20th Apr2022

‘AEW: Dark’ Review (April 19th 2022)

by Phil Wheat

It’s time for this week’s review of AEW: Dark, which like last week features a mere 6 matches. But it’s a STACKED set of matches with some of AEW’s biggest names making an appearance on the show this week – AND we’ve got a live paying and excited crowd (this was taped at the same time as Battle of the Belts 2 apparently). Let’s get into it!

Match #1: Toni Storm def. Gigi Rey

My Thoughts: Great to see Toni Storm open an episode of Dark, made the entire show feel more like a big deal. As did the appearance of Jamie Hayter on commentary for this match, really building towards the duo’s upcoming match against each other. Hayter, as I’ve said to people plenty of times before, needs more time on the mic – she has shown more personality in her appearance on Ethan Page’s toy vlog than her entire time on AEW and she has a great rapport that needs bringing out on TV!

My Score: 2.5 out of 5

Match #2: Danielle Kamela def. Raché Chanel

My Thoughts: This was another typical AEW quasi-squash match, with Danielle Kamela giving Raché Chanel a little room to get some offence in but not much. This was obviously set-up to show Kamela off prior to her Owen Hart tournament match on this week’s Dynamite and it worked!

My Score: 2 out of 5

Match #3: Ricky Starks & Powerhouse Hobbs def. Evil Uno & Stu Grayson

My Thoughts: Goddamn this was good. This was main event worthy stuff in the middle of the show. The match was given enough time to tell a great story and all four men made the best of it. Evil Uno and Stu Grayson were their usual brilliant selves but they were out-wrestled by Hobbs and Starks who, after this match, could clearly be completely believable AEW tag champ contenders… The way they got the win was a joy to behold and a credit to Starks and Grayson for making it look so GOOOOOOD!

My Score: 4 out of 5

Match #4: Tony Nese def. JD Griffey

My Thoughts: From a massive high to a massive low. This match was pretty bad. I don’t know what happened between these two but the match looked intense but also awkward at the same time. Nese planted Griffey hard to get the win… perhaps too hard?

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #5: Marina Shafir def. Alejandra Lion

My Thoughts: This was another quasi-squash for Dark, with Shafir clearly being built as some sort of unstoppable machine despite any punishment she may take. And given her previous MMA experience that’s certainly the best way to build up Shafir. It will be interesting to see what happens when Shafir and Jade Cargill, who came out post-match, actually do meet in the ring.

My Score: 2 out of 5

Match #6: Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland def. The Factory (Aaron Solo & Nick Comoroto)

My Thoughts: Closing the show on a high, this wasn’t quite as good IMHO as the previous men’s tag match on this card but this was still a brilliant example of tag wrestling. Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland make for a superb team and their chemistry is palpable. Aaron Solo and Nick Comoroto seem to be filling the Dark & Elevation spot of “jobbers” but not in the traditional sense of the word. They always deliver decent offence and the shenanigans they get up to usually put the match outcome under question. Though you’d never see, right now, Lee and Strickland losing to these two!

My Score: 3.5 out of 5

Final Verdict: 3.5/5

This six-match format for AEW: Dark is REALLY working. Short, sweet and satisfying. Like this wrap-up paragraph!

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