11th Jan2023

‘AEW Dark: Elevation – Episode 97’ Review

by Phil Wheat

Welcome back to another review of AEW Dark: Elevation, which features 11 matches on this week’s show – urghhhh, I’m not a fan of these longer cards, especially given most matches are usually squashes! We’ve got Paul Wight and Matt Menard on commentary, so let’s get into the review.

Match #1: Brian Cage def. Schaff

My Thoughts: As this started I thought “here we go, another Brian Cage squash” but that is NOT what we got! The crowd in attendance were clearly behind Schaff and so we actually got something of a competitive match, with Cage letting Schaff showcase his stuff for those unfamiliar with his work. In the end that made for a great match!

My Score: 3 out of 5

Match #2: The Kingdom (Matt Taven and Mike Bennett) def. Bollywood Boyz (Harv and Gurv)

My Thoughts: I’m not going to lie, when it comes to The Kingdom I’m less than enthused. OK, so Mike Bennett had a great match against Darby Allin last week but that didn’t make me any more excited for this match – which was ultimately decidedly average.

My Score: 2 out of 5

Match #3: House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews) def. Peter Avalon, Nick Nemeth & Ari Daivari

My Thoughts: A House of Black match that ISN’T a squash? Unbelievable, especially against this particular trio of opponents! Can’t believe that Black and co. didn’t just demolish Avalon, Nemeth and Daivari?! I know, I know, I complained about squash matches on these YouTube shows then say this should have been one. It’s a quandary!

My Score:2 out of 5

Match #4: Powerhouse Hobbs def. Vinny Pacifico

My Thoughts: Now this WAS a squash match, with Hobbs easily making mincemeat of poor Vinny. OK, so Vinny did get a few hits in but not enough to make this anything but a traditional squash.

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #5: Marina Shafir and Nyla Rose def. Amira & Danika Della Rouge

My Thoughts: Another squash match as Shafir and Rose made swift work of the enhancement team of Amira and Rouge. Nothing surprising at all to be honest.

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #6: ROH World Title Match – Claudio Castagnoli def. Josh Woods

My Thoughts: Another week, another ROH title defence on AEW’s YouTube shows. This was was about as good as could be expected for a title match on Elevation, especially between Claudio and Josh Woods. Not going to lie, probably my favourite Josh Woods match since his AEW debut.

My Score: 3 out of 5

Match #7: Ethan Page, Matt Hardy & Isiah Kassidy def. Guillermo Rosas, Cody Chhun & Sonico

My Thoughts: This match was made by Ethan Page, who’s really come into his own in this self-made feud with Matt Hardy (because apparently Page and Hardy have created and planned this entire storyline themselves). Kassidy also looked good here, actually wrestling rather than the over-the-top showboating that Private Party have been known to do in the past. Still, this was a huge squash on behalf of the AEW talent.

My Score: 1.5 out of 5

Match #8: Athena def. Viva Van

My Thoughts: I think Viva Van got one shot in against Athena in this entire match. One. This was a squash of the highest order! Athena did her usual schtick of beating down her opponent – only this time with interference from Marina Shafir, setting up a YouTube feud between the two?!

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #9: Eddie Kingston & Ortiz def. Ricky Gibson & Eddie Pearl

My Thoughts: This was a squash match to tune up Kingston and Ortiz for their match against House of Black later this week. This one went on longer than a lot of the squash matches on this show but I’m not complaining about seeing more of Eddie Kingston in action!

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #10: Bandido def. Christopher Daniels

My Thoughts: We’re being spoilt here – Christopher Daniels is in action yet again. Nice to see Bandido back on AEW programming too and the pairing made for a fantastic match. Easily the best match of the show.

My Score: 3.5 out of 5

Match #11: Best Friends (Chuck Taylor and Trent Beretta) def. Chaos Project (Luther and Serpentico)

My Thoughts: So instead of the quality pairing of Bandido and Daniels closing the show we get a comedy match to send fans home with a smile on their face – mainly thanks to Danhausen’s involvement outside of the ring! Not bad for a comedy match but felt like a comedown after the previous match.

My Score: 2 out of 5

Final Verdict: 2.5/5

Off

Comments are closed.