‘AEW Dark: Elevation – Episode 53’ Review
Welcome to this week’s review of AEW Dark: Elevation, which is the first of this weeks post-Revolution AEW shows and features a mere six matches in an episode that is the shortest (I think) we’ve seen in a while. We’ve also only got Paul Wight and Mark Henry on commentary this week too… Interesting. Let’s get right into the review… and the action!
Match #1: Lance Archer def. Cameron Stewart
My Thoughts: Do I really need to repeat myself when it comes to Lance Archer’s matches against enhancement talent on Elevation and/or Dark? Archer drags his opponent out of the back, throws them in, and then around, the ring then gets the win. Same old, same old. Though Archer dragged this “match” out for far too long this week.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #2: Ruby Soho vs. Session Moth Martina
My Thoughts: Nice to see Irish wrestler Session Moth Martina, an ROH alumni no less, on an AEW show. Good to see AEW bringing in talent with experience rather than the more “green” enhancement talent we often see on Dark and Elevation. Martina put in just enough offence to make this not a total squash, or even an AEW “quasi-squash” and she at least left an impression.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Daniel Garcia def. Ray Jaz
My Thoughts: Mark Henry spent the first part of this match trying to big up Ray Jaz, you just took a beating from Garcia. Jaz hit a sunset backslide for a 2 count on Garcia and all that did was make Garcia beat him even harder. Squash-tastic. Though they haven’t stretched these squashes out to painful levels like Lance Archer… yet.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #4: Scorpio Sky def. Captain Shawn Dean
My Thoughts: Ethan Page joins the commentary team for the match, of course. A match that saw Dean take it Scorpio Sky and at one point look like he could win it. It was not to be of course but this pairing of Dean and Sky actually made for a really good, really competitive match AND shows why I think Dean needs more of a push in AEW, be it as a singles buy or in a tag team with Carlie Bravo (yes, I will keep pushing for that).
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: Kris Statlander def. Emi Sakura
My Thoughts: This was a pretty physical match, the hard-hitting style of both Statlander and Sakura really gelling here, and making more out of their four minutes than most. Interesting to see Statlander look a little more vicious in this one, I’d like to think its part of the storytelling post-Revolution and her loss to Leyla Hirsch but I’m probably over-reaching.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: Wheeler Yuta vs. Aaron Solo
My Thoughts: Aaron Solo gets another shot at Wheeler Yuta after their tag-team match on last week’s Dark. Interestingly I thought Paul Wight made some interesting suggestions on commentary regarding Solo’s wasted talent being allied with QY Marshall because he’s right. Yet Solo neer made an impact as a baby face. So he’s also wrong. Either way Solo lost this one, with Yuta brilliantly counter-acting QT Marshall’s appearance at ringside with a fake crotch shot on the top rope to get him ejected. Excellent storytelling and a move that more babyfaces need to apply when outnumbered by heels at ringside!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
One of the better episodes of Elevation in recent weeks, with only two real squash matches – which makes a pleasant change. Speaking of squash matches, I’m gettin tired of the Lance Archer stuff, he’s a beast we get it but I think they’re taking the ass-whipping he’s giving enhancement talent too far now, he nees to start actually fighting people on the main roster instead.
