The post-Double of Nothing episode of AEW Dark: Elevation was special as it was the first show with fans in attendance. The focus was on the fallout from Double or Nothing, and AEW managed to put together another entertaining show.
Having a vocal crowd to cheer and boo the performers made a big difference tonight, and as always, Tony Schiavone and Paul Wight kicked off the episode with the usual greetings.
Thunder Rosa's message to Britt Baker kicks off AEW Dark: Elevation
The show kicked off with a typically fiery Thunder Rosa promo. Rosa began by congratulating Britt Baker over the Doctor's AEW Women's World Championship win.
Rosa warned the new champ and promised to make a significant statement in her match against Reka Tehaka, scheduled for later in the episode.
The Acclaimed vs. Brent & Brandon Tate (AEW Tag Team Debut) on AEW Dark: Elevation
Despite being heels, The Acclaimed got quite a positive reaction from fans. Solid pop! There were quite a few laughs in the audience throughout Max Caster's latest verse.
Brent & Brandon Tate, aka The Tate Twins, are from Knoxville and the reigning Ohio Valley Wrestling Tag Team Champions. The Tate Twins are best known for their time in Ring of Honor, where they appeared as Dalton Castle's 'The Boys.' The twin brothers have also received a WWE tryout in the past.
Anthony Bowens kicked off the match by using his power to send his opponent into the corner. The Acclaimed worked in tandem to execute an extensive combo that ended with a Caster dropkick.
Max delivered a spear in the corner, followed by a back body suplex for a two-count. The Tate Twins took control of the match with a cheap shot on Caster.
The brothers executed a double hip toss before swinging through into a neckbreaker. The combination moves continued as the Tates delivered a double elbow drop.
Bowens made the blind tag, and The Acclaimed hit an assisted neckbreaker to regain control of the match. Anthony rocked his opponent with a spinning discus forearm strike. Caster got the tag, and the Acclaimed began setting things up for the finish.
Caster and Bowens hit a sloppy dropkick-death valley driver combo. The Acclaimed, though, didn't mess up the finish as Caster hit the Mic Drop for the win.
Result: The Acclaimed def. Brent & Brandon Tate (AEW Tag Team Debut) on AEW Dark: Elevation
Grade: B-
Tony Schiavone interviews Jungle Boy; Christian Cage attacked by The Hardy Family Office
A pre-taped segment aired next from last night's AEW Double or Nothing featuring Tony Schiavone and Jungle Boy. The segment was taped after DON and Jungle Boy opened up about his monumental Casino Battle Royale victory.
Jungle Boy stated that he was looking forward to facing Kenny Omega, and his interview was interrupted by Christian Cage.
The veteran expressed his unhappiness as he was one of the final two competitors in the Casino Battle Royale. Christian Cage recalled meeting Jungle Boy when he was a little child. Christian put over Jungle Boy in a massive way by endorsing the Jurassic Express member as a future world champion.
Matt Hardy came out screaming near ringside, and he was really frustrated with Christian. Captain Charisma eliminated Hardy from the Battle Royale, and Matt was out looking for some retribution on AEW Dark: Elevation.
The Hardy Family Office blindsided Christian, which led to Jungle Boy leaping off the ropes to lay out the heels. The segment ended with Jungle Boy making the save and Hard Family Office members retreating.
Leyla Hirsch vs. Robyn Renegade on AEW Dark: Elevation
Leyla Hirsch also received a predictably solid response from fans. Both women got the match rolling with a strong collar and elbow tie-up before Hirsch got a great pop for the first takedown.
Leyla controlled Renegade's back and kept her down for a few seconds. Hirsch let her opponent up before targeting the knees.
Renegade used her sizeable physical frame to avoid another takedown. Hirsch still managed to execute a rolling crucifix pin. She got two more pinfall attempts before getting rocked in the face with a right from Renegade.
Robyn caught Leyla's kick and executed an overhead slam. She followed with a running double knee strike to Hirsch's body in the corner. Renegade put her foot over Hirsch for a very casual pin.
'Let's go, Leyla' chants echoed around the arena as she fired back with a series of chops. Hirsch didn't let the massive size disadvantage stop her from delivering a perfect German suplex.
Hirsch swiftly locked in the cross-arm breaker for the win on AEW Dark: Elevation.
Result: Leyla Hirsch def. Robyn Renegade on AEW Dark: Elevation
Grade: B-
The Varsity Blonds cut a backstage promo ahead of their AEW Dark: Elevation match against Chaos Project.
Thunder Rosa vs. Reka Tehaka on AEW Dark: Elevation
Thunder Rosa got one of the best pops of the night as expected on AEW Dark: Elevation. Rosa changed levels and got Tehaka down to the mat in the early goings of the AEW match.
Rosa seamlessly controlled the flow of the match with some decent mat exchanges. It should be noted that Excalibur replaced Schiavone for this match.
Rosa got a nice deep arm drag takedown, followed by a cradle into a body slam. The former NWA Women's Champion sat down with a senton, and she fed off the crowd's energy.
Tehaka hit a few kicks and left Rosa to dry over the top rope. The Samoan wrestler came running through with a pump kick. She got a one-count from the lateral press.
Rosa quickly stopped Tehaka's momentum with a head roll takedown. Rosa went for a hammerlock, but Tehaka got her arm out of the way. Reka got sent to the corner with two heavy-handed chops from Rosa.
Tehaka responded with a big headbutt. She, however, got a little too eager as Rosa sidestepped an incoming attack. Thunder Rosa picked up the pace and drove her knees into Tehaka's body, followed by a dropkick and butterfly suplex for a near fall.
Tehaka lit up Rosa with a series of clubbing shots across the chest. The former NWA World Women's Champion fought out of the firewomen's carry position to hit a few chops.
Rosa then delivered a Death Valley Bomb in the center of the ring before locking in the Peruvian Necktie, aka the Peruvian Calavera Choke, for the win.
Result: Thunder Rosa def. Reka Tehaka on AEW Dark: Elevation
Grade: B+
Reka Tehaka should be proud of herself as she tested Thunder Rosa in the AEW Dark: Elevation match and came out looking really good in a losing cause.
Penta El Zero Miedo cut a backstage promo up next on AEW Dark: Elevation and Alex Abrahantes was on hand to deliver the translation.
Varsity Blonds (w/ Julia Hart) vs. Chaos Project on AEW Dark: Elevation
Tony Schiavone was back in the commentary booth after missing one match on AEW Dark: Elevation. Varsity Blonds got a great reception to kick off the match.
Brian Pillman Jr. started with a lot of vigor as he took the fight to Serpentico. He sunk in a big chop and tagged in Griff Garrison.
Garrison showed off his power with a delayed body slam. Pillman came back in with a vault-over leg drop from the apron.
The Blonds executed a high dropkick-spinebuster combo for a two-count. The tandem offense continued as Garrison and Pillman landed a double suplex on Serpentico.
The Blonds were on song as Pillman flattened Serpentico with a back body drop.
Chaos Project got back into the match with a brief distraction as Luther pulled Pillman out of the ring and sent him crashing into the barricade.
Luther rolled Pillman back in and used Serpentico as a weapon to inflict more damage. Luther methodically picked apart Pillman. He dropped Serpentico onto Brian.
Luther wasn't done as he slammed Serpentico's head into Pillman's stomach. Flying Brian was in a lot of trouble as he worked out of a headlock.
Luther had his moments outside as he body-slammed Pillman on the floor. He called for Serpentico to go to the top turnbuckle.
A Cartwheeling Julia Hart saved Pillman from a major catastrophe as Garrison rushed in to knock Serpentico off the top. Garrison finally got the hot tag, and he went to work on Serpentico.
Griff rocked Serpentico with a big sole kick before dropping him down with a flatliner. Luther stopped the Blonds' attempt to execute a top rope move.
Serpentico hit a Swanton bomb off the top on Pillman for a near fall. The crowd chanted 'Varsity' as Chaos Project hit the Creeping Death on Pillman.
Garrison ran in to make a crucial save. He sent Serpentico flying to the outside but got caught with a pump kick.
Garrison, however, stunned Luther with a discus forearm before Pillman followed it up with a springboard clothesline for the win on AEW Dark: Elevation.
Result: Varsity Blonds def. Chaos Project on AEW Dark: Elevation
Grade: A
This was a really well-paced match that had the crowd on its feet by the end.
Dustin Rhodes spoke about his upcoming Bullrope match against Nick Comoroto in a pre-tapped interview segment with Tony Schiavone. Rhodes was in fine form as he delivered a promo masterclass in the intense AEW Dark: Elevation segment.
Nyla Rose & The Bunny (w/ Vickie Guerrero & H.F.O) vs. Big Swole & Red Velvet
Vickie Guerrero unsurprisingly got the loudest boos on AEW Dark: Elevation. She mocked and insulted Justin Roberts before introducing Nyla Rose for the highly-anticipated AEW Dark: Elevation match.
Red Velvet and Bunny started the bout, and there was a big-match feel to the proceedings on AEW Dark: Elevation. Bunny grounded Velvet in the early stages with some decent head control and a few shoulder tackles.
Velvet reacted with a leg whip lariat. She tagged Big Swole while Nyla Rose entered the ring from the opposite corner. Swole smartly attacked Rose's knee and got a two-count with a back senton.
Swole and Velvet kept Rose on the mat with a double dropkick and a faceplant. Velvet followed it with a standing moonsault. Rose and Bunny, however, steadied the ship and hit a double-team move to shut Red Velvet down.
Rose got a two-count with a spinebuster, and the heels began to dominate the matchup from this point onwards. Nyla delivered a cannonball in the corner, and Bunny came running through with a basement clothesline.
Velvet fought back with a few elbows to Bunny's gut, but the H.F.O. member knocked her opponent back down. The Native Beast got tagged in, and she kicked Velvet in the back.
Red Velvet began her comeback by evading a knee drop and hitting a shotgun dropkick. Velvet leaped from the top with a crossbody for a two-count. She dug deep and landed a few strikes.
Nyla Rose shrugged off the strikes and delivered a massive chokeslam. The elevation on the slam was terrific!
Rose proceeded to the top turnbuckle but missed the senton as Red Velvet rolled out of the way.
Red Velvet finally tagged Big Swole as Bunny also re-entered the contest. Swole was ready to dish out some punishment, and she laid out Bunny with a flurry of punches.
Swole stepped through the ropes to deliver a cutter on Bunny. Swole hoisted Bunny to the mat with an STO in the corner. Red Velvet was hurting in the corner as Swole lost all her momentum with a clobbering shoulder block from Rose.
Swole ate a few punches but still managed to knock Rose's lights out with her Dirty Dancing finisher out of nowhere. Rose's knees gave up, and Swole covered her for the pin.
Bunny made the save by breaking the count, which forced Red Velvet to initiate a frantic brawl. Bunny sent Velvet on the outside but got decked with a big roundhouse kick from Swole.
H.F.O. members jumped up on the apron to distract the referee, and Bunny took advantage by getting hold of a brass knuckle.
Bunny punched Swole in the head with the knuckle duster while the referee wasn't looking, and Rose capitalized by getting the three-count in the AEW Dark: Elevation match.
Result: Nyla Rose & The Bunny def. Big Swole & Red Velvet on AEW Dark: Elevation
Grade: B+
Joey Janela was involved in a very confusing backstage interview up next on AEW Dark: Elevation with Alex Marvez. The Bad Boy is really a work of art!
Jack Evans (w/ Angelico) vs. Penta El Zero Miedo (w/ Alex Abrahantes) on AEW Dark: Elevation
Penta was really popular with AEW fans as he had quite a noisy entrance before the AEW Dark: Elevation match got underway.
Penta took his glove off, and he worked for the crowd incredibly well with the entire spot. Jack Evans responded by talking absolute gibberish at Penta.
The TH2 member danced around and was brutally kicked by Penta for all his troubles. Evans escaped an early package piledriver attempt and hit the ropes to gather some speed.
Penta kicked him down yet again! Evans reacted with an excellent spinwheel kick.
Jack somehow tied Penta's mask to the ropes and kicked him in the head. Talk about innovation! Evans strung together a sequence of moves as Penta sold the offense.
He hit a springboard kick, followed by a standing corkscrew splash for a two-count. Jack missed the 630 Senton but delivered a Northern Lights suplex.
Evans looked smooth tonight as he executed a Falcon Arrow for a near fall. Penta got back into the match with two sling blades.
Penta got his trademark chops out of the bag before going to the outside in the AEW match. Evans missed a flying move as Penta had already scouted him from a distance. Penta then hit another sling blade, this time on the outside, before rolling Evans into the ring in the AEW Dark: Elevation bout.
Penta punished Jack with a barrage of kicks in the corner. Evans reversed the package piledriver yet again with a clever roll-up.
Penta amped up the crowd before going up to the top rope. Evans followed him up but retreated with a backflip.
Penta proceeded to jump down before executing a Canadian Destroyer. The Luchador smoothly transitioned to his Fear Factor finisher for the win on AEW Dark: Elevation.
Result: Penta El Zero Miedo def. Jack Evans on AEW Dark: Elevation
Grade: B+
Tay Conti vs. Ashley D'Amboise on AEW Dark: Elevation
Tay Conti reveled in the cheers of the fans during her entrance on AEW Dark: Elevation. Ashley surprisingly scored a takedown early on, but Conti found her mark with a back elbow.
Ashley tasted some success with a dropkick, but Conti continued to go back to the elbow strikes. Tay used her judo background to get Ashley down before locking in a triangle sleeper hold.
Ashley, however, showed excellent ring awareness to dump Conti outside the ring. Tay executed a modified backbreaker on Ashley right in front of the fans at ringside.
Back in the ring, Conti reversed a lariat into a judo throw, followed by a standing pump kick. Conti landed two stunning lariats and a few more pump kicks in the corner. The babyface responded to the hot crowd by delivering a Gory special into the TayKO before getting the three-count pick with the DDTay on AEW Dark: Elevation.
Result: Tay Conti def. Ashley D'Amboise on AEW Dark: Elevation
Grade: B-
Main Event: JD Drake (w/ The Wingmen) vs. Jungle Boy (w/ Jurassic Express) on AEW Dark: Elevation
Of course, Jungle Boy got the loudest pop of the evening! The fans in attendance went berserk before the match as it was absolutely electric at Daily's Place. It felt like a world title pay-per-view main event!
Both men engaged in an ugly brawl to begin the contest. Jungle Boy countered Drake's aggression with a head scissors takedown.
Jungle Boy was feeling himself tonight as he knocked Drake off his feet yet again with a dropkick, followed by a perfect kip-up for the cameras.
The No.1 Contender for the AEW Title flew through the ropes to take Ryan Nemeth and Cezar Bononi down with a tope suicida. Drake took advantage of the chaos by bouncing his opponent off the ropes and connecting with a clubbing forearm shot.
Drake slowed down the pace of the match and took his time wearing down Jungle Boy. The Blue-Collar Badass showed off his athleticism with a modified senton and a dropkick.
While Jungle Boy showed brief signs of life, Drake kept up the pressure with his laborious offensive output.
Jungle Boy got in a series of chops before going for the knees. He successfully knocked Drake off his feet with a lariat. Jungle Boy stepped through the ropes for a DDT. Drake called for a few kicks, and the Jurassic Express member obliged with the body strikes.
JD got to a vertical base, and he telegraphed a swinging neckbreaker. The Wingmen attempted to influence the match, and they helped JD hit a rope-assisted STO.
Drake followed it with a cannonball senton and a Claymore kick. Drake covered, but Jungle Boy miraculously kicked out at two and a half. Drake looked shocked, and he went to the top for a Vader Bomb.
Jungle Boy got Drake down to the mat and locked in the Snare Trap for the win.
Result: Jungle Boy def. JD Drake on AEW Dark: Elevation
Grade: B+
Jungle Boy picked up his 46th win in AEW, the most for any wrestler in the company. The Jurassic Express celebrated the victory with the fans to end an eventful episode.
You can check out the full AEW Dark: Elevation episode above.