‘AEW Dark: Elevation – Episode 71’ Review
Welcome to this week’s review of AEW Dark: Elevation, the opening salvo in the AEW wrestling week. This time round we’ve got Tony Schiavone and Caprice Coleman on commentary (with Anthony Ogogo joining them in the later matches), which makes for a refreshing change to proceedings. Let’s see what the show has to offer!
Match #1: Emi Sakura def. Paris Van Dale
My Thoughts: Surprise, surprise. Emi Sakura finally gets to have a singles match on one of AEW’s YouTube shows. She’s been stuck in women’s tag/trios whirlygig for weeks now, so it’s weird to see her in a one-on-one match. Though this wasn’t really a match, this was a typical AEW quasi-squash, with Paris Van Dale getting a couple of big spots in – a running bulldog, a open-leg faceplant – but nothing that gave Emi anything to worry about.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #2: Dante Martin vs. JD Drake
My Thoughts: Two of my favourite wrestlers in AEW going toe-to-toe, what’s not to love?! This seems, on paper, like a strange pairing – a high-flyer with a big “hoss” style wrestler. But JD Drake is more nimble than you’d think and he was a great foil for Dante Martin’s acrobatics; the contrast in styles REALLY working here.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #3: Julia Hart def. JC
My Thoughts: Hart is in full House of Black mode these days and it’s done wonders for her character. I get that bubbly blonde cheerleader can be fun, but badass and possibly psychopathic, former cheerleader is a LOT more fun! The fact she’s almost stalking opponents now in her new persona works wonders to make her look stronger and more proficient in the ring. Which, if she keeps her clearly-visible growth going as she has, that will be the case very soon.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Ethan Page def. Colin Delaney
My Thoughts: You know kayfabe is dead when Ethan Page wrestles a guy he’s been toy hunting with on his YouTube channel. OK, OK, so not everyone watches Page’s channel but it does seem weird to see him beat-up a “friend” (it’s much more bizarre when it’s enhancement talent IMHO). Though not as weird as seeing him play the total opposite to his persona on TV! This was an AEW quasi-squash, with Page hitting the Ego’s Edge for the win!
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #5: Anna Jay def. Shawna Reed
My Thoughts: It looked like Anna Jay was trying out some new moves in this match, which is a good thing given how she’s relying on the Queenslayer all the time. Shawna Reed gave as good as she got, matching Jay’s momentum (and skillset), making this one… you guessed it. A typical AEW quasi-squash match!
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #6: Best Friends (Trent Beretta and Chuck Taylor) def. The Factory (QT Marshall and Aaron Solo)
My Thoughts: The Factory in the main event AGAIN. But at least this time we get new opponents in the Best Friends – which made for a much more competitive and hard-fought match than we typically see from these matches. This match got plenty of time to tell its story, which was one of near falls and sneaky, underhand, tactics from The Factory as per usual. Don’t know why the Best Friends would really struggle to beat The Factory though…
