‘AEW Dark: Elevation – Episode 106’ Review
Welcome back to another review of AEW Dark: Elevation, which again features eight matches this week. We’ve got regulars Paul Wight and Matt Menard on commentary as usual. So let’s get into the review!
Match #1: Emi Sakura def. Zyra
My Thoughts: Once again Emi Sakura lets her opponent show what she’s got in a quasi-squash match for AEW. Sakura could totally dominate her opponents week after week but the fact she doesn’t says a lot about the wrestler she is. I’m digging this singles run Sakura is on right now too!
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #2: Jake Hager def. Levi Shapiro
My Thoughts: We rarely get Jake Hager in singles matches on TV/YouTube these days, so it was great to see him work even if this was a squash match!
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #3: Marina Shafir def. Mighty Mayra
My Thoughts: This was another squash match with the debuting Mighty Mayra not given a chance to mount any offence against Marina Shafir, who still seems to be struggling to marry MMA and wrestling into a cohesive moveset.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #4: Brian Cage def. Jack Cartwheel
My Thoughts: Now on paper this SHOULD have been a squash match but Cage has recently been doing similar to Emi Sakura and letting his opponents have some space to mount some offence and show some skills. This was an interesting battle of skillsets – Cahe’s strength, size and power against Cartwheel’s speed and agility. Pretty good stuff overall.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #5: The Butcher and The Blade def. Midas Kreed and Vinnie Massaro
My Thoughts: I may complain about too many squash matches on the likes of Dark and Elevation but when it’s done so decisively as The Butcher and The Blade do it, it makes for great viewing!
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #6: Athena def. Inder Mundi
My Thoughts: This is a retread of every Dark and/or Elevation match Athena has had against enhancement talent this year. She squashes her opponent, then beats them down after the match. It’s getting stale. As I’ve said before, AEW need to step up this match – as Impact did with Masha Slamovich – and have Athena do this to roster members instead of unsigned talent.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #7: Best Friends (Chuck Taylor and Trent Beretta) def. Starboy Charlie and Olumide
My Thoughts: Nice to see the Best Friends not totally demolish their opponents here. Mainly because I was getting sick and tired of all the squash matches on this show! Speaking of squashes, as many others have noted with this match Best Friends looked to be taking out some anger on Starboy Charlie and Olumide here – a possible character change underway perhaps?
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #8: The Lucha Bros. (Rey Fenix and Penta el Zero Miedo) def. The Wingmen (Peter Avalon and Ryan Nemeth)
My Thoughts: Rey Fenix and Penta gave The Wingmen WAY too much room in this one! Whilst yes, I didn’t want to see another squash in the main event, instead this looked like Rey Fenix and Penta were too lenient, too weak, in the face of Peter Avalon and Ryan Nemeth… BTW, are The Wingmen really still a thing these days?
