‘AEW Dark: Elevation – Episode 79’ Review
Welcome to this week’s review of AEW Dark: Elevation, the opening salvo in the AEW wrestling week. We’ve got a repeat of last week’s commentary team, Excalibur and Matt Menard, for this episode so let’s see what the show has to offer!
Match #1: Julia Hart def. Alice Crowley
My Thoughts: Another good outing for Julia Hart who, every week, gets better and better, smoother and smoother. She really feels like she’s embraced this new character and it’s made her look a lot better in the ring. I do hope House of Black continues given the rumours about Malakai Black at All Out this past weekend.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #2: Josh Woods and Tony Nese def. Jordan Kross and Renny D
My Thoughts: How much of a squash was this? I’ll tell you… Renny D didn’t even get an official tag into the match! Woods and Nese beat down Jordan Kross for just over 2 minutes to get the win. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, why are Woods and Nese relegated to Dark/Elevation squash matches week in and week out?
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #3: Serena Deeb def. Nikki Victory
My Thoughts: Another squash match from Deeb. Though this one saw the professor take her time with her opponent, toying with Nikki Victory for nearly four minutes (when Deeb’s recently been clocking in 2m30s matches). The extended time the match was given also mean Victory managed to get in some decent offence AND get out of some of Deeb’s moves – so much so that Deeb used – I think – an entirely new finisher to get the win!
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Private Party (Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen) def. JDX and Brandon Gore
My Thoughts: This felt like something of a throwaway match, especially given that Private party have gone from eagerly anticipated “will be tag champs” to a mid-card tag team and then a comedy tag team. This current run looks, to me, like AEW is trying to rebuild PP back to what they once were – hence all the flashiness is gone and the duo are back to putting on smooth, well-put-together, matches. Still, this was a squash!
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #5: Skye Blue def. Diamante
My Thoughts: Now on paper Skye Blue getting a win over Diamante looks improbable. However… this match took place in front of a Chicago crowd and Chicago loves Blue. Hence she got the win in front of the hometown crowd. Kudos to Diamante for putting on a great match and still being willing to put Skye over in front of the Chicago audience.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: Nyla Rose and Marina Shafir def. Madison Rayne and Queen Aminata
My Thoughts: Nyla Rose and Marina Shafir are one hell of a team and putting the two together has made Nyla look more dominant and Shafir look more comfortable. It works for both of them so long may it continue. But it didn’t really look like Madison Rayne gelled with either of her opponents in this match – but that could just be down to feeling out new wrestlers Rayne hasn’t faced before etc.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
This episode of Elevation, like some of the more recent shows, felt like it was telling its own story outside of the main roster. Things that are referenced here are referenced on TV but they ARE referenced on other YouTube shows like BTE. It’s almost like Dark and Elevation are building their own “world” inside the larger AEW universe.
