27th Oct2022

‘AEW: Dark’ Review (Oct 27th 2022)

by Phil Wheat

Another week, another episode of AEW: Dark and like I said in my Elevation review, I missed last week’s two AEW YouTube shows due to the sheer amount of wrestling that was on TV/PPV! So I’m back at it this week, with a show taped in front of a live Toronto crowd… On with the review!

Match #1: Lance Archer def. Iseah Brown

My Thoughts: Lance Archer just feels like a broken record these days. Drag your opponent to the ring. Check. Throw him around. Check. Get the pin. Check. But hey, at least he’s wrestling matches.

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #2: Zack Clayton def. Shane Saber

My Thoughts: I was firmly in the same camp at the live Canadian audience in wanting local wrestler Shane Saber to get the win over the former reality star Zack Clayton. Alas it was not to be as Clayton ending up picking up the win in what was at least a competitive match.

My Score: 2 out of 5

Match #3: Athena def. Alexia Nicole

My Thoughts: Alexia Nicole got one-up on Athena in the opening but in the end this turned out to be your typical AEW quasi-squash, with Athena giving Nicole just enough room to not look like she was totally being squashed. Nice bit of respect at the end of this one too.

My Score: 2.5 out of 5

Match #4: Danhausen def. James Stone

My Thoughts: Danhausen always pleases the crowd even if, like this match, the wrestling was 100% up to scratch (see the botch at the end of this one for example). Still, its always good seeing Danhausen actually wrestle instead of just popping the crowd.

My Score: 2.5 out of 5

Match #5: Aaron Solo def. Serpentico

My Thoughts: I can forgive Serpentico for bringing Luther out with him this week given it was a home crowd for the screaming meanie! In the end Luther wasn’t much of a factor, with Solo and Serpentico delivering a competitive, well-fought match.

My Score: 3 out of 5

Match #6: Riho def. Jungle Kyona

My Thoughts: Jungle Kyona makes her AEW debut against a competitor she has experience with and it showed here. This was a great match and one that showed just why AEW need the joshis and why the joshis bring so much to the company’s programming.

My Score: 3.5 out of 5

Match #7: Lucha Brothers (Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix) def. The Workhorsemen (Anthony Henry & JD Drake)

My Thoughts: Two of my favourite teams going at it with each other. What’s not to love? I’ll tell you what’s not to love… how short this match was and the fact it wasn’t on Rampage or better still Dynamite! The Workhorsemen can, hopefully, keep the momentum going and get to the big AEW shows next year!

My Score: 3 out of 5

Match #8: Emi Sakura & Serena Deeb def. KC Spinelli & Taylor Rising

My Thoughts: Emi Sakura and Serena Deeb make for one hell of a formidable team don’t they?! Whilst the outcome wasn’t in doubt, I was surprised to see KC Spinelli take on Serena Deeb and stop her from getting the pin on Taylor Rising. I did hope that would lead to something more but this ended up just another AEW quasi-squash.

My Score: 2.5 out of 5

Match #9: Ricky Starks def. Nick Comoroto

My Thoughts: Gotta love seeing Ricky Starks in action, even more so when he’s playing the underdog – as he was here, with QT Marshall and Aaron Solo up to all sorts of shenanigans on the outside of the ring. The crowd were WELL into this one and it made the entire match feel even more exciting.

My Score: 3 out of 5

Final Verdict: 3/5

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