‘AEW: Dark’ Review (Oct 26th 2021)
Welcome to this review of this weeks episode of AEW: Dark, I’m editor Phil and we’ve got another episode of Dark eminating from AEW Universal (I prefer the All Elite Zone TBH). There’s a lot more storytelling on this episode of Dark than usual, I hope that’s going to be the case with these pre-taped shows – it really adds to the excitement for Dynamite each week.
Match #1: Bobby Fish def. Invictus Khash
My Thoughts: Wow this one went by so fast… I think I counted one move from Invictus Khash in this whole, brief, match. Fish did his usual hard-hitting thing, which commentary sold as a “message” for CM Punk prior to his match with Fish, before kicking the skull out of Khash’s head to get the win. Squash!!
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #2: Riho def. Xtina Kay
My Thoughts: Kay makes her second appearance for AEW in a week, this time one-on-one against AEW’s biggest babyface, Rih – who we haven’t seen too frequently since the pandemic. The difference in styles here, with Riho’s speed anmd agility going up against Kay’s power, led to a couple of mis-timed moves but that didn’t stop this one from being a great return for Riho.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Eddie Kingston def. Jack Evans
My Thoughts: Jack Evans makes his first appearance on AEW programming since losing his hair in the Hair vs. Hair match, as if being hairless wasn’t bad enough he has to face Eddie Kingston in this match! Kingston played up his shoulder issue which no doubt will play its part in his Men’s Eliminator Tournament match this week too. But that didn’t stop him getting a win over Evans, forcing him to tap for the win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Dante Martin def. JDX
My Thoughts: Dante Martin’s win-loss record apparently stands at 17-7 for the year, which is a tremendous result for the young wrestler who’s made more inpact in singles competition than he did tagging with his, currently injured, brother. This was a great match-up, with JDX keeping up with Martin’s speed but it was Martin’s high-flying agility that gave him the edge and the win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #5: Tiger Ruas def. DJ Brown
My Thoughts: What the hell was this? This didn’t even go thirty seconds as Ruas kicked his opponent, a debuting DJ Brown, in the face for the 10-second win! To be fair this was more an extended promo to build Ruas’ character, with Ruas calling out for some decent “competition” in a post-match interview with Tony Schiavone.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #6: Diamante def. Skyler Moore
My Thoughts: We haven’t seen Skyler Moore omn AEW prgramming in some time but now it looks, hopefully, like she’s back. Shame she had to come back and get her arse kicked in a quick squash match against the ever baddass Diamante.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #7: Dark Order’s 10 def. Shayne Stetson
My Thoughts: Yet another squash match, this time with 10 demolishing Stetson in about a minute, hitting him with multiple powerslams before hitting the Full Nelson finish for the quick win. 10’s second match this week that saw him dominate on the road to his Eliminator Tournament match on Dynamite.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #8: Too Fast Too Fuego def. Kidd Bandit & Dean Alexander
My Thoughts: For a ridiculous concept – with Cody Rhodes hiding under a singlet, lucha mask and concealer (for his tattoos) – this turned out to be one hell of a fun match. But hold on a minute… Fuego has a Rhodes brother for a father AND another as a tag partner? What kind of wrestling voodoo is this? The fans were into this and so was I. A daft concept but the kind of pleasing stuff that fans will eat up. And the match wasn’t bad either – nice to see Dean Alexander wrestle again too.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #9: Bryan Danielson def. Aaron Solo
My Thoughts: Bryan Danielson appearing on Dark? In a match? I didn’t think we’d see that. Some nice technical wrestling rom Danielson opened this one as he picked apart Solo slowly and deliberately. Eventually QT Marshall and Nick Comoroto interfered in the match, distracting the ref and double-teaming Danielson. That interference let Solo get in some great offence and also get a near fall! Some great heel work from QT Marshall here. Danielson hit a tope suicida on Comoroto on the outside, eventually getting Solo in the LeBell Lock for the submission win.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
News of the Night:
- Sammy Guevara got busted open by Scorpio Sky & Ethan page following his promo for the TNT Title match against Ethan Page.
- Tony Nese called out Fuego del Sol, with a match set for next week.
Final Verdict: 3/5
This was an odd episode of Dark. Too many squash matches and some VERY brief matches but they didn’t feel out of place on a show that brillaintly balanced matches with promos. I know AEW are probably still experimenting with this new studio set-up and format but if this is the blueprint for Dark going forward, then AEW are on to a winner in my opinion.
