‘AEW Dark: Elevation – Episode 39’ Review
Welcome to the first of this weeks AEW reviews, AEW Dark: Elevation, which kicks off the wrestling week for us here at Nerdly. As always I’m editor Phil and let’s get straight into the review!
Match #1: Emi Sakura, Nyla Rose, Diamante & The Bunny def. Ryo Mizunami, Julia Hart, Sky Blue & Leyla Hirsch
My Thoughts: So we’ve moved from womens Trios matches to eight-woman tag teams! Hey. at least it gets all these women on TV. Loved to see Mizunami back with Leyla Hirsch and to team them with a couple of youngsters was great – always good to see Skye Blue on AEW programming (even if the heels were singling her out), especially here in Chicago. Speaking of heels, this match did seem a little unfair though as, on paper, the hels in this match REALLY had the hard-hitting advantage over Mizunami and co. And they made the most of it too!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Tay Conti & Anna Jay def. Alice Crowley & Missa Kate
My Thoughts: Another hometown wrestler, Missa Kate, appears in front of her Chicago fans only to get squashed by TayJay… A shame, but I always like how AEW uses local talent on their shows instead of packing their shows with the same people each and every week. Tay Conti and Anna Jay looked really strong in this one.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #3: Santana & Ortiz def. Brayden Lee & Isaiah Moore
My Thoughts: This was a typical AEW quasi-squash that gave Lee and Moore get in a few hits in (and a one-count pin) but really this was all Santana & Ortiz, who showed dominance in this match. Speaking of Isaiah Moore, he had a decent showing in his half of the match but he still got his arse handed to him on a plate! Another win for Santana & Ortiz adds to their tally for the year and HOPEFULLY puts them more in the tag title picture.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Tony Nese def. Vic Capri
My Thoughts: Veteran Chicago wrestler Vic Capri (who looked badass AF) made his AEW debut in this match. This was a hard-hitting affair with Nese showing off ALL his skills, including some high flying rope work and hjis more traditional mat wrestling style. Capri was no pushover though, holding his own against Nese and showing his veteran savvy. Still didn’t stop Nese hitting a piledriver for the win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Matt Hardy, The Blade & Isiah Kassidy def. Dark Order’s Evil Uno, Stu Grayson & Alan ‘5’ Angels
My Thoughts: This one retread everything we’ve already seen from the HFO & Dark Order’s past matches. This match was all about punishing poor Alan Angels it seemed as he took most, if not all, of the punishment from the HFO… He didn’t even get a chance to get his shirt off before this match started! The highlight of the match however was seeing Stu Grayson go toe-to-toe against The Blade – I’d certainly like to see more of that please AEW! I loved the storytelling here though, as Alan Angels got redemption against Matt Hardy, almost pinning him and would have got the win if not for the rest of the HFO stopping him.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #5: Jay Lethal def. Trenton Storm
My Thoughts: The commentary team talked up Jay Lethal only for his opponent Trenton Storm to take control of the match, out-classing Lethal in the early part of the match. This was a WRESTLING match, with no ridiculousness, just demonstrations of great wrestling form both men. Lethal hit a springboard/backflip cutter for the win which was the most flamboyant part of the match!
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #6: Varsity Blonds & Dark Order’s Jon Silver & Alex Reynolds def. The Acclaimed & Chaos Project
My Thoughts: The intros for this match were almost as long as the match itself! This was fast and furious action that didn’t get a chance to breathe. It was easily one of the most frantic tag team matches I’ve seen from AEW in a while and, as usual, Chaos Project were the ones who took the beating from Varsity Blonds and Silver & Reynolds… Especially poor Serpentico, who ate the pin from Silver as the faces picked up the win.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
Another fast and furious episode of Elevation, with a nice variety of matches and some great appearances by local Chicago talent. Plus there was ZERO squash matches on this card! Love to see it.
