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AEW came out with another stacked Dark episode that featured 12 matches and some of the most promising names in the company in action.
The show also had a few talented debutants, and the company wasted no time getting right to the in-ring proceedings with a singles match.
Tony Nese vs. Dark Order's Alan "5" Angels on AEW Dark
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As expected, the Dark Order got a great reaction from the crowd as Alan Angels made his way to the ring.
On paper, this match looked like a potential show-stealer due to the agility of both men. They began with a swift mat exchange before battling it out for back control.
Tony Nese used his size advantage to overpower Angels in the corner. Alan responded with a perfect dropkick for a one-fall. Dark Order's 5 landed a few kicks, but Nese slowed down the momentum. He missed a moonsault, which gave Angels the chance to hit a springboard dropkick.
Angels ascended to the top but got swept off at the last minute by his opponent. Nese controlled the match's pace as he connected with cross-face strikes.
Angels survived a pinfall attempt after eating a brutal kick to the jaw. Nese kept him on the mat with a chin lock as the Dark Order member fought his way to a vertical base.
Nese positioned Angels on the top for an avalanche suplex, but Alan knocked him down with a headbutt. Nese rolled through for an uppercut but again missed the suplex by taking a gourdbuster. Angels wiped him out with a diving crossbody, followed by a hurricanrana and a chopping enziguri.
Angels reveled in the cheers as he landed a double-foot stomp and a moonsault press for a near fall. The back-and-forth action continued with a failed small package attempt from the Dark Order member.
Nese executed a brilliant pump handle piledriver for another near fall. Incredible move! Tony looked shocked by Angels' kickout as he argued with the referee.
The Premier Athlete grabbed Angels by the hair, but he got dropped on the apron with a knee shot. The latter went to the top of the turnbuckle, but Nese avoided the diving splash. He executed a German suplex against the buckle, followed by a vicious running knee strike in the corner for the win.
Result: Tony Nese def. Dark Order's Alan "5" Angels
Grade: A
Nese and Angels put on an excellent match to kick off the latest Dark!
Anna Jay (w/ Tay Conti & -1) vs. Dreamgirl Ellie
Anna Jay started the match with a takedown and maintained head control with a chin lock. Anna dominated the contest with a Northern Lights suplex, but Ellie showed her mean streak with a combination of punches.
Anna Jay reacted with a back elbow strike and a kick in the corner. She then executed a snap mare and delivered a flipping neckbreaker. Jay finished the match with the dangerous Jay kick, followed by the Queenslayer submission move.
Result: Anna Jay (w/ Tay Conti & -1) def. Dreamgirl Ellie
Grade: C
Gunn Club vs. Rolando Perez, Austin Green, & Donnie Primetime
Austin Gunn shared a hug with his legendary father before locking up with Austin Green in the center of the ring.
Green outmuscled Colten and Austin before Billy Gunn came in to try his luck. Papa Gunn failed to knock down Green with two shoulder tackles, but he eventually baited his opponent with an uppercut.
Rolando Perez got a tag and a massive pop as well as he went on the offensive. Donnie Primetime entered the ring and ate a gigantic right hand from Austin Gunn.
Billy took care of Primetime's partners as Austin Gunn hit the Quick Draw finisher for the win.
Result: Gunn Club def. Rolando Perez, Austin Green, & Donnie Primetime
Grade: B-
Marina Shafir vs. Valentina Rossi
Marina Shafir's unique entrance theme song fit her cold-blooded demeanor as she slowly walked towards the ring.
Shafir went for an armbar, but Rossi broke the hold and fought her way to the corner. Valentina landed a few right-hand strikes until her opponent grabbed her leg and connected with palm strikes.
Shafir was relentless as she executed a hip throw and locked in a leg-capture triangle hold for her first AEW win.
Result: Marina Shafir def. Valentina Rossi
Grade: B
Marina Shafir looks set to get a good push in the AEW women's division.
Bobby Fish vs. Ryzin on AEW Dark
Bobby Fish began the AEW Dark match with a knee strike to Ryzin's mid-section. Ryzin had a few good moments as he rocked Fish with an enziguri.
The former WWE star recuperated in the corner and got back with a kick, followed by a scoop slam. Fish kept up the pressure with a sliding clothesline as Taz talked about the star's strong mustache game.
He then landed a roundhouse strike and an exploder suplex before ending the match with a powerful kick across the face.
Result: Bobby Fish def. Ryzin
Grade: C
"Legit" Leyla Hirsch, Kris Statlander & Red Velvet vs. Renee Michelle, Sofia Castillo & Marina Tucker
Red Velvet and Marina Tucker started the match for their respective sides. The babyfaces isolated Tucker in their corner as Hirsch delivered a running double-knee strike.
Renee Michelle caught Red Velvet with a roundhouse kick to change the tide of the match. Castillo got a piece of the action with a thrust kick on Red Velvet.
Velvet created some space with a facebuster before making the hot tag to Kris Statlander, who initiated a spree of clotheslines. Kris power slammed Michelle and landed a big ax kick. However, she couldn't go for the pinfall as Hirsch made the blind tag. Leyla locked in the cross-arm breaker and picked up the win for her team.
Result: "Legit" Leyla Hirsch, Kris Statlander & Red Velvet def. Renee Michelle, Sofia Castillo & Marina Tucker
Grade: B
The issues between Kris Statlander and Leyla Hirsch will end up in a heated rivalry sooner rather than later.
Blanco Loco & Axton Ray vs. The Acclaimed
Max Caster promised to capture the tag team titles with his partner in 2022 before the match. The Acclaimed expected to get a routine victory tonight as they took the fight to their opponents.
Axton Ray caught Caster with a heel kick before tagging in his partner. Blanco Loco was greeted with a furious combination of moves from The Acclaimed, which ended with a perfect powerslam.
Axton Ray returned to the ring and impressed with a brilliant leap off the top, followed by an enziguri. Loco, however, accidentally took out his partner with a diving crossbody.
Caster finished the match with the Mic Drop over Loco.
Result: The Acclaimed def. Blanco Loco & Axton Ray
Grade: B
Jamie Hayter vs. Madi Wrenkowski
Wrenkowski wasn't your regular enhancement talent as she had a few singles wins on her AEW record. She managed to outwrestle Jamie Hayter during the early exchanges until she was shot down with a barrage of chops.
Hayter got a one-count with a snap suplex, and she continued the onslaught on her AEW Dark opponent. Jamie talked trash and showcased all the traits of an effective heel during the match.
Madi tried to string together a few clotheslines, but Jamie Hayter knocked her lights out with a forearm shimmer. Hayter seemed to have botched an STO but didn't miss the mark with a chair drop brainbuster for the three-count.
Result: Jamie Hayter def. Madi Wrenkowski
Grade: B
Dante Martin vs. Chandler Hopkins on AEW Dark
Dante Martin had a beaming smile as he made his entrance for his AEW Dark match. As expected, Martin's pace and agility were too much for Hopkins to handle.
Dante landed a massive dropkick that sent Hopkins outside the ring. Chandler stopped the tope suicida with a forearm strike, followed by a flatliner in the ring.
Hopkins boasted about being the best high-flyer in AEW, and he gave a good account of his work with a handspring elbow strike.
Dante Martin put together a few punches before getting a near fall with another dropkick. Martin finally connected with a tope suicida. He got the final pin with the 'Nose Dive' finisher.
Result: Dante Martin def. Chandler Hopkins on AEW Dark
Grade: B+
Sammy Guevara vs. Ho Ho Lun (AEW Debut) on AEW Dark
Hong Kong's Ho Ho Lun made his AEW debut tonight against Sammy Guevara. The Spanish God was looking to gather some momentum ahead of AEW's Battle of the Belts show.
Guevara executed a great mat return to start the highly-anticipated match. Fans inside the arena were the loudest for this bout as Guevara enjoyed early control. Sammy landed three chops and made it look easy thus far.
A frustrated Ho Ho Lun took some time to reassess his game plan as The Inner Circle member showboated in the ring. Ho Ho Lun finally got Sammy off his feet with a missile dropkick.
Lun raked Guevara's eyes with his boots, and it was a treat to watch his unique in-ring style. The latter fought back with a knee strike, followed by a savage GTH (Go To Hell — Argentine backbreaker transitioned into a knee lift).
Sammy hit the Cross Rhodes for the win. The former TNT Champion sent a loud and clear message to Cody Rhodes!
Result: Sammy Guevara def. Ho Ho Lun on AEW Dark
Grade: B
AEW Dark Co-Main Event: Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Colt Cabana
Colt Cabana mocked Powerhouse Hobbs by flexing his pecs before going for a shoulder tackle. The Team Taz member locked in a collar and elbow tie-up and sent Cabana across the ring with a biel throw.
Powerhouse Hobbs was briefly knocked down, but he responded with a massive shoulder block. Cabana used evasive tactics and invited his opponent to follow him around the ring. Hobbs was aware of the possibilities and regained control.
With a double-hand chop and his trademark elbow strike, Cabana got back into the match. Colt charged in with the flying apple, but Hobbs caught him mid-air.
Hobbs got a near fall with a spinebuster as Cabana got his shoulders up at the right time. He then took shots at the Dark Order and continued punishing Cabana in the corner with overhand chops.
Colt missed the moonsault press from the top rope. Hobbs lifted his opponent for the Torture Rack Backbreaker, leaving Cabana with no option but to tap out.
Result: Powerhouse Hobbs def. Colt Cabana on AEW Dark
Grade: B+
AEW Dark Main Event: JD Drake (w/ Cezar Bononi) vs. Brian Pillman Jr. on AEW Dark
Pillman looked great in the opening minutes of the AEW Dark main event as he forced JD Drake on the back foot.
JD rolled out of the ring but couldn't escape the diving crossbody from the top rope. A distraction from Cezar Bononi helped Pillman get into the driver's seat.
Drake executed a scoop slam back in the ring, followed by a falling headbutt on his opponent. He systematically dismantled Pillman with many moves, including a senton drop.
Pillman began his comeback with a massive clothesline to Drake's spine. The Varsity Blond battled out of a sleeper hold and connected with three chops, followed by a forearm shimmer.
Pillman took Bononi out of the equation with a ringside dropkick. He refocused his attention on Drake and hit his 'Air Pillman' finisher for the victory.
Result: Brian Pillman Jr. def. JD Drake on AEW Dark
Grade: B+
Pillman scored a big win as he is slated to face Malakai Black on the next episode of Dynamite. You can check out the full AEW Dark episode above, and feel free to share your reviews in the comments section below.
