‘AEW: Dark’ Review (Dec 20th 2022)
Another week, another episode of AEW: Dark which this week is a stacked show – not only do we have eleven matches on this card we have appearances by the likes of Kenny Omega, who hasn’t wrestled on Dark in almost TWO years! On with the review…
Match #1: Kenny Omega def. Hagane Shinno
My Thoughts: Hagane Shinno’s profile has been slowly building over the weeks until this, what would be a main event match if it was anyone OTHER than Shinno. Instead he gets to take on Kenny Omega in the opening match of Dark. And Kenny was very giving here, letting Shinno get some near falls and plenty of offence in. A cracking opening to this week’s show.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Action Andretti def. Invictus Khash
My Thoughts: Action Andretti, the man that shocked the IWC after winning his match against Chris Jericho last week, is back in action on Dark. The fact he was up against Invictus Khash who, despite being an enhancement talent, ALWAYS delivers a good match. Always. Turns out Khash really DOES enhance other talent!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: Marina Shafir def. Angelica Risk
My Thoughts: Another Marina Shafir and another squash. Well, Angelica Risk did get a couple of moves in (literally).
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #4: Parker Boudreaux def. Gus de la Vega
My Thoughts: One squash followed by another as the Trustbuster’s Parker Boudreaux made quick work of Vega. This felt more throwaway than Shafir’s – at least her match builds towards her badass character.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #5: Angelico and Chaos Project def. Jay Marte, Jarett Diaz & Richard Adonis
My Thoughts: Apparently, if reports are to be believed, Angelico and Chaos Project are a new ongoing faction?! At least it might give Angelico more screen time right? Angelico and Serpentico actually felt like they could be a great tag team without Luther during this match… but then where would Choas Project be without the chaotic actions of Luther?
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: Julia Hart def. Sahara Seven
My Thoughts: It feels like aaaaages since Julia Hart actually wrestled. This was a quick squash to try and build Hart into a similarly badass character as her House of Black cohorts. It kinda worked… Almost.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #7: Jeff Jarrett & Satnam Singh def. Dean Alexander & Rosario Grillo
My Thoughts: Meh, a Jeff Jarrett match… Who cares?! At least Dean Alexander got an in-ring appearance instead of just playing a Young Bucks stand-in on episodes of Being the Elite.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #8: The Wingmen (Peter Avalon and Ryan Nemeth) def. Jake St. Patrick & Sage Scott
My Thoughts: For me the Wingmen have run their course and Peter Avalon certainly deserves a decent mid-card singles match push IMHO. Matches like this, where an AEW-signed team, who typically lose to everyone else higher up on the roster, win against enhancement talent, really does nothing for anyone involved.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #9: Kip Sabian def. Caleb Konley
My Thoughts: Former Impact talent Caleb with a K, who had a match aeons ago in AEW, is back on TV in a match against Kip Sabian – a man who seems to win and lose matches in a very arbitrary fashion since making his return to television. This turned out to be more competitive than I expected, in the best way possible of course!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #10: Jade Cargill def. Dream Girl Ellie
My Thoughts: And we’re back to another squash match – which is pretty much Jade’s AEW career isn’t it? The only time she doesn’t squash her opponents is when they’re “main roster” talent.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #11: Ricky Starks def. Cezar Bononi
My Thoughts: I love, just LOVE seeing Ricky Starks main event ANY of AEW’s shows, be it on TV or YouTube. This played brilliantly into the whole “David versus Goliath” angle that makes a lot of wrestling matches so great. Starks ended up making quick work of Bononi and it didn’t disappoint!
