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Red Velvet vs. Skye Blue on AEW Dark
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Both women got the AEW Dark match rolling with a stiff lock-up, and Skye Blue got all the love from her hometown fans in attendance. Red Velvet felt like the heel as she received the boos while engaging in an intense mat exchange.
Velvet and Blue exchanged a series of pins that got a round of applause from the crowd. Red Velvet knocked Blue down with a single-leg lariat and got tremendous heat.
Blue got back by executing a cartwheel into an uppercut, followed by a massive crossbody from the top. She locked in a Fujiwara armbar, and Velvet quickly got out of the hold before trading blows in the center of the ring.
The back-and-forth battle ended with Velvet hitting a cazadora bulldog. Velvet came running through for the double knees to the back and a standing moonsault for a near fall. Blue created an opening but got caught in The Iconoclasm for another near fall.
The AEW fresher was resilient, and the hometown crowd cheered her every move. Blue wobbled Velvet with a thrust kick and a high-arc DDT. Velvet kicked out at two and a half!
Velvet blocked the sliced bread to deliver her finisher, 'The Final Slice,' for a hard-fought victory.
Result: Red Velvet def. Skye Blue on AEW Dark
Grade: A
Tony Khan's special announcement
It was a phenomenal effort from both women and special props for the fans to make it an even bigger deal.
After the incredible women's match, Tony Khan came out and rewarded Sky Blue with a spot in the Casino Battle Royale. The Chicago audience erupted as Red Velvet and Sky Blue hugged after Khan's announcement. That was awesome!
Penelope Ford and The Bunny cut a backstage promo and spoke about the Casino Battle Royale match.
Shawn Spears & Wardlow (w/ Tully Blanchard) vs. Brandon Gore & JDX (AEW Tag Team Debut) on AEW Dark
Shawn Spears worked the crowd brilliantly before locking up Brandon Gore with an effortless takedown sequence. Gore delivered a mat return and tagged JDX, who came off the top with an ax handle on Spears' elbow.
Gore came back in and ate a southpaw shot from The Chairman. Tully Blanchard hit a running knee strike on Gore while the referee had his back turned.
Spears punished Brandon with a series of knees to the chin. Wardlow continued the dominance with a powerbomb on both his opponents. The Pinnacle's monster then powerbombed JDX on top of Gore. He wasn't done, though, as he executed his finisher in the corner.
Spears asked for the tag and took his own sweet time to cover a lifeless Brandon Gore for the win.
Result: Shawn Spears & Wardlow def. Brandon Gore & JDX (AEW Tag Team Debut) on AEW Dark
Grade: B
