‘AEW: Dark’ Review (Aug 2nd 2022)
Another week, another episode of AEW: Dark. This one features seven matches filmed at AEW Universal and another overseas title defence for PAC 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: The Trustbusters (Ari Daivari & Slim J) def. Logan Cruz & Tyshaun Price
My Thoughts: So we’ve got The Trustbusters… I’m not convinced but I’m willing to give “Ari” and his new tag team gimmick a go. Thought they later add the debuting Parker Boudreaux to the ranks. And – if what I’ve read online is to be believed – we’ve got ourselves a faction based on the old HBO show Entourage!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: Willow Nightingale def. Harley Cameron
My Thoughts: Go Willow go! This was a typical AEW quasi-squash match but one that, thanks to Willow’s infectious nature, felt a lot more fun than formulaic. Buy hey I might be biased given how much I enjoy Willow’s presentation!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: Diamante def. Rocky Radley
My Thoughts: Another women’s quasi-squash match, though I’m not sure if Diamante should be “quasi” squashing anyone – she should be riding ruffshod over any and all enhancement talent! In fact she should be much more involved in the women’s main event scene.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: The Factory (Aaron Solo & Nick Comoroto) def. KC Rocker & Caleb Teninty
My Thoughts: Another YouTube tag match for The Factory. Nothing new there then. However… Did no one notice that the non-legal man got the pin? Did NO-ONE in AEW notice that? Or did no one care?
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #5: Capt. Shawn Dean def. Jonathan Hudson
My Thoughts: Shawn Dean is one of AEW’s most underrated and under-utilised wrestlers, so when he does make an appearance on ANY of the company’s shows I’m always rooting for him! Here he had a great foil in Hudson, who did some tremendous heel work to really put over Dean as the babyface.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #6: Parker Boudreaux def. Serpentico
My Thoughts: Former NXT wrestler Parker Boudreaux makes his AEW debut following his departure from the WWE. And it was a very strong showing for the man who some called the next Brock Lesnar. This worked because of Serpentico, who knows how to out his opponents over and make them look good AND strong (though I doubt Boudreaux needs anyone to help him look strong).
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #7: The Acclaimed def. The Wingmen (Peter Avalon & Ryan Nemeth)
My Thoughts: This was a much better use of The Wingmen… Giving them fresh opponents, rather than rehashing their funds with Dark Order or Best Friends, made a world of difference and The Acclaimed seemed to relish the opportunity to actually wrestle too – must make a change from brawling with the Ass Boys!
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #8: AEW All-Atlantic Championship – PAC def. Connor Mills
My Thoughts: So PAC is three-for-three when it comes to superb title defences. Forget all these folks saying that it’s hard to follow these matches when you don’t know PAC’s opponents but when the matches are this good who cares?! There’s something refreshing about seeing PAC face new opponents each and every week. Plus we got a fantastic tease of a possible Kip Sabian/PAC feud too!
