Nerdly » ‘AEW: Dark’ Review (Feb 28th 2023)

02nd Mar2023

‘AEW: Dark’ Review (Feb 28th 2023)

by Phil Wheat

Another week, another episode of AEW: Dark which this week features FOURTEEN matches, though we also get some of AEW’s bigger stars on the show, which makes up for the ridiculous amount of matches IMHO. Anyway, on with the review…

Match #1: Action Andretti def. Tony Deppen

My Thoughts: Action Andretti continues his winning streak in this opening match, though why Deppen was allowed to get as much offence as he did – especially against the guy that beat Chris Jericho in his debut. Still, a great start to this week’s Dark.

My Score: 3 out of 5

Match #2: Evil Uno def. J. Spade

My Thoughts: Evil Uno’s turning to the dark side continues… I sincerely hope this new vicious streak continues and we get a stronger, more dominant Dark Order too. Shame the audience wasn’t into this one though.

My Score: 2 out of 5

Match #3: Parker Boudreaux def. Joe Ocasio

My Thoughts: There are some match-ups you can predict from the get-go. Like this one. Parker Boudreaux was never going to let his opponent, especially enhancement talent, get a move in. SQUASH!!

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #4: Capt. Shawn Dean def. Invictus Khash

My Thoughts: I always like seeing Shawn Dean in action and Invictus Khash always impresses too. These two had a nice back-and-forth, and as is usual for Khash he didn’t just roll over and get squashed. Plus it was great to see Dean pick up a win.

My Score: 2 out of 5

Match #5: Leila Grey def. Sahara Seven

My Thoughts: Leila Grey finally gets to have a singles match and not just be back-up for Jade Cargill. She’s still got a lot to learn but that’s what Dark and Elevation are all about, so she should – ideally – get more matches like these to get better in-ring.

My Score: 1.5 out of 5

Match #6: Willie Mack def. Joe Keys

My Thoughts: Willie Mack! Willie Mack! Love seeing Willie Mack back in action, he’s been missed from Impact and wrestling on TV in general so glad to see him in another match (his third this year if I remember) for AEW. Mack worked this match very muxch like Emi Sakura does on AEW’s YouTube shows – giving his opponent space to get offence in and show of his skills. Definitely need more Mack in AEW.

My Score: 2.5 out of 5

Match #7: Shane Taylor def. Adrian Alanis

My Thoughts: Shane Taylor dominates in a traditional squash match, one that undoubtedly was more to get him in front of the AEW crowd and get casual fans familiar with him before he [probably] becomes a regular on Tony Khan’s version of ROH.

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #8: Lee Moriarty def. Vary Morales

My Thoughts: Damn this was a great match. The kind of match that you’d only get in AEW (or on an indie show), with two guys given time and space to really put on a great WRESTLING match. One of the best matches we’ve had on Dark so far this year.

My Score: 4 out of 5

Match #9: Arjun Singh vs. Blake Li

My Thoughts: Two relatively unknown talents given a chance to wrestle for and international promotion in a “televised” match. This wasn’t as effective as the match that proceeded it but worked a lot better than expected – mainly thanks to the different styles of each wrestler involved.

My Score: 2 out of 5

Match #10: Skye Blue def. Dream Girl Ellie

My Thoughts: This women’s match almost mirrored the Moriarty / Morales match in that we got two women giving it their all to put on a really great match. Dream Girl Ellie really brought the fight to Skye Blue but she couldn’t get one over the ever-popular Blue. I’d honestly liek to see these two run this match back again in future.

My Score: 2.5 out of 5

Match #11: Top Flight, AR Fox & Matt Sydal def. The Trustbusters

My Thoughts: Apparently The Trustbusters are still a thing? Whatever the case this match was all about Top Flight and AR Fox for me. In fact, Fox pulled off some ridiculous moves and at one point looked like he killed The Trustbusters Slim J! This was a great, fast-paced, hi-energy match that lifted the audience in attendance AND the show as a whole.

My Score: 3.5 out of 5

Match #12: Jeff Jarrett, Satnam Singh & Jay Lethal def. Jackson Drake, Jay Malachi & Oliver Sawyer

My Thoughts: The only thing worth mentioning about this match was the fact that AEW kept hyping this match as a first look at the new set for Dark. A new set you say? Yes, because ROH and this particular Dark match (and others we’ll see in the future) were taped back to back. Can you guess I couldn’t give two sh*ts about what actually happened in this match? When you loathe wrestlers involved in a match it’s hard to care!

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #13: Pretty Peter Avalon def. Dean Alexander

My Thoughts: As per usual with AEW, Pretty Peter Avalon – who’s wrestling Chris Jericho on Dynamite this week – gets a showcase on Dark prior to the “big” match. I think we should’ve had less offence from Dean Alexander (though I appreciate seeing him in action) to build Avalon a bit more because besides the great promo Avalon delivered post-match, there was no evidence he’ll beat Jericho on Dynamite in this match.

My Score: 2 out of 5

Match #14: Orange Cassidy & Danhausen def. The Workhorsemen

My Thoughts: What a crowd, and audience, pleasing match. I’ll admit I’m biased with this one given that I love Orange Cassidy and Danhausen AND The Workhorsemen… Seriously, this was a lot of fun and also delivered on the wrestling front too. JD Drake took as much as he delivered and he worked well against both men’s styles (and he’s always great with comedy in wrestling matches too). The fact the crowd was WELL into this match elevated events too!