‘AEW Dark: Elevation – Episode 95’ Review
Welcome back to another review of AEW Dark: Elevation, which this week keeps the match count low, with only 7 matches on this week’s show – the last Elevation of 2022! We’ve got Paul Wight on commentary, so let’s get into the review.
Match #1: Nyla Rose and Marina Shafir def. Leva Bates and Karizma
My Thoughts: This felt very much like Nyla Rose and Marina Shafir going through the motions, as if this was either put together at the last minute or the duo were off their game – which is odd given how good they’ve been together recently. Still, a squash is a squash.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #2: Julia Hart def. Promise Braxton
My Thoughts: Julia Hart gets another singles match and it’s another quick squash match to help build Hart into the kind of monster she needs to be as part of the House of Black.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #3: The Bunny def. Madison Rayne
My Thoughts: The crowd was firmly behind The Bunny during this match – which isn’t surprising given that Madison Rayne doesn’t seem to have had much of an impact with the AEW crowd or the women’s division either for that matter. Plus this whole thing felt stilted and slow. Still, it was better than another squash match.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Konosuke Takeshita def. Frankie Kazarian
My Thoughts: First thought… This should have been the main event. Really. This was a fantastic match between veteran and youngster; experience versus naivety. Brilliantly constructed, brilliantly executed. Kazarian looked fantastic as did Takeshita.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #5: Willow Nightingale and Ruby Soho def. Madi Wrenkowski and Vertvixen
My Thoughts: This was a good chance for Willow Nightingale and Ruby Soho to get some practice in before their match against Tay Jay on Dynamite this week. But this was no squash match, oh no. Madi Wrenkowski and Vertvixen (who’s had one hell of a good run in AEW recently) got in some good offence, providing Nightingale and Soho with some decent competition, and ending up giving us a good, solid, match.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: ROH Women’s Title Match – Athena def. Kiera Hogan
My Thoughts: Kiera Hogan goes from being rejected by Jade Cargill and the Baddies to a title shot for the ROH Women’s Title… No idea why?! The match wasn’t bad by any stretch of the imagination, it was just bland. The audience watching weren’t into it and neither was I to be honest.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #7: Dralistico def. Blake Christian
My Thoughts: Dralistico, who seems to have replaced RUSH’s brother as part of his faction, goes one-on-one with Blake Christian, who keeps popping back into AEW to deliver banging matches like this one. This was a fast and furious main event with both men putting their foot to the floor and not letting up until the superb Canadian Destroyer ending!
