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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+
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
