31st Aug2022

‘AEW: Dark’ Review (Aug 30th 2022)

by Phil Wheat

Another week, another episode of AEW: Dark which emanates from AEW Universal once again. We’ve got Taz and Excalibur on commentary as usual, so let’s get to the action!

Match #1: John Silver def. Serpentico

My Thoughts: This was a really solid start to this week’s show. Serpentico was his usual reliable self (even if we did get a screaming Luther in his corner) and so was Silver. A great match even if this felt like something of a showcase for Silver on the road to the Trios Championship final.

My Score: 3 out of 5

Match #2: Diamante def. Charlette Renegade

My Thoughts: Diamante’s back! It’s been some weeks since we’ve seen her in action, just a shame she had to come back to Renegade Sisters shenanigans, which totally took away from this match this week rather than adding to it.

My Score: 1.5 out of 5

Match #3: Angelo Parker def. Gus De La Vega

My Thoughts: Angelo Parker in a rare singles match (still hate 2.0 new names though). This was LITERALLY a 15-second squash. I guess Parker has to get some wins under his belt to fight for the FTW Championship?

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #4: Kiera Hogan def. Mylo

My Thoughts: I haven’t seen Mylo in action before so it was a surprise to see her go toe-to-toe with Kiera Hogan. This was well booked well given that I expected a quasi-squash at least.

My Score: 2.5 out of 5

Match #5: The Trustbusters (Ari Daivari, Parker Boudreaux, & Slim J) def. Logan Cruz, Tyshaun Perez, and Hermano

My Thoughts: The Trustbusters really aren’t clicking with me… and I liked Entourage! Yes, for those unaware, this faction is basically a play on the classic HBO TV show – which is why they shortened Ari’s first name. To match a character in the show. And that’s the only interesting thing about this squash match.

My Score: 2 out of 5

Match #6: Julia Hart def. Vicky Dreamboat

My Thoughts: Well this was, for me at least, one of Julia Hart’s best singles outings yet. This felt more like a match than a lot of the quasi-squashes we see from Hart. It does feel like Hart is, week after week, match after match, really making improvements and really becoming comfortable in this heel role.

My Score: 2.5 out of 5

Match #7: Kayla Rossi def. Vipress

My Thoughts: Former Joey Janela bodyguard Kayla Rossi is back for her second singles match and she is accompanied by the Diamond Sheik once again. This was a 100% by-the-book AEW quasi-squash. No more no less.

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #8: Varsity Blonds def. Rosario Grillo & Dean Alexander

My Thoughts: The Varsity Blonds are still a thing? The only thing that marked this match out was how angry Griff Garrison looked… Maybe he’s miffed that Varsity Blonds are still a thing? Griff floundered on the singles scene and I, and everyone else, thought he had something with Briamn Pillman Jr. in the Varsity Blonds but they now both feel back where they started.

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #9: Dante Martin def. A.R. Fox

My Thoughts: Going into to this I expected to see Dante Martin in yet another squash match. But no. Turns out A.R. Fox was a great foil for Martin and both men put on a brilliant match, one that, if A.R. Fox was signed to AEW and had more appearances under his belt, could’ve been on one of the main shows. It would’ve probably stolen the show too.

My Score: 4 out of 5

Match #10: Brock Anderson def. Tyson Maddux

My Thoughts: Too short to make an impact. This was Brock Anderson taking part in a typical AEW quasi-squash match. That’s it.

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #11: The Workhorsemen def. Oliver Sawyer & Manny Lo

My Thoughts: The Workhorsemen in the house! Always love seeing this duo go at it in a ring. And I’ll sound like a broken record here too… Drake needs to focus on THIS tag team than keep messing around with the Wingmen That faction was fine as an introduction to AEW but if Drake wants to have a bigger impact in AEW then The Workhorsemen is the way to go.

My Score: 3 out of 5

Match #12: Leila Grey def. Renee Michelle

My Thoughts: Leila Grey gets kicked to the kerb by Jade Cargill on TV last week and now she’s working AEW: Dark. Judging by this match, Cargill might have been right. Grey needs work but, at least we know she’ll get that in AEW – just look at all the women on their roster who came in with little experience and who have improved tremendously since they joined the roster.

My Score: 2 out of 5

Match #13: Rush def. Blake Christian

My Thoughts: Well this was a banger of a main event! Rush did his usual brilliant thing but Blake Christian, who’s had some great matches in AEW AND on the indies of late, really held his own. Which meant this match had a big-fight feel, even on the small stage of AEW: Dark… Another match that could’ve appeared on TV rather than YouTube IMHO.

My Score: 4 out of 5

Final Verdict: 3.5/5

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