‘AEW: Dark Review (April 12th 2022)
It’s time for this week’s review of AEW: Dark, which emanates from AEW Universal once again and like last week, features a mere 6 matches. We’ve got Taz and Excalibur on commentary so let’s get right to it.
Match #1: Powerhouse Hobbs def. Axton Ray
My Thoughts: A quick opening match that saw Hobbs in control for most of the time. I saw most as Ray did a tremendous spot out of the corner – dodging Hobbs with a leap into the corner and a moonsault out, that had the crowd excited and me too. Otherwise this was standard Hobbs squash fare.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #2: Max Caster def. Mike Reed
My Thoughts: Max Caster gets to wrestle a match as a babyface? Never thought I’d see it but here we are. The crowd obviously love Caster’s pre-match raps and that’s why he can be something of a tweener. Anyway, Caster had some decent competition in Mike Reed who was given enough space and time to look like he could get one-up on Caster. Yes, we;re in AEW quasi-squash match territory, though Reed got a bit more than usual for this type of match.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: Diamante def. Mylo
My Thoughts: This was Diamante kicking Mylo’s arse for a minute and 15 seconds of this minute and a half match. Mylo got one spot in and a pinfall attempt but spent the rest of the time overselling for Diamante, REALLY overselling! Always good to see Diamante beating the hell out of her opponents though!
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #4: Jora Johl def. Teddy Goods
My Thoughts: Jora Johl makes it two-for-two on AEW’s online shows this week. Good to see he’s not getting forgotten in the shift in ownership of the HFO/AHFO/AFO. Johl needs more exposure and, honestly, probably a manager or legend to take him under his wing but do it PROPERLY this time. He also needs something to elevate above the rest of the Dark and Elevation pack too.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #5: Emi Sakura def. Charlette Renegade
My Thoughts: A short and sweet squash match that saw Emi Sakura get the crowd support for a change – a crowd who seemed to be into Sakura’s viciousness in this match. Charlette Renegade sold well in this one but didn’t get to do much else.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #6: Shawn Dean def. Rohit Raju
My Thoughts: Always good to see Shawn Dean in action and even more so when he’s picking up the win. Rohit Raju is filling a great spot in AEW, ultimately working as an enhancement talent but one with the experience and kudos to bring more to the match than your usual “jobber”. Raju can face anyone on the AEW roster and make it feel like a solid, hard-hitting, well-fought match. Dean rose to the occasion here, no doubt in a build to his rematch against MJF, though the ending felt a little off – maybe because the crowd thought Raju got the pin first.
