Nerdly » ‘AEW: Dark’ Review (July 19th 2022)

20th Jul2022

‘AEW: Dark’ Review (July 19th 2022)

by Phil Wheat

Another episode of AEW: Dark, which this week features fourteen, yes FOURTEEN(!), matches. Though this show has also gone back to the traditional format after last week’s tremendous show which showcased two matches filmed internationally… I fear no Dark may ever live up to last weeks… Especially not one crammed with 14 matches like the old pandemic days!

Match #1: Jora Johl def. Luke Sampson

My Thoughts: Poor Jora Johl, it really looked like he was being set up to be a big star, with a future turn against Matt Hardy probably propelling him up the AEW card. Then Jeff hardy joined AEW and the HFO disbanded (or became the AFO, whatever) and Johl has been seemingly forgotten. Though he has out in some decent time on AEW’s YouTube shows, it feels like he’s fallen into the Factory/Dark Order trap – win against jobbers on YouTube, BE the jobber of Dynamite/Rampage!

My Score: 2 out of 5

Match #2: Lee Moriarty def. Ren Jones

My Thoughts: A bit of a short match but one that still felt competitive. I’m hoping something big comes Lee Moriarty’s way as he’s a fantastic wrestler but every time momentum swings his way he gets hit with a loss – just look at last week! I don’t know if a spot on ROH is the place or perhaps joining a faction? There’s just something missing from his presentation in AEW compared to his indie work IMHO.

My Score: 2.5 out of 5

Match #3: Serena Deeb def. Viva Van

My Thoughts: And we’re in AEW quasi-squash territory again. Deeb was in control the entire time, letting Viva Van hit a few spots and even going for a pin. But nope. This was all Deeb.

My Score: 2 out of 5

Match #4: Marina Shafir def. Amber Nova

My Thoughts: I may as well repeat everything I said about Deeb’s match for this one too. Though the ever-reliable Amber Nova got in more offence in this match. Still this was booked to make Shafir look strong and that she did.

My Score: 2 out of 5

Match #5: Konosuke Takeshita def. Anthony Henry

My Thoughts: I’m not going to lie. I had never heard of, let alone seen any of Konosuke Takeshita’s work before he appeared in AEW but in that short time he has gained a new fan. I will watch Takeshita’s work wherever he goes now. And the same applies to Anthony Henry – a wrestler who I’d heard of prior to seeing him in AEW but a wrestler whose shown some great skills in the few matches he’s had. Especially when working with my man JD Drake. All that is to say this was a TREMENDOUS match, almost the best of the night (that honour goes to the main event) and one that only cements my love for these two guys’ work!

My Score: 3.5 out of 5

Match #6: Jonathan Gresham def. Jordan Oasis

My Thoughts: And now it’s the turn of the men to put in some squash match work! Yes, Gresham, now playing the heel of course, made pretty swift work of Oasis who – remarkably – had the crowd behind him. Proves Gresham is a great heel at least?!

My Score: 2 out of 5

Match #7: Wheeler Yuta def. Bryce Donovan

My Thoughts: And guess what. The AEW quasi-squash formula is repeated in this match too! Which was a total waste of Yuta’s time – in essence this was merely a way to give Yuta mic time to call out Daniel Garcia prior to their match at the ROH Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view. Nothing more, nothing less.

My Score: 2 out of 5

Match #8: Danhausen def. Jake Something

My Thoughts: Danhausen wrestles! Well, not really. More like Danhausen gets his ass kicked by Jake Something before stealing the win with a roll-up. Classic Danhausen mischievousness really. Jake Something looked strong though – it would be interesting to see him possibly “team” with Ethan Page, especially considering Jake has been a vlog semi-regular on Page’s channel in the past?

My Score: 2 out of 5

Match #9: Charlette & Robyn Renegade def. Avery Breaux & Valentina Rossi

My Thoughts: Much like I said about Jora Johl’s match, the Renegade Sisters seemed to be positioned as a team that will win against enhancement talent on AEW’s YouTube shows, but then BE the enhancement talent of shows like Dynamite/Rampage! I still dig their switcheroo action in their singles competition and they’re clearly getting better at what they do too though!

My Score: 2 out of 5

Match #10: Mercedes Martinez def. J-Rod

My Thoughts: Apparently J-Rod was trained by Rikishi and given her formidable size you have to think that’s probably a great fit; and J-Rod used that size advantage here against Mercedes Martinez! Unfortunately this one didn’t get enough time to have a huge impact but J-Rod certainly impressed.

My Score: 2.5 out of 5

Match #11: The Varsity Blonds (Griff Garrison & Brian Pillman) def. The Hughes Brothers (Terrence & Terrell)

My Thoughts: Anyone else think the time is up for the Varisty Blonds? They had huge momentum in the past but it’s all faded away completely. Their time off TV didn’t help and it feels like these two are staying together so they don’t get lost in AEW’s singles scene. Whatever. This was, again, an AEW quasi-squash, with the Hughes brothers given just enough leeway and space to not look like they were totally being squashed by a team that didn’t even look cohesive this week.

My Score: 1.5 out of 5

Match #12: QT Marshall def. Fuego Del Sol

My Thoughts: I absolutely LOVED Fuego’s promo going into this match. LOVED it. But this match? It didn’t feel like it reflected that intensity, that desire, that fire, that Feugo had in the promo. It felt a little more aggressive yes, but it also felt like a retread of the duos previous matches. And the finish was janky as hell too.

My Score: 2.5 out of 5

Match #13: Jay Lethal def. Logan Cruz

My Thoughts: Not Jay Lethal again?! The quicker he’s off AEW and dumped in ROH the better IMHO. The only time he was relevant was back in his TNA run. Now? Seems like a bitter old man – as fully demonstrated by this match. If he takes Samoa Joe’s ROH title off him I’ll riot! Might only be me rioting but I’ll riot :)

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #14: Daniel Garcia def. Alan Angels

My Thoughts: Before we go on, this match was filmed BEFORE Alan Angels left AEW. And shows exactly why Alan Angels SHOULD NOT have left AEW. Every time Angels has had a singles match, without the Dark Order interfering etc., he’s shown just how f**king skilled he is. Hell, he killed it in his debut match for Impact the other week! Having him go up against Daniel Garcia was a stroke of genius as both men worked really well against each other. If there was any way to go out of AEW on a high for Angels it was this. He will be missed. The only reason this doesn’t get a higher score? The fact they HAD to tie this into Gracia and Yuta’s feud/match at Death Before Dishonor. This should have been kept as pure as the rules!