‘AEW: Dark’ Review (Feb 14th 2023)
Another week, another episode of AEW: Dark which this week features eleven(!) matches which immediately fills me with dread… Anyway, on with the review.
Match #1: Matt Menard & Angelo Parker def. Fuego Del Sol & Leon Ruffin
My Thoughts: A decent opening match and it was great to see Fuego Del Sol back in action on AEW programming, especially here where he teams with Leon Ruffin. A decent start to the show.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: Mei Suruga def. Hyena Hera
My Thoughts: Hyena Hera tried to use her height advantage over Mei Suruga but it was not to be as Suruga went rabid and started biting Hera! The rest of the match was a decent back and forth between the two. Nothing super exciting but good enough.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Varsity Athletes def. Allen Russell & Kameron Russell
My Thoughts: I’ve said for a few weeks now that we’ve not seen the Varsity Athletes in action on AEW programming in a while, given that Tony Nese has been tagging with Ari Daivari but now here we are… And I don’t know what I was complaining about. Tony Nese teaming with Josh Woods and Daivari is pretty much interchangeable IMHO.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Kip Sabian def. Gravity
My Thoughts: Well this was a great match. I’ve never seen Gravity before but he was a fantastic opponent for Kip Sabian and definitely left an impression, even in defeat. I wouldn’t mind seeing these two run back this match another time!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: Zack Clayton def. Dan Adams
My Thoughts: Meh, no idea what AEW are doing with Zack Clayton and I’ve given up caring at this point. I would’ve much preferred a Dan the Dad win!
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #6: Brock Anderson & Brian Pillman Jr. def. Jeeves Kay & Sonny Kiss
My Thoughts: Pillman and Anderson are really leaning heavily into the retro aspect of their generational talent and at the same time they seem to be gelling as a team. Then you put them up against the team of VSK (no, I’m not calling him Jeeves Kay) and Sonny Kiss – who also work well together. Oh, and surprisingly it seems The Trustbusters aren’t dead as I thought either!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #7: Christopher Daniels def. Serpentico
My Thoughts: I would have much preferred this match to NOT have had the involvement of Luther but alas it was not to be. Still, this was a good match-up between two good talents. Plus we got more of the “wrestler” Serpentico rather than the comedy sidekick version in this one.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #8: Ari Daivari def. J Spade
My Thoughts: I’m sorry but no matter how hard I try, I just can’t care about Ari Daivari’s matches. The only thing that peaked my interest here was the chance that Daivari might have to pay the audience if he didn’t win!
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #9: Diamante def. Ultra Violette
My Thoughts: I always enjoy seeing Diamante in action so it’s great to have her back in the ring on Dark and Elevation in recent weeks. This was a little bit more than your typical AEW quasi-squash, with Diamante eventually hitting a number of suplexes on Ultra Violette to get the win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #10: Dalton Castle & The Boys def. Larry Lazard, Terry Yaki & Jay Lucas
My Thoughts: It’s always fun seeing Dalton Castle & The Boys in the ring, they just bring a different energy to AEW and Castle’s extravagance is a sight to behold. Great match,
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #11: Konosuke Takeshita def. Bronson
My Thoughts: Konosuke Takeshita in another AEW YouTube show main event. As it should be. In fact, given Takeshita more time on these shows and he’ll be primed for ANY Dynamite main event sooner than you think. Love Takeshita and love this match. Bear Bronson did one hell of a job as Takeshita’s opponent too!
