‘AEW Dark: Elevation – Episode 8’ Review
Another week, another epsiode of AEW Dark: Elevation – a show which, I think, is still finding its feet. Hopefully. seriously, there has to be some plan to make this differ from regular Dark in future but for now let’s see what’s in store this week.
Match #1: Miro def. Will Allday
My Thoughts: Yes, we all knew this was a squash going into this match but there’s just something about Miro showing of his sheer power, and in this case hatred, that is fun to watch. Plus Will Allday, who’s lost all 3 of his AEW matches so far, always looks good… even in defeat
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #2: Abadon def. Ryo Mizunami
My Thoughts: Finally Abadon had some decent competition in Ryo Mizunami. The two seemed pretty evenly matched and it was nice to see Abadon get more TV time in an actual match rather than the squashes we’ve seen from her in the past. A fantastic showcase for Abadon and hopefully the start of a decent run for the terrifying one!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Jon Moxley def. Andrew Palace
My Thoughts: Another match you knew was going to be a glorified squash. But hey, we get Jon Moxley on Dark – which means fans who can’t watch Dynamite get to see the former champ in action on Youtube. And to be fair to Palace, he LOOKED as insane as Moxley fights… Whereas Moxley looked kinda bored; like this match made me feel!
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #4: Dark Order’s “10” def. D3
My Thoughts: The only surprise in this match was that D3 got an actual intro! Otherwie this match was all 10’s, showing of his power and strength and adding another easy win to his win/loss record. At this rate 10’s going have enough “wins” to be in the title picture!
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #5: Orange Cassidy def. VSK
My Thoughts: Orange Cassidy did what Orange Cassidy does… Meanwhile VSK was allowed to mount some decent offence before Cassidy put him away with the Beach Break.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #6: FTR def. The Hughes Brothers
My Thoughts: The missing match returns! Yes, this match was scheduled – and mentioned – on a previous episode but never materialised. Maybe because AEW didn’t want ANOTHER quasi-squash match on that particular show. But we still go it here… though to be fair to FTR, they did let the Hughes brothers get in a little offense before destroying them.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #7: Nyla Rose def. Madi Wrenkowski
My Thoughts: So I’m guessing the team of Wrenkowski and Rose is definitely over… That was a short, but not sweet, storyline. At least Wrenkowski went out on a high note, gaining some great momentum against Rose early in this match. Oh well, I’m guessing Nyla Rose is going back to coasting along in more squash matches. Hopefully this brief story put Wrenkowski further up the AEW chain and she doesn’t go back to enhancement talent work.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #8: Nick Comoroto def. Baron Black
My Thoughts: Poor Baron Black, what does he have to do to catch a break? The guy is getting served up to AEW’s “monsters” week after week. But hey, at least he’s on TV right? As for Comoroto, he need some decent competition instead of featuring in squash match after squash match.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #9: Red Velvet def. Reka Tehaka
My Thoughts: Red Velvet got the win against Reka Tehaka, who looked the part but seemed a little green – especially against Velvet, who’s done a lot to make her mark on AEW and stand out in the ever-growing womesn division. Though if you’d only seen Velvet in this match you’d be hard-pressed to see that.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #10: Private Party def. Duke Davis and Ganon Jones
My Thoughts: Forget Private Party, Duke Davis and Ganon Jones looked more like professional wrestlers here than the clowns that are Private Party. Seriously, over the past year Private Party have lost their lustre – whether its due to the Matt Hardy association or the fact they’re not fighting decent competitors, Kassidy and Quen have shown NONE of the magic that they had in the early days of AEW; instead favouring stupid tricks and dirty tactics. The dudes are NOT heelish in any way no matter how much AEW wants them to be!
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #11: Thunder Rosa def. Willow Nightingale
My Thoughts: Thunder Rosa winning this one was never in doubt, however that’s not what this match seemed to be about. Instead it was Rosa introducing Nightingale to the AEW audience, allowing her opponent to show her skills and get her first spotlight on a grander stage.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #12: QT Marshall def. Dillon McQueen
My Thoughts: Dillon McQueen of the Nightmare Factory was essentially wheeled out on an international stage – in his debut no less – to be the latest pawn in the Cody vs QT storyline that has been building across AEW programming for weeks. Oh, and neither wrestler came out of this one looking good, in fact this one probably played into the QT-haters hands quite well!
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #13: Gunn Club def. Chaos Project
My Thoughts: After watching their appearance on AEW’s Unrestricted podcast I’ve realised Serpentico and Luther deserve more than the comedy wrestling they’ve been doing and do in this match. Even moreso when they’re facing the less-than-stellar Gunn Club. Meh.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #14: Matt Hardy and The Blade def. Colt Cabana and Alan “5” Angels
My Thoughts: …Matt Hardy …Bor-ing! What a dull main event. Cabana and “5” outshone Hardy and the Blade throughout the match even if they lost. In fact Cabana looked on form in the complete antithesis of Hardy!
My Score: 2 out of 5
Final Verdict: 1.5/5
Good god this weeks episode of AEW Dark: Elevation was dull. The show hit a high point in the second match as Abadon defeated Ryo Mizunami and then coasted along till the end of the programme. A disappointingly sub-par week for Elevation.