‘AEW: Dark’ Review (Nov 29th 2022)
Another week, another episode of AEW: Dark which features 8 matches on the card this week (thankfully; I do love a shorter show)… On with the review!
Match #1: Lee Johnson, QT Marshall and Cole Karter def. Justin Corino, Ryan Mooney and Steven Josifi
My Thoughts: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the new additions to The Factory faction have given the group a huge boost. Case in point, this match. Johnson and Karter work well as a duo and even made QT Marshall a new edge!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: Zack Clayton def. Chris Wylde
My Thoughts: Clayton is seemingly being booked like a lot of the lower-tier AEW talent, he loses to any “big name” talent but then wins against outside enhancement talent. Which is, honestly, kind of boring. Even more so when it’s someone like Clayton, who needs an extra edge to get him to the next level and rise above the enhancement talent he faces in matches like this.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #3: Hikaru Shida def. Layla Luciano
My Thoughts: Layla Luciano looks like she could give Shida some real competition given her size and apparent strength (she easily body slams Shida at one point) but Luciano is an enhancement talent and a brief flurry of, admittedly strong, offence isn’t enough to give her the edge over Shida.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #4: Matt Menard, Daniel Garcia and Angelo Parker def. Tracy Williams, Jack Tomlinson and LSG
My Thoughts: Nice to see Tracy Williams in action and he gave as good as he got at times, going toe to toe with Garcia at one point. Despite all that you knew the outcome was never in doubt yet still this was a solid six-man tag match! I’d be up for seeing more like this on Dark going forward.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #5: Brian Cage def. Tony Deppen
My Thoughts: Tony Deppen is back and he’s facing the machine Brian Cage. Doesn’t bode well for him does it? How wrong can a man be… Deppen stepped up to Cage and the two men delivered a great match, easily one of the best of this episode.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #6: Angelico def. Hagane Shinno
My Thoughts: I have no idea who Hagane Shinno is but given AEW’s track record of bringing in fantastic overseas talent I had high hopes. And those hopes were right! This was easily one of the best matches Angelico has had in a LONG time in AEW! I just wish this one got more time TBH.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #7: Emi Sakura def. Tiara James
My Thoughts: Another quasi-squash match, with Emi Sakura letting Tiara James get in a flurry of offence in so that this wasn’t a total, and quick, squash match.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #8: The Wingmen def. Matt Hardy and Private Party
My Thoughts: Geez… The Wingmen AND Hardy/Private Party in one match. Way to disappoint. What a let down for a main event. The only guy here I gave a damn about was Peter Avalon, the rest of the participants are so middle of the road that it’s hard to give a damn about ANY of their matches, Including this one.
