Nerdly » ‘AEW Dark: Elevation – Episode 89’ Review

15th Nov2022

‘AEW Dark: Elevation – Episode 89’ Review

by Phil Wheat

Welcome back to another review of AEW Dark: Elevation, this week features nine matches once again and a number of big-name stars rather than jobbers! We’ve got Paul Wight and Matt Menard, so let’s get into the review…

Match #1: Gates of Agony (Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun) def. Big Cuzzo and Teddy Goodz

My Thoughts: I’ve been a fan of Toa Liona and Kaun since they first debuted on AEW programming and its great to see them now a staple of the brand. However, they deserve better than this squash match IMHO.

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #2: Tay Melo def. Paris Van Dale

My Thoughts: Another Tay Melo match and another squash match – I guess that’s because she kicks the faces in on more experienced opponents.

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #3: Matt Hardy and Private Party (Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen) def. Kyle Bradley, Smiley Fairchild and Channing Thomas

My Thoughts: Talking about squash matches, this was yet another one and another match that wastes the potential of Private Party. But then that’s been their enter AEW story hasn’t it? Wasted potential. They were SO hot when they were signed by Matt and Nick at that indie show and they’ve never managed to capture anything like that once they joined the HFO… The downfall of so many involved, Matt HArsy included.

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #4: Athena def. Kayla Sparks

My Thoughts: Shall I play broken record? Squash!

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #5: The Butcher and The Blade def. Waves and Curls (Jaylen Brandyn and Traevon Jordan)

My Thoughts: Another Squash!

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #6: ROH Pure Title Match – Daniel Garcia def. Leon Ruffin

My Thoughts: Good god. An actual wrestling match! A decent little back and forth between these two that showcased wrestling over storytelling and substance over spot-fest fluff. Still enjoying the fact ROH is at least getting some screen time, even if it is part of AEW’s YouTube shows.

My Score: 2.5 out of 5

Match #7: 10 def. Jora Johl

My Thoughts: And we’re back to squash matches. At least this one was what I like to call a “typical AEW quasi-squash” match. Still, in essence, another squash!

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #8: AR Fox def. Serpentico

My Thoughts: Who expected AR Fox to pick up the win here? Well me. Yes, I know Serpentico usually gets the win over “enhancement” talent… However, AR Fox is set to team with Top Flight on Dynamite so, as per usual when talent is going to appear on the main show, Fox got a spotlight and a win on one of the company’s YouTube shows. A really decent match, you might say a breath of fresh air in a field of squash matches!

My Score: 2.5 out of 5

Match #9: Riho and Willow Nightingale def. Mei Suruga and Emi Sakura

My Thoughts: And once again it’s down to the women to save the show! Another group of women put on another of the night’s best matches. Though I still stand by the argument that this kind of excellent match should NOT be relegated to YouTube – especially given some of the dross that makes it to Rampage!