bad.
