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Excalibur and Taz kicked off the first AEW Dark episode of the new year.
#1. Nick Comoroto vs. Jungle Boy on AEW Dark
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Jungle Boy debuted his new theme song, and it sounded phenomenal. It was a Christmas gift from Tony Khan to Jungle Boy.
Comoroto used his power to dominate the early goings of the match. Jungle Boy countered with his speed. Jungle Boy got Comoroto out with a Hurricanerana, followed by the Tope Suicida.
Comoroto looked great as usual as he sent Jungle Boy face-first into the middle rope. The former NXT Superstar continued the methodical punishment to Jungle Boy's face. A verticle suplex got him a 2-count.
Comoroto kept shutting Jungle Boy's attempts to fight back. Nick hit a big power slam for another near fall before Jungle Boy finally kicked off his comeback after Nick missed a running knee in the corner.
Jungle Boy locked the Snare Trap for the win following a flipping knee strike to the back.
Result: Jungle Boy def. Nick Comoroto on AEW Dark
Grade: C+
#2. Alex Garcia vs. Nyla Rose on AEW Dark
Alex Garcia came out of the gates hot with a series of strikes and a few basement dropkicks. Nyla Rose was taken off her feet, but the early momentum didn't last for long.
Rose dropped Garcia with a Samoan Drop. Rose hit the Beast Bomb to finish the match.
Result: Nyla Rose def. Alex Garcia
Grade: D
Vickie Guerrero cut a promo after the match about Garcia not learning a lesson. Rose got a table into the ring and sent Garcia through it with a Beast Bomb as Vickie laughed in the background.
#3. Ariel Levy vs. Scorpio Sky on AEW Dark
Both men kicked off the match with the collar and elbow tie-up. Sky got Levy off his feet with the heavy-handed strikes and uppercuts. Sky executed the Russian Leg Sweep as Levy reached for the ropes.
Levy used the momentary distraction from the ref to connect with a strike. Levy followed it up with a driving knee strike for a 2-count. Both men exchanged strikes in the middle of the ring. Sky faked a knee strike and caught Levy with a rising knee followed by a faceplant.
Levy escaped a suplex and responded with a neck breaker for a 2-count. Back on the feet, Sky connected with a dropkick followed by the TKO for the win on AEW Dark.
Result: Scorpio Sky def. Ariel Levy on AEW Dark
Grade: C
Marko Stunt and Brodie Lee Jr. segment on AEW Dark
Marko Stunt came out with a mic in his hand, but Negative One (-1) made his way to the ring with a mic in his hand himself.
Brodie Lee's son began his promo by taking a shot at Marko. Negative one said that Marko always needed someone's help to win. Negative one added that he'd be taller than Marko when he grows up. They almost came to blows as Cody, QT Marshall, and The Bucks came out to separate the two. Negative one was like a boy possessed as he broke free and followed Marko Stunt.
It was hilarious!
#4. Aaron Solow vs. Rey Fenix on AEW Dark
Rey Fenix had the opportunity to warm-up ahead of his AEW World Championship match against Kenny Omega on tomorrow's New Year's Smash episode of Dynamite.
Solow and Fenix canceled each other out with the early exchanges. Fenix mocked Solow with a fake handshake. Solow was fired up as he called for Fenix to bring it.
Fenix finally connected with a loud chop followed by one of his patented arm drags. Aaron Solow replied with a standing double foot stomp for a 2-count. Solow worked on wearing down Fenix.
Aaron went for a suplex, but Fenix reversed it and connected with an explosive kick. Fenix hit a high Commonguri, but Solow followed him with a knee strike. The side suplex followed that gave Solow a near fall.
Solow connected with a screw high kick for a two-count. Fenix stopped an incoming Solow in the corner and hit the area code shot in the followed by an insane cutter.
Fenix got a near fall. This man is special! Fenix then dropped Solow with the Fire Thunder Driver for the win.
Result: Rey Fenix def. Aaron Solow on AEW Dark
Grade: B+
Aaron Solow had another excellent outing, and he deserves to get a win soon.
#5. Brandon Cutler vs. Louie Valle on AEW Dark
Brandon Cutler was on fire as he slammed Valle into the mat, followed by the long-distance leg drop (LLD). Valle went for the crossbody, but Cutler caught him and looked for the TPK.
Valle fought out it and connected with double boots to the side of Cutler's face. Valle began talking about his 'hot breath,' but Cutler was having none of it.
Valle hit a running elbow in the corner. He continued to talk trash hilariously until he got knocked out of the ring. Cutler dropped Valle on the apron.
Back in the ring, Valle escaped a suplex by gauging Cutler in the eyes. Brandon hit Valle in the button before coming over the top with the enziguri. He hit the TPK for the 3-count. The winning streak now stands at eight victories in a row for the Dragon of AEW.
Result: Brandon Cutler def. Louie Valle on AEW Dark
Grade: C
After the match, Cutler paid tribute to Brodie Lee by promising to be a great father.
#6. Peter Avalon vs. Angel Fashion on AEW Dark
Avalon took the microphone and declared that it was time for Pretty Peter's Pageant Provocation. This week's contender was Angel Fashion.
Peter got control of the head in the early moments of the match before he began showing off his muscles. The Greco-roman knuckle lock was next on the sequence before both men engaged in a fast-paced exchange of pins.
Fashion got some momentum with the chops and a running knee strike. Avalon responded with a running clothesline for a two.
Avalon enjoyed the control as he hit a suplex. Peter missed a moonsault press from the top rope, and Fashion got some offense on his opponent.
Fashion rattled Avalon with a roundhouse kick followed by a dropkick from the top rope. Avalon managed to escape the charging shoulder tackle, and he followed it with the Martinis for the win.
Result: Peter Avalon def. Angel Fashion on AEW Dark
Grade: C
#7. Ivelisse & Diamante vs. KiLynn King & Tesha Price on AEW Dark
King and Price made their AEW Tag Team debut against the best women's team in AEW. Ivelisse and King began the match, and it was KiLynn who got the early advantage owing to her power.
King hit the gutbuster before tagging Price into the contest. The newly-formed team showed off good synergy to keep Ivelisse grounded. Ivelisse, however, trapped Price in the middle of the rope to get control for her team.
Diamante was in the ring now, and she chopped Price in the corner. A running blow followed the elbow strikes. The AEW Tag Team Cup Tournament winners made quick tags and kept Price in their corner.
Price finally created some separation with a back elbow. King got the hot tag as Ivelisse came in on the other side. King unleashed a series of clotheslines on both her opponents. King was on a roll with high kicks, roundhouse, and a German release suplex before Diamante broke up a pin attempt.
Diamante trapped King in a tricky submission move, which did the job.
Result: Ivelisse & Diamante def. KiLynn King & Tesha Price on AEW Dark
Grade: B
#8. Gunn Club vs. Bear Country & Mike Verna on AEW Dark
Yours truly is a big fan of Bear Country, so it was great to see them on AEW Dark. Austin Gunn started the match with Mike Verna. However, Austin changed his mind and made the tag to his father. Verna followed suit by making the tag to Boulder.
Bear Boulder backed Billy Gunn into the turnbuckle. Boulder then dropped Billy with the power slam. Verna now got a piece of the action as he mocked the WWE Hall of Famer.
Austin Gunn was the legal man now, and he dropped Verna with a clubbing shot. Colten got the tag, and he did the slam dunk shot. He sadly missed it.
Bear Bronson got the tag, and he got the match in his team's favor. Bear Country punished Colten in their corner as Boulder was ruthless with the power strikes. Verna hit the snap suplex for a 1-count. Colten was having a tough time getting to his corner.
Gunn, however, blocked a suplex, but Verna got him eventually with a power slam.
Boulder missed a moonsault, which gave Colten the chance to make the tag to Austin. All hell broke loose as all men engaged in a series of counters.
Austin Gunn ended the match with the Quick Draw on Verna.
Result: Gunn Club def. Bear Country & Mike Verna on AEW Dark
Grade: B
#9. Shanna vs. Vipress on AEW Dark
The collar and elbow tie-up kicked off the match before the referee broke them up in the corner. Shanna took Vipress down with a leg trip before transitioning to a rolled up.
Shanna looked impressive, but Vipress connected with a back elbow. Vipress used the kicks to keep Shanna on her knees.
She hit the running boot for a two-count. Shanna then fought her way up to the feet before connecting with punches and chops. Shanna continued the onslaught by unleashing a barrage of elbows and chops in the corner.
Shanna dropped Vipress with a running, leaping clothesline. Shanna was feeling it now, and she connected with the running dropkick, followed by the double underhook facebuster for the win.
Result: Shanna def. Vipress on AEW Dark
Grade: C
#10. Matt Sydal vs. Baron Black on AEW Dark
Sydal and Black kicked off the AEW Dark match with a familiar-looking exchange. Sydal got control of Black's arm for a few seconds before Baron got back to the feet.
Sydal executed two deep arm drags before looking for the crucifix. Black connected with a series of right hands, but Sydal was one step ahead with the Rolling Sole Butt. Sydal was on top as he hit a modified Russian Leg Sweep into a submission hold.
Black got back into the match with a ripcord clothesline. Sydal responded with the slice. The standing mariposa with the delayed twist crushed Black's chest.
Black caught a kick and executed the Dragon Screw. Black attempted the Bow and Arrow, but he missed the chin, and Sydal reversed it into a pin.
Sydal caught Black in a submission, but Baron flipped it into a pinning predicament. Black hit the Atomic Drop-backstabber combo for a near fall. Sydal stopped Black in his tracks with a kick.
He brought Black to the top and executed a tremendous vertical leap. Sydal hit the Lightning Spiral for the win.
Result: Matt Sydal def. Baron Black on AEW Dark
Grade: B+
#11. Ashley Vox (AEW Debut) vs. Thunder Rosa on AEW Dark
Vox got the better of Thunder Rosa early in the match, but the former NWA Women's Champion connected with a big strike.
Thunder Rosa executed three deep arm drags. However, Vox rebounded off the top rope and hit a Hurricanerana followed by the double-foot dropkick for a two-count.
Rosa got control again with a neck breaker for a two-count. Rosa then hit the leg drop for another near fall. Thunder lifted Vox on her shoulders and rammed her into the corners. She trapped Vox in a submission move in the middle of the ring.
Rosa even managed to get Vox in the Tarantula near the corner, with the elbow strikes coming in for added effect. Vox stayed in the match with elbows. However, Rosa fired back with kicks and knees. The two women engaged in a stiff back-and-forth. Vox executed a great fish-hook ripcord thrust kick followed by a spinning flatliner.
Rosa kicked out at two, and she swept up Vox. Ashley countered the Fire Thunder Driver into a quick roll-up. However, Rosa spun Vox out into a neck breaker. Vox somehow kicked out at two.
Rosa finished the match with the Fire Thunder Driver. Good match!
Result: Thunder Rosa def. Ashley Vox on AEW Dark
Grade: B+
#12. Lee Johnson & Shawn Dean (AEW Tag Team Debut) vs. The Acclaimed on AEW Dark
Johnson and Bowens got the match underway. Johnson connected with a big dropkick to take control of the match before tagging in Shawn Dean.
Max Caster got the tag, and he got taken out with a double Japenese arm drag. Dean and Caster were the legal men now. The Captain executed a leaping Tope Con Hilo on Caster before making the Brodie Lee gesture.
Caster finally tipped the scales for his team by sending Dean face-first into the rope. The Acclaimed began their phase of dominance. Bowens came in and chopped and stomped Dean in the corner. The Acclaimed made the quick tags.
Dean vaulted off Bowens' chest and connected with a DDT on Caster before making the tag to Johnson. Lee came in with two clotheslines, followed by the neck breaker.
Johnson hit the Blue Thunder Bomb, but Caster broke up the pin. Bowens and Johnson exchanged pins in the center of the ring before Lee rocked Anthony with the thrust kick.
Caster hit the suplex from the top rope. The Acclaimed hit a big double team, but Dean came in to make the save by breaking up the pin.
Caster hit the mule kick on Dean, who was taken out of the picture. Caster and Bowens hit their double team move on Johnson for the win on AEW Dark.
Result: The Acclaimed def. Lee Johnson & Shawn Dean on AEW Dark
Grade: B-
#13. Fuego Del Sol vs. Danny Limelight on AEW Dark
An arm drag party got the AEW Dark match rolling. Del Sol wasn't a happy man after Limelight slapped him in the mask.
Del Sol had Danny Limelight against the ropes as he dropped him with a Moonsault on the outside. Limelight caught Del Sol's kick before executing a brutal powerbomb-backstabber combo.
Limelight continued to put the pressure on Del Sol's back. He went up top and hit the diving stomp as Del Sol was trapped in the middle rope. Del Sol had some fight in him with a few lefts and rights. However, Limelight transitioned to a single leg Boston Crab.
Del Sol reacted with a huge Hurricanerana. The flying elbow strikes were out next, followed by a combination of kicks on Limelight. Fuego got a near fall with a straight jacket neck breaker.
Limelight caught Fuego in mid-air and dropped him across the top rope. Both men were on the top, and Limelight went on to execute an Exploder suplex/ Spanish Fly for the win.
Limelight deservedly gets his first AEW win.
Result: Danny Limelight def. Fuego Del Sol on AEW Dark
Grade: B+
#14. Darius Martin vs. Frankie Kazarian vs. Griff Garrison vs. Angelico (4-Way Match on AEW Dark)
Angelico became the early target in the AEW Dark match due to Jack Evans' shenanigans.
Darius Martin hit the driving cross body on Frankie Kazarian. Martin and Garrison engaged in a swift exchange. The Top Flight member was on top before Kazarian stopped him with a hard chop. Kazarian got a two-count with a Northern Lights high-stack suplex. Garrison rushed in and dropped Kazarian with a big kick for a two-count.
Martin went for a flying move, but Griff and Frankie moved out. The three men went for kicks simultaneously, and they caught it. Angelico came in but was sent back out by the other members of the AEW Dark match.
Darius Martin was the MVP thus far as he looked for a dive on the outside. Evans tripped Martin before Angelico capitalized in the ring. Garrison and Kazarian brawled on the outside.
Angelico got a two-count with a back suplex on Martin in the ring. Martin then fought back with the rights before Angelico stopped Darius with a standing stretch. Garrison looked to get involved, but Angelico smartly trapped him in a hold with his free arm.
Kazarian came in and executed a leg drop on all three men. Frankie was now on top as he targeted all three opponents with a series of moves. Frankie for a near fall on Marin with a Cutter.
Garrison dropped Angelico with a high boot followed by two big splashes. Garrison hit the DDT-Flatliner combo. He pinned both Kazarian and Angelico but to no avail.
Darius got rocked with a boot to the face. A lot was happening in this match, but one constant was Evans continually trying to get involved. A brawl broke out with the other team members, and Martin took them all out with a dive.
Back in the ring, Kazarian drove Garrison's head into the mat for the win on AEW Dark.
Result: Frankie Kazarian def. Darius Martin, Angelico, and Griff Garrison on AEW Dark
Grade: A
#15. Co-Main Event: Michael Nakazawa vs. Sammy Guevara on AEW Dark
Guevara showed off as he got the better of the mat exchanges. Nakazawa grabbed Guevara's nipples to get some offense in, but Guevara was back in control in no time.
Guevara took out Nakazawa with a corkscrew tope. Sammy almost botched that one up as he could have dropped on his head. Thankfully for him, he held on to Nakazawa's legs to break the fall.
Back in the ring, Nakazawa applied some oil on the turnbuckle and the mat. Guevara slipped, and Nakazawa hit the flying shoulder tackle from the top for a two-count. Guevara connected with a hook kick, but Nakazawa almost stunned the Spanish God with a pin.
Nakazawa hit the Spear for another near fall. He followed it with an Angle Slam for a two-count. Sammy, however, hit the running knee strike, followed by the GTH for the win on AEW Dark.
Result: Sammy Guevara def. Michael Nakazawa on AEW Dark
Grade: C
Guevara cut a promo after the match. He vowed to work hard in 2021, as that's all he knew. Guevara issued an open challenge for next week's AEW Dark.
Guevara said that he would become a Champion in 2021.
#16. Main Event: Serpentico vs. Alan '5' Angels on AEW Dark
Angels cracked Serpentico with a big chop before settling for the waist lock. Serpentico took Angels down as Luther barked orders from the outside. Angels connected with a hard elbow strike before sending Serpentico to the outside.
The action spilled over to the outside. Luther helped Serpentico to fly over the barricade and crash into Angels.
Angels and Serpentico brawled on Peter Avalon's bed as Luther distracted the referee the entire time. The action was back in the ring for some time before Angels were sent back to the outside. Serpentico distracted the referee, and Luther attacked Angels in the meantime.
Serpentico controlled the proceedings in the ring, but Angels responded with a few chops. Serpentico came over the top with the diving foot stomp. Angels stopped Serpentico with two back elbows. Angels came through with a series of elbows strikes followed by the standing sliced bread. Angels got a two-count with a powerbomb.
The Dark Order went up to the top rope. Serpentico moved out of the way and connected with a thrust kick and low DDT for a near fall.
Serpentico went up top, but Angels followed him with a rising knee strike. Serpentico avoided the top rope suplex, and he followed it with a jumping kick. Serpentico missed the Poisonrana as Angels landed on his feet. Angels took Luther out with the Tope before going back in and hitting the Wing Snapper on Serpentico for the win on AEW Dark.
Result: Alan '5' Angels def. Serpentico on AEW Dark
Grade: B+
The Dark Order returned, and Negative 1 took the microphone. Brodie Lee Jr. roasted Luther for having a ball on his face. Promo of the year right there! A great end to a very entertaining episode of AEW Dark, which you can view above.
