‘AEW: Dark’ Review (Aug 9th 2022)
Another week, another episode of AEW: Dark which emanates from Grand Rapids, Michigan – which means this was taped at the same time as this past weekend’s Battle of the Belts special. We’ve got Taz and Excalibur on commentary as usual so let’s get to the action!
Match #1: Private Party, The Butcher & The Blade def. Isaiah Broner, James Alexander, Brayden Lee, & Sam Moore
My Thoughts: So we open Dark with an 8-man quasi-squash match. Hey, at least Private Party, The Butcher & The Blade are getting “TV” time right? Right..? It seems both teams are floundering somewhat after the end of the HFO/AHFO so to see them in action is good, even more so when the in-ring action is good too!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: Anna Jay A.S. def. Megan Meyers
My Thoughts: Anna Jay gets a new name and new attitude… Hopefully her time in the JAS is more successful than the Dark Order. As I said yesterday, Megan Meyers has a great look and great skills, shame she didn’t get time to show that here, with Anna Jay ending this one quick with the Queenslayer.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: The Best Friends def. Rohit Raju & Ren Jones
My Thoughts: If we got anything from this match it’s that Ren Jones is, at least in AEW, one of the first to intercept the Best Friends grandstanding hug… Even if he didn’t do anything with that leverage after the fact. Oh and the fact Danhausen is not averse to d*ck-punching!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #4: The Dark Order (Evil Uno & 10) def. The Wingmen (Peter Avalon & JD Drake)
My Thoughts: We’re back in this territory again, Dark Order wrestling the Wingmen… AGAIN. At least it’s not in the main event this week. Reviewers like myself are asking the question why are we are seeing the same matches over and over? Well, judging by the crowd response to the Dark Order, it’s for the audience in attendance who ALWAYS pop for the black and purple faction!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: Marina Shafir & Nyla Rose def. Heather Reckless & Joseline Navarro
My Thoughts: I’m digging the team of Shafir and Rose, whose dominance is on display in this match, getting the decisive win and THEN destroying their opponents even more post-match and post-Vickie Guererro’s promo!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: Kris Statlander def. Sierra
My Thoughts: This was a better women’s match as Statlander was her usual badass self whilst Sierra offered some decent offence. It did look like Statlander may have tweaked her knee when she almost kicked Sierra’s head off to get the win but hopefully it’s nothing too serious.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #7: The Trustbusters (Ariya Daivari, Parker Boudreaux and Slim J) def. Sonny Kiss, Zack Clayton & Xavier Walker
My Thoughts: This was a good trios match but there’s just something “off” about the Trustbusters faction. And by off I mean the team seems incredulous and therefore they just don’t resonate with me – even as a heel faction! Though I was intrigued by the post-match interaction between Sonny Kiss and Ari Daivari… Fingers crossed something comes of that in the future.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #8: Ruby Soho, Athena & Hikaru Shida def. Serena Deeb, Leva Bates & Emi Sakura
My Thoughts: And the good, nay great, trios matches continue with this women’s trios match which features some of our regular Dark trios participants but then throws in Leva Bates, who has one hell of a match considering she’s mainly known for her appearance on BTE rather than AEW matches! Proves that her NOT appearing in more matches is a total waster of her talent. This is the kind of match that could easily be a regular part of Dynamite or Rampage.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #9: Orange Cassidy def. Anthony Henry
My Thoughts: Another match that is definitely TV-worthy material. Anthony Henry is incredibly underrated and that showed in this match against fan-favourite Orange Cassidy. Cassidy of course played the underdog for most of this match, letting Henry get in some solid offence AND letting JD Drake (Henry’s partner in The Workhorsemen tag team) even score some interference. But that’s Cassidy’s schtick – takes a kicking and keeps on ticking!
