‘AEW: Dark’ Review (Jan 24th 2023)
Another week, another episode of AEW: Dark which this week features eight matches and takes us back to the typical Dark studio setting rather than coming from on the road… Anyway, on with the review.
Match #1: Britt Baker def. Billie Starkz
My Thoughts: This was a fantastic opening match, with Billie Starkz giving Britt Baker a decent run, almost getting the win with a super-close pinfall attempt. Starkz even made Baker bleed! Apparently this was filmed a while ago, which takes some of the momentum out of the finished product but still, I really enjoyed this one.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Dark Order (Evil Uno, Alex Reynolds, & John Silver) def. Baliyan Akki, Marcus Kross & Vary Morales
My Thoughts: Dark Order versus enhancement talent… Oh, I wonder who;s going to win this one? And what do you know, it’s also a squash! Yes, this one weas another by-the-book AEW YouTube match for the Dark Order. For shame.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #3: Tony Deppen vs. Serpentico
My Thoughts: This was another example of Serpentico being allowed to show how good he actually is and then that all getting totally ruined thanks to interference from Luther and Angelico. Just let Serpentico do this stuff on his own, he ALWAYS looks better when he’s out there solo. Despite the shenanigans this was actually a decent, competitive match.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #4: Matt Sydal def. Cezar Bononi
My Thoughts: This was less of a match and more of an angle to set up ANOTHER feud between The Wingmen and Top Flight. I’m hoping this was another match filmed some time ago – before Top Flight did their recent amazing work on AEW’s main shows.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #5: Harley Cameron def. Brittany J
My Thoughts: This was a weird one. Two women I’m sure haven’t been seen in AEW before both going at it in a match. Harley Cameron got an entrance package so I’m guessing she’s a new prospective future talent for the company? Other than that this was decidedly average.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #6: Madison Rayne def. Kaci Lennox
My Thoughts: Well this was short. Which means yes, this was a squash, In fact it was your typical AEW quasi-squash, with Lennox given just enough space to not look like she rolled over for Rayne.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #7: Action Andretti def. Bronson
My Thoughts: Current AEW wunderkind Action Andretti gets his first match NOT against a member of the JAS, instead facing down one half of the formerly title Bear Country tag team, Bronson. This actually ended up being one hell of a match-up, with both men looking good and the whole thing feeling really competitive – especially when you consider this week’s show is packed with squash matches!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #8: Mascara Dorada def. Anthony Henry
My Thoughts: It certainly makes a change to see talent like Mascara Dorada in the main event of Dark rather than another Dark Order/Wingmen tag match. This was, like it’s predecessor, another competitive, well-fought match; with The Workhorsemen’s Anthony Henry holding his own against Mascara Dorada – so much so that I can even forgive the shenanigans from JD Drake. A solid end to this week’s Dark.
