‘AEW: Dark’ Review (July 26th 2022)
Another week, another episode of AEW: Dark. This one features nine matches filmed at AEW Universal and another title defence for PAC, filmed over in Dublin, as part of the travelling All-Atlantic Championship – something that is, right now, one of the more intriguing aspects of AEW’s championship scene.
Match #1: Kiera Hogan def. Allie Reks
My Thoughts: A short, boring quasi-squash match that did nothing for either woman involved. Kiera Hogan really hasn’t shone as much in AEW as she did back in Impact… even as part of Jade Cargill’s crew.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #2: Alex Reynolds def. Ryan Nemeth
My Thoughts: The Dark Order / Wingmen feuding continues but this time in singles competition. A singles match that, honestly, shouldn’t have gone on so long or had Reynolds look so weak. Why Nemeth had the upper hand in this one for so long bemuses me…
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Marina Shafir def. Tracy Nyxx
My Thoughts: A definitive squash for Marina Shafir, even with Tracy Nyxx getting one spot of offence in. This one made Shafir look dominant – as she should given her background.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #4: Slim J def. Blake Li
My Thoughts: Slim J is having his moment in the proverbial AEW sun isn’t he? An appearance on last weekend’s ROH: Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view and he’s back again against one of QT Marshall’s Factory members. Though Slim J’s gimmick just made me think of a New Jersey version of the Spirit Squad for some reason…
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #5: Julia Hart def. Renee Michelle
My Thoughts: Julia Hart’s transformation continues… Here her character work was at the fore, with a determined walk to the ring, an almost stalking of her opponent as the match began and a vicious streak that saw her put Renee Michelle through the wringer. I’m digging it.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: Cole Karter def. Mike Orlando
My Thoughts: Cole Karter has walked out of NXT and straight into AEW it seems. He still looks and feels very much like WWE product though – which is OK on Dark and ELevation but won’t see him get any higher on the AEW roster.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #7: Angelo Parker def. Cameron Stewart
My Thoughts: Another short squash match, and one that felt like it literally existed to pad out Angelo Parker’s loss/win stats. Other than that this was much like the women’s opener – it did nothing for either man involved.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #8: Ari Daivari def. Blake Christian
My Thoughts: This was a decent match, which isn’t unexpected given how good Ari Daivari has been in his appearances for AEW. This one was a well-fought match with two men who could do well in AEW/ROH going forward.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #9: Dante Martin def. Peter Avalon
My Thoughts: Speaking of decent matches, this was a cracking team-up between two men who, on paper, wouldn’t seem like they could put together something so good (mainly as Avalon is always playing up the comedy rather than the wrestling). Outside of the main event, this was the match of the night.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #10: All-Atlantic Championship Match – PAC def. LJ Cleary
My Thoughts: What a main event! Looks like PAC’s All-Atlantic title defences are two-for-two right now. On paper having PAC defend the title in various indie promotions across the globe sounded intriguing but in practice it feels like a stroke of genius – where else are mainstream audiences going to see people like LJ Cleary and appreciate his skills? It’s almost like a “best of” international wrestlers… Maybe it could also be a way to scout future global talent for AEW too?
