‘AEW Dark: Elevation – Episode 10’ Review
Welcome to this weeks review of AEW Dark: Elevation, the promotions second YouTube show that aims to showcase new and upcoming talent. We’ve had a good couple of weeks from this show so let’s see how this week fares… Oh sh*t, we’re not off to a good start with another 150 minute show!
Match #1: Jungle Boy def. Adrian Alanis
My Thoughts: Adrian Alanis got to go it alone in his first singles match against Jungle Boy, and wouldn’t you know it this was another of AEW’s quasi-squash matches, with just enough action to give this some length but featuring Jungle Boy pretty much railing on Alanis for the duration. Still I could watch Jungle Boy do this all day…
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #2: Dustin Rhodes def. Aaron Solow
My Thoughts: A great match between two men who are now, storywise, rivals. But what this actually was, was a match between two guys who each know how the other works (thanks to their work training other wrestlers), which made for a great match – not even the interference post-match could ruin this one. Dustin still looks like a machine!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston def. Danny Limelight and Royce Isaacs
My Thoughts: Former NWA wrestler Royce Isaacs teams up for the first time with the superb Danny Limelight to take on two of AEW’s biggest and best. As seems to be usual with AEW recently, Danny Limelight is given plenty of chance to shine against two guys who – if this was another promotion – would’ve squashed these guys in seconds.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Lance Archer def. Bear Bronson
My Thoughts: Bear Bronson is still working the solo matches thanks to his Bear Country tag mate being out with injury. This match was two guys going ham on each other in a battle of the big men. It was nice to see that Archer didn’t squash Bronson – after all Bear Country have, so far, been booked strong; and that continued here.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #5: Layla Hirsch def. Natalia Markova
My Thoughts: Now this is what AEW Dark: Elevation is all about… A ten-year veteran in Natalia Markova, who’s the Shine Nova Champion, taking on releavtive newcomer – and downright THE highlight oF AEW programmming every week – Leyla Hirsch. Where else could you see this in a mainstream wrestling promotion?
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: Ethan Page and Scorpio Sky def. Jaylen Brandyn and Traevon Jordan
My Thoughts: Like a lot of AEW talent, Ethan Page and Scorpio Sky make any and all their opponents look good. Even when they’re essentially squashing them… as is the case here!
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #7: The Bunny def. KiLynn King
My Thoughts: The first time I’ve actually thought AEW’s booking was b*llsh*t. Seriously. King has been on a f*cking role recently showing real progression and real charisma. And AEW had her lose to The Bunny in a cheated finish to push the crappy long-term HFO storytelling. What a waste.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #8: The Acclaimed def. Kevin Bennett and Kevin Blackwood
My Thoughts: This was a weak match for The Acclaimed, even Max Castor’s pre-match rap was off. Hopefully the duo are better on Dynamite this Wednesday.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #9: QT Marshall def. Baron Black
My Thoughts: With this new storyline and “evil villain” persona QT Marshall is becoming as unwatchable as Matt Hardy is. Thankfully Baron Black wasn’t totally fed to Marshall, pulling off some great offence at times – though this match, in my opinion, did him no favours in the long run…
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #10: Joey Janela def. Daniel Garcia
My Thoughts: Janela surprised here, giving Daniel Garcia plenty of room to mount a decent offence and show what he can do… This was, probably, the first actual match of the night. Garcia looked green at times but good on Janela for letting him shine.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #11: Private Party def. Alex Reynolds and Alan “5” Angels
My Thoughts: The Dark Order’s feud with the HFO continues… If it wasn’t for the fact I really like the Dark Order I would’ve skipped this one. Private Party did their new “wrestle in street clothes” shtick which is supposed to show they’re arrogant but instead makes them look stupid; and I’m sure they’re less mobile. How the f*ck PP still won this one after Reynolds and Angels gave them a beating perplexes me. But then AEW seem to be favouring heels winning constantly this year!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #12: Ryan Nemeth and JD Drake def. Roman Rozell and Derek Pisaturo
My Thoughts: All I kept thinking throughout this match was that I’d love to see Drak do more. This was Nemeth showboating as usual with Drake getting the odd tag. At least Drake got the pin in the end – with a moonsault no less!
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #13: Tay Conti def. Kiah Dream
My Thoughts: Tay Conti gets her won squash match… Which, in a complete hypocritical move, I actually appreciated. This match made Conti look strong (and she looked like she was ahving a lot of fun). These days she looks the complete antithesis of her time in THAT other wrestling promotion.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #14: Penta El Zero Miedo def. Robo
My Thoughts: Robo has that real “wrestler” look, though that didn’t stop him getting pummelled by Penta. Unfortunately Robo looked a bit too green here – though I’m sure if he sticks around he will, like a lot of enhancement talent, progess in spades. Nevertheless its always a fun time watching Penta work.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #15: Thunder Rosa def. Robyn Renegade
My Thoughts: Robyn Renegade, who has trained under QT Marshall, makes her AEW debut against one of the best female wrestlers on the planet. And you can see why… This was a veteran helping a rookie get her first exposure on TV, filling the gaps in Renegade’s moveset and making the match. It looked like the finish was botched a little, with Renegade not gettinginto position but Rosa saved the day… and looked a little upset after the match!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #16: Brian Cage def. Mike Sydal
My Thoughts: A Sydal bother closes an AEW Dark episode yet AGAIN. What’s with that?! This was another AEW quasi-squash, Brian Cage looked like a badass whilst Mike Sydal played victim very well. But it’s stil not the match style to end a show on if I’m honest.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
News of the Night:
- Paul Wight’s interview this week was with Ryan Nemeth. Still did nothing to make me like him more though!
- Britt Baker announced, following an interrupted promo, Rebel would fight Hikaru Shida on Dynamite this week
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
Another over-long episode that was, unfortunately, mostly made up of average matches. This episode was a real comedown compared to recent weeks; and I’m sure the extended runtime does nothing to help this show either.
