‘AEW Dark: Elevation – Episode 48’ Review
Welcome to this weeks review of AEW Dark: Elevation, from Cleveland, Ohio. We’ve got Tony Schiavone, Paul Wight, and Mark Henry on commentary and seven matches to cover. So let’s get right into the action and this review!
Match #1: Lance Archer def. Chase Oliver
My Thoughts: We’re back to Lance Archer throwing his opponents to, and around, the ring in a total squash match. This was essentially another win-record building match and an excuse for Archer to get on the mic afterwards.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #2: Brandi Rhodes def. KiLynn King
My Thoughts: Well that was a bullsh*t win for Brandi Rhodes. King could quite easily wipe the floor with Mrs Rhodes but instead was made to make Brandi look good on her build-up to the main event scene. There are a few women who have worked for AEW that have been hard done by IMHO and KiLynn King is one – she was a stalwart of the company during the pandemic/no fans era and since then (I don’t know if by choice) hasn’t appeared as much for the company and lost momentum. For shame.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Jay Lethal def. Casey Carrington
My Thoughts: I couldn’t care less about Jay Lethal, much like the Gunn Club, and not just because of those accusations. I can’t put my finger on it, he just put me off… I was much more interested in his opponent Casey Carrington, who has worked a lot of AIW matches in his short wrestling career. Good to see him get a near-fall on Lethal! This was still another example of the AEW quasi-squash match though.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #4: Anna Jay def. Nikki Victory
My Thoughts: Anna Jay continues her dominant run post-Lights Out match with a quick squash over Victory, who did get in a few shots AND a 1-count over Jay straight away. But that’s all she got, with Jay taking control and quickly ending the match. Not quite enough to make this a quasi-squash.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #5: Dante Martin, Lee Moriarty & Matt Sydal def. QT Marshall, Aaron Solo & Nick Comoroto
My Thoughts: Dante Martin, Lee Moriarty and Matt Sydal make for one hell of a Trios team – they seem to have instant chemistry and their styles all gel really well. to be fair, the same can be said of The Factory, who use their power and a lot of cheating/cheap shots just as well. This one looked like it was breaking down at one point but it never quite got that far. Fast, furious and fun!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: Thunder Rosa and Ruby Soho def. Joseline Navarro and Megan Meyers
My Thoughts: This was a tad clumsy, with the less-experienced Navarro and Meyers seemingly out-wrestled by their opponents both literally and figuratively. Though to be fair to Meyers, she sold brilliantly well.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #7: Penta El Zero Miedo def. Serpentico
My Thoughts: Well once again Serpentico appears without Luther and puts on a fantastic match! It’s probably not that hard when you’ve got Penta as your opponent but I’m truly surprised by just how good Serpentico is when he tones down the comedy and he’s not playing second fiddle, or human missile, for Luther. A main event that ultimately elevated the whole show IMHO.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2/5
A fast-paced episode of Elevation, one that featured too many squash matches but, surprisingly, didn’t suffer because of it. Plus any episode of AEW that features KiLynn King in action is always going to go down well with me. Brilliant talent that deserves a real push in the company this year.
