‘AEW Dark: Elevation – Episode 87’ Review
Welcome back to another review of AEW Dark: Elevation, this week features nine matches and a number of big-name stars! We’ve got Tony Schiavone, Paul Wight and Matt Menard on commentary, so let’s get into the review…
Match #1: Madison Rayne def. Diamante
My Thoughts: Great to see Diamante back in action on AEW programming and she actually looked like she was having fun, even cracking a smile! Though that didn’t last long as Madison Rayne rolled her up and stole the win – even though Diamante did all the work! Short and sweet.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #2: Frankie Kazarian def. Rhett Titus
My Thoughts: ROH wrestler Rhett Titus makes another appearance on AEW programming, though it’s been about 6 months since we last saw him, losing to the awesome Konosuke Takeshita. Titus’ AEW losing streak continues as Kazarian controlled this match from the bell, with Titus getting just enough offence in to keep this from being a total squash.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Kiera Hogan def. Skye Blue
My Thoughts: For the first time in a while we get a match where you can’t guess the outcome! Interestingly, the Kiera Hogan that participated in this match is NOT the one we’ve seen in AEW so far. It’s almost as if she threw a switch and decided to really step up her game… That or Skye Blue was a well-matched opponent in both size and skill…
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Dante Martin def. Brandon Cutler
My Thoughts: Brandon Cutler was outclassed, outmatched and out of his depth against Dante Martin… Except he wasn’t. This match was booked terribly, with Cutler allowed to get waaaaay too much offence in and by offence I mean stupid showboating and jokey wrestling. Shambolic. Thankfully Martin and his amazing skills made this one worth sitting through.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #5: Athena def. Janai Kai
My Thoughts: It’s been quite some time since Janai Kai has been booked for AE shows – she impressed in her 3-match run at the end of 2021/beginning of 2022 so I was interested to see what she’d do here. Turns out not much, as Athena unleashed her vicious side once again, demolishing Kai with a series of hard-hitting moves.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #6: Orange Cassidy & Best Friends def. Anthony Young, Victor Andrews & Patton
My Thoughts: Until the Best Friends took a pause to, almost, give the people what they want, this match was a total squash of the enhancement talent – even Matt Menard made fun of the trio of jobbers throughout the match! In the end the jobbers got one piece of successful offence in, so this wasn’t a TOTAL squash!
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #7: Eddie Kingston & Ortiz def. Breaux Keller & Myles Hawkins
My Thoughts: The crowd in attendance were HOT for Kingston… like really hot. I’m digging this tag team of Kingston and Ortiz, they have great timing and teamwork and together they took swift care of their opponents. Even if they’re STILL selling that weird “out of control” Eddie at the end of their matches; though the fans loved it!
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #8: Jade Cargill def. Trish Adora
My Thoughts: This was a clear display of Jade Cargill’s dominance in the build-up to her match against Marina Shafir this week. A lot of trash talk, some throwing around of her opponent and this was was over. Adora got 20 seconds of offence in tops… Which made this a SQUASH!
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #9: QT Marshall def. Danhausen
My Thoughts: Love seeing Danhausen in the main event of the show, even if he did get beat by QT Marshall of all people. Though in a complete surprise Lee Johnson, a graduate of Marshall’s wrestling school who was working with Arn and Brock Anderson, turned heel and helped QT get the win! Hopefully, if he keeps losing we might get the “Very Evil, Very Nice” version of Danhausen’s character – one who’ll then run roughshod over the roster like the badass we know he is!
