‘AEW: Dark’ Review (May 24th 2022)
Welcome to this week’s review of AEW: Dark which comes from AEW Universal and features nine matches this week. Once again we’ve got the winning team of Taz and Excalibur on commentary… Let’s get into the review!
Match #1: Kris Statlander def. Avery Breaux
My Thoughts: We open this week’s Dark with one of AEW signature matches. The quasi-squash. With Kris Statlander in control of this one, giving Breux just enough time to get in a modicum of offence. What really marked this match out was the silence… This AEW Universal crowd were quiet. Like really quiet for this match!
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #2: “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard & “Cool Hand” Angelo Parker def. Eli Isom & Tug Cooper
My Thoughts: Match number two and squash number two. This was little more than a chance for the now stupidly named Matt Menard & Angelo Parker to get a win before the Double or Nothing PPV this weekend. It’s called momentum but not sure this momentum is going to take these two anywhere in Las Vegas.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: AQA def. Brittany Jade
My Thoughts: Great to AQA in an AEW ring again. This match felt very much like two inexperienced wrestlers feeling each other out AND feeling out how to wrestle on “TV”. But then Dark is AEW’s ‘developmental’ show so a match like this fits. AQA totally outclassed Jade though.
My Score: out of 5
Match #4: Lee Moriarty def. Alan “5” Angels
My Thoughts: Two matches in two days and Lee Moriarty delivers another banger. Though let’s not make light of Alan Angels’ contribution to this match either. These guys put on a match that would not have been out of place on Dynamite or Rampage. The only reason it isn’t is that it’s Lee Moriarty and Alan Angels, and those guys aren’t – sadly – headliners for AEW.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #5: Sonny Kiss def. Carlie Bravo
My Thoughts: Two great wrestlers who haven’t really had much time on AEW programming post-pandemic are put together in a seemingly random match and prove their worth in the short amount of time they were given. I’m a big fan of Carlie Bravo, and have been since I first saw him in AEW but what’s with the new heel gimmick? On the other hand, what’s not to love about Sonny Kiss? Matches like this and the match before it are why I sit through AEW’s Youtube shows every week.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #6: Robyn Renegade def. Vicky Dreamboat
My Thoughts: The Renegade Sisters continue to play “twin” games in the ring and, honestly, it’s a better gimmick than some of the other wrestlers in AEW! This was another quasi-squash match but one that had a little extra to it thanks to the Renegade’s using their switch out gimmick – post-match Tony Schiavone called out the twins for their actions, seemingly hinting that AEW will deal with it in the future.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #7: Anthony Ogogo def. Trenton Storm
My Thoughts: Physically, Trenton Storm looked like some real competition for Anthony Ogogo – he wasn’t. Well, not really. Instead we got a MEN’S quasi-squash match, with Storm putting in just enough offence to not make it look like he was lying down for Ogogo. Speaking of Ogogo, he botched a slam and the crowd turned on him. Which was fun. The dude takes himself far too seriously.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #8: Leva Bates def. Kiah Dream
My Thoughts: Leva Bates wrestling? On AEW programming? What is this, a parallel dimension? Bates hasn’t wrestled on “TV’ in what seems like an eternity. Yes, she works backstage AND she appears on numerous vlogs but wrestle? I don’t want to put Leva down, at all, but it felt like Bates was a tad rusty in the ring and that’s probably because she doesn’t wrestle ENOUGH!
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #9: Roppongi Vice def. The Wingmen
My Thoughts: I honestly thought that The Wingmen were no more, especially given that JD Drake is now in another tag team, as is Cezar Bononi. But no we still have this team that has, in my opinion, outworn their welcome. Well, more like outworn their gimmick. Speaking of teams that are over, it seems that Best Friends are no more… if BTE is to be believed. I hope not but, like The Wingmen, the gimmick seems to have run its course. On the plus side who doesn’t love seeing Roppongi Vice in action? They outclassed, outshone, out-pretty-much-everything when it came to their opponents. The only thing The Wingmen had over Roppongi Vice? Pretty Peter Avalon’s hair! And JD Drake of course (who didn’t wrestle)… Still a fav of mine.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
Given that we’re on the road to Double or Nothing, this episode of Dark didn’t half feel dull. Where’s the excitement, the build, the anticipation? That’s what you get for block-filming shows I guess.
