‘AEW: Dark’ Review (July 12th 2022)
Another episode of AEW: Dark, which this week once again features Taz and Excalibur, out commentators for Dark as usual, but a VERY different type of presentation than we’ve seen from AEW’s YouTube shows – with two matches filmed overseas, one in Tokyo and one here in Blighty, in Sheffield of all places and the rest of the card emanating from AEW Universal in Florida! Let’s see what this new style of show brings to Dark…
Match #1: AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator – Miyu Yamashita def. Thunder Rosa
My Thoughts: Easily the best match Thunder Rosa has had in AEW in some time, this one looked like an actual wrestling match rather than a brawl or fight like some of Rosa’s other AEW matches. Miyu Yamashita was obviously a great foil for Rosa’s style and if you didn’t realise that, Miyu showed what she’s made of by becoming more and more of a true serious contender as the match went on. It was kind of obvious, even without spoilers, what the outcome of this one would be given how big a deal they made of Thunder Rosa’s stipulation but that didn’t take anything away from this match!
My Score: 4.5 out of 5
Match #2: Private Party def. Bear Country
My Thoughts: Not going to lie, I knew that Bear Country’s appearance last week, winning their match, would lead to them jobbing to “bigger” names in the AEW tag team division and that’s exactly what happens here. Though they at least got the time and space to seem like real contenders for Private Party – which is how it should be given that the lustre has clearly worn off PP after their hyped signing to AEw all those years ago! FOr me Bear Country should have won this one. Just saying.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: Shawn Dean def. Conan Lycan
My Thoughts: This one went on far too long… Conan Lycan looked the part though some of his moves seemed a little clumsy. Inexperience perhaps? The spot where he fell over while catching Dean was a botch that made even Excalibur laugh; not something you want to happen in your match is it? Always good to see not only Shawn Dean in action but also picking up a win.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Matt Menard & Angelo Parker def. Jake St. Patrick & Sage Scott
My Thoughts: Whereas this one was far too short… This was a 100% unequivocal squash match, with Menard and Parker making INCREDIBLY quick work of the enhancement talent!
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #5: Willow Nightingale def. Mila Moore
My Thoughts: Not going to lie, I’ve become a huge mark for Willow Nightingale since the first time I saw her in AEW, watching her matches for other companies and following her wrestling journey on social media. It’s a long time since ANY wrestler has had that kind of impact – it’s her infectiously fun nature that makes you not only want to root for her but also discover more about her. Plus she’s also a damn good wrestler, as is evident here! I’ve seen people say this, and I have to agree: it’s clear she’s a huge future talent for AEW and wrestling as a whole, along with the likes of Daniel Garcia, Dante Martin and Wheeler Yuta.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: Rohit Raju def. Baron Black
My Thoughts: So we get two “enhancement” talents taking each other on. Which one’s going to be the loser? That was actually a valid question for most of this match as both men were evenly matched and got the same amount of offence in on each other. Me? I was hoping Baron Black would pick up a long-awaited win but no, Rohit “I did every I could in Impact and now I’m jobbing in AEW” Raju picked up the win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #7: Angelico def. Logan Laroux
My Thoughts: Angelico’s in a really weird place in AEW right now. He’s lost his tag partner and is stuck in limbo currently. In fact so in limbo is he, that the “big” thing about this match was Angelico’s new theme music. I’m finding it hard to see how he fits in the current AEW landscape – even with his legitimately great wrestling ability! And matches like this don’t help, with Angelico clearly outclassing Laroux but having to give him room to do his thing. But at the same time, I don’t see Angelico ever squashing anyone in a match ever.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #8: Dante Martin def. Nick Comoroto
My Thoughts: Dante Martin gets his second match of the week against someone bigger than him. AEW sure do like him to have to pit his speed and agility against other wrestlers size and strength don’t they? Nevertheless this was another banger from Martin, with Comoroto and the entire Factory crew making this a real underdog match for Martin – which is a position from where he works best.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #9: AEW All-Atlantic Championship Match – PAC def. Shota Umino
My Thoughts: Shota Umino impressed as part of the Forbidden Door pay per view and we all know how good PAC is… What was in debate was the presentation of this RevPro-filmed match. Plenty of folks in the IWC said this wouldn’t be worthy of screening as part of AEW: Dark given RevPro’s own productions. But if it wasn’t presented here we wouldn’t have seen what is one of, if not THE best match we’ve had on Dark. Ever. This is 100% an unmissable match and one that, hopefully, signifies a sea-change for AEW and Dark given that Tony Khan has said PAC will defend his All-Atlantic Title across the globe in indie promotions everywhere.
My Score: 5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 4/5
Featuring matches filmed in different countries, featuring its biggest stars defending titles or participating in key matches (like Thunder Rosa’s eliminator match) made this episode of AEW: Dark feel as fresh and new as the very first show 151 episodes ago. This needs to be the future of at least ONE of AEW’s YouTube shows going forward.
