‘AEW: Dark’ Review (Jan 3rd 2023)
Another week, another episode of AEW: Dark which this week features thirteen(!) matches… Yes, the match count is creeping up, something I’m not a fan of! Anyway, on with the review.
Match #1: Christopher Daniels def. Brian Pillman Jr.
My Thoughts: It’s great to see Christopher Daniels in action again, even if it is on Dark. This was a decent back and forth, with an outcome that was always in doubt (which is great to see!). Daniels hit the BME for the crowd-pleasing finish.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: Emi Sakura def. Jada Stone
My Thoughts: Jada Stone got one move in here, I’m not sure that even qualifies as a typical AEW quasi-squash TBH. Not much wet on here, so not much more to say than that!
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #3: Ryan Nemeth def. Dak Draper
My Thoughts: Who cares… It’s a Ryan Nemeth match. You can’t get more “mid” than Nemeth.
My Score: “Oh just piss off” out of 5
Match #4: Blake Christian def. Sean Maluta
My Thoughts: Man this was a good match, especially after sitting through the abomination it followed. Christian and Maluta made for great opponents and both men looked like they were giving it there all. Good to see Christian pick up the win.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: Ari Daivari def. Leon Ruffin
My Thoughts: I’m not a fan of the Trustbusters but you can’t deny that their leader Ari Daivari can put on one hell of a match when he’s not pissing about with his faction. Leon Ruffin didn’t take things lying down either, even with the shenanigans that went on in this one.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #6: Rohit Raju def. Richard Adonis
My Thoughts: This was kind of forgettable TBH. Rohit Raju isn’t someone you can get invested in so this one fell flat for me. Standard squash action.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #7: Jora Johl def. Jarrett Diaz
My Thoughts: I could literally repeat what I said about the previous match for this one too… So I will! This was kind of forgettable TBH. Jora Johl isn’t someone you can get invested in so this one fell flat for me. Standard squash action.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #8: Dark Order (John Silver & Alex Reynolds) def. Axton Ray & Blanco Loco
My Thoughts: Another typical AEW quasi-squash. Nothing more, nothing less. This one felt like every other Dark Order match on Dark and/or Elevation.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #9: Varsity Athletes (Josh Woods & Tony Nese) def. Liam Gray & Adrian Alanis
My Thoughts: I was expecting a squash match here and that’s not what we got. Which was a pleasant surprise TBH. Gray and Alanis were pretty aggressive in this one, which made for a more competitive match.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #10: Kiera Hogan def. Kaci Lennox
My Thoughts: This was a step down for Hogan following her match against Jade Cargill. A complete and utter squash, with Lennox not given an opportunity to do anything other than take a beating.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #11: Sonny Kiss & Slim J def. Ryzin & Cameron Stewart
My Thoughts: This was OK apart from some rather visible botches that let this one down. Ryzin and Stewart looked good as the jobbers in this one (appreciate Ryzin being back on AEW programming TBH) but it was Slim J who really impressed with some fantastic moves that raised him in my expectations going forward!
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #12: Shawn Dean def. Ariel Dominguez
My Thoughts: Another match plagued by botches. So much so that the crowd turned on this match. It’s always good to see Shawn Dean in action but he deserved better than this particular opponent.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #13: Top Flight def. The Workhorsemen
My Thoughts: Thank god for this match, which helped save this show from the doldrums along with the opening match and the Christian and Daivari matches. Always LOVE watching The Workhorsemen in action and having them face Top Flight was a beautiful thing to see! Plus, it’s about time The Workhorsemen go to face actual competition rather than the jobbers they;re usually fed on Dark and/or Elevation.
