‘AEW Dark: Elevation – Episode 40’ 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: Riho def. Angelica Risk
My Thoughts: I expected this to be a swift squash match for Riho on the road to her match against Jamie Hayter later this week but that was not what we got. Angelica Risk was actually a decent opponent for Riho, matching Riho’s speed with her own strength – with a running hip (really butt) shot on Riho in the corner that looked vicious.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match 2: Brock Anderson, Lee Johnson & Dustin Rhodes def. The Wingmen (Peter Avalon, JD Drake & Cesar Bononi)
My Thoughts: A solid trios match that saw Dustin Rhoides outclass everyone in the match in the brioef time he was in the ring. As I always say, it’s great to see JD Drake in the ring for AEW – depsite his hell persona it’s hard no to love the guy! Plus this match was yet more experience for Lee Johnson and Brock Anderson.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match 3: Brian Pillman Jr. def. Serpentico
My Thoughts: Another singles outing for Brian Pillman Jr. against a wrestler who always delivers when he’s not being thrown around by Luther, Serpentico. Both men worked from underneath at points in this match and it really looked like either man could steal the win at any time. Great match.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match 4: The Factory (QT Marshall, Nick Comoroto, Aaron Solow & Anthony Ogogo) def. Baron Black, Shawn Hoodrich, Tony Vincita & JD Munoz
My Thoughts: Anthony Ogogo returns to AEW in a squash match that saw The Factory run riot on the enhancement talent, including poor Baron Black who can’t catch a break in AEW! Otherwsie this match was pretty forgettable.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match 5: Ryo Mizunami & Abadon def. Emi Sakura & The Bunny
My Thoughts: Wow. Ryo Mizunami gets another tag partner in Abadon and, once again, it makes for a great team! Mizunami can seemingly tag with any other womens’ wrestler in AEW and make it work. This match brilliantly played up the horror Emi Sakura and the Bunny felt fighting Abadon… with Mei Suruga at ringside selling almost as good as Mizunami does!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match 6: Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus) def. Brandon & Brent Tate
My Thoughts: Brandon & Brent Tate make a second appearance for AEW against the hot-as-ever Jurassic Express. The crowd was into this one, mainly thanks to Jungle Boy’s entrance music and charisma, and thankfully the Tate brothers manage to hold there own against JB. However Luchasaurus was the difference maker in this match, overpowering both men to a HUGE pop from the crowd! This might have been a squash match but it was a glorious one!
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match 7: The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) def. Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo
My Thoughts: On of these days Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo are gonna catch a break. The pair are a GREAT tag team but they’ve been positioned as enhancement talent so far. They gave a good showing in this match too, almost getting the pin on The Acclaimed but it was not to be as Caster and Bowens got the win. Again. Essentially another of AEW’s quasi-squash matches if I’m honest.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
Another solid, if unremarkable, episode of Elevation this week; with the womens tag match coming out on top. It was good to see some talent appear on AEW programming once again – especially the wrestlers who held AEW together during the pandemic “era” of no audiences. Maybe its time those folk get rewarded for the efforts with at least a win once in a while hey Tony?
