Nerdly » ‘AEW Dark: Elevation – Episode 96’ Review

03rd Jan2023

‘AEW Dark: Elevation – Episode 96’ Review

by Phil Wheat

Welcome back to another review of AEW Dark: Elevation, which features 9 matches on this week’s show – the first Elevation of 2022! We’ve got Paul Wight and Matt Menard on commentary, so let’s get into the review.

Match #1: Hikaru Shida def. Tyra Russamee

My Thoughts: This was a typical AEW squash match of the highest order, with Tyra Russamee taking a beating from Shida – only avoiding Shida rather than offering any of her own offence.

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #2: Varsity Athletes (Tony Nese and Josh Woods) def. Pillars of Destiny (Hunter Grey and Paul Titan)

My Thoughts: This was decidedly average. Both teams seemed to struggle making this one feel like a smooth wrestling match and instead felt too scrappy to make any impact.

My Score: 1.5 out of 5

Match #3: Matt Hardy and Isiah Kassidy def. Manny Lemons and Atiba

My Thoughts: Another AEW typical squash, with Hardy and Kassidy letting Lemons and Atiba get FAR too much offence in for enhancement talents. Otherwise this was very much by the numbers.

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #4: Marina Shafir def. Lilith Grimm

My Thoughts: Lilith Grimm got one hit in. ONE. Total squash that felt more like an angle between Shafir and Rose instead of a legitimate challenging match.

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #5: Athena def. Gypsy Mac

My Thoughts: If you’ve watched any of Athena’s matches on Dark or Elevation then you know exactly what to expect. Really. With Athena once again beating down her opponent post-win too.

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #6: Dark Order (Alex Reynolds, John Silver, and Evil Uno) def. Ryan Nemeth and Chaos Project (Luther and Serpentico)

My Thoughts: What’s that? Dark Order getting a win? Oh yeah, this is AEW’s YouTube shows, where they do win. But not on the main shows do they? I have ZERO interest in a Nemeth/Chaos Project team plus… Why was Angelico WITH Chaos Project but not WRESTLING with Chaos Project as part of their new team?

My Score: 2 out of 5

Match #7: Julia Hart def. Leva Bates

My Thoughts: Another Julia Hart squash but one that felt wrong given she squashed Leva Bates, who’s clearly got more skills and experience but who’s had to job to Hart for the “story.”

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #8: Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal def. Justin Andrews and Ryzin

My Thoughts: Surprise surprise, another squash. And like ALL of Lethal and Jarrett’s matches, I couldn’t give a toss about it.

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #9: House of Black (Malakai Black, Buddy Matthews, and Brody King) def. Hagane Shinno, Rosario Grillo, and Dean Alexander

My Thoughts: Always great to see House of Black in action and it was also fun to see the Young Bucks stand-ins, Grillo and Alexander, in action too (watch BTE to get that reference). Apparently, according to the Bucks, Grillo got injured in this match, which is a shame. But this match, besides House of Black, was all about Hagane Shinno – who shines more and more and more with each and every match he has in AEW.