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The latest AEW Dark: Elevation started with a recap of what happened after the last Dynamite episode.
Eddie Kingston came out and put over Jungle Boy by calling him the future of this great sport. He also took a shot at WWE during his promo, which, as you may have noticed, garnered a lot of attention online.
Nevertheless, the latest Elevation episode finally got underway with the first match of the evening.
Ryan Nemeth & JD Drake (w/ The Wingmen) vs. Gunn Club on AEW Dark: Elevation
Ryan Nemeth kicked off the match with a smooth fireman's carry takeover on Colten. The Hollywood Hunk might be an annoying character, but he is pretty solid in the ring.
JD Drake came in but got caught by a high dropkick. Colten, though, got trucked with a front-face kick. Drake worked on Colten in the corner before tagging Nemeth.
The heels executed a scoop slam-elbow drop combo on a helpless Colten Gunn. Ryan Nemeth danced around the ring before shoving his shoulders into Colten's stomach area.
Colten finally managed to create some separation before making the hot tag to Billy Gunn. Papa Gunn took Nemeth out with two clotheslines and a massive scoop slam. He dropped Drake with a clubbing right-hand strike before missing the Famouser on Nemeth.
The Hunk went for the neckbreaker, but Billy reversed it into the Famouser for the win. Pros don't miss twice.
Result: Gunn Club def. Ryan Nemeth & JD Drake on AEW Dark: Elevation
Grade: B-
Penelope Ford vs. Valentina Rossi on AEW Dark: Elevation
Ford went on the offensive and sent Rossi crashing into the turnbuckle. The Italian-born star got in a few back elbows, followed by the stomps in the corner.
Ford used the buckles to her advantage again to regain control of the match. She executed her trademark rope-assisted throat attack. Rossi, however, got a two-count with a cradle pinfall.
Rossi picked up the pace with two lariats, but she got rocked with a pump kick. Penelope missed the handspring stunner but was on the money with a fireman's carry double knee gutbuster for the win.
Result: Penelope Ford def. Valentina Rossi on AEW Dark: Elevation
Grade: B-
Brian Cage (w/ Hook and Powerhouse Hobbs) vs. Serpentico (w/ Luther) on AEW Dark: Elevation
Serpentico made a silly mistake by starting the AEW Dark match by charging towards Brian Cage. "The Machine" sent Serpentico flying across the ring with a massive back body drop.
He picked up the masked wrestler and flexed his muscles before tossing him across the ring. Luther took a free shot from the outside while the ref had his back turned. Serpentico took advantage and stomped Cage on the back. The FTW champion got back by sweeping Serpentico off his feet. Luther got involved in the match by attacking Cage.
Back in the ring, Serpentico got a two-count following a superkick and a low-angle DDT. Luther barked instructions from the outside, and Cage responded with a reverse suplex.
Brian knew the finish was near as he launched a release-German suplex after two stiff blows. The action spilled outside the ring as Cage executed a running powerbomb. Incredible! Cage then hit a modified Drill Claw for the win.
What a beast!
Result: Brian Cage def. Serpentico on AEW Dark: Elevation
Grade: B+
The story of the match was all about how the Team Taz members didn't help Cage at ringside when Luther attempted to influence the bout.
Schiavone played up the fact that Hobbs and Hook had immense faith in Cage's ability to pick up the win, making the FTW Champion look really strong.
Karl Anderson (w/ Doc Gallows & The Young Bucks) vs. Wheeler Yuta (AEW Debut) on AEW Dark: Elevation
Anderson kicked Yuta in the guts, and he was aggressive in the early stages of the match. The former WWE star executed an extensive striking combo that got a pop from the crowd.
Yuta reversed a back-body suplex and returned with a fluid dropkick. He gathered steam and landed an excellent running back elbow. Gallows grabbed Yuta's attention, and Karl Anderson delivered a perfect spinebuster.
Anderson went into the full-mount position and grounded his forearm into Yuta's eyes. Nasty! Karl finally executed the belly-to-back suplex for a two-count,
He put all of his weight and got his elbows under Yuta's chin for a tight lock. Anderson enjoyed his handiwork as he knocked Yuta down with a huge clothesline.
Yuta fought back with three forearm shimmers, but Anderson absorbed them all.
Yuta didn't back down, though, as he executed an inverted atomic drop and an enziguri. He leaped to the top and delivered a shotgun dropkick. Fans popped for the NJPW Strong regular as he tried to take Gallows out with a tope suicida.
Doc swatted Yuta like a fly in mid-air before The Young Bucks hit the stereo superkicks. Being the ultimate opportunity he is, Anderson rolled Yuta back into the ring before going to the top turnbuckle. Karl delivered the Stun Gun to win on AEW Dark: Elevation.
Result: Karl Anderson def. Wheeler Yuta on AEW Dark: Elevation
Grade: B+
Dustin Rhodes, Brock Anderson & Lee Johnson (w/ Arn Anderson) vs. Adrian Alanis, Liam Gray & Justin Corino on AEW Dark: Elevation
Arn Anderson's son kicked off what was only his second professional wrestling match ever in AEW with a collar and elbow tie-up with Corino.
Brock looked like a carbon copy of his legendary father as he was stiff with his strikes. Liam Gray and Lee Johnson were the legal men now, and Big Shotty used his explosiveness to execute two arm drags.
Brock came back in and focussed on Liam Gray's injured left arm: a textbook Arn Anderson strategy! However, Adrian Alanis and his team managed to ground Brock with some good teamwork.
Alanis and Gray hit a backbreaker-neckbreaker combo on Anderson, who then created some separation by ricocheting off the buckle for an elbow strike.
Lee Johnson and Dustin Rhodes encouraged Brock, who tagged the veteran. Dustin executed his classic offensive moves, which included a spinebuster, a cutter, and of course, his patented powerslam.
Dustin dumped all three opponents out of the ring before Johnson took them out with a twisting dive. Rhodes and Johnson hit a superkick-Bulldog combo on Alanis for the victory.
Result: Dustin Rhodes, Brock Anderson & Lee Johnson def. Adrian Alanis, Liam Gray & Justin Corino on AEW Dark: Elevation
Grade: B+
The Acclaimed vs. PB Smooth & Matt Justice on AEW Dark: Elevation
Anthony Bowens and Max Caster outsmarted PB Smooth with a classic-bait-and-switch.
Bowens was relentless as he delivered a spear in the corner and attacked the left leg with a dragon screw leg whip. Smooth finally tagged in Justice, who came in with a big boot and a knife-edged chop.
Caster made a blind tag and attacked Justice with a shot in the back. He ate a few chops before sending Matt back towards Bowens.
The Acclaimed kept it simple by sinching in the punches. They followed it with a three-move combo. Smooth had seen enough from the corner, and he went for another big boot on Caster, who moved out of the way.
Smooth's mistake proved costly as The Acclaimed ended the AEW Dark: Elevation match with the Mic Drop on Justice.
Result: The Acclaimed def. PB Smooth & Matt Justice on AEW Dark: Elevation
Grade: B
KiLynn King vs. Riho on AEW Dark: Elevation
Riho got a massive pop upon her return to action for the first time since Double or Nothing, and deservedly so! As aptly highlighted by Tony Schiavone, the inaugural AEW Women's Champion has the best smile in all of pro wrestling!
A tie-up got the match rolling, with King getting the better of the exchange. The ref called for a clean break as fans chanted for Riho. The crowd was hot for the match!
King's power advantage was a visible feature of the contest, and so was the height differential. Riho, however, cartwheeled her way to a dominant position in the match.
She rocked King with a running knee strike in the corner. King replied by catching Riho's crossbody attempt and dropping her down with a brutal backbreaker.
KiLynn continued to punish Riho despite the crowd being against her. Riho was a fighter, though, as she landed a series of punches.
Riho used her flexibility with a Matrix-inspired get-up. She lured King into a drop toehold, followed by a 619, aka the 'area code shot'! The fans absolutely loved that!
Riho hit a big crossbody from the top rope for a two-count. King responded with a reverse spin kick and a classic vertical suplex.
Kilynn looked a bit frustrated with Riho's resilience, and the Japanese star reacted with a double stomp. Riho missed the double stomp from the top and got caught in a firewoman's carry position.
King rolled through with a senton before going to the top but wasted a lot of time and messed up the frog splash. Riho capitalized on her opponent's misstep with a running double knee strike for the three-count. Brilliant match!
Result: Riho def. KiLynn King on AEW Dark: Elevation
Grade: A
Riho connects with the fans on a different level, and it was amazing to see her back in action inside the AEW ring. KiLynn King also deserves a lot of praise for developing into one of the most exciting female talents in the company.
King has a unique look and is the tallest female wrestler in AEW, whose in-ring work is also improving rapidly. Looking at her current path, King will have her time at the top in the future
Varsity Blonds (w/ Julia Hart) vs. Aaron Rourke & Jake Logan on AEW Dark: Elevation
Rourke and Logan attacked the Blonds before the bell rang for the AEW Dark: Elevation match. Garrison and Pillman Jr. were in the driver's seat with a combination of diving moves.
Garrison hit a tope suicida as Pillman delivered a sliding dropkick. The action settled after the initial chaos as Pillman worked on Jake Logan.
Garrison got the tag, and the Blonds executed a dropkick-spinebuster combo. Pillman Jr. picked up the quick win as Pillman floored Logan with a springboard clothesline. The finisher came after Griff's discus forearm shot.
Result: Varsity Blonds def. Aaron Rourke & Jake Logan on AEW Dark: Elevation
Grade: B-
The Blonds got one of the best reactions of the night. Pillman's strong finish also puts him in a good spot ahead of his TNT title match against reigning champion Miro on the upcoming AEW Dynamite episode.
Thunder Rosa vs. Katalina Perez
Thunder Rosa stumbled a bit while entering the ring, but that didn't stop the crowd from showering their love on the former NWA Women's Champion.
Perez escaped a roll-up and laid on some forearm shots followed by a European uppercut. Rosa reacted by dragging Perez down to the mat for an intricate surfboard lock.
Both women exchanged chops, and the sound of the impact echoed throughout the arena. Perez missed a pump kick and fell for a side-Russian leg sweep. Rosa locked in the Peruvian Calavera choke (Peruvian Necktie) and forced Katalina Perez to tap out.
Result: Thunder Rosa def. Katalina Perez on AEW Dark: Elevation
Grade: B
The Blade (w/ The Bunny) vs. Chuck Taylor
Blade flung his jacket towards Chuck, but the Best Friend was familiar with all the tricks. The action moved to the ringside area as Chuck sent Blade crashing into the barricade. The Bunny managed to intimidate Taylor and Blade used the time to execute a blindsided assault.
Blade maintained control with a big power slam in the ring. He showed his stand-up versatility with a right cross, followed by a knee to the back. He talked trash and showed phenomenal conditioning to keep up a good pace in the match.
Chuck tried many times to stage a comeback, but Blade was busy putting on a wrestling clinic. It may not have been pretty to the eye, but his game plan was effective.
Both men traded forearm shots, and Chuck finally began to string together a few punches. He delivered Sole Food (inverted stomp facebreaker) followed by a big running boot and a simple scoop slam.
Taylor went to the top but missed the moonsault as Blade moved out of the way. Thankfully for him, he landed on his feet and delivered the Awful Waffle.
Blade dug deep to kick out of a pinfall, but he looked dazed. Chuck looked set to finish the match with a top-rope double stomp, but Blade miraculously got his shoulders up. Chuck pulled the straps down and placed Blade on the top buckle. He carried Blade, who escaped and connected with a savage chop.
Blade blocked the piledriver, swept Chuck off his feet, and jumped in for a pinfall. He used the ropes to add more pressure, and The Bunny made things easy like a typical heel by holding his feet.
Chuck got cheated out of a win by Blade and The Bunny.
Result: The Blade def Chuck Taylor on AEW Dark: Elevation
Grade: B
All hell broke loose after the match as Blade along with TH2 attacked Chuck. Orange Cassidy walked out to the loudest pop of the evening, and the heels vacated the ring.
Cassidy was ready to throw hands with all the H.F.O. members around the ring as he took his glasses off. That's the signal, folks! The Best Friends ended the AEW Elevation segment with a chorus of cheers after the heels retreated.
Matt Hardy & Private Party vs. Dark Order's Alex Reynolds, Colt Cabana & Alan "5" Angels on AEW Dark: Elevation
Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy cosplayed the Hardy Boyz, and they looked phenomenal before the AEW Dark: Elevation match.
Angels got the party started on the ramp with a running crossbody to Private Party. Hardy went for the Twist of Fate, but Cabana and Reynolds stopped him with a double suplex.
The Dark Order got Private Party back into the ring with a double hip toss and back out again with twin clotheslines. It should be noted that the bell had not been rung just yet! Absolute pandemonium!
Matt Hardy was annoyed and took the lead as the match kicked off with Angels representing the Dark Order. Angels had a response for every Hardy move until the veteran stunned him with a follow-through lariat.
The heels started calling the shots as Private Party attacked Angels in the groin with a steel post. That didn't look good to endure! Hardy, meanwhile, distracted the referee. Kassidy used his scarf to choke Angels as referee Rick Knox couldn't control the baddies of the match.
Alan finally created some space with a clutch clothesline. He made the hot tag to Alex Reynolds, who ran in to knock Matt off the apron with a big boot. He shifted his attention towards Kassidy with a flurry of moves. Reynolds took Hardy out with a tope suicida. Cabana came in and laid out Private Party with a springboard moonsault.
The Downward elbows from Colt came next before Angels flew in for a cross body and a subsequent near fall. Matt Hardy stopped Reynolds' momentum by giving him a faceful of the apron! Angels found himself isolated as Private Party looked to get the win bonus.
Angels couldn't fight off the three-on-one man disadvantage as Quen and Kassidy executed a flawless Gin and Juice (top rope Frankenstiener into a Cutter) for the win on AEW Dark: Elevation.
Result: Matt Hardy & Private Party of H.F.O. def. The Dark Order's Alex Reynolds, Colt Cabana & Alan "5" Angels on AEW Dark: Elevation
Grade: A
Co-Main Event: Hikaru Shida vs. Reka Tehaka
Both women started the AEW match with aggressive collars and elbow tie-ups. Tehaka knew how to take a few punches and return fire with fire. Reka's Samoan temper kicked in as she grabbed Shida by the hair and yanked her around the ring.
Tehaka left Hikaru Shida to dry on the ropes, but the former AEW Women's champion sneaked out and landed a knee lift. She connected with another, this time while Tehaka was on the apron.
Shida attempted a deadlift suplex from the second rope, but Reka blocked it with a massive blow. Reka got a two-count with a big chop, something that you don't see often in wrestling. Reka has dynamite in her hands!
Shida moved out of a corner strike and executed a ripcord enziguri, followed by a traditional suplex. Tehaka still had some fuel left in the gas tank as she delivered two huge headbutts and a fallaway crucifix slam, aka the Samoan Drop.
Shida kicked out of the pinfall and hit the Katana knee strike finisher for the win. The Japanese star's precision on the move is something to behold.
Result: Hikaru Shida def. Reka Tehaka on AEW Dark: Elevation
Grade: B+
Main Event: Eddie Kingston & Penta El Zero Miedo (w/ Alex Abrahantes) vs. TH2
Eddie Kingston got a loud pop on AEW Dark: Elevation. The fan-favorite wasn't impressed with Jack Evans' shenanigans.
The final match finally got underway with a predictable lockup. Jack Evans continued his 'breakdance routine,' and Kingston allowed his opponent to do his thing. Kingston mocked Evans and Angelico by imitating their goofy dance. And yes, it got an 'Eddie' chant going!
He hyped up the tag to Penta, and the crowd ate it all up! Kingston is a master at crowd control, and it's not surprising that Tony Khan hands him the microphone for most off-screen segments.
Penta, aka Mr. Offense, showed what he was all about with a barrage of moves on Angelico. It started with a step-up enziguri from the outside, followed by a diving crossbody from the top. He then bounced off the ropes using the springboard into an arm-drag takedown, and topped it with a vicious tilt-a-whirl backbreaker that split Angelico in half.
Schiavone had a tough time keeping up with Penta, as we expected. Kingston came and helped Penta land a penalty kick before he rolled out of the ring. Angelico's selling was on point as he blocked a side suplex, used a brief distraction, and bit Eddie's forehead.
It was Kingston's time to do the selling as TH2 kept the popular star grounded with their unorthodox offense. Evans, the legal man, got some great hangtime with a leaping knee strike.
Jon Moxley's best friend, though, hoisted Angelico up for an STO-styled slam. He finally tagged Penta, who picked up from where he left off with two sling blades on the TH2 members.
Penta was a one-man wrecking crew as he positioned Evans and Angelico into the corner with monkey flips.
Evans was on the receiving end of some unforgiving offense as Penta executed a small package pump handle piledriver.
Kingston tried to pre-occupy Angelico from the apron while Penta tried to hit his finisher on Jack. TH2 isolated Penta with a neckbreaker-backbreaker combo. Angelico dropped Penta down again with a face-plant before Evans got a near fall with a standing sky twister.
Penta was proving to be a tough nut to crack! Kingston entered the ring to help his partner as he took Angelico out of the equation with a rolling discus elbow shot.
He set Penta up for the finish with a half-and-half on Evans, who got laid out with a small package piledriver, aka The Fear Factor on AEW Dark: Elevation.
Result: Eddie Kingston & Penta El Zero Miedo def. TH2 on AEW Dark: Elevation
Grade: A
An insanely loud Ciero Miedo chant fittingly ended the first AEW Dark: Elevation, which went down in front of a lively and passionate audience.
To conclude, AEW's latest Elevation offering was entertaining from start to end. You can check out the full AEW Dark: Elevation episode above.
